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Vineyard takes root for future Blazing Star winery

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By
Lori Sorenson

Last weekend almost 3,000 bare root vines were planted in local soil in anticipation of the opening of Blazing Star Winery.
Paul Neyers planted the 4.5-acre vineyard near the corner of Hatting and Freeman south of the fairgrounds on land formerly owned by Warren Baker.
The grapes will be used to stock Luverne’s future winery and tasting room just up the street on the corner of Highway 75 and Hatting Street (former Sharkee’s lot) in the new Towne Square development.
“I really truly enjoy growing grapes,” said Neyers, who holds an MBA from the U of M and a computer science degree from St. John's University. “They’re fascinating plants, and the work gets me outside.”
Luverne’s vineyard is planted with white wine grapes Itasca, Frontenac Gris and Brianna.
Neyers said these grapes can be made in a variety of styles from sweet to dry and can be blended to produce unique combinations. Itasca and Frontenac Gris were released by the University of Minnesota. Brianna was bred by Elmer Swenson. 
The final variety planted on the site was a red grape, Petite Pearl, bred by Tom Plocher. It can be made into both rosé and dry red styles. 
Neyers said the prospect of a winery and vineyard along the Luverne Loop trail also appealed to him. 
The Loop, in its third phase, will follow Hatting Street and cut across the former Baker land and follow the Rock River to connect with the Blue Mound Trail near Luverne City Park.
Neyers grew up on a farm raising corn, soybeans and hogs near Gibbon, Minnesota, but he knew early on his interests weren’t in that type of agriculture.
He began planting grapes soon after graduating from college and established a winery near New Ulm in 2011 along the bluffs of the Minnesota River Valley.
"I have experimented with a purchase of California grapes, but the great majority of my production has come from grapes that I grow or that I buy from friends and colleagues."
They include a selection of red, white and rosé varieties, with potential for a dessert wine, and he said the taste compares similarly to other Minnesota-grown wines, like Strawbale and Round Lake vineyards.
The Doppeleichen inventory incorporates other locally grown grapes from close friends and colleagues, but he’s kept the business small.
“We’ve been a proof-of-concept business, making sure this works and that our wine tastes good,” Neyers said. “We have the equipment in place and we’re on the right path.”
His New Ulm winery closed to the public in 2017 and 2018 due to road construction. It remains closed due to pandemic restrictions.
Neyers used the downtime to accumulate inventory and consider options for expansion, since his business there is out of room to grow.
Towne Square developer Don Jahnke introduced Neyers to the Luverne opportunity for prime retail space not far from tillable ground for a vineyard.
“We’re on an interesting path,” Neyers said about plans for Blazing Star and its place in the Towne Square development. The winery will have seating for tastings.
“We are planning food offerings, though the final menu has not been set,” Neyers said. “There are also plans for space for smaller events.”
Jahnke announced last week that lenders had signed off on his three-story, 27-unit apartment building that will break ground along Hatting Street this summer.
The apartments, the winery and a Mexican restaurant will join additional developments on the Towne Square property as it is completed.

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