7 Vines Vineyard Homepage
Winery History
The Story of 7 Vines: A Legacy Rooted in Love and Family
Ron and Arlie Peltier, high school sweethearts from St. Paul’s east side, built a life grounded in love, ambition, and vision. Both graduates of the University of Minnesota, they shared a passion for real estate, family, and possibility—a passion that inspired their dream to create 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery.
That dream began in the late 1980s when they approached Peter and Gertrude Ffolliott about purchasing a remarkable property once owned by Gertrude’s mother, Rachel Boeckmann, granddaughter of railroad baron James J. Hill. Though the Ffolliotts weren’t ready to sell, Ron and Arlie never stopped imagining what could be.
In 2010, the opportunity finally arrived. Drawn by their love of wine and the promise of Midwest viticulture, they planted their first vines in 2012—turning vision into vineyard, and vineyard into legacy.
The name 7 Vines came naturally. The number seven had long held meaning for Ron—it was his hockey jersey number at Johnson High School and later under 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.” Their names were proudly featured on the first bottles—a symbol of family, continuity, and love.
Today, 7 Vines stands as one of Minnesota’s premier full-experience wineries, a place where community, friendship, and celebration flourish. Yet at its heart, it remains a love story. As the dream took shape, Arlie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She met the challenge with grace and strength, leaving her elegant touch in every corner of 7 Vines. Arlie passed away in October 2021, but her spirit continues to inspire everything here.
In her honor, the Peltiers created Reminisce—a special wine supporting 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.
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A unique catwalk highlights steel fermentation tanks, offering a striking view of the winemaking process. The winery also boasts a spacious wine bar, two rustic stone fireplaces, a barrel room, and a complete bottling facility. On-site hospitality and retail services add to the experience.
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
With more than 20 years of experience in winemaking and viticulture across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Oregon, Matt brings a rare blend of scientific precision and artistic intuition to his craft. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in Chemistry and Biology, he traded the research lab for the vineyard, pursuing his passion for creating expressive, award-winning wines.
Matt’s wines have earned national acclaim, including Best in Class Double Gold honors at the San Francisco and San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competitions, and Best of Show at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition. At 7 Vines Vineyard, his leadership and vision have elevated the winery to new heights, with numerous accolades recognizing both excellence and innovation.
Driven by dedication to his craft and community, Matt continues to shape the future of Minnesota winemaking with elegance, integrity, and an enduring love of the vine.
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 vineyard’s journey began in 2012, and today, over 7,000 vines thrive across 10 acres. We grow cold-hardy grape varieties from the University of Minnesota, including Marquette, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, La Crescent, and Itasca. Knowing that great wine starts in the vineyard, we take great care in nurturing our vines, with expert viticulturists overseeing every step of the growing season. Additionally, we source premium grapes from trusted partners in Washington State and California, allowing us to produce beloved varietals that wouldn't thrive in Minnesota's climate.
