BREAKING: Bear Creek Winery is transforming into a four-season destination, fueled by a $1 million Destination Development Grant from the state of North Dakota. Just announced, this ambitious expansion is set to revolutionize the winery experience, promising new amenities that will attract visitors year-round.
Located at 8800 25th St. S., Fargo, the winery, founded by Rod and Sue Ballinger 22 years ago, will match the grant with their own funds, demonstrating their commitment to this major project. “We want people to know we have some skin in the game,” Rod Ballinger stated, emphasizing the family’s investment in the winery’s future.
The expansion plans include exciting features like boutique lodging, an outdoor stage, pickleball courts, a greenhouse, and a wood-fired pizza oven. Work has already commenced, with the winery’s parking lot nearly doubling in size to accommodate the expected influx of visitors. One vineyard is being cleared to make room for a new events center, the Bear Creek Events & Cultural Center, aimed at hosting weddings, concerts, and theater events.
Sean Ballinger, the winery’s general manager and head winemaker, shared his enthusiasm for the greenhouse, which will allow the winery to cultivate new grape varieties. He noted, “We are excited about the potential to grow our own grapes, though my mother will miss her garden being replaced.”
The winery has recently added a historic bridge from the James River, enhancing the scenic experience for guests as they stroll over one of the property’s ponds. The events center is still in the design phase, with Rod Ballinger hinting at a farm-inspired motif. He forecasts its completion by early summer 2027.
The Ballinger family is deeply rooted in the winery’s operations. Chase Ballinger, who is currently with the U.S. State Department in Mexico City, played a crucial role in securing the grant, while his brother Sean actively oversees grape cultivation. Their marketing efforts are spearheaded by Kelsy Ballinger, Sean’s wife, who has been pivotal in promoting the winery’s unique offerings.
The winery recently celebrated its 2021 vintage, which Sean Ballinger described as “the perfect vintage,” highlighting the exceptional quality and ease of production that year. “We just added the yeast and walked away,” he recalled, reflecting on the successful harvest.
As Bear Creek Winery embarks on this transformative journey, the community is eager to see the development unfold. The expansion represents not just growth for the winery, but a revitalization of local tourism, promising to draw visitors seeking fresh experiences in the Fargo area.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and watch for the exciting changes coming to Bear Creek Winery!
