Started in 2009, The Great River Road Wine Trail was named after the road that sews these nine wineries together. The famous road itself, recognized as a National Scenic Byway, runs from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. This particular stretch flanks a railroad and is characterized by glacier-made bluffs. The wineries that dot these valleys benefit from unique soils of the river valley. This organized wine tour costs $20, which gets you a “passport” to the participating wineries, plus free samples of wine and food. A fully punched passport gets you a free souvenir wine glass. For more information and a detailed map, visit http://greatriverroadwinetrail.org.

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Valley Vineyard W10415 521 Ave, Prescott, WI • 262-4235 • www.valleyvineyardltd.com • Right now several thousand pounds of smashed local grapes are waiting inside huge stainless tanks, ready to be bottled and sold from this 12-year-old vineyard. These ambitious winemakers hope to eventually produce 50,000 bottles a year, focusing on the Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette, and St Pepin varieties. Besides locally grown grapes, they also bring in bunches from California and elsewhere so they can craft their own versions of Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vino in the Valley W3826 450th Ave, Maiden Rock, WI • 639-6677 • www.vinointhevalley.com • These people know what goes well with wine: food. Specifically pasta. Located in the Rush River Valley, this outdoor patio setting often welcomes guitar music from local plucker-strummers. They also offer a farmers market in addition to their star of the show: the wine that came from their very own vines, including Frontenac, Sabrevois, and Marquette (the reds), and Frontenac Gris, La Crescent, and Prairie Star (the whites).

Cannon River Winery 421 Mill St West, Cannon Falls, MN • (507) 263-7400 • www.CannonRiverWinery.com • Grapes and valleys are like peas and carrots. These particular grapes thrive in the “lush and rolling hills” of the Sogn Valley, 10 miles southwest of Cannon Falls. A 19th century timber-frame barn sits on the vineyard, and a building with century-old limestone walls composes the downtown winery. While you’re sipping, learn the techniques of Vincent Negret, a third generation winemaker with training in the U.S. and Colombia.

Falconer Vineyards Winery 3572 Old Tyler Road, Red Wing, MN • (651) 388-8849 • www.falconervineyards.com • In the mood for a picnic? Hey! Spread out on one of the tables near the vineyard. Pair your vittles with one of Falconer’s nine white wine varieties, five red wine types, or their dessert variety. Cheese and crackers are also available for sale. If you really get into it, you might consider buying one of your own grape vines, which bear the U of M’s Grape Varieties as well as others that can withstand a harsh winter. Falconer knows its cold climate wines, having won the Governor’s Cup at the Minnesota State Fair for their Frontenac Port, which was entered into the “International Cold Climate Wine Competition.” 

Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery W12266 King Lane, Stockholm, WI • 448-3502 • www.maidenrockwinerycidery.com • This is a winery in which the grape is not king. Instead, the wine crafters focus on tending their very own apple orchard, conjuring such drinks as Harvest Apple wine and Honeycrisp Hard Cider, which can be described as distinctive, snappy, and sassy. In addition to ciders, they will be bottling up some squashed blueberries, cranberries – and, yes – a few grapes, originating just a few miles from their orchard.

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Danzinger Vineyards S2015 Grapeview Lane, Alma, WI • (608) 685-6000 • www.danzingervineyards.com  • One of the newest in the state, Danzinger opens its winery doors this April and celebrates its grand opening in June. Don’t be fooled by the newness, however – they’ve already allowed their vines six years to mature before harvesting the grapes and transforming them into something you can sip. Located on a bluff-like perch above the Mississippi River valley, the vineyard bears 15 acres of grape varieties. They also boast an outdoor patio and some pretty formidable white wines.

Garvin Heights Vineyards 2255 Garvin Heights Road, Winona, MN •  (507) 313-1917 • www.ghvwine.com • 20 years ago, their first grapevine commenced from a seed catalog. Now, not only are these winemakers concerned with creating a successful environment for their grapevines, but they also want to create a place for wildlife to bustle, taking particularly good care of their bluebirds by managing some special houses along Garvin Heights Road. Their wines come from several vineyards, with each style of wine specific to one vineyard. They even segregate those grapes grown in Minnesota so they can wear the Minnesota Grown badge.

Seven Hawks Vineyards 17 North St, Fountain City, WI • 866-946-3741• www.sevenhawksvineyards.com • Another bluff-top vineyard, Seven Hawks is one of the largest in the upper Midwest. Soak in the views and the impressiveness of their 18,000 grape vines, alongside their 500 plum and cherry trees. They also offer sweet (no pun intended) lodging options on site, including five cottages overlooking the city, two sizeable lodges on the ridge top, and two suites down in Fountain City, located above their tasting room.

Vernon Vineyards S3457a Dahl Road, Viroqua, WI • (608) 634-6734 • www.vernonvineyards.com • Established in 2001, these vineyards inspired their very own winery in 2006, complete with a tasting room overlooking the upper Newton Valley. The grapes, both red and green, are grown on 10 acres of property – part of 68 acres of grapes (and 32 vineyards) in all of Vernon County. Try the Eagle Eye Blush, sweet and fruity and named after a rock formation across the valley.

Eagles Landing Winery 127 North St, Marquette, IA • (563) 873-2509 • www.eagleslandingwinery.com • Partly-oak, partly-cedar, this building which houses the winery is almost as much of a draw as the vines and wines themselves. Harvested locally, the wood was formed into a frame that is held together by wooden pins rather than nails or screws. Eagles Landing is a literal name, as well – a reminder of the eagles that frequent the Mississippi shore. Located directly on the river, this winery is also a combination bed and breakfast. They produce eight red wines, seven that are white or blush, six dessert wines, and 10 non-grape wines.