Ask anyone in the wine business about how it is going and you’ll hear about the challenges of changing consumption patterns, oversupply of grapes and wine and other hurdles. All that is true. But amidst all the hard work, here at Hafner Vineyard we also work to have fun while creatively meeting challenges head on 

In June, Kate and I took a trip to Elmhurst, IL and Rochester, MN at the invitation of longstanding and loyal patrons. In Elmhurst, we introduced five of our wines, as well as our small family winery, to a lively group of guests at the River Forest Country Club. Organized by three patron families, the Meurers, Shannons and Gerstners, we shared our 2022 Blanc de Blancs, 2025 Rosé, 2023 Reserve Chardonnay, 2021 Next Red and 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon in stages over the course of three hours. Most guests were “new to Hafner” and we were humbled by their interest and enthusiasm for our wines. And we appreciated their fast ordering!

The next morning, we jumped in the car early and drove 350 miles to Rochester, MN, relishing the beauty of rich farmland and the wide-open spaces of the Midwest. Of course, silly roadside photos of a chipmunk-like lumberjack or an enormous moose added to the fun. 

And as the picture says “We made it to Del’s Café” in St. Charles, MN for a delicious lunch that had all the meaningful hallmarks of small-town America.

Saturday afternoon, under perfect skies (tornados had passed through two days earlier) we gathered at the Rochester home of longtime friends and patrons, Harry and Julie Hoffman. They had invited 75 wine savvy friends to sample our wines on the shady lawn in front of their mid-century modern home. Again, the five wines were well received, the guests were ever gracious, and a good time was had by all. The perfect caption to that perfect gathering could easily be: Wine adds to the enjoyment of a meaningful life with friends. 

In both settings, two generations of patron families welcomed us and their guests. The pleasure of multi-generational interaction is something we experience every day here.

“Taking Hafner on the road” is just one of the new ideas that Kate has developed as we work to stay flexible, smart and fast on our feet to meet the challenges of growing our small family business these days. Kate road-tested the idea with her college roommate (and loyal HV patron). Cory and Andrew Munchbach hosted a very fun party in their home to introduce our wines to their friends.

We love welcoming patrons, new and old, to Hafner Vineyard and Alexander Valley, but realize that sometimes we need to meet potential new patrons where they are, on their own turf. The success (and fun) of this foray underscored that idea.

We had a pleasurable time seeing current patrons and were delighted to bring new wine lovers into the fold. As always, it reinforced for us how grateful we are for people like you who enjoy our wines, serve them in your home and share them with your friends. We could not be luckier.