When was the last time you let yourself unwind? I mean really unwind? No juggling of schedules, no mental to-do list, and no guilt tripping yourself that you “should” be doing something else: Simply pure, unadulterated, uninterrupted time to just… be.
Likely, it’s been a while.
But that doesn’t have to be the case.
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is simply spend time outside. And while I very much enjoy biking, running, kayaking, and generally being on the go, sometimes I also crave unstructured time spent lounging under the glorious summer sun. Maybe it’s curling up in an Adirondack chair with a good book and a slow breeze, or maybe it’s splaying out on a beach towel by the lake with a cool beverage and a thoughtful conversation partner: I’m not picky. Honestly, for me it’s not so much the setting or activity as it is the behavior itself: Simply losing track of time, letting go, and unplugging from the constant buzz of the world around me. These are the moments where I feel fully relaxed and truly at peace.
Last weekend Cam and I decided to shake things up a bit and attend a wine festival in Waconia, Minnesota. Marketed as the “most anticipated wine festival in Minnesota[1]”, The Waconia Wine Festival is an annual event that features three distinctive, award-winning vineyards that are all located within a 5-mile radius of one another: Schram Vineyards, Sovereign Estate, and Parley Lake Winery. For a modest entry fee guests receive a commemorative wine glass (that also doubles as your drinking vessel for the day), a three-pour tasting at each of the vineyards, transportation between the locales, and uninterrupted access to live outdoor music. While Cam and I had previously visited both Schram and Sovereign before, we were curious to try out the third new location and enjoy a slow, sunny afternoon posted up outside, so we marked our calendars and secured our spots as soon as we were able.
We began our tour de wineries at an old favorite, Schram Vineyards. I’ve blogged about Schram before, but they are owned by a dynamic husband-and-wife duo who began with a dream to one day open a vineyard and ultimately made it happen in 2013. As the vineyard quickly took off and gained in popularity, the family also decided to open a nearby brewery – Schram Haus Brewery – and just recently opened an urban winery – Axe Bridge Wine Company – in Minneapolis’ North Loop. I love Schram Vineyards for its idyllic setting and rustic charm. From a friendly game of bocce ball to interactive tasting experiences to vivacious bachelorette parties, there’s always something going on at Schram that makes you want to settle in with a crisp glass of wine and never leave.
Next, we made our way to Sovereign Estate, another local vineyard we’ve visited on several occasions. What I find most striking about Sovereign is its sprawling property and breathtaking views of Lake Waconia that almost, almost make you feel like you’re visiting Hallie Parker and her dad Dennis Quaid Nick at their Napa vineyard in The Parent Trap. Once we arrived Cam and I made our tasting selections, picked out a prime location (an old swing bench with a view), and hunkered down to enjoy the stunning scenery and alluring live covers of classic songs by crooners such as Tony Bennet and Frank Sinatra. Simply. Divine.
Our third and final stop took us to completely new, uncharted territory: Parley Lake Winery. This property covers a striking 125-acre vineyard and orchard that will both take your breath away and vaguely remind you of “Schrute Farms” from The Office[2]. Parley Lake Winery features an expansive landscape, historic barn, and local wines that have won over 200 medals in national and international competitions. But all recognition aside, this estate is downright charming. We heard the animated strum of a live banjo as soon as we stepped onto the property and were instantly hooked. Cam and I promptly selected our pours, found an open set of Adirondack chairs, and settled in for a long, lazy afternoon basking beneath a cool, whispering shade tree.
All in all the day was almost magical. Yes, we both enjoy wine, but more than anything we enjoyed the greater experience of wiping our calendars clean of competing responsibilities, slowing down, and enjoying the simpler things in life. For us, the day wasn’t about alcohol, but rather it was focused on the gift of spending a slow, unstructured afternoon together. At each new outdoor location we sat back and let ourselves fully relax, taking off our shoes so our toes could revel in the soft caress of freshly cut grass as we sipped local offerings, soaked in the luxury of live music, and reveled in the “new” phenomenon of post-pandemic peoplewatching. In one simple afternoon we intentionally – and successfully – cut out the surrounding noise of everyday life so we could stay focused, be fully present, and truly appreciate the beauty of the current moment.
And that, my friends, is how you unwind.
[1] What a headliner.
[2] I swear Dwight’s cousin Mose was around there somewhere…
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