It has been said that wine and fellowship are the perfect pairing. The act of sharing a glass of wine can deepen bonds and create lasting memories. Add an intimate and welcoming environment and a business owner with a strong passion for wine making and you have a winning combination. That is exactly what I found when I walked into Urban Winery for the first time.
Eight years ago, Eric Hansen, owner of Urban Winery had a vision for a winery that not only provided an opportunity for wine tasting and bottling, but also a space for artists to display their art. What he didn’t anticipate was that the idea would reignite his love of painting and since then, he has lined the walls from floor to ceiling with his own works of art. It creates an environment that is not only inspiring, but intriguing. It is impossible not to scan each room of the winery over and over taking in all the creativity.
Urban Winery offers many different ways to explore and partake in their offerings. One of their most popular options is wine tasting. For thirty dollars per person, a group can schedule a wine tasting with a variety of kinds of wine. It is a perfect time for visiting with friends in a different environment than a typical bar setting. Hansen has over 60 different wines on hand at any given time, which gives people many options for their tastings. Once you have tasted about 6-8 wines, another opportunity is to bottle the group’s favorite wine. This process takes another visit after the wine has been given time to ferment and be clarified.
Hansen spoke of some of his favorite times of tastings and bottlings including engagement parties, pre-wedding rehearsal events where the bride and groom bring their families and bottle wine together and placing their engagement photo on the bottle, and holiday events for businesses. He can cater to whatever the gathering is and make the experience as unique as the group.
Recently, Ted and Margie Bolton and Kevin and Jessica Shannon spent an evening at Urban Winery for a wine tasting and subsequent bottling session. When speaking with Jessica Shannon about their gathering, it was clear that they had a memory making experience. It was a night of conversation, laughter, tasting of delicious wines, and making connections. When they finished the wine tasting, they were asked which wine was their favorite of the night, which was almost impossible to decide, but after much debate, they settled on one kind. They were then able to return a couple of weeks later to bottle the wine they chose together.
Shannon said she loved their time at Urban Winery from start to finish. She said that it would be perfect for anyone looking for something different to do and to be able to spend time with friends. She has a strong belief in supporting local businesses and feels that seeking out the small shops makes for a more interesting experience. She loved the portraits that lined the walls and the feeling of welcome that they felt during their time at Urban Winery.
Urban Winery also offers paint and sip parties. There are a few ways to sign up for one of these events. They post scheduled parties on their social media, which are open to anyone 21+. Another option is to bring a group of friends, co-workers, or family members together and set up a private event. There is no group size minimum and the room can comfortably fit up to 20 people. What is interesting about this offering is that the entire group doesn’t have to paint the exact same design, but instead Hansen gives the painters several templates to choose from to make the decision a little easier and then he helps walk the artists through the process of creation.
Urban Winery is one of the largest recyclers of glass in Minot. To date, Hansen has recycled over 117,000 bottles with the help of the community, who brings him bottles by dropping off in the entrance of the building. Once he has received them, he removes the labels, cleans and sanitizes each bottle, and then puts them to use again. He never purchases new bottles for his wine, but instead uses 100% recycled bottles in his business. It is a full circle process that he is proud of as he feels that glass should never be one time use.
If you are looking for a perfect keepsake art piece, Hansen can also work with you to create a commissioned portrait. These can range from pets to loved ones and even celebrities or others of your choosing. These treasured, one of a kind works of art make excellent gifts or remembrance pieces that will be passed on through the generations. If you are not looking for a custom piece, but want an original painting by Hansen, you can purchase art from his gallery as well.
Customers can come in any time during business hours to purchase bottles of wine or juice kits to make wine at home. He also sells equipment for wine making. If you are looking to learn something new, buy up a bottle of delicious wine, or partake in a unique event, Urban Winery has a vast variety of services to suit your needs.
Urban Winery is located at 6 North Main St and is open Thursday-Saturday from 5 pm-9 pm and by appointment. All events can be found on their social media including Facebook and Instagram at UrbanWineryND. You can also reach Eric at 612-919-7448. Mention this article and receive 10% off your next visit.
A visit to Urban Winery is a perfect blend of relaxation and education, all savored in every delightful sip.
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