Specialties
West Branch Vineyard is located out in the rural countryside of Lac qui Parle county 7 miles from Dawson, Minnesota. Where our motto comes from “All gravel roads lead to West Branch!”
Our old Quonset was built into a full-service bar that accommodates the ATM, TouchTunes, pull tabs & E-tabs. The fireplace is the key attribute in the bar area. Within the dining room features a few TVs, a dart machine and a claw machine for the kiddos. Our loft area is the cool hang out for private parties. It has a few couches and TVs for relaxing with your favorite drink of choice.
Our property is surrounded by 4 acres of different types of Minnesota hardy grapes that we hand pick and deliver to a few of our favorite wineries which they make into wine and redistribute by the glass or bottle here at West Branch Vineyard. You can enjoy one of those acres in our backyard patio next to one of the fire pits and take in the most peaceful spot on the property!!
West Branch Vineyard offers over 20 different wines that we picked out from our wine tasting adventures. We do offer cocktails, different beers from other breweries and a damn good award winning Bloody Mary!!
Our menu is a bit unconventional for a vineyard. We wood fire ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, and the most sold out item the prime rib. There is also frozen Harry’s pizza and Topper’s Warehouse pizza from Montevideo, MN. Appetizers are also served. Don’t forget the yummy dessert of cheesecake!
History
Established in 2015.
Growing up, traveling the country in my family’s trucking business, I had visions of bringing my growing passion for adventure and culture to my hometown of Dawson, Minnesota. In 2015, that vision became a reality when my wife and I, and the help of family and friends, established the first acre of grapes on our farm. Eventually over the next few years, we expanded the vineyard to over 3,150 vines (almost 5 acres) of Frontenac, Itasca, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, and some Bluebell grapes.
While the grapes were flourishing, I looked around our quonset and the idea of building a tasting room on our property was born. During those 3 years of building, we had a lot of headaches to get the winery up and running. From Covid, water issues, licensing, to having a flooded driveway, we persevered. It will always be a work in progress.
Cheers, Trig & Sara Viessman