12 Best Iowa Wineries

Ackerman Winery

Ackerman Winery has been producing fruit wines at its location within the Amana Colonies since 1956, originally opened to the public in 1856 by Louisa and Harry Ackerman. Today, the winery is overseen by Bill and Rona Wyant, known for its delicious fruit-forward wines crafted in exotic flavor variants such as mango, red raspberry, pomegranate, and dandelion. Traditional wine varietals are also showcased, including varietals such as Pinot Grigio and Edelweiss. Amana Colonies visitors can stop in at the company's tasting room daily throughout the morning and afternoon hours, with complimentary tastings of all the company's wines available for visitors ages 21 and older. A large assortment of wine-related accessories are also sold at the winery's gift store, including wine racks and glasses.

Address: Ackerman Winery, 4406 220th Trail, Amana, IA 52203, Phone: 319-622-3379

Buchanan House Winery

Buchanan House Winery is a member winery of the Iowa Wine Growers Association, housed within a restored brick mansion in Tipton that was originally constructed by its namesake Alexander Buchanan in 1885. The mansion, which served as the estate house for a 560-acre pioneer farm, was purchased in 2009 and transported to its current location by winery owners Linda and Randy Weaver.

Today, guests can sample the company's red, white, sparkling, and fruit wines at its public tasting room, which is open daily without appointments necessary. Private wine tastings are available with advance reservation for small groups. Guests can also explore the winery's vineyards as part of self-guided tours or stroll through its 1.5-acre Colonial Revival-style garden, which showcases perennial plantings and ornamental flowers.

Address: Buchanan House Winery, 726 Green Rd, Tipton, IA 52772, Phone: 563-357-9916

Covered Bridges Winery

Covered Bridges Winery is a charming stop on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, owned and operated by married duos Jean and Kevin Fifo and Kevin and Rose Boyle. The winery, which is located just north of the city of Winterset, was opened to the public in 2016 within a brand-new state-of-the-art production facility and tasting room space near Highway 169.

Wines are produced from native and French-American hybrid grapes, prepared in excellent red, white, and blush varietals such as Marechal Foch, Edelweiss, St. Croix, and La Crescent. Beautiful North River Valley views are offered from the company's tasting room, which is open to the public throughout the week during the summer and at select weekend times throughout the winter. Public special events include live music performances and food pairing events.

Address: Covered Bridges Winery, 2207 170th Trail, Winterset, IA 50273, Phone: 515-729-9463

Empty Nest Winery

Empty Nest Winery was originally opened in 2011 in Waukon, housed within a reclaimed century-old family barn with breathtaking architectural elements such as barn board framing, vaulted wood ceilings, lighted spiral chandeliers, and two handmade 24-foot bars. The family-operated winery, which began production with a lineup of eight wines, now serves up a full lineup of standard and seasonal wines, including high-quality dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and dessert wines and blends.

Fruit-forward wines are also produced, including specialties such as blackberry port wine or chocolate raspberry wine. Guests can taste wines each weekend at the company's tasting room, which also serves sangrias, craft beer, and hard ciders produced on site. Free popcorn is available to munch on, with hot buffet food offered on select Fridays.

Address: Empty Nest Winery, 352 Apple Rd, Waukon, IA 52172, Phone: 563-568-2758, FB

Fireside Winery

Fireside Winery is a delightful family-operated winery in Marengo, opened by married duo William and Rona Wyant. The winery, which is named in honor of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's historic "Fireside Chat" radio broadcasts, strives to cultivate an atmosphere of communal gathering centered around sharing wine and friendship.

High-quality red, white, and specialty blend wines are sold, ranging from regional varietals such as La Crescent and Iowa Seyval to delicious sweet, dessert, and fruit blends. Tastings and tours are offered on weekends at the company's tasting room facility, which is located within convenient driving distance of the nearby Amana Colonies and the University of Iowa. Three outdoor fire pits are available for guest use during the warmer months, along with a cozy patio and fireplace. Live music performances throughout the year showcase Midwestern regional bands and artists.

Address: Fireside Winery, 1755 P Ave, Marengo, IA 52301, Phone: 319-662-4222

Madison County Winery

Madison County Winery is the premiere winery of the town of St. Charles, located within Madison County along Highway G50. The winery, which was opened in 2001 by married duo Cheryl and Doug Bakker, is operated today with the aid of their three children, Julia, Andrew, and Brittany. Since 2010, the winery has operated a public tasting room and warehouse, which also brews beer in cooperation with regional craft brewers Twisted Vine Brewery.

Excellent white, red, and rosé wines are served up at the tasting room, which also offers draft from Twisted Vine and Big Rack Brew Haus. Cheese and chocolate platters are available to complement tastings, including selections sourced from Frisian Farms and Milton Creamery. Live music performances are showcased throughout the year at the winery's outdoor amphitheater, which can also be rented for private special events for up to 200 guests.

Address: Madison County Winery, 3021 St Charles Rd, St Charles, IA 50240, Phone: 641-396-2220

Park Farm Winery

Park Farm Winery is located in Durango, less than 20 minutes west of the city of Dubuque, making it a perfect day trip choice for winery visitors coming from neighboring Illinois or Wisconsin. The charming chateau-style winery is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and pasture lands, evoking an Old World European-style ambiance. 11 acres of estate vineyard grounds focus on cold-climate grape cultivars specifically meant to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the Upper Midwest, including La Crescent, LaCross, St. Pepin, and Frontenac Gris.

