Our Story

In 2008, Kim and Tami Bredeson took a leap of faith that would change their lives forever. Leaving Baudette, Minnesota, they moved south—not to the lush vineyards of Napa or Sonoma, as their friends and family imagined, but to the rolling landscapes of Alexandria, Minnesota.

Their journey into the wine world began with a single bottle of Opus One, a gift from a client of Kim’s woodcarving business. The beautifully packaged wine came with a note: “Our masterpiece for your masterpiece.” This gesture sparked a passion in the Bredesons that led to five years of winery visits, studying, and savoring wines before they finally took the plunge and bought Carlos Creek Winery. They celebrated the purchase with that very bottle of Opus One, symbolizing the beginning of their dream.

Upon their arrival in 2008, the winery was producing about 3,000 cases of wine, there were no estate-grown grapes used, and the building that is now the Grand Hall Event Center was a horse stable and riding arena with a dirt floor.

Back in 2008, the Carlos Creek Winery Tasting Room looked quite a bit different than it does today. Not only that, but our entire wine production happened right in the back of the Tasting Room building! As we grew from producing 7,000 gallons of wine to more than 20,000, it became clear we needed more space to keep up with demand.

In 2015, we built a brand-new, 6,700-square-foot, two-story production facility—complete with a dedicated laboratory to perfect every bottle. Meanwhile, the Tasting Room has been thoughtfully renovated over the years, creating an even more welcoming space to sip and relax.

Beyond our walls, Carlos Creek Winery has expanded in exciting ways. Our wines, once found in just a few local stores, are now proudly carried in over 500 locations. Production has soared to 34,000 gallons annually, and we’ve embraced our Minnesota roots by crafting wines with 70% Minnesota-grown grapes, including 27% from our very own estate.

In 2019, a dream almost 10 years in the making came true when 22 Northmen Brewing Co. opened its doors. Inside the building as well lies Stoke Wood-Fired Pizza Kitchen.

The brewery was a popular addition and before long, the production facility needed more space. A 4,500 square-foot beer production facility was built in 2023 with additional room for a cool ship and canning line. Since production has migrated, the 22 Northmen taproom space has been expanded for customers and opened in Spring 2024.

In 2021, Sizzle Food Truck opened its doors serving up delicious flat-top fare (salads, burgers, sandwiches, apps, brunch eats) throughout the summer months.

In everything, Carlos Creek prides itself on using the highest quality ingredients to create distinct, locally-made wines, craft beers, and wood-fired pizzas.