Photo Credit: Villa Bellezza Winery (Pepin, WI)

Wineries on the Great River Road

Explore your wine palette on the Great River Road! These riverside connoisseurs will show travelers how to sip like a local.

  ~Minnesota~

Whitewater Wines (Plainview, MN)

Explore the beautiful vineyard’s ponds, walking trails, and 2.5 acres with over 20 grape varieties. The vineyard also buys local grapes in southeast Minnesota!

River View Vineyard & Winery (La Crescent, Minnesota)

A nestled wine spot in Minnesota’s beautiful, scenic bluffs! Taste 10 different wines within a short drive from La Crosse, WI.

 ~Wisconsin~

Villa Bellezza Winery (Pepin, WI)

La dolce vita, La belle vie, La buena vida – the sweet life.  Come to experience the Mediterranean on the Mississippi! Spend time with friends on their piazza.

Elmaro Vineyard (Trempealeau, WI)

Elmaro Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard and winery nestled in the Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau and Winona. Their philosophy is “Enjoy the Day!”

~Iowa~

Wide River Winery (Le Claire, IA)

Visit one of their three locations in Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River. Offering daily wine tastings in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

PromiseLand Winery (Guttenberg, IA)

Visit the countryside of Iowa! With indoor and outdoor seating, there is plenty of room for you to enjoy wine on cold and warm days.

~Illinois~

Grafton Winery & Brewhaus (Grafton, IL)

A fully operational winery with 4 acres of grapes, including Vignoles, Vidal, and Chardonnel varieties. The vineyard also has a tasting room that is available for parties and small groups, and with a patio overlooking a lake, this spot makes for the perfect wedding.

Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery (Galena, IL)

Join a vineyard tour and experience firsthand how Galena Cellars wine is made. Enjoy a wine tasting or relax on the spacious wrap around deck with your favorite glass of wine.

 ~Missouri~

Villa Antonio Winery (Hillsboro, MO)

This winery is inspired by old Italy! Check out their calendar for weekend live music events to sip and dance to.  

The Riverhouse (Scott City, MO)

Drink and view a great span of the Mississippi River. Not to mention there is a view of Thebes courthouse—where Abraham Lincoln practiced law!

~Kentucky~

Fancy Farm Vineyard and Winery (Fancy Farm, KY)

Explore your fruity side with the winery’s selection wines: strawberry, blackberry, mango, peach, and pear. Keep an eye on their events page to see who’s playing live!

Purple Toad Winery (Paducah, KY)

Inspired by traditional winemaking, this winery named itself after the stained purple toes of grape stomping. They are Kentucky’s largest winery with 43 wines readily available to taste.

~Tennessee~

Delta Blues Winery (Lakeland, TN)

This winery was inspired by all things of the delta; “the people, the charm, the sophistication, the architecture, the land, the food and the music of the South.” Their tastings offer four different wines made of imported Western Tennessee grapes.

Old Millington Winery (Millington, TN)

Get cozy with some wine just 14 miles north of Memphis! This family owned business is a peaceful escape from the city.

~ARKANSAS~

Arkansas offers plenty of wine stops further west of the river. If you’re planning on traveling off the Great River Road, here are a few notable winery stops.

~Mississippi~

Old South Winery (Natchez, MS)

This winery prides itself for its homegrown muscadine grapes! According to Visit Natchez, a local favorite is the Miss Scarlet rosé.

~Louisiana~

NOLA Tropical Winery (New Orleans, LA)

Visit a winery that specializes in berry, citrus, and tropical fruit wines!  In fact, their fruit wines are not made with grapes.