Other high-quality varietals showcased at the winery include Maréchal Foch, Leon Millot, and Marquette produced with grapes sourced from the Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA. A year-round tasting room and shop offers daily wine tastings, served up alongside gourmet brick-oven pizzas.

Address: Park Farm Winery, 15159 Thielen Rd, Durango, IA 52039, Phone: 563-557-3727, Facebook

Prairie Crossing Vineyard and Winery

Prairie Crossing Vineyard and Winery was originally founded in April of 2005 by Andy and Julianna Hrasky, located in Treynor within the beautiful Loess Hills region. The winery, which began commercial distribution following the 2006 harvest season, cultivates world-class wine grapes for use in classic varietals such as Edelweiss and Frontenac and high-quality red, white, and blush blends.

An elegantly-decorated tasting room and bar serves up wine flights, glasses, and bottles, along with cheese and charcuterie selections and a variety of craft beers. A charming seasonal outdoor patio is ADA-accessible and offers complimentary wireless internet access, while a seasonal event center provides rental space for weddings and receptions.

Address: Prairie Crossing Vineyard and Winery, 31506 Pioneer Trail, Treynor, IA 51575, Phone: 712-487-3812

PromiseLand Winery

PromiseLand Winery is a delightful family-operated winery in Guttenberg, owned and operated by Pat and Cindy Wachendorf. The company produces a full lineup of delicious and drinkable wines, including dry, semi-sweet, and sweet red varietals and blends. Wines are cleverly named and designed with book-cover-like labels, including the pineapple and grapefruit notes First Crush, the Catawba and Niagara blend Cabin Fever, and the St. Croix-focused Great River Red. Complimentary wine tastings are offered at the company's tasting room, which also sells wines by the bottle or by the glass and serves up delicious craft pizzas.

Winery and vineyard tours are available by special appointment. A number of retail stores are located on site at the winery, including boutiques and wine accessory shops.

Address: PromiseLand Winery, 39053 Great River Rd, Guttenberg, IA 52052, Phone: 563-252-2665

Stone Cliff Winery

Stone Cliff Winery was originally opened by Nan and Bob Smith in 1995, offering its first commercial wines for the 2001 season. Since 2007, the winery has been housed within Dubuque's historic Star Brewery building, which overlooks the beautiful Mississippi River and the Port of Dubuque.

Classic wine varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato, and Zinfandel are sold year-round, along with blends and fruit wines prepared from produce such as apples, raspberries, and cranberries. Award-winning wines can be sampled at the winery's tasting room, which also offers draft beer selections and light bar fare. Live music performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays showcase the best of the region's musicians and bands.

Address: Stone Cliff Winery, 600 Star Brewery Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001, Phone: 563-583-6100

Summerset Winery

Summerset Winery is an award-winning Indianola winery, easily accessible for day trips from nearby Des Moines. The winery, which was opened to the public in 1989 by Linda and Ron Mark, was one of Iowa's first estate wineries at the time of its founding. Today, it continues to be one of the state's highest-producing wineries, harvesting excellent grape varietals on its 12-acre vineyard.

Up to three complimentary wine samples are offered at the winery's public tasting room, including samples of the company's blush wines and meads. Wines are also available by the flight, glass, or bottle, along with a selection of bar snacks, fine cheeses and sausages, and local craft beers. During the summer months, guests can enjoy yard games outside on the winery's patio, including a full-size bocce court. Overnight stay is offered at the Inn at Summerset, which is available as a rental property.

Address: Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax St, Indianola, IA 50125, Phone: 515-961-3545

Tassel Ridge Winery

Tassel Ridge Winery is a charming local winery in Leighton, focused around providing educational wine experiences and tours for all visitors. The winery produces a large variety of fine wines throughout the year, including dry, semi-sweet, sweet, fruit, and dessert wines crafted with excellent grapes grown throughout central Iowa.

45-minute winery tours are offered anytime during regular business hours, showcasing the history of Iowa grape growing and harvesting and the winery's process of fermenting, blending, and bottling. Guests can also ride the winery's Grapemobile, which tours the company's vineyards. Complimentary wine samples are offered at the winery's tasting room, with flights, pours, and bottles available for purchase. Special events held at the winery throughout the year include quarterly murder mystery dinner events and themed chef's tasting dinners.

Address: Tassel Ridge Winery, 1681 220th St, Leighton, IA 50143, Phone: 641-672-9463

Tycoga Vineyard and Winery

Tycoga Vineyard and Winery is a family-owned winery that was originally founded in 2010, planting its first vineyard estate grapes in April of 2013. The award-winning winery, which has received major medals at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, opened its public tasting room facility in 2014.

Visitors can sample more than two dozen types of wines, ranging from dry white and red varietals to elegant dessert wines and blends. The winery's tasting room is open Wednesdays through Sundays during the afternoon and evening hours. Wood-fired pizzas are served up on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, prepared in delectable flavors such as barbecue chicken, arugula, and Hawaiian.

Address: Tycoga Vineyard and Winery, 2585 195th St, DeWitt, IA 52742, Phone: 563-659-1443, Facebook