Minnesota is typically known for its many lakes, making it a good getaway for fishing, but if you get tired of doing that, there are other fun activities you can try out.
You will be amazed to find out that Minnesota has some fantastic wineries you can visit. The industry has grown substantially over the past few decades, with over 80 wineries now operating across the state.
Every winery is different and has its own way of excelling; some provide an exquisite venue for dream weddings; some have quality cider and beer that matches their wine collection, while others are great for hosting family events and seasonal festivals.
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What Wine is Minnesota Known For?
Minnesota has a cold climate, and many grape varieties typically need protection from the winter. In fact, many vines are buried in the soil for the season to survive the freezing temperatures. Winter conditions are the primary factor in determining which grapes can thrive in this region.
Minnesota has a continental climate where winters are colder, summers are warmer, and there are rapid temperature changes.
While this cold climate makes it harder to grow traditional Vitis vinifera, Minnesota has become a hub for cold-hardy viticulture thanks to the grape pioneers at the University of Minnesota. Their innovative research led to the development of unique grapes like La Crescent, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, and Frontenac—the latter being the most widely planted variety in the state.
The best areas for growing grapes commercially are along the Minnesota, St. Croix, and Mississippi valleys in the southern third of the state. These areas feature sandy or gravelly soils left by glacial times, paired with notable hills that provide excellent drainage and sun exposure for the vineyards.
Best Wineries in Minnesota
Check out some of the best wineries in Minnesota everyone should visit at least once.
Wineries Map:
Cannon River Winery
- Location: 421 Mill St W, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
- Tasting Price: $20 – $25
- Contact Number: (507) 263-7400
- Website: https://cannonriverwinery.com/
This winery is found in Minnesota’s Sogn Valley hills on about 40 acres of land. If you’re near the Twin Cities or Rochester, Cannon River Winery is a convenient drive for a weekend escape.
The winery is a historical destination offering live music, a wide collection of merchandise, and a beautiful venue for weddings and special events. Their Crew Club Membership provides tiered discounts and annual tastings for members and their guests.
Best wines:
- Bootlegger’s Red Port Wine
- Gunflint Red Wine
- Gunflint Gris
- Gunflint White
- Mill Street Red Wine
- Minnesota Marquette
Annual Fall Harvest:
Join them at Cannon River to experience the wine creation process firsthand. During the annual harvest, visitors can watch the process or even get involved with the grape picking. It is a fantastic learning experience for both novices and local wine experts alike.
Crow River Winery
- Location: 14848 MN-7, Hutchinson, MN 55350
- Contact Number: (320) 587-2922
- Website: https://crowriverwinery.com/
Crow River Winery is located in Hutchinson, right in the heart of the Crow River Watershed. This destination offers much more than just wine; you can enjoy live music, delicious farm-to-table food, yoga, and even a seasonal corn maze.
One of their unique features is the proximity to the Luce Line Trail. You can take a scenic bike ride or walk along the gravel trail that leads directly to their front door—the perfect excuse for a refreshing glass of wine.
Tasting Room Hours:
- Sunday-Wednesday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm
- Friday-Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm
Annual Festivals & Events:
- Dine in the Vines (Seasonal Dinner Series)
- Grape Stomp Festival
- Pumpkin Fest
- Yoga at the Winery
Also Read:
Parley Lake Winery
- Location: 8280 Parley Lake Rd, Waconia, MN 55387
- Wine Tasting Room Hours: Fri: 4 pm – 8 pm, Sat – Sun: 12 pm – 6 pm (Seasonal)
- Tasting Price: Flights start from $15
- Website: https://www.parleylakewinery.com/
Regarded as one of the best wineries in Minnesota, Parley Lake is just a short drive from the Twin Cities. Since its founding in 2008, the winery has won dozens of gold medals in international competitions, standing out for its sophisticated use of cold-hardy grapes.
Their Goddess of Grapes wine club offers generous discounts on merchandise and wine purchases. The vineyard is particularly beautiful during their annual ArtStock festival, which combines local music and artist booths within the vineyard setting.
Best wines include:
- Apples & Vines
- Marquette
- Barn Quilt Red
- Frontenac Blanc
- Brianna Breeze
Schram Vineyards, Winery & Brewery
- Location: 8785 Airport Rd, Waconia, MN 55387
- Tasting Price: Starts from $25 (Reservations Recommended)
- Contact Number: (952) 442-5105
- Website: http://schramvineyards.com/
Schram Vineyards offers a unique dual experience as both a winery and a brewery. Located in Waconia, it boasts scenic views of the surrounding valley. It’s a great spot for bocce ball, vineyard yoga, or enjoying a flight of hand-crafted beer and wine on the patio.
For a deeper experience, you can book a **Vine to Wine Tour** (approx. $35), which covers the history of the vineyard and takes you through the winemaking process from grape to glass.
