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June 2007

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Minnesota wine trail continues to gain in popularity
June 15, 2007

With the help of University of Minnesota researchers, eastern Minnesota vineyards are taking home awards from California wine competitions.

“The quality of the wines produced by Three Rivers Wine Trail members continues to impress wine connoisseurs,” said Kent Gustafson, University of Minnesota Extension tourism educator. “Wines from the Wine Haven Winery and Cannon River Winery have recently been awarded medals in wine competitions in the Midwest and California.”

The Three Rivers Wine Trail is Minnesota’s first wine trail and is comprised of six Minnesota wineries all located within the St. Croix, Mississippi and Cannon River valleys. Wine lovers can spend a day or a weekend on the trail visiting wineries amid lush valley scenery and sampling high-quality, locally produced wines. And according to Gustafson, a lot of people are doing just that.

“Over the past year, wine trail members have noticed increased interest, visitors and sales as a result of the collaborative marketing effort,” he said.

The success is due, in part, to U of M research that has developed several new grape breeds in the last decade that are better able to withstand Minnesota’s rough winters.

“We have at least four new wine varieties planted, not only in Minnesota, but throughout the Midwest,” said Peter Hemstad, U of M grape breeder. “These varieties have helped make grape-growing economically viable in this part of the country.”

Gustafson is available to talk about Minnesota’s wine-related tourism and Hemstad is available to talk about wine growing and vineyards in the upper Midwest.

To interview Gustafson, contact Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720 or Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077

Helping kids cope with local violence
June 6, 2007

When a murder happens a few blocks from home, it’s a scary thing. And when a young child watches news coverage of that murder, it can be terrifying. That’s why a parenting expert with the University of Minnesota Extension Service says it’s very important for parents to speak with their young children about violence that happens close to home.

“Sometimes as a way to protect our children we tell them ‘not to worry’ or shelter them from conversations on what is going on,” said Minnell Tralle, family relations, U of M Extension. “It is better to keep talking to our kids, because they are aware of more than we know.”

Whether at bus stops, in homes or in public places, stories about murder, robberies and assaults are often featured prominently in news coverage. Tralle is available with advice for parents on how they can talk to kids about these events so those kids can understand the news they’re watching in a reasonable manner.

To interview Tralle, Justin Ware at (612) 626-1720 or Julie Christensen at (612) 626-4077