THE POUR

With the ebb and flow of the seasons, you might be feeling like it’s time to put away any road trip lists until the warmer weather returns. But you’d be missing out on a great opportunity that the great state of Minnesota offers like few others: wineries in the winter.

Many Minnesota wineries are open and ready to welcome you this winter. You may even discover that wintertime visits to wineries offer a change of pace and a change of place you’ll enjoy as a new yearly tradition. Even better? Many of the wineries on our list feature wine along with cider, beer, and some even have their own distillery!

Cure your cabin fever and come along on your very own winter winery itinerary.

In honor of Veterans Day, we'd like to share this story about Haskell's, World War II, a veteran named Armand Crump — and some missing whiskey. Special thanks to Dave Arundel for the write-up of this fascinating story.

Here is a story that you likely have never heard, about a remarkable man, Armand Crump, as well as Benny Haskell, the founder of Haskell's, along with his wife, Fritzi Haskell. 

The Story Begins in 1942

In 1942 - at age 18 - Armand Crump was sent by the Army Air Force to Yale University to attend Aircraft Engineering Officer School. After completion of a one year course, he joined the Army Air Force with the rank of 2nd lieutenant. He ended up at Biggs Field, the Army Air Force base in El Paso, Texas. At the ripe old age of 21, Armand was in charge of keeping 16 B29 bombers ship shape and ready to enter combat. He had 150 mechanics and 2 clerks under his command.

The war had ended in Europe and the word was that Armand’s B29’s were going to be leaving soon, assigned to the war in the Pacific. Armand’s mechanics were getting antsy, word had come back from the Pacific that alcoholic libations were in short supply. A couple of the mechanics came to the boss with this idea – “let’s take a collection, and buy a bunch of liquor to take with us when we fly out to the Pacific.”  Simple enough plan. The clerks mimeographed a couple grids. Money was collected and accounted to each man, and even favorite beverages were listed.

Can you have vodka on keto? Whiskey on Whole30®? Peppermint Schnapps on Paleo? Or will you have to cut alcohol completely to go gluten-free? With a little creativity, you can still unwind with some vegan wine (yes, there is such a thing) without putting your success in peril. 

Alcoholic Keto Drinks

There’s not much room for error in Keto so if you’re looking to let loose a little, head straight for the liquor cabinet. Most of your 40% alcohol—think: vodka, whiskey, gin, scotch, brandy, rum, and tequila—contain zero carbs or sugars. And while you can feel free to mix your vodka with water, steer clear of tonic which contains 32 grams of carbs per 12 oz.

• Keto ‘Rita – Yes, tequila (can be) kind to Keto. This simple, no-sugar margarita recipe won't interrupt your hard-earned ketosis.
• Low-Carb Hot Buttered Rum – With just the right rum, this winter rockstar is a classic crowdpleaser.
• Wine – To avoid extra sugars, opt for dry white wines like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, or dry red wines like Pinot Noir, some Cabernet Sauvignon, and some Merlot.

You might be planning to reach for peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, or other common cocktail ingredients with the arrival of colder weather, but maybe this is the year you reach for Louisa's Liqueur.

Cocktail Recipes with Louisa’s Liqueur

Good news: Louisa’s Liqueur is ready for your home bartending practice. Start easy with the liqueur neat or over ice in a rocks glass, providing a sweet and smooth way to ease into the evening after dinner. Or go for a decadent dessert by pouring it over vanilla bean ice cream or adding a shot of it to your cup of afternoon coffee.

Louisa’s Manhattan cocktail recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz. Louisa's Liqueur
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• Luxardo cherry
• Ice

How to make a Louisa’s Manhattan cocktail:

1. Place all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir the mixture, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Add a free-floating or speared Luxardo cherry as garnish.

No doubt, it’s fun to go big and buy special bottles of wine for those special occasions. But what about everyday wine that deserves no specific party, holiday, or any reason in particular?

