After the initial
purchase of the land, the area was then annexed into Sturgis city limits, and
the process of getting water and sewer to the site was the first hurdle to
overcome. Last fall, ground was finally
broken and construction commenced on a modern tasting room and wine-making
facility that would house the equipment to make the Black Hills’ first
sparkling wines produced in the traditional method—the same method used to make
world famous Champagne wines in France.
Of course, nothing can go as smoothly as planned, and a Black Hills winter
that saw the initial blizzard of the year the first week of October and the
last snowflakes in May slowed down construction by several months. Finally, on the Friday of opening weekend for
the seventy-fourth Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Belle Joli’s sparkling house and tasting
room opened its doors.
In addition
to the new facility, Belle Joli has been in the process of a facelift to its
labels as well. A new logo that will be
consistent on all wine bottles was introduced; all labels now feature the two
trees that stand out front of Belle Joli’s Sturgis location. Wines are also being labeled by varietal
names instead of a unique brand name.
For instance, the Riesling (with a small blend of Edelweiss) was called
La Lure. Now it will simply labeled
Riesling, making it easier for consumers to know what they are drinking. The same is true for the Chenin Blanc
(formerly Dakota Breeze) and Cabernet Sauvignon (formerly St. Cab). More modern-style coloring of the labels and
logos also adds to the updated look of Belle Joli ushered in with the opening of
the new tasting room. Yet one more
change is the planting of grapes out front of the Sturgis site; these
grapes should be ready for harvest and wine making in under five years.
Even with
all of these changes, some things must stay the same. The majority of Belle Joli’s grapes are still
sourced from South Dakota, either from their current vineyards in Belle Fourche and just outside of
town or another grower in Spearfish. Matthew still produces three
dessert fruit wines: cherry, pear, and
peach. The Deadwood tasting room is also
still open on Main Street Deadwood for tasting of all the wines Belle Joli
produces. Finally, the most important
consistency, is the likelihood of seeing any member of the Jackson family at
one of the tasting rooms, smiling and inviting customers to enjoy wine. Mathew’s parents, Patty and John, have been
an integral part of the winemaking business and have worked hard to help Choi
and Matthew accomplish this tasting room goal.
So, pick up
a glass of Belle Joli bubbly—either the Brut Vintage (made from Washington State
Riesling grapes) or the Brut Estate Reserve (made from Belle Joli’s La Crescent
grapes)—to toast to the fact that dreams do come true! It may take a lot of time and patience, but
Matthew and Choi have proven that good things do come to those who wait…and work…and
work some more.
Cheers!
Grand opening events this weekend at Belle Joli:
Friday, August 15, 4:00 p.m.—Ribbon
CuttingSaturday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Public Open House
Sunday, August 17, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wine Club Member Party
Read about Belle Joli's harvest and hard work here.