THANK A FARMER: Bristol winery a year-round operation

Jul. 12—BRISTOL — A Bristol family business grows their own grapes for homemade wine.

Fruit Hills Winery & Orchard located at 55503 IND 15 Bristol, has been open since 2010 and is owned by David and Michele Muir.

"In 2009 it was during the great recession and I lost my job and we had to come up with a plan B, and eventually after a certain amount of thought and research, we decided to build a winery," said David.

Before it was a winery and orchard, this farm was the Judson Fruit Farm, started in 1898, although it had been a part of this property since 1852.

At this location there are currently four acres of vineyard planted, and many different types of grapes. According to their website, this includes the University of Minnesota's Marquette, Frontenac Gris, and Itasca. Tom Plocher's Petite Pearl, Crimson Pearl, and Verona, as well as some older varieties, Vignoles and Brianna.

"Our most popular wine is called Make Me Blush," said David. "It's a sweet Concord based wine. We offer 23 different wines and that changes. We'll sell out and bring something new in, but it averages about that number."

Apples are also offered, mostly from early September through Thanksgiving.

"People buying wine keeps us in business," said David. "Like any business you have to have customers that come and buy your products. We sell more wine, the apples are strictly seasonal business in the fall for a few months."

Unlike the orchard, the winery portion is a year—round industry that seems to be evolving.

"We think right now that drinking habits throughout the industry seem to be changing somewhat," said David. "People are maybe drinking a little less and I think that's affected us somewhat. We're still doing OK but not growing, so that's where we stand right now."

The wine industry can be difficult at times, as opposed to what the public is shown.