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Experience the best Minnesota wineries at these 15 incredible locations!

Whether you’re a casual fan or a full-on sommelier, Minnesota has plenty of wineries with unique tastings, special events, and local flavors for you to sample. 

And because Minnesota is known for its natural beauty, these wineries have incredible, scenic atmospheres.

The results? A tasting experience that is uniquely Minnesotan! 

In this post, I’m sharing the best Minnesota wineries that you need to try, along with corresponding wine trails, available food pairings, and wine events you won’t want to miss. 

Read on to get the full scoop on the best Wineries in Minnesota.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. 

Check out our list of the best Minnesota wineries from top USA family travel blog, Travel With A Plan!
Minnesota wineries

15 Best Minnesota Wineries 

As a Minnesota native, I can attest that Minnesota has no shortage of amazing wineries for you to sample.

While it’s hard to narrow it down, these are 15 of the best, highly-rated wineries that should definitely be part of your Minnesota bucket list!

Each location exemplifies what Minnesotan wine is all about.

Sample delicious wine, enjoy winery tours, and take in the beautiful scenery at these top-ranked locations.

Oh, and psst…we love our home state of Minnesota so much that we’ve written several other guides to help you plan your trip!

1. Alexis Bailly Vineyards

Alexis Bailly Vineyard – 18200 Kirby Ave S, Hastings, MN

At its heart, the Alexis Bailly Vineyard is a family operation that goes way back.

In fact, this winery is responsible for the very first vineyard planted in Minnesota back in 1973. 

Still owned by the Bailly family, this winery boasts the first commercial production of 100% Minnesota-grown grapes. 

It goes without saying that their offerings exemplify Minnesota wines (they are the blueprint, after all!). 

If you’re interested in sampling their wine, their grounds are open from Friday-Sunday. 

On your visit, you can enjoy wine tastings along with pre-made picnic boxes filled with crackers, local artisan cheese, salami, nuts, and fruits. 

For an idyllic afternoon, I recommend you enjoy a picnic on the grounds while sampling some of the best wines that Minnesota has to offer.

In addition, the vineyard also has dog-friendly grounds, cribbage playing, and several nearby bike trails for you to take advantage of. 

You can even rent one of their heated Wine Yurts for comfortable sipping through the colder months. 

Check out our list of the best Minnesota wineries from top USA family travel blog, Travel With A Plan!
Cannon Rivery Winery

2. Cannon River Winery

Cannon River Winery – 421 Mill St W, Cannon Falls, MN

Experience award-winning wines sourced from over 40 acres of land in Minnesota’s Sogn Valley. 

Cannon River Winery offers balanced dry whites along with full-bodied reds for you to sample on your visit – and they’re all handcrafted on-site. 

They also serve shareable plates, sandwiches, pizzas, and desserts to round off your tasting. 

It’s also helpful to know that the Cannon River Winery is also a part of the Great River Road Wine Trail, located on the Mississippi River.

Other wineries on this trail include:

Additional planning tip: Visit Cannon River Wineries on Saturdays for live music concerts, comedy shows, and more special events. 

Check out our list of the best Minnesota wineries from top USA family travel blog, Travel With A Plan!
Carlos Creek Winery

3. Carlos Creek Winery

Carlos Creek Winery – 6693 County Rd 34 NW, Alexandria, MN

Sip fantastic wine flight options on the beautiful grounds of Carlos Creek Winery. 

For a bite to pair, they also have grab-and-go deli foods, a pizza kitchen, and a seasonal food truck. 

Their grounds are dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your fur baby along while you enjoy live music and rotating special events. 

They’re also part of the Skal Crawl Wine Trail, including:

Additional planning tip: Visit for one of their special pairing events with options for olive, cheese, and chocolate pairings. 

*If you’re interested in taking your wine tour cross-country, check out my related posts to help you plan your next adventure:

4. Saint Croix Vineyards

Saint Croix Vineyards – 6428 Manning Ave N, Stillwater, MN

For a weekend experience like no other, stop by Saint Croix Vineyards; enjoy a wine tasting in their tasting room, open every Saturday from 10-6, with live music from 2-5. 

