The first state you might think of when it comes to wine tasting, wine tours, and excellent wine probably isn’t the Midwest state of Iowa, but did you know that nearly 100 wineries exist in The Hawkeye State?
Iowa is not blessed with the easy-peasy lemon-squeezy winemaking climate of the California coast, the Loire Valley in France, or the Rioja region of Spain. The robust and dedicated winemakers of Iowa grow more than 40 different types of grapes, most of which are considered hardy varieties (or cultivars).
If you’ve never considered the Midwest as a destination for your next wine tour, you’ll love learning about this list of the most popular and best wineries in Iowa. Not only are there wine trails like the Western Iowa Wine Trail to explore, but you’ll also find Iowa wineries near Des Moines and other major cities around the state, making it easy to plan a stay in Iowa for wine tasting and exploration.
Best Wineries in Iowa
Iowa is home to more than 80 licensed wineries with more than 400 vineyards covering more than 1,200 acres. The wine industry of Iowa brings almost $30 million in tourist dollars to the state each year, and the state’s wines often place in grape competitions for cold climates.
Here quick summary of the best wineries in Iowa:
| Winery | Location | Best For | Highlights | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery | Eastern Iowa | Couples, adventurous palettes | Live music, tours, wine, whiskey, and spirits | $$$ |
| Soldier Creek Winery | Central Iowa | Road trippers, casual tasters | Walk-in sampling, private events, wine club | $$ |
| Stone Cliff Winery | Eastern Iowa | City slickers, busy travelers | Tasting room, wedding receptions, draft & bottled beer | $ |
| Jasper Winery in Des Moines | Central Iowa | Business travelers, car-free visitors | Tasting room, craft cider, private events | $$$ |
| Tassel Ridge Winery | Southeast Iowa | Road trippers, wine enthusiasts | Tasting room, lunch, award-winning wine | $$ |
| Summerset Winery | Central Iowa | Casual tasters, families | Tastings, weddings, stays | $$$ |
| Wide River Winery | Eastern Iowa | Couples, wine trippers | Small plates, wine tastings, great views | $$ |
| Eagles Landing Winery | Northeast Iowa | Adventurers, road trippers | Pet-friendly, wine tastings, live music | $ |
| Park Farm Winery | Eastern Iowa | Families, wine trail travelers | Wide selection of wines, live music, pizza | $$ |
1. Fireside Winery
Address: 1755 P Ave, Marengo, IA 52301
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