Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery Streambank Restoration

Kasota, MN | Water

Overview

ISG partnered with Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery (Chankaska) to develop a world-class wine making and event facility, helping the owners achieve their vision of wine as an experience, not a product.


Opportunity

Seeking to turn 15-acres of historic Minnesota farmland into a destination winery and event venue, the owners desired a multi-faceted site and sophisticated facilities to attract patrons from around the world.

Solution

As a dedicated partner throughout all phases of Chankaska’s development, ISG’s initial involvement was in the facilitation of a master plan to reimagine 15-acres of farmland into a high-quality winery, including the restoration of Shanaska Creek, which flows through the property.

ISG’s water resources team completed a full streambank restoration of the original Shanaska Creek, which flowed throughout the acreage. The channel was experiencing several problems, including streambank failure, unstable slope, reduced vegetation, and sedimentation entering the channel due to erosion. ISG’s restoration process utilized both traditional and innovative design techniques to provide channel stability while imitating natural systems to allow the channel to participate in its own recovery. The result was a complete restoration and stabilization of the channel banks, vegetation, wildlife habitat, and water quality.

The design aesthetic of Chankaska is directly influenced by the natural resources surrounding the complex. The two-story, 7,500 sq. ft. main facility features a tasting room, wine presses, fermentation tanks, underground barrel storage, and large outdoor terrace that wraps around the facility overlooking the surrounding creek and forest. ISG amplified the winery’s southern Minnesota roots by choosing a local limestone base, cedar siding, and metal and asphalt roofing, reflecting its rustic, yet pristine woodland landscape. As the footprint of Chankaska expanded, ISG designed connectivity between its outdoor trails and facilities with enhanced wayfinding signage to support the visitor experience.


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