Wine & Wax: Candle Making Workshop at Saint Croix Vineyards

At Saint Croix Vineyards; 6428 Manning Ave N., Stillwater, a late-morning workshop turns grape country into a studio. The Candle Making Experience with TS Home Studio invites makers to craft a 14oz wood-wick soy candle while sipping a complimentary glass of wine. Guided by a scent consultant, you’ll blend from more than 50 premium fragrance oils, move through station-style steps to pour your candle, then settle into the vineyard’s tasting area as the wax cures. The setting matters: Saint Croix Vineyards sits in the St. Croix River Valley, where rows of vines, limestone-tinged soils, and hardwood stands shape the light and scent of the air. That landscape gives the workshop an outdoor-adjacent feel—even in cool weather—because the tasting room patio and vineyard views frame the creative process. The wood-wick adds a tactile, audible element to the finished candle; crackle is part of the design. This is a hands-on, standing experience built for small groups. Tickets include one 14oz soy candle poured by you, access to 50+ fragrance oils to compose a signature scent, and one glass of wine or a mocktail. The class begins at 11:00 AM, runs roughly three hours, and accommodates up to 20 guests. Candle setting takes 1.5–2 hours, so plan to linger on the patio or stroll the grounds while your candle cools. Why book this at Saint Croix Vineyards? It’s an easy, sensory way to combine local food-and-drink culture with creative craft. The vines and valley give a sense of place that a storefront studio can’t match; the wine loosens conversation and encourages experimentation with unexpected scent pairings—think oak-aged Chardonnay notes with citrus top notes or prairie herbs balanced against vanilla. Practical notes: this is station-based and primarily standing work. Wear non-porous layers in case of splashes, and expect to carry a cooling candle home the same day. The experience is suitable for date afternoons, mother-daughter outings, or solo travelers who want a slow, social craft interlude. TS Home Studio’s Scent Consultant walks groups through top, middle, and base notes—teaching how citrus, florals, woods, and spices interact—so you leave with a balanced fragrance, not just a random blend. Soy wax is chosen for cleaner burning and easy cleanup; the wood wick gives an ember-like glow. The finished candle makes a thoughtful gift or a keepsake that captures the memory of a Minnesota afternoon among the vines. Reserve early; classes sell out for weekends often.