7 Vines Vineyard Homepage
Winery History
The Story of 7 Vines: A Legacy Rooted in Love, Vision, and Family
Ron and Arlie Peltier, high school sweethearts from the east side of St. Paul, shared a lifelong bond built on love, ambition, and a deep appreciation for possibility. Both attended the University of Minnesota, married young, and raised their two children in Dellwood. United by a passion for real estate and a remarkable eye for opportunity, they envisioned something extraordinary—what would eventually become 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery.
Their journey began in the late 1980s when they approached Peter and Gertrude Ffolliott to purchase a remarkable piece of land Gertrude had inherited from her mother, Rachel Boeckmann. Rachel’s father, the famed railroad baron James J. Hill, had acquired vast tracts of land throughout Minnesota in the early 1900s. Though the Ffolliotts weren’t ready to sell at the time, Ron and Arlie never stopped dreaming about the land they had come to love.
In the fall of 2010, the opportunity finally arrived—and with it, a new chapter. They knew the storybook setting was the perfect canvas for their next adventure. Inspired by their love of fine wine and the growing momentum of Midwest viticulture, they planted their first vines in 2012. From that moment forward, 7 Vines became a true labor of love—from grape to glass, vine to vision.
The name 7 Vines came naturally. The number seven had long held a special meaning for Ron—it was his hockey jersey number while playing for Johnson High School and later under the legendary coach Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota. “I’ve always been partial to the number seven,” he said. “Now I have seven grandchildren to validate it.” And validate it they did. The names of all seven grandchildren were proudly displayed on the neck of the very first bottles—a tribute to family, legacy, and love.
Today, 7 Vines stands as one of Minnesota’s premier full-experience wineries—a place where community, friendship, and celebration flourish.
But 7 Vines is more than a winery—it’s a love story. What began as a dream to own a beautiful piece of land became something far greater. As their dream took shape, Arlie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Though she battled this cruel disease with grace and strength, she never let it steal her spirit. Arlie’s elegant touch and creative vision can still be felt in every corner of 7 Vines. She passed away in October 2021, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, love, and resilience that lives on in every glass raised here.
In her honor, the Peltiers created Reminisce—a special wine that supports Alzheimer’s research at the Mayo Clinic. It’s a toast to Arlie’s enduring spirit and a reminder that love, like wine, only deepens with time.
The Winery
Tucked away in the scenic city of Dellwood, MN—just 20 miles northeast of the Twin Cities—7 Vines Vineyard is a true destination. Spanning acres of rolling vines, our state-of-the-art winery invites guests to experience the journey from grape to glass while enjoying handcrafted wines that embody Midwest charm.
Inside, the winery blends modern rustic style with refined craftsmanship. Thoughtfully designed woodwork, expansive windows, and accordion doors fill the space with natural light and frame breathtaking views of the vineyard and surrounding nature preserve.
A one of a kind catwalk showcases steel holding tanks used during the fermentation process. The winery also features a large wine bar, two stone fireplaces, a barrel room and full bottling facility. Hospitality and retail are on site.
Team
Family Owned Winery-Founders, Ron and Arlie Peltier
Janee Peltier Katz, President
As President of 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery, Janée leads the strategic vision and public presence of the business. She collaborates closely with the executive team to craft impactful business plans focused on producing exceptional wines, positioning 7 Vines as a premier celebration venue, and delivering a world-class guest experience—both in the tasting room and at private events.
Janée has been part of 7 Vines since its earliest days, when the vineyard was just a few acres of vines. During the winery’s construction, she led business development and operations, later stepping into the roles of Vice President and, ultimately, President. As the daughter of founders Ron and Arlie Peltier, Janée serves as the family face of the brand and a passionate ambassador for its mission and values.
Her background spans real estate, direct sales, sponsorship development, event planning, and hospitality—bringing a strong foundation in sales and marketing to her leadership. Janée holds a B.A. in Communication and Marketing Studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She lives in Dellwood with her husband and three children.
