On September 12th 2018, Wedding and corporate event professionals will be concentrating their attention on what Cottage Grove’s Historic Hope Glen Farm & Vineyard (HHGFV) offers the greater-Twin-Cities-area event industry when they descend upon the grounds at 10276 East Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as a part of Twin Cities Wedding & Event Professionals (TCWEP) monthly venue-spotlight luncheon. Farm-to-table food will be served by Apples 2 Apples Catering, one of HHGFV’s exclusive caterers. Guided tours of HHGFV’s unique Honeymoon Tree House Suite are being provided to guests following the event. Tickets are limited to industry-related professionals, cost $10-$40, available online TCWEP.com.
Paula Buschilla, owner of HHGFV, says “the city of Cottage Grove has been so kind to Hope Glen Farm & Vineyard. They’ve helped us to become what we are today as a wedding & event destination. I recall during the process of restoring our historic barn, designed in the early 1900’s by famous St. Paul architect Samuel Bartlett (famous architect of the Great Northern Railroad, Glacier National Park, etc.), the city graciously helped us navigate through the complex process. We are so blessed beyond measure.”
Last year, the property planted a vineyard and it’s beginning to flourish. Paula says in 2 more years they will have grapes on the vines and have plans to try their hands at making some non-alcoholic sparkling drinks and possibly grape jams to sell as well.
In addition to the historical significance of the property’s Samuel Bartlett designed barn, it’s believed that the original owner of the farm unknowingly fed a farm breakfast to infamous gangster Machine Gun Kelly when early one morning in the 1930’s a well-dressed stranger knocked on her door requesting breakfast. She made him something to eat, afterwards he gave her a ten dollar bill, (Back in the 1930’s that would’ve equated to about $100 in value) and went on his way. Later it was rumored that the armed bootlegger was seen in the area.
Matt Sherry, co-founder of TCWEP said, “”We’ve been shining a spotlight onto corporate and wedding venues for the past decade. We are thrilled to be bringing in our group of professionals to experience what Cottage Grove has to offer the Twin Cities as an event destination.”
Elizabeth Sherry, co-founder of TCWEP said “The September 12th lineup includes the Historic Hope Glen Farm & Vineyard venue of course, and there will be an farm-fresh lunch served by Apples 2 Apples Catering. Dessert pies from Sara’s Tipsy Pies. Floral decor from Studio B designs. DJ entertainment by Greg Ellis. Hair & Make-up by 139 Hair by Heidi. Photography by Jeannine Marie Photography. Videography by Complete Wedding + Events, and a whole lot of networking between businesses and individuals. Oh, and hugs between us friends.”
TCWEP has been visiting special event venues around the cities since 2009 and has the mission of improving the event industry with networking between businesses that service the event and wedding industry. Michelle Tverberg, co-founder of TCWEP says “Owners of Hope Glen, Paula & Michael not only have beautiful venue, they have good heart’s. This became so evident when they provided the venue for our June 2017 Cancer Fundraising Auction, which raised over $5k for the sister of one of our very own TCWEP member’s. TCWEP is honored to have such valuable members in our community. They have my rating of 5 stars too. Literally, as we chose to have my son’s wedding here.”
Twin Cities Wedding & Event Professionals began in 2009 as an organic networking group by Michelle Tverberg, Matthew Sherry, and Elizabeth Sherry. Their networking mission is word-of-mouth referrals. TCWEP has grown to a database of over 2,096 professionals who support the event industry in the greater Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
A couple weeks following the event, the general public can see the review of the HHGFV venue online at TCWEP.com, simply search Historic Hope Glen Farm & Vineyard.