Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America’s Heartland™, a documentary film about the struggle and opportunity of building a new wine region in the upper Midwest, was publicly screened for the first time at a sold out showing last weekend at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

“We were thrilled and honored that our documentary was shown to a sold out, standing-room-only, crowd,” said Brad Johnson, Director and Co-Producer. “It was great, people laughed when we hoped they’d laugh and were pensive when the story-line went that way, and it was better than we could have wished for.”

Over the past two years the producers of the film have logged more than 3,000 miles, visited dozens of wineries in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and interviewed over 200 wine industry members and enthusiasts, from which they create a beautiful and compelling feature length independent film.

“Our film looks back in time at the early grape breeders, discusses the struggles and opportunities of growing grapes and making wine and hints at a ‘sparkling’ future,” said Johnson.

Minnesotans on the Big Screen

Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery (Kasota, MN) – Mike Drash, winemaker as well as owner Kent Schwickert, and Josie Boyle, assistant winemaker.
Indian Island Winery (Alexandria, MN) Ray Winter, owner
Northern Vineyards Winery (Stillwater, MN) Robin Partch
Alexis Bailly Vineyard Nan Bailly, owner/winemaker
Lake Pepin Winery (Lake City, MN) – John Marshall, owner/winemaker

The filmmakers are currently making final editing adjustments, and in the coming year Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America’s Heartland™ will be circulating in several Film Festivals.  As for when it can be viewed in Minnesota? Their team is currently working on it, and we’ll keep you posted!

Movie Trailer

Time Lapse Video from the JDI Film Festival Pre-Screening Event

Image Credit: Wine Diamonds