Choose between a traditional wine tasting or a flight of dessert wines. 

Beyond tastings, they also offer several seasonal events and private tours by reservation. 

A $25 private tour will grant you a personal tour of the vineyard and winery along with a wine tasting, cheese, crackers, and dessert.

Check out our list of the best Minnesota wineries from top USA family travel blog, Travel With A Plan!
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery

5. Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery

Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery – 78757 MN-16, Spring Valley, MN

Few spots beat the stunning grounds of Four Daughters Vineyard! 

Located in Southern Minnesota, this winery offers wine flights, hard cider, and a full menu to sample. 

Previously an official provider for the Sundance Film Festival, Four Daughters wine has received global acclaim that makes it a must-try Minnesota winery. 

Sample their unique wines and hard ciders in a flight of your choosing, including:

  • White Wine
  • Red Wine
  • Rose 
  • Loon Juice Cider
  • Specialty Flight

They also have special events on Friday nights and offer brunch boards and bottomless mimosas on the weekends for a guaranteed good time.

6. North Shore Winery

North Shore Winery – 202 Ski Hill Rd, Lutsen, MN

One of the best things about North Shore Winery is its epic location on Northern Minnesota’s world-famous North Shore Scenic Drive!

In other words, combine a visit to Duluth, Minnesota with a road trip along the North Shore, as well as a stop at North Shore Winery for a complete Minnesota vacation experience.

North Shore Winery makes red and white wines from grapes grown in California and Minnesota and is open year-round for indoor and outdoor seating. 

The winery offers tours, special wine tastings, and daily offerings in the tasting room, as well as features local artwork and crafted gifts reflective of the Lutsen area and Cook County.

Visiting in the winter?

North Shore Winery is conveniently located only 1 mile from Lutsen Mountain Ski Resort, Minnesota’s best downhill skiing destination.

*If you happen to be visiting this area in Northern Minnesota, be sure to check out the best Duluth, MN attractions, as well as the best breweries in Duluth as well!

7. Winehaven Winery

Winehaven Winery – 10020 Deer Garden Ln, Chisago City, MN

Looking for outstanding lake and hillside vineyard views and an intimate, family-owned charm?

Visit Winehaven Winery!

This winery focuses on sustainable farming and its Minnesota roots, so you can guarantee that your experience will be authentic to Minnesota. 

Try a wine flight for $20 with an assortment of flatbread pizza and cheese trays on their scenic terrace. 

Lastly, be sure to pick up some Minnesota honey as a tasty souvenir before you leave. 

Additional planning tip: There are several nearby state parks and opportunities for outdoor activities that you can take advantage of. 

8. Wild Mountain Winery

Wild Mountain Winery – 16906 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN

This family-operated business is run on one of the highest points of Chisago County, where grapes are grown and processed to produce amazing Minnesotan wine. 

Sample their creations along with wood-fired pizza, cheese and crackers, bread, butter, and dipping oils. 

This winery goes beyond the traditional model – with vineyards, a winery, and an accompanying campground! 

Their Wild Vines Campground offers “glamping opportunities” for a one-of-a-kind experience. 

They’re also a part of the Upper Saint Croix Wine Trail, with other wineries including:

9. Morgan Creek Vineyards

Morgan Creek Vineyards – 23707 478th Ave, New Ulm, MN

If you’re looking for the perfect place to have a glass of wine with friends, Morgan Creek Vineyards is the place!

They offer self-guided tastings, private tasting dinners, and guided tastings so that you can choose the experience that best suits your needs. 

There are also regular special events happening at the vineyard. 

Saturday mornings, try their hand-crafted wines and farm-fresh seasonal foods at their morning country brunch. 

On weekends, attend their “Winedown for the Weekend” event with Neapolitan pizza, appetizers, raclette, and more (along with fine wine, of course). 

Finally, they offer live music on Saturday nights from some of the area’s finest jazz musicians, making it a great spot to socialize. 

