The 9 Best Wineries in Minnesota!

Believe it or not, the North Star State has a burgeoning wine industry that has grown along with the state’s craft beer and spirits trends. Unlike beer and spirits, however, winemaking takes a little more patience. Vines have to mature over several years to achieve target flavors and bouquets. Fortunately, several of Minnesota’s wines are starting to peak, and happen to be some of the Midwest’s best. 

Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Hastings, MN

The grandaddy of Minnesota wineries, Alexis Bailly has been in business since the late 1970s. The winery makes the claim that it is the first commercial winery to grow and use grapes grown in Minnesota. Although it’s been best known for its dessert wines, Bailly’s maturing vineyards are now producing grapes that make smooth and complex reds. Its beautiful setting on bluff-top farm make it a perfect locale for a day trip and picnic. Play some bocce ball and enjoy the vineyard’s sculpture garden.

Carlos Creek Winery, Alexandria, MN

Not only does it produce some of the state’s best wine, but Carlos Creek also happens to be a pretty fun place to visit. The tasting bar serves up pizza and live music on weekends. Every September, the winery hosts its three-day Grape Stomp Festival, which includes live music on four stages, food, artists, and hundreds of teams competing to crush 10,000 pounds of grapes with their feet. Try the kinda-sweet Hot Dish Red or the Wobegon White, which hints at a Riesling.

WineHaven Winery, Chisago City, MN

The Peterson family started out making and selling honey and then tried their hands at honey wines. Since making its first wines in the early 1990s, WineHaven has expanded its roster to include fruit and dessert wines, as well mead, and more standard grape offerings like merlot and Rieslings. The winery also hosts several events throughout the year, like cheese and chocolate tastings paired with its wines.

Falconer Vineyards, Red Wing, MN

One of the state’s prettiest wineries, the petite (six and half acres) Falconer Vineyards is perched on the Mississippi River bluffs an hour south of the Twin Cities. Sip from your samples while looking out across the vineyards and down the tree-lined valleys. Be sure to try the Frontenac rosé, which was voted best white wine by the Minnesota Grape Growers Association.

Saint Croix Vineyards, Stillwater, MN

This is an ideal destination for families with apple-picking children. St. Croix Vineyards is immediately adjacent to Aamodt’s Apple Orchard, so parents can brace themselves for the impending hayrides and caramel apple messes—before and after visiting the orchard. The winery, itself, also has a calming herd of goats and hosts a Grape Stomp Festival the weekend after Labor Day. 

Cannon River Winery, Cannon Falls, MN

Located in downtown Cannon Falls, Cannon River Winery’s tasting room is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists. The tasting counter is large and inviting, and serves up crisp white wines like the winery’s chardonnay, “Classic White,” made from Cannon River’s own grapes. They’re grown on a vineyard located on 20 acres just outside of town. Visitors can buy wine by the bottle and accessories at the shop adjacent to the tasting room.

Millner Heritage Vineyard, Kimball, MN

At Millner Heritage Vineyard, it’s all about the grapes. With a clear German and Eastern European influence in its wines, you’ll taste the difference that diligence makes when you sample the winery’s Riesling and dry reds. As an added bonus, Millner Heritage also grows its own apples and presses a cider that’s crisp and refreshing… not a bad palate-cleanser.

Morgan Creek Vineyards, New Ulm, MN

Featuring Minnesota’s only underground aging cellar, Morgan Creek makes its wines in naturally-ideal temperatures, which is apparent in its final products. On Saturday nights from May through October, Morgan Creek offers live jazz to enhance your sampling experience, as well as an annual Winemakers Dinner in November. 

Wild Mountain Winery, Taylors Falls, MN

With a focus on wines made from grapes developed in the Upper Midwest, Wild Mountain’s dozen or so wines are true regional specialties. Featuring several dry whites and reds, as well as few sweet wines, this winery takes a scientific approach to vintner’s perfection. The full-bodied “Rustic Red” could hold its own against a ribeye from Manny’s.

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14065 Hummingbird Lane, Cold Spring, MN
32025 Satate Highway 15, Kimball, MN
Open: Year Round The Millner family name comes from Franz Müllner (pictured left) who came from Neuhaus, Bohemia around 1880, which at t... Read More
32025 State Hwy. 15, Kimball, MN
Hours: April - Dececember:Thursday 11am - 7pmFriday & Saturday 11am - 8pmSunday 11am - 6pJanuary-March:Saturday 11am - 7pmSunday 11a... Read More
4527 23rd Street Southeast, Buffalo, MN
Open: Seasonally About My ultimate dream came true on May 10, 2012. It was my first day without a day job! Finally, I could focus on my chil... Read More
731 County Road 30 SE, Delano, MN
Open: Year Round Locally owned and operated Winery. All wines are hand crafted from "Minnesota Grapes". Read More
14848 Highway 7 East, Hutchinson, MN
Open: year Round The Crow River Winery and vineyards is one of the premiere Minnesota Farm Wineries, located 2 miles east of Hutchinso... Read More
33578 County Rd, Melrose, MN
Open: Year Round Whispering Oaks Vineyard is located in the beautiful Gasconade watershed of the Ozark Mountains viticultural area of southwest M... Read More
9950 N Shore Rd, Waconia, MN
Open: Year Round Read More
6111 Highway 10 NorthWest, Ramsey, MN
Great MN Wines (and more) for tasting and purchase, meeting/party space available for up to 80. Read More
8280 Parley Lake Road, Waconia, MN
Located just west of Minneapolis/St. Paul in the rolling hills of Waconia, we offer a unique setting where art & wine entwine. Visit our 125 ac... Read More
8785 Airport Road, Waconia, MN
In October 2006, when Aaron first met Ashley at an Oktoberfest party in Minneapolis, he told her of his lifelong dream to start a vineyard and wine... Read More
8785 Airport Rd, Waconia, MN
Open: Year Round In the fall of 2006, I (Ashley, the voice of this website) was a single, condo-living uptown girl, frequenting happy hour in 4-in... Read More
3304 320th St, Cushing, MN
Open: Year Round Wine tasting weekends are our favorite Our tasting weekends are our favorite weekends of the year because we love to see our loya... Read More
36337 Polk Street Ne, Stanchfield, MN
About Us: We are a family run winery located in the country side of Minnesota just outside the town of Cambridge. We are a Federal and State Licens... Read More
40306 Torchlight Rd, Isle, MN
Open: Year Round The dream of the vineyard was started in 2009 with the planting of 150 grapes. We have been adding grapes and working on building... Read More
40306 Torchlight Rd, Isle, MN
About Us: The vineyard was started in 2009 with our first 150 grapes. It is woman owned, family built and run. The winery buildings use many rec... Read More
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