After 16 years in the business, Don and Susie South close the doors to the Strawbale Winery in order to take the next steps in their life. (Photo/Submitted)

Sara Stadem | Editor

It’s been 16 years of creating wine and making new friends, Don and Susie South, owners of Strawbale Winery in Renner, have decided to start a different journey in life and are ready for retirement.
When asked how it all started, Don South laughed and said, “Probably the best way to describe this would be a hobby gone terribly wrong!” He continued, “I have always liked to interact with people and Susie has always been big into horticulture and it just took on a life of its own.”
Their federal permit for their winery was originally for in their basement in their home, Don explained. “We quickly grew out of that and moved it to our garage and in 2006, we moved to our buildings that we are currently in today,” Don said.
When the winery started, Don and Susie shared in the duties together but as the years went on, the roles started to shift. “It started off as everything together but it eventually evolved where I took care of the front of the house and Susie took care of all of the incredible amount of reporting with the federal government and making sure we were in compliance,” Don said. “She did all of the heavy lifting and I guess you could say I took the easy part!”
Throughout the year, the Strawbale Winery would increase their staff during their summer months to about seven to eight employees, according to Don. “We used interns a lot, mainly from Augustana and SDSU (South Dakota State University) from their hospitality program that they have there,” Don explained. “Some stated as interns and went on to be employees with us for several years.”
When reminiscing about memories of the winery, Don shared a few of his favorites. Back in 2005, when they were trying to demolish the Zip Feed Mill, Don went to take some photos of the event. After taking the photos, Don thought to himself, he could make a wine out of this event. Don explained he sent the idea to Cincinnati and waited. About a week later, he still hadn’t heard anything so he called and asked the status of his pending wine. Don said he will never forget the conversation. Don said, “My representative said to me, ‘Oh, that’s right, I saw that on TV’ and wouldn’t you know, 10 minutes later, my wine was approved!”
Don further explained that he got that wine approved on a Friday and asked a friend what to do to get the word out on the new wine. The suggestion was a press conference and the wine was sold out in 12 hours. “I said it was like Cabbage Patch for kids,” Don said.
Another favorite for Don has been the fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club and the SD Friends of Transition Music. Don explained the Red Willow Band played at the fundraiser which was a band that both his wife and him followed and enjoyed. They hosted this not once but four years in a row and had about 2,400 people show up for the event. “We wanted to give back to music as that was important to us,” Don said. “Outside of those great memories, it’s the people… the new friends, it’s just all been so incredible. Just like this past weekend, we had people here from Baltic that have become our friends that we would have never met if it wasn’t for the winery.”
Nikki Stukel of Baltic along with her husband Josh and their friends Brad and Carrie Eggert have gotten to know Strawbale Winery and the owners well over the years. “Strawbale is more than a winery. To us, it has become a way of life: a lazy Saturday afternoon in the tasting room, a Thursday night in the summertime listening to music or an impromptu tour of the wine-making rooms by Don himself,” Stukel said. She continued, “To say we will miss this place is an understatement. We will mourn the lost memories, both past and what could have been.”
Stukel also added, “Enjoy your retirement, Don and Susie, you have earned it!”
Strawbale Winery has created approximately 40 wines, according to Don and when asked if he has had a favorite, he laughed and said, “The one that sells the most is my favorite!”
In addition to the wines, Strawbale Winery is a 4.8 Star rating with 300 reviews on Facebook, according to Don and has distributed wine across the state of South Dakota through wholesales. Throughout the years, they have hosted over 50 events per year with the Summer Porch event in 2021 averaging 250 people per evening. Strawbale Winery has also raised over $100,000 for charities through events.
So, what’s next for Don and Susie? “I’ve been working a job since I was 14 years old so it will be different. We have to get through this first,” Don said. “We have most of our family around here so we are looking forward to spending time with them and see what our next steps will be but we will miss all the great people we have met over the years.”
The tasting room closed as of January 1. However, for those that want to visit one last time, Strawbale Winery will be open on Saturdays during the month of January so people can purchase items and use their gift cards. Doors will be open from 11 am – 5 pm. Don further explained they will continue with their wholesale business to those that have been supportive of them all across the state while they look for a buyer for the business. Anyone interested can send Don an email at info@strawbalewinery.com.