By Claire Noack

Start off your winery tour by winding your way to the southwest suburb of Waconia, known for its picturesque lake and budding brewery and winery scene. The first stop on the tour is a leisurely stroll through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Admire the bright colors of fall with a walk through the arboretum’s gardens, and visit the AppleHouse to taste apple varieties unique to Minnesota.

Next, drive into downtown Victoria for a quick bite to eat (we suggest local favorite Floyd’s Bar known for its Bloody Mary’s or the School of the Wise coffee shop with full lunch menu) before heading to the first winery of the trip. Sample from a robust lineup of award-winning, locally grown red and white wines in Parley Lake Winery‘s historic barn built in 1885. Wind down the road and transport yourself to Napa Valley at The Winery at Sovereign Estate, where rolling hills of vines and views of Lake Waconia pair with cold-climate vintages and a seasonal bistro menu. Their large patio with fire pits is also the perfect place for a fall picnic.

After sipping at Sovereign’s two tasting bars, travel around the lake to downtown Waconia. Shop at local stores, participate in the art festivals and events happening nearly every weekend in September through mid October, and eat at one of the many dining establishments in town (we recommend Lola’s Lakehouse for fresh seafood dishes and stone-fired pizzas). Finish the winery tour with a night cap at Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery. Schram’s expansive property with bocce ball, food trucks, live music, and variety of wine and beers for all tastes will fill the night with pleasant memories that will last long after your 45-minute drive back to the Twin Cities.

Parley Lake Winery: open Friday-Sunday noon-6 p.m.
Sovereign Estate Winery: open Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery: open Thursday-Sunday, please check website for hours as they vary seasonally.

By Claire Noack

Venture northeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul to Taylors Falls for breathtaking scenery and three scenic wineries to sample. To make a day trip out of it, start out bright and early in the morning at Franconia Sculpture Park before visiting the wineries. This free to enter 43-acre park is home to an ever-changing array of intricate and zany creations. Filling up on creative energy can be hungry business, so make a beeline for the famous Taylors Falls Drive-In where waitresses serve up homemade root beer and delicious burgers right to your car in true 1950s fashion. There’s also 18-hole mini golf behind the restaurant if you have some spare time or want to squeeze in a kid friendly activity.

Indulge in the mountainous views of the St. Croix River Valley and a smattering of rustic wines at Wild Mountain Winery. Then follow your way back down the St. Croix River to Interstate State Park, a beautiful park that lies on both sides of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Take a hike under the brilliantly colored trees and explore the geological wonders that make this park so unique, including lava flows and glacial potholes.

Cross over the Wisconsin border and step into a castle at Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard to sample European-inspired wines, including 2017 gold-medal winning Wisconsin red and Zinfandel port. Finish off your day trip to Taylors Falls at Dancing Dragonfly Winery where they have wines with delicate flavors that dance on the tongue, a menu including panini sandwiches, flatbreads and pizzas, and a welcoming atmosphere that leaves you feeling full in more ways than one.

Wild Mountain Winery: open (fall hours) Friday 2-7 p.m., Saturday noon-7 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.
Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard: open (May-Oct.) Thursday-Monday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; (Nov.-April) Thursday, Friday & Sunday noon-5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dancing Dragonfly Winery: open daily, check website for seasonal hours.

Built on a unique crowdsourcing platform is Urban Forage, a winery and cidery that creates natural hard cider, honey mead and fruit wines using ingredients obtained from the community. While their taproom isn’t set to open until early 2017, you can swing by between 2-6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to take home bottles of Dry Apple Cider, Semisweet Sparkling Cider and Cherry Apple Cider.

Proudly owned and operated as a one-woman venture, this vineyard and winery is located about 45 minutes northwest of the Twin Cities. Owner Nicole Dietman has created a beautiful, intimate space that includes an indoor tasting room and outdoor tasting patio. Between June and August, visit Saturday and Sunday afternoons, or between September and early November on Saturdays. Purchase wine by the sample, a five-ounce glass or by the bottle—yes, even on Sundays. (Winery licenses differ from Minnesota liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays.) Try family-inspired wines like Sweet Addilyn, a Frontenac Gris named after Dietman’s daughter or Papa Steve’s Contraband, a red port in honor of her father-in-law.

Experience a Minnesota vineyard hands-on by participating in Cannon River’s fall harvest each September and October. For $25, become part of the crew that picks the grapes of this 20-acre vineyard, followed by an al fresco meal and a tour of the winery where the staff will begin crushing and de-stemming the fruits of your labor. You can also visit the winery, which is part of the Three Rivers Wine Trail, nearly year-round for a taste of two dozen wines that span from blush to sparkling and dry to sweet. The winery is open January through April Wednesday through Sunday and May through October seven days a week, often times accompanied by live music.

Take a daytrip to Red Wing, nestled along the bluff valleys about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities. While the winery is open year-round for tastings, the Vineyard Bistro opens every spring through October where you can devour woodfired pizza on the outdoor deck. Pizza creations like Northern Tropics, Prosciutto & Carmelized Onion, and the signature Grapes of Wrath mesh well with a variety of Falconer’s wines, most of which come with a pairing suggestion on the wine menu. Part of the Three Rivers Wine Trail, this winery and vineyard makes for an excellent stop.

After you’re greeted by The Goddess of Grapes—a seven-foot bronze statue made by co-owner Deb Zeller—enter Parley Lake Winery for a feast of the senses. Sample from whites, reds and limited editions, and observe other pieces of Zeller’s artwork—or have your portrait drawn as you sip. You will often find events every weekend, from live concerts and food trucks to painting afternoons and ArtStock, their annual art and wine festival held each July. The Waconia-based winery is open Fridays 3-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Southwest of the Twin Cities near the wine-centric town of Waconia is Minnesota’s first winery and brewery, fit for those with a penchant for grapes or hops (or both). Head there Thursday through Sunday for a taste of wines like Roost de Rouge red blend or the Sierra Victor pinot gris, or order a pint of Puddle Hopper IPA or the Dirty Up Blonde. Most days you can find food trucks and fun events like live music, Yoga in the Vineyard, Bocce Ball or Cigar Rolling.

Only a 30 minute drive northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul stands between you and a glass of this winery’s award-winning wine. Check out the tasting room Thursday through Sunday for a taste of Granny’s Favorite, a half Foch and half Frontenac red blend that took home a gold medal at the 2014 International Cold Climate Wine Competition. You can find other wines made of Minnesota grape varietals including La Crescent and Marquette.