A Day at DNA Gardens – Where Every Sip Tells a Story
Prairies to Badlands: Locally Grown Stories
Stories Rooted in Community & Event Partnership
When we say “Prairies to Badlands,” we’re not just talking about geography. We’re talking about flavour, family, and full-bodied stories that stretch across the Alberta landscape like a golden hour sunset. And nowhere captures that spirit better than DNA Gardens, a family-run orchard just outside of Elnora that’s been 50 years in the making.
We pulled into DNA Gardens on a warm summer day, curiosity (and empty stomachs) in tow. Arden, the orchard’s fearless co-founder, storyteller-in-chief, and brisket sandwich enabler, greeted us with a sparkle in her eye and a rhythm to her stories that could only come from living them.
From the first bite of that incredible brisket sandwich (seriously, still dreaming about it), to the last sip of fruit wine, this place had us enchanted. DNA Gardens is not just a destination. It’s a prairie love letter, signed in Saskatoon berries and sealed with a fifth-generation flourish.
Arden and her husband Dave started their fruit farming journey as a way to stay home with their kids. What began with hardy Saskatoon berries, chosen for their drought-resistance and sheer prairie stubbornness, bloomed into a 25-acre orchard, greenhouse, tasting room, and garden centre. They’ve been harvesting ever since—not just fruit, but stories.
And oh, what stories.
Their wine Head Over Heels? It features their actual 1975 wedding photo, taken in Trochu and printed right on the bottle. Farm Boy? That’s Dave, smiling in the original Saskatoon patch. And then there’s Contraband, a chokecherry wine with a bootlegging backstory involving Dave’s grandfather Eugene, a rogue barrel on the train tracks, and a well-timed siphon job. Eugene, if you’re reading this from the great beyond, we raise a glass.
Even the local wildlife makes an appearance in the narrative. Sassy Black is named after a flock of crows who heckle Dave whenever he heads out to deal with gophers. They know he won’t shoot them. The gophers, maybe. The crows? Never.
But The Grand Trunk? That one hit me right in the heart. This bold black currant liqueur is named after the Trochu Trestle Bridge, a historic railway that changed the lives of early settlers. For me, black currant is a taste wrapped in memory—a fruit I only ever had in Europe, found in old Dutch cookbooks, or heard about from my grandmother, who swore by its medicinal magic. There’s something about this bottle that feels like home and history all at once. It’s my favourite—not just for the flavour, but for the way it connects past to present with quiet nostalgia.
At DNA, wine isn’t just tasted. It’s lived. Their orchard tours are full-on five-senses experiences. You’ll walk the rows, crush a chokecherry leaf between your fingers, sip under the trees, and hear about the plants, the land, and the people who’ve shaped it all. Every leaf has a lineage. Every bottle has a backstory.
They grow everything themselves, every drop and every sprig. From their rhubarb spritzer currently in development (hello, future fan favourite), to the non-alcoholic rhubarb punch made from Dave’s mom’s recipe, it’s all harvested from the land they’ve loved for decades.
Camping here? Only $25 a night. The fireflies? Pure magic when they show. No promises, but they’ve been twinkling consistently this season. The greenhouse is stocked with prairie-hardy plants, and the on-site market is full of jams, jellies, spirits, and more, all infused with the deep roots of this prairie patch.
We have learned why DNA Gardens isn’t just a place to stop for a quick visit—it’s a place to experience. Their calendar is packed with cozy, creative events that make you want to linger a little longer. On weekends, the smell of smoked brisket and fresh pizza floats through the air, with Saturday dinners and Sunday pancake breakfasts that feel like family tradition. Their orchard wine tours are part tasting, part storytelling, and part focaccia-fueled joy. For a bit of whimsy, there’s high tea in the garden, twilight bat walks, and wagon rides under the stars. You can wander the Antique Trail, hike the Wild Hill Trail with a picnic in tow, or even pitch a tent and stay the night. Come July, Saskatoon Days bursts with music, u-pick berries, and haystack climbing for the kids. August brings Open Farm Days, full of prairie charm and down-to-earth fun. It’s all the best parts of summer, served with a side of wine and wonder.
As part of our Prairies to Badlands Dinner Series, we had the absolute pleasure of spending the day with Arden and Dave—tasting the land, walking the rows, and hearing the legends behind every label. While the September dinner is a private event, we couldn’t help but share a glimpse into the heart of one of our most cherished partners. Because once you’ve stood in their orchard, heard their stories, and sipped their small-batch creations under the prairie sky, you’ll understand: this isn’t just wine. It’s legacy in a bottle. With dusty boots and wine-stained smiles,
The Gallivanting Gals
What They Offer:
DNA Gardens is home to a 25-acre orchard, award-winning fruit wines and liqueurs, a bustling farm market, a greenhouse full of prairie-hardy plants, and a seasonal café with mouthwatering meals. Visitors can enjoy guided wine tours, high tea, u-pick berries, nature trails, camping, and special events like long table dinners, bat walks, and Open Farm Days. Everything is grown, harvested, and crafted right on the farm, making it a true taste of Alberta’s heartland.
