Cannon River Winery Honored as 2013 Small Business of the Year

“A Total Wine Tasting and Vineyard Experience”

The River Heights Chamber of Commerce awarded Maureen and John Maloney, owners of Cannon River Winery, the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Small Business of the Year Award at their Annual Salute to Small Business Luncheon on Tuesday, April 23rd at Mendakota Country Club.

The River Heights Chamber of Commerce has been celebrating the efforts and contributions of small businesses (businesses with 20 or fewer employees) in our community with the Small Business of the Year Award for over 20 years.

Maureen and John Maloney are true entrepreneurs with vision, passion and hearts of gold.  With deep roots in the local business community, the Maloneys owned Premier Services, an environmental restoration business, for 16 years in South St. Paul, and have lived in Inver Grove Heights for the past 25 years.  In 2000, they decided to start up a new venture and entered the intriguing world of viticulture. Impressed with the viability of Coldhardy grapes in Minnesota, they found a great agriculture site for farmland in Goodhue county and saw potential in a historic building in downtown Cannon Falls for their new business. In 2004, their dreams came true as their crops were ready for harvest and Cannon River Winery was opened!  

Wine tasting at Cannon River Winery has become a total wine tasting and vineyard experience. Customers can learn about viticulture, listen to live music, attend events, picnic in the vineyard and help harvest, all while enjoying locally-made wine. The winery can also host private and corporate events and meetings in their production and event space. The public can volunteer to help harvest and follow their grapes from the fields back to the winery for crushing and processing.  Over the last five years, the winery has had over 600 people help harvest. Volunteers love taking ownership of the wine, and have gone as far as creating artwork for their annual Sogn Series label contest. 

Cannon River Winery employees 30 full-time and part-time seasonal staff. John and Maureen pride themselves on employing local people and value their staff very much. Maureen commented that she sees their co-workers as family. “No one works for us; we work together, and that’s what makes the winery successful,” she added. Their business philosophy is to maintain an honest business where they work hard to have something they can all be proud of at the end of the day.   

The Maloneys not only feel a great passion for their winery, but also in supporting their business community. They participate in local charitable fundraisers, many associations and many Chambers of Commerce.  “I feel that it is important as a small business owner to be involved with our local Chamber of Commerce. We’ve had a great experience and love working with the River Heights Chamber and its members. The Chamber has been so welcoming and has helped us build a strong connection and relationships with people in the business community through networking. We utilize members for our own business and personal needs and we are honored to be recognized in this community,” Maureen added.

Today, Cannon River Winery is the largest winery in the state!  

The River Heights Chamber of Commerce congratulates Cannon River Winery as their 2013 Small Business of the Year!

For more information on this award recipient and to view photos from the event, please contact the River Heights Chamber of Commerce at 651.451.2266 or visit us online at www.riverheights.com.

About River Heights Chamber of Commerce

The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is a business organization who aggressively promotes the interests of the business communities of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. The organization is volunteer driven and strives to attract and retain businesses to keep the business community thriving. The River Heights Chamber continues to provide value-added opportunities for all members. Visit our website www.riverheights.com to learn more!

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