Bonfire last night at Waconia winery

Nightfall brought on a glorious bonfire last night at the Schram Vineyards, winery and brewery.

From left, Stacy, Kitty, Kathleen, Stan

We added years to our lifespan last night with fits of laughter, but then we gave them all back to the bacchanalian delights at the annual Schram Vineyards and Brewery festival on the rolling hills near Waconia. It was a crisp fall night, one band (too loud for old folks) played inside near the wine bottles and the beer taps, another played outside near the wine bottles and the beer taps.

Food trucks offered portable pizza, pulled pork and more. So Stan tried to tell a funny story about the talented three-legged pig who got served in a bar. He forgot all the critical details, but got laughs anyway.
It was cold enough to keep your beer or wine properly chilled, so when they torched a massive bonfire, tended by a friendly stalwart from the Chanhassen fire department, it drew the crowd closer. (The fireman is the youngest son of Kitty, who, along with new husband Stacy, were our hosts for the night.)

Nearby, grapes hung unpicked in the hillside vineyard, moldy victims of the vagaries of Minnesota climate and testament to the difficulties of making wine locally.
Nevertheless, last night the winery introduced a vintage, appropriately named “Bonfire.” A Big Red American Blend, we bought a bottle and, while drinking it, read the label that promised it would start off good times and great traditions.
They were right.