Our Family

Our Story

Over a home brewed beer and their kitchen table, Sandi Vojta, her husband, and father discussed their desire to create a truly “unique South Dakota experience.”

With an affinity for the Midwest, a love of local, seasonal ingredients, and a thirst to carry on a five-generation tradition of handcrafting beverages in South Dakota, the answer was clear. On that day in 1999, Prairie Berry Winery was born.

Today, from a 20,000 square foot state of the art wine production facility in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Prairie Berry Winery has grown into one of the most successful wineries in the region, winning over 1,000 awards and producing some of the most popular and award-winning wines in the Midwest, including the widely acclaimed Red Ass Rhubarb.

Fifteen years after starting Prairie Berry Winery, the natural next step for Sandi and her husband was opening Miner Brewing Company in 2013, located next door to the winery near Hill City.

The following year, they expanded east to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and opened Prairie Berry East Bank. Four years later, they moved across Sioux Falls to the Western Mall and reopened as Miner Brewing Company and Prairie Berry Winery Taproom. Sadly, we closed its doors in November of 2022.

Winemaker Sandi Vojta sniffs a red wine to check for quality.

Meet Our Winemaker

“Winemaking is like working with acrylic, and creating beers is like working with watercolor. Creating and sharing these beverages is truly who I am and what I love to do.”

Our winemaker, Sandi Vojta, has been experimenting with fermentation since she was a young girl. After graduating college with chemistry and biology degrees, she, her husband, and her father set out to create a unique South Dakota experience, founding Prairie Berry Winery in 1999.

Since it began entering competitions in 2001, Prairie Berry Winery has earned more than 1,000 international wine awards. Some top winners include Lawrence Elk, Red Ass Rhubarb, Calamity Jane, and Gold Digger.

1,000+ Awards

“It is not very common to pass the 1,000-award mark in the wine industry, and we are so honored to be one of the wineries to achieve this.”

Prairie Berry Winery began entering wine competitions in 2001. Since then, we’ve earned more than 1,000 international wine awards.

Our awards — and the wines that won them — are proudly on display in our Tasting Room.

Winemaker Sandi Vojta sniffs a red wine to check for quality.

Meet Our Winemaker

“Winemaking is like working with acrylic, and creating beers is like working with watercolor. Creating and sharing these beverages is truly who I am and what I love to do.”

Our winemaker, Sandi Vojta, has been experimenting with fermentation since she was a young girl. After graduating college with chemistry and biology degrees, she, her husband, and her father set out to create a unique South Dakota experience, founding Prairie Berry Winery in 1999.

Prairie Berry Winery's most award-winning wines include Lawrence Elk, Red Ass Rhubarb, Calamity Jane, and Gold Digger. In total, the South Dakota winery has claimed more than 1,000 international wine awards since 2001.

1,000+ Awards

“It is not very common to pass the 1,000-award mark in the wine industry, and we are so honored to be one of the wineries to achieve this.”

Prairie Berry Winery began entering wine competitions in 2001. Since then, we’ve earned more than 1,000 international wine awards.

Our awards—and the wines that won them—are proudly on display in our Tasting Room.