The North Shore Winery and the Sawtooth Mountain Cider House are a must-stop on anyone’s journey up the North Shore. It is located just off Highway 61 on Ski Hill Road near Lutsen and offers a unique experience for area visitors and locals alike.
The winery was built in 2015 and opened in 2016 by owners, Chuck and Kim Corliss. They have been interested in all things wine (vineyards, winemaking, tasting, etc.) for many, many years. In addition to the couple learning about wine through many of their life experiences, Chuck was also trained as a sommelier. In 2017 fellow North Shore lovers, Jeremy and Mary Hanson joined the Corliss’ as business partners to help with the day-to-day operations for the growing business.
The North Shore Winery and cider house make a variety of red and white wines. They use grapes from California and Minnesota! The rotating flavors of ciders are created from Minnesota apples, raspberries grown on the winery property. They also use Caribou Cream maple syrup from Lutsen. When visiting, ask to take a tour to see the winemaking process. This includes the fermentation tanks, bottling equipment, and the new barrel room. The barrel room is used to store wines for up to 18 months.
An on-site tasting room is the perfect place to relax for an afternoon of wine-sipping during the summer months or after a sunny winter day on the slopes. In addition to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that the owners have created inside, you’ll likely find a fire crackling outside to gather around.
Getting There
The winery is located at 202 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen. To get there from Lutsen drive west on Highway 61 for 1.5 miles. Turn right (away from Lake Superior) onto Ski Hill Road. The winery will be on the right side about a half a mile down the road.