This summer is a great time to get out and explore this beautiful state. And while you do that, make sure you support as many local businesses as you can. Planning a getaway and enjoying a little wine tasting at Minnesota wineries is one way to do exactly that, all while enjoying a little bit of that much-needed “you” time you’ve been craving, too! It really is a win, win for all!
Once you figure out where you want to explore, you’ll need to make some lodging reservations. You can’t go wrong when staying at one of our member Bed and Breakfast properties, found all over the state of Minnesota. Find a property, and book your room today!
10 Great Minnesota Wineries to Visit This Summer
Minnesota has long had a reputation for great beer, and there are a number of extraordinarily good craft breweries around the state to prove it. However, over the past several years, Minnesota wineries have steadily been making a name for themselves around the state. We’d love to see many more great years of wine production in Minnesota, which is why we think this summer is the perfect time to introduce you to some of the most popular Minnesota wineries.
Minnesotan’s love to embrace and support locally grown goods, and it’s no different when it comes to both breweries and wineries. Minnesota wineries tend to produce mostly cold-hardy grapes, which makes sense when you consider the generally cool-climate across Minnesota. The most common varietals grown in the state include Frontenac, a red grape with flavors of cherry and plum, Frontenac Gris, a white wine grape with a characteristic peach flavor, La Crescent, a lower acidity sweet wine, and Marquette, which offers complex notes of cherry, berry, black pepper, and spice.
There are a number of wine trails to follow in Minnesota, and plenty of great tastings to be had along the way. In total, there are more than 90 wonderful wineries to support in Minnesota. To help you narrow down your travels a bit, here are 10 great Minnesota wineries to add to your list of things to do this summer!
- Alexis Bailly Vineyards in Hastings is the state’s oldest winery. They’ve been in business for more than 40 years, and should definitely be included on your list of places to visit.
- Cannon River Winery has nearly 40 acres of land and 9,000 vines of wine grapes growing in its vineyard. Their hand-craft wines have earned them recognition around the world.
- Parley Lake Winery in Waconia is one of the most award-winning Minnesota wineries, having earned more than 50 gold medals in international competitions.
- Wild Mountain Winery in Taylors Falls offers delicious tastes of wines and is set in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.
- 7 Vines Vineyard in Dellwood is an ideal place to soak up the summer sun while enjoying delicious Minnesota wines.
- Falconer Vineyards in Red Wing has been honing its winemaking for the past 15 years and is well-known for its sweet whites and delicious pizzas.
- Garvin Heights Vineyard in Winona is producing a delicious Hungarian-style “Palinka,” or fruit brandy.
- Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery in New Ulm is home to Minnesota’s only underground winery and tasting room.
- Saint Croix Vineyards in Stillwater has been an innovative force in Minnesota’s wine industry for almost 30 years. Their winery is wonderful place for a tasting. You can also partake in a winemaking tour, and don’t forget to take a walk through their picturesque vineyard while you’re there.
- WineHaven Winery in Chisago City is a must-visit when it comes to Minnesota wineries. Not only is their winery exceptionally beautiful, situated between the rolling hills and beautiful lakes of the Chisago City area, but their wines are also delicious, Some of them can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Minnesota Wine Trails
- Three Rivers Wine Trail is the first wine trail in the state and includes five of Minnesota’s oldest wineries. It travels through the St. Croix River Valley and the Cannon River Valley.
- The Upper St. Croix Wine Trail includes five family-owned wineries along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
- The Minnesota Heartland Wine Trail features seven wineries in the glacial lakes region of western Minnesota.
- The Great River Road Wine Trail rungs along the Mississippi River and features 9 different wineries in 3 states.
- The Lake Pepin Wine Trail will take you to 4 wineries in the Lake Pepin area.
Unwind at our Minnesota Bed and Breakfasts
Many of these Minnesota wineries are co-located in popular tourism areas, which makes it easy for people venturing from near and far to explore the very best of Minnesota. This summer is the perfect time to get to know wine produced by the best wineries in Minnesota. Whether you only visit a couple or take the time to meander down one of the state’s wine trails, odds are there’s a Minnesota Bed and Breakfast nearby.
Our Inns make for an easy choice of lodging. They are each unique, welcoming, and offer the perfect blend of comfortable accommodations and “Minnesota Nice” hospitality. Our Inns are traditionally smaller than hotels, too, which makes us ideal lodging during these times of uncertainty, too. This summer, let’s do our best to support the small businesses that make Minnesota such a great place to live and visit. Book your room at one of our Minnesota Bed and Breakfasts today!
