CENTRAL MN MADE: Kimball Home to Generations of Winemakers [AUDIO]

KIMBALL - The words "Wine Country" don't typically come to mind when we consider central Minnesota, but just outside of Kimball, they couldn't be more accurate.

Millner Heritage Vineyard and Winery is this week's featured "Made in Central Minnesota" business.

The vineyard has been around since 2005, when Jon Millner, his father and the rest of the family bought the land and began planting grapes.

In a few years, the grapes were ready for wine-making, and Millner Heritage opened to the public for tastings and sales in 2009.

Millner says they're not too interested in a national market - they're content with maintaining strong roots in central Minnesota, and selling wine in stores around the state.

Millner and his father, Don, are the only full-time employees at the vineyard, but they have around 10 part-time helpers through the summer.

Millner says they currently offer 13 varieties of wine, and he works with the University of Minnesota to fine-tune the varieties to suit Minnesota grapes, and this year's harvest was the best he's had so far.

He says his favorite part of owning a vineyard - hands down -  is giving tours and sharing the process of making the wine with their visitors.

Millner Heritage Vineyard is open Thursday through Sunday - for a specific list of hours and directions, visit their website.

Finally, this weekend is a big one for Millner - they're hosting their annual Oktoberfest and Wine Stomp. It's Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.