VALIANT VINEYARDS & ARTISAN DISTILLERY VERMILLION
“Valiant vine heritage rooted in tradition” is how CEO of Valiant Vineyards and Artisan Distillery Eldon Nygaard describes its beginnings in Vermillion. The Nygaard family's winemaking heritage traces back to 1850, when Christian F. Gossmann immigrated from Germany to the “ American Old-World , bringing centuries of Old-World winemaking knowledge with him.” Fast forward to 1961 when Nygaard worked from the family farm in Turner County and created his first wine using mulberries from their land. “It was an experiment born from curiosity and family tradition—one that would eventually change South Dakota's agricultural landscape,” said Nygaard. Recognizing the commercial viability of wine grapes in South Dakota, Nygaard—a political science professor at the University of South Dakota —made history. He drafted the state's enabling legislation for farm wineries. The Nygaard family testified before the state legislature, and on July 1, 1996, the Farm Winery Act became law. Also in July of 1996, Valiant Vineyards was granted the first commercial winery license by the United States Treasury Taxes and Trade Bureau . From bold reds to crisp whites, the award- winning winery “reflects the spirit and landscape of South Dakota.” Some wines include Full Throttle (dry red), Tickle Me! Black Berry Rhubarb (sweet), and Rushmore Red (semi-sweet red). “I prefer our dry rum barrel-aged cabernet and our Tickle Me wine,” said Nygaard. “I also enjoy our Clay Turner Bourbons and Clay Turner Rye .” Valiant Vineyards is also home to the award-winning Stone Faces Distillery ,
crafting premium spirits using traditional methods and locally-sourced ingredients. “Our process for making wine and spirits focuses on fermenting and distilling locally- produced fruits and grains to the extent possible,” described Nygaard. “Small batches are crafted pursuant to methods developed over the past 30 years of experience in making wines, and lessons learned in those years of wine making have enhanced the proprietary processes that have been formulated in the past 12 years of distilling spirits.” Spirits include Clay Turner Rum , Clay Turner Rye Whiskey , Clay Turner 5 Year Whiskey , and Clay Turner 5 Year Straight Bourbon . Rum, apple brandy, and vodka are also manufactured. Valiant Vineyards has also become a popular attraction, from the tasting room to the venue as a whole for events like weddings, wine dinners, holiday markets, live music, and annual events like Bourbon , Beer & BBQ Bacchanal , which just took place in February. It also is a bed and breakfast, offering six themed rooms perfect for a retreat or a place to rest your head after a tasting. One of the themed rooms is the Honeymoon Suite , which includes a king-size bed and an “indulgent” in-room jacuzzi tub. If you’re unable to make it to Valiant Vineyards, try Clay Turner Bourbon and other spirits at ROAM Kitchen + Bar and Outback Steakhouse in Sioux Falls , and at the Rapid City and Sioux Falls airports. Purchase the brands off sale at Williquors and select Hy- vees in Sioux Falls, Common Cents liquor stores in Rapid City, and at the Ellsworth Air Force Base Shoppette . For more information, visit valiantvineyards.us.
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