At Haskell’s, we’ve built a relationship with customers like you for decades, and we know everyday value like no one else. We know the importance of those special celebrations, but we also know the day-to-day grind of work and rest and time with family and close friends.

Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to a few members of the Farrell family and our favorite wines right now. We’re honored to connect with so many great customers at Haskell’s, who we like to think of as some of our most valuable relationships — so here’s our personal family list of Farrell favorite wines of the moment.

After a busy summer of bright cocktails, crisp beers, and refreshing wines, it’s time to turn our attention to the fall.

Have you heard what's happening at Haskell's? We have three months of exciting events coming up and want to see you there. Here's the 411 on our upcoming events.

Weekly Free Tastings

Don’t sleep on our regular, week after week free tasting events in a few of our stores. That’s right — free is a price we know you love! Some tastings will be specific wines, organized by region, or you might even get to sample some beers or spirits. Check the events page regularly and find a tasting at the Haskell’s location closest to you. (My favorite tastings are Friday afternoons, the perfect way to kick off the weekend.)

Haskell’s just named 2019 Retailer of the Year by Market Watch Leaders!

That means a lot to us here at Haskell’s, but let's give credit where credit is due. It's because we have the best customers that we’re able to do what we love: offer you the right wine, beer, and spirits for just the right occasion. 

To Be Farrell  

Benny and Fritzi Haskell started their eponymous company in 1934 — not even a year after Prohibition — as a French wine importing business. Jack Farrell (my dad) bought it in 1970. With his commitment to customer service, quality, and serious wine bona fides, the company has expanded from its flagship location in downtown Minneapolis to 11 stores serving the Twin Cities metro. Currently, the Farrell family has owned the company almost 50 years, about 14 years longer than the Haskell's; but, rest assured, the name on the outside will never change because, honestly, without the Haskell's, there would be no Haskell's. 

Jack currently serves as CEO and chairman, running the company with his four sons: Ted (president), Brian (chief operating officer), John (vice president of sales), and Beau (vice president of e-commerce—that's me!).

Typically one of the more acquired tastes among spirits, Scotch is the Scottish cousin in the prolific whisk(e)y and bourbon family. Smoky, peaty, intense, sultry – however you describe it, Scotch tends to conjure up classy vibes of sturdy people sipping the strong stuff.

What are the Scotch basics?

Single malt Scotch is superb on its own, while blended Scotch is best suited in cocktail recipes. Earthy and leathery notes accompany the peaty smokiness. Where does that peaty flavor come from, by the way? American and Irish distillers use other substances to dry the malted barley, but Scottish producers stoke the kiln with peat (dried plant matter), which in turn adds robust smokiness to the Scotch.

There are five recognized regions for Scotch: Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown. 

Bold flavors, honey tones, and dryness characterize the Highlands. Grassy and lighter-bodied high alcohol content marks the Lowlands. You'll notice Speyside has deep complexity from light and grassy to rich and sweet. Islay is the peaty and salty powerhouse of the bunch. The small Campbeltown region offers Scotch of intense smokiness and sometimes savory territory (or to some people, wet dog).

After a summer filled with Bombas and Wonderwall, the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota United Football Club are both going to the playoffs this fall. Better yet, the Twins clinched their division title and the Loons clinched their playoff berth within hours of each other.

In a state that hasn't had all that much playoff success in recent years (with the notable exception of the amazing Minnesota Lynx), cracking the bubbly for two teams on one night was something to celebrate! In fact, it inspired us to create some special Minnesota team-themed cocktails to enjoy throughout their playoff runs.

Do you know about the "Spirit of Spain?"

“Spain has a spirit?” you ask. “I thought it was only superb Rioja reds and Albariño white wines, with the occasional vermouth.”

All great Spanish choices, but there’s more: Ponche Caballero.

If you haven’t yet discovered the glory that is Caballero liqueur, don’t fret. Many of us here in Minnesota and around the United States are late to the Caballero party, so we're here to invite you.