10. Millner Heritage Vineyard

Millner Heritage Vineyard – 32025 MN-15, Kimball, MN

With grapes bred by Elmer Swenson and the University of Minnesota, Millner Heritage Vineyard produces local-favorite wines.

Try a seven-option flight along with pizzas and meat and cheese trays.

Self-proclaimed as “the fun winery”, the venue offers live music and is a popular option for weddings and events.

Not a wine fan? Try one of the hard ciders made from locally grown apples.

11. Parley Lake Winery

Parley Lake Winery – 8280 Parley Lake Rd, Waconia, MN

The wine produced at Parley Lake Winery has won countless medals in wine competitions across the globe. In other words, this winery is well worth the stop!

Located west of the twin cities, their rolling vineyards provide a dazzling backdrop to your visit. 

Grab a $15 wine flight to try 4 samples, or book a guided wine tasting for a more personal experience. 

They also serve craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages if you need a little break from wine. 

Looking for a bite? Parley Lake Winery has food trucks on the weekends and snacks available for purchase all week long, including:

  • Cheese & crackers  
  • Chocolate
  • Gourmet nut mixes 
  • Meat & cheese trail mix 
  • Gourmet flavored popcorn
  • Seasoned pretzels 

Additional planning tip: Parley Lake Winery is open seasonally from spring to late October so do plan accordingly.

12. Crow River Winery

Crow River Winery – 14848 MN-7, Hutchinson, MN

If you’re staying in Minneapolis or Saint Paul, I highly recommend a trip out to Crow River Winery. 

They own five vineyards located in the Minnesota grassland, with picturesque acreage growing pumpkins, garlic, and of course, grapes. 

The vineyard is on-site, so you get the full experience when visiting their winery. 

Enjoy a guided tasting featuring a selection of five different wines. You can choose between:

  • Sweet Flight
  • Winemakers Flight 
  • Build Your Own Flight 

And if you’re unsure of what to pick, their expert staff will help guide your choices depending on your preferences. 

Their tasting rooms offer more than just wine – they also serve craft beer, seasonal sangrias, non-alcoholic cocktails, and more. 

You can also enjoy a meal on-site. They serve a selection of bistro food, including pizza, artisan sandwiches, and meat and cheese trays that can be eaten inside the tasting room or in their outdoor courtyard. 

Additional planning tip: If the weather is nice, take advantage of their beautiful outdoor courtyard for the best views of the property.

13. Salem Glen Winery

Salem Glen Winery – 5211 60th Ave SW, Rochester, MN

A family-owned and operated boutique winery, Salem Glen specializes in small batches of wine made from regionally grown grapes.

It was established in 2006 on an old dairy farm in the Zumbro River Valley and produces all of its wine on-site from hardy grapes that are able to survive the cold Minnesota winters.

Though they primarily produce grape wines they also have some fruit wines available.

At the cost of $17 per person, your tasting experience will include a pre-set flight of 6 wine varieties, along with a tasting sheet outlining the characteristics of each wine

To note, however, is that because Salem Glen makes wines in small batches, they can be out of wines from time to time.

Also, Salem Glen Winery has an outdoor pizza oven. Beginning at the end of May, they have wood-fired pizzas every Friday during the warmer months.

*Be sure to check out the other best things to do in Rochester, MN if you make your way to Salem Glen Winery!

Minnesota Wineries: Runners-Up

  • Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery – Waconia, MN
  • 7 Vines Vineyard – Dellwood, MN
  • Three Oak Vineyards & Winery – Albert Lea, MN
  • Chankaska Creek Ranch Winery & Distillery – Kastoa, MN

Conclusion: The Best Wineries in Minnesota

There you have it, our list of the must-try MN wineries!

Which one(s) will you add to your travel list?

Looking for more ideas to plan a Minnesota getaway? I also have several articles to help you plan the perfect trip:

Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

As Minnesota natives, we've compiled a list of the best Minnesota wineries that you need to try!  Here are the 15 Minnesota wineries that make our list!
As Minnesota natives, we've compiled a list of the best Minnesota wineries that you need to try!  Here are the 15 Minnesota wineries that make our list!

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