| WHO: | Rolling Forks Vineyard | ||
| BUSINESS TYPE: | Winery and Vineyard | ||
| SIGNATURE PRODUCTS: | Minnesota-grown cold-climate grape wines, On site restaurant | ||
| WHERE:
SOCIALS: WEBSITE: |
Glenwood, MN |
By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
“Rolling Forks Vineyards began with a simple idea: to create a place where people could gather, slow down, and enjoy great wine in the beauty of west-
central Minnesota,” shares Melanie Cihlar, co-founder of Rolling Forks Vineyards in Glenwood.
Farming Roots
Melanie’s husband, Joe, grew up near the vineyard on a dairy farm. Melanie herself grew up on a farm east of Marshall in southwestern Minnesota. Joe and Melanie met while both working in the Twin Cities. As they planned their futures together, putting down roots in a farming community felt like the right next step. A few months after their engagement the farm that had filled Joe’s boyhood dreams went up for sale. Moving plans were soon underway.
The original 80 acre purchase consists of rolling hills on a rather long and narrow stretch of land. The couple felt strongly about cultivating a product that could be directly enjoyed. “In 2009, while we were doing our research, there was a lot of momentum in the grape and wine industry in Minnesota. There was a lot of energy and interest in cold-climate grapes.” Rolling Forks now cultivates over 18 acres of grapes, many of which were first created through the University of Minnesota’s cold-climate grape cultivation program.
Grape vines need about four years to get established before they can be reliably harvested. While waiting, the Cihlars planted row crops to earn some income. A few years after having consistently sold grapes to other producers, an adjacent property went up for sale. “That’s where the winery sits today,” reflectsMelanie. “All along we knew that if we can grow grapes, we can also make wine. We’d always toyed around with having our own winery where we could share the final product that we produced.”
Creating a Destination
A family medical diagnosis inspired a sense of carpe diem to make this vision a reality. They broke ground on the winery in June 2019. They had 
originally planned to open to the public on Memorial Day weekend 2020. The silver lining of this challenging timing was the addition of the extensive patio to the building plan. This inviting space overlooks 
their vineyards with Lake Minnewaska in the background. “I can’t believe we didn’t have a patio in our original plan for the winery,” shares Melanie. “It’s a signature part of our hospitality now.”
The name for the vineyard is inspired by Rolling Forks Township in Pope County, just south of their vineyards and winery. “The township earned its name from the gently rolling prairies and sculpted hills near the Chippewa River—a landscape that mirrors the natural beauty surrounding us,” explains Melanie. Her research for the vineyard’s name included a meeting with a curator at the county museum, “While we’re located in Glenwood Township, we share a deep connection to the Rolling Forks spirit, reflected in the sweeping views of Lake Minnewaska that make this place so special.”
From Vine to Glass
This joint endeavor combines Joe and Melanie’s shared agricultural roots, Joe’s background in setting up manufacturing facilities, and Melanie’s 
experience in retail. Along with their three boys, this family affair showcases wines made from cold-climate grapes that thrive in Minnesota. Rolling Forks’ vintages only contain local grapes—no coastal fruit to be found in their bottles.
The vineyard is also a member of Minnesota Grown. “Supporting local agriculture and highlighting Minnesota-grown products is at the heart of what we do,” explains Melanie. “We produce a wide range of taste palettes from drier to sweet, red, white and rosé, as well as fortified wines.”
“We proudly produce 100% Pope County Minnesota-grown grape wines and welcome guests to experience the land, the vineyard, and the hospitality that make this region special,” states Melanie. “I really love seeing the vineyard and wine come to life.”
Melanie talked about the deep satisfaction that comes from turning grapes into wine. There’s something special about the transformation. It has an element of scarcity as well. “We only have one try
every season. We have to do our best to turn the wine into something that reflects the season of the vineyard.”
“At its heart, Rolling Forks Vineyards is still about the same thing it was from the beginning: bringing people together around Minnesota wine, beautiful surroundings, and memorable experiences,” shares Melanie. “From the vineyard rows to the finished bottle, it’s a tangible result of patience, craftsmanship, and the seasons.”
Plan Your Visit
Visit Rolling Forks for Winter Vendor Markets on the second Saturday of the month from December through May, Grape Escape (First Saturday of June), MN Wine Day(Annual State-Wine Wine Festival), and Roll Out the Barrels (Last Saturday of September).
Follow @rollingforksvineyards Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Browse current wine selection and find a retail location near you at https://rollingforksvineyards.com There are over 150 retail locations to choose from.
Rolling Forks Vineyard was a presenter at the April 2026 Alexandria-Road Trip Taste Makers Class at the Farm at the Arb.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram as well as Ambit and LinkedIn to discover the small business owners that make Minnesota an amazing place to be! Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