Matt Scott, General Manager of Winemaking and Viticulture
Matt has been a winemaker and viticulturist for more than 18 years, with experience working in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Oregon. He holds Chemistry and Biology degrees from the University of Minnesota, as well as advanced studies in Behavioral Ecology. His lifelong love of wine took him away from a University research lab and into the winery and vineyard. He is active in his community and the Minnesota wine industry, and works as a volunteer for many organizations. Matt has held various board positions on the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, Minnesota Wine Country at the State Fair, The Taste of Stillwater and Rock the Vine music festival. He also developed the first wine trail in Minnesota. Matt’s winemaking skills have garnered him many awards with his wines achieving Double Gold, Gold and Silver in competitions across the country such as the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the Indy International Wine Competition, the International Eastern Wine Competition and the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition. His 2015 La Crescent earned Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and he earned Best of Show for his 2016 Marquette at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition. Recently at 7 Vines Vineyard, Matt has earned 9 medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition including Best in Class Double Gold for his 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. He went 6 for 6 at the Finger Lakes International Wine competition in 2021 garnering 6 medals for 6 wines! In January of 2022 he earned 4 awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition including Best of Class Double Gold for his 2019 Reminisce. Matt is an outstanding winemaker and an executive leader at 7 Vines Vineyard.
Amanda Johnson
Strategically focused, passionate, and collaborative leader who strives to develop practical and cost-effective solutions here at 7 Vines. Amanda has a diverse background in organizational effectiveness, operations support, talent development, talent acquisition, and people operations. She values building strong relationships and has enjoyed learning about the viticulture and winemaking world here at 7 Vines Vineyard!
Lorah Palmer
Director of Hospitality and Event Specialist
Tel: 651-478-6300
Lorah Palmer
Lorah Palmer joined 7 Vines Vineyard at its inception as a trusted business advisor, bringing a sharp strategic mindset and a deep passion for luxury brand standards that create elite customer experiences. From the beginning, her mission has been to help realize the full vision of 7 Vines by developing & executing business strategies that elevate operational efficiency & drive sustainable growth as a premier hospitality provider.
A natural leader and visionary entrepreneur, Lorah built one of Minnesota’s most respected and successful event programs—setting new & unparalleled industry standards along the way. Today, she leads the Events Department at 7 Vines with creativity, dedication, and an eye for excellence, transforming each celebration into an elevated and memorable experience.
Her background in hospitality has been instrumental in shaping 7 Vines' success, and she’s known for blending strategic vision with a warm personal touch. Lorah cultivates lasting loyalty through thoughtful service, refined communication, and an unwavering dedication to excellence-always exceeding expectations.
As Director of Hospitality and Senior Event Specialist, Lorah serves on the executive team, continuing to lend her expertise in key areas, including strategic planning, marketing, team development, & event innovation. Under her leadership, 7 Vines has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including The Knot’s Best of Weddings for 8 consecutive years—starting in its very first year-The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award, and induction into The Knot Hall of Fame. The winery has also been voted Best Place to Get Married by communities across White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Stillwater, and the St. Croix River Valley.
While accolades and experience have shaped Lorah's journey, her true passion lies in crafting meaningful, one-of-a-kind experiences-where every detail reflects the client's vision & every moment leaves a lasting impression. Lorah brings gracious professionalism with a sincere and grounded approach that fosters trust, making every partnership feel effortless, personal, and truly fulfilling. Always an rewarding experience for clients and collaborators.
Torre Wolf
Assistant Winemaker
Tel: 651-478-6300
Laura Johaningsmeir
Hospitality, Wine Bar and Sales
Tel: 651-478-6300
Tiffany Peck
Accounting
Tel: 651-478-6310
Vineyard
The first vines were planted in 2012 and today there are over 7,000 vines growing in the vineyard on 10 acres. University of Minnesota cold hardy grape varieties Marquette, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, La Crescent and Itasca. Since the key to making good wine starts in the vineyard, the vines are given meticulous care throughout the growing season and managed by exceptional experts in the field of viticulture. We also purchase premium grapes from our growing partners in Washington State and California to craft much loved varietals that would not sustain our growing conditions here in Minnesota.