Best wines include:
- Sparkling Frontenac Blanc
- Bonfire (Red Blend)
- Laketown Red
- Blueberry Bumbley
WineHaven Winery & Vineyard
- Location: 10020 Deer Garden Ln, Chisago City, MN 55013
- Tasting Price: $18 – $20
- Contact Number: (651) 257-1017
- Website: https://www.winehaven.com/
Opening in 1995, WineHaven was Chisago County’s first estate winery. This family-owned vineyard is famous for developing the “Chisago” grape, a patented variety that produces award-winning wines.
In addition to their 50 acres of vines, WineHaven is renowned for its honey wines (Mead), produced from their own honeybee hives. They host several annual events, including a popular Rhubarb festival and winter wine slushy fests.
Best wines:
- Deer Garden Red
- Chisago (Patented Variety)
- Stinger Mead
- Lakeside Rosé
Saint Croix Vineyards
- Location: 6428 Manning Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082
- Contact Number: (651) 430-3310
- Website: https://www.scvwines.com/
Established in 1992, Saint Croix Vineyards is a cornerstone of the Minnesota wine scene. Their tasting room is located in a beautifully restored historic barn, providing a rustic and comfortable atmosphere.
Located right next to Aamodt’s Apple Farm, it’s a perfect family-friendly destination where you can enjoy wine while picnicking in the rural surroundings. They are well-known for their **Yoga in the Vines** classes during the warmer months.
Best Wines:
- La Crescent (White)
- Frontenac Port
- Marquette Rosé
- Raspberry Infusion
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery
- Location: 78757 MN-16, Spring Valley, MN 55975
- Contact Number: (507) 346-7300
- Website: https://fourdaughtersvineyard.com/
Four Daughters is a premier southeastern Minnesota winery, recognized as the official provider for the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. The family-run estate features a 6-acre vineyard and a state-of-the-art production facility for both wine and their famous Loon Juice Ciders.
Their **Dine in the Vines** events are legendary, featuring multi-course meals prepared by an executive chef and paired with estate wines.
Best-selling wines:
- Big Boy Blend
- Velvet Hammer
- Polygon Rose
- White Oak
Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery
- Location: 32025 MN-15, Kimball, MN 55353
- Contact Number: (320) 398-2081
- Website: http://www.millnerheritage.com/
Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery offers an authentic Austrian-style wine experience. Across their 9-acre vineyard, they grow various cold-hardy hybrids that produce over 15 unique labels ranging from dry to sweet.
A highlight of any visit is their **Riding Vineyard Tour**, where you can hop on a vintage tractor and learn about the growing and production process.
Tasting Room Hours (Seasonal):
- Wed-Thu: 11 am – 6 pm
- Fri-Sat: 11 am – 8 pm
- Sun: 11 am – 6 pm
Carlos Creek Winery
- Location: 6693 County Rd 34 NW, Alexandria, MN 56308
- Contact Number: (320) 846-5443
- Website: https://www.carloscreekwinery.com/
Located in Alexandria and part of the **Bold North Cellars** complex, Carlos Creek has been a staple since 1999. The estate covers 160 acres and is famous for its **Grape Stomp Festival** every September, which draws thousands of visitors.
The winery is paired with 22 Northmen Brewing Co., making it an ideal spot for groups with diverse tastes. Their “Hot Dish Red” is a local favorite, offering approachable notes of blackberry and spice.
Wild Mountain Winery
- Location: 16906 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
- Contact Number: (651) 583-3585
- Website: https://www.wildmountainwinery.com/
Situated at one of the highest points in Chisago County, Wild Mountain Winery offers stunning views of the St. Croix River Valley. They specialize in cold-climate wines and hard ciders. Their **Wild River Red** is a signature dry red featuring notes of spice, smoke, and ripe cherry.
Alexis Bailly Vineyards
- Location: 18200 Kirby Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033
- Contact Number: (651) 437-1413
- Website: http://abvwines.com/
The true pioneer of the state, Alexis Bailly Vineyards planted the first Minnesota vineyard in 1973 and released the first wines made from 100% Minnesota-grown grapes in 1978.
The tasting room is open seasonally (typically April through December). Known for their elegant reds and award-winning dessert wines like “Voyageur,” the property also features a sculpture garden and bocce ball courts. During the summer, their **Jazz in the Vineyard** series is a local favorite.
Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery
- Location: 23707 478th Ave, New Ulm, MN 56073
- Contact Number: (507) 947-3547
- Website: https://www.morgancreekvineyards.com/
Morgan Creek is unique for housing Minnesota’s only underground aging cellar. Since 1993, this family-owned winery has focused on socially and environmentally sustainable practices. They specialize in German and French style wines, including their proprietary **Ten Thousand Vines** Marquette blend.
Wine tastings can be self-guided on the patio or personalized experiences with the winemaker. They are well known for their “Jazz Nite” events and wood-fired pizzas.
Conclusion
You cannot go wrong with any of these wineries in Minnesota. Take your partner along for a weekend getaway, or plan your vacation to visit one of them and have a swell time exploring the booming world of cold-climate wines.“`