Box Wine Brings The Party
BY KIM BARTMANN
The robust selection of boxed wines at Violet Wine in Northeast Minneapolis
As a restaurateur, I’m passionate about many things; sustainability and high-quality wine rank pretty high on that list. While ‘box wine’ once conjured up blurry memories of cheap fridge dwellers, today’s boxed wine is evolving—and even impressing.
The Twin Cities are home to many incredible wine shops and curators who know how to find the perfect box. I asked my friend Fred Petters, who is co-founder of Violet Wine in Northeast Minneapolis, for his expert take.
“Boxed wine is just getting better and better. Long gone are the days when wine in a box signified something sort of low-rent. The quality is there, and the value, too, with about 4 bottles worth of wine per box at maybe $10 or less per bottle. Plus, the wine remains good for weeks after opening, so I always keep a box on hand at home.” – Fred Petters, Co-Founder of Violet Wine
Here are a few of my favorites to keep on hand for everything from a single glass to an impromptu gathering.
Kim’s Boxed Wine Picks
Bedrock Wine Co. “Ode to Lulu” Old Vine Rosé (California)
This is not your poolside punch. A Mourvèdre-based rosé from California’s old vines, it’s lip-smacking, dry, and complex. Bedrock is known for its mission to preserve California’s historic vineyards, and this wine carries that legacy in every glass. It’s both thirst-quenching and quietly serious— a wine that respects the past but tastes like right now.
Schplïnk! Grüner Veltliner (Austria)
Yes, Schplïnk, which sounds like either a cartoon sound effect or a yoga pose gone awry. But this Austrian white is no joke. A classic Gruner, crisp, dry, herbaceous, it’s a versatile food wine, a natural pairing for vegetables, seafood, and lighter fare.
From the Tank Côtes du Rhône Rouge (France)
Juicy, peppery, and totally gulpable, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre is bistro wine in a box. Made with native yeasts and low intervention methods by the Vignerons d’Estezargues co-op, it’s the real deal—pure Southern Rhône soul, no bottle required. Slight chill recommended. Beret optional.
Crafted from Tempranillo and Garnacha, this Spanish red is bright, fruity, and ridiculously drinkable. Sustainably grown, made, and vegan, it’s been on the glass list at Barbette for years, where we only pour what we love.
Salcheto “The Fiasco” Sangiovese (Italy)
Don’t let the name fool you—this Tuscan red is all grace. Grown organically and made in one of the most eco-forward wineries in the world (fully off-grid!), It’s an elegant, cherry-laced reminder that sustainability and romance can go hand in hand.
Box wine might still raise eyebrows, but these five prove it can raise the bar, too. With sustainable practices, surprising complexity, and a casual vibe, they’re worthy of glass pours, dinner parties—and yes, even your chicest picnic tote. Whether you’re sipping rosé from California old vines or Sangiovese from an off-grid Tuscan estate, one thing is clear: boxed wine is here to stay.
Kim Bartmann
Kim Bartmann is a Minneapolis-based restaurateur and longtime wine curator who has championedsustainability for over 30 years—on the plate, in the glass, and throughout her award-winning,community-focused hospitality projects.
