Are you an adventurous drinker or wine collector? Exploring the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail should be the next escapade on your adventure to-do list.
Touring this wine trail is more than just a visit to wineries. With such a rich history and up to 8 wineries and a meadery to explore, the Wine Trail offers a more interesting activity to pursue.
Tin Roof Drink Community has acquired the old domain from Heart of Iowa Wine Trail (www.heartofiowawinetrail.com). If you were looking for Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, sadly the website no longer exists. We did create an archive of some of the best bits of content that you can find here:
Our site has a range of wine-related articles that are sure to pique your interest. From sweet and fruity to bold and full-bodied, we have a variety of articles covering all types of wine preferences. Whether you’re an experienced wine drinker or just starting out, we have something for everyone.
Check out our articles on the strongest sweet wines and the best dry red wines to discover some new favorites. We also have articles on sweet red wines, casual drinking red wines, and wines for those who don’t typically enjoy wine. Plus, we have resources on gluten-free and sweet white wine brands, as well as wines with the highest alcohol content.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a new wine to try, our site has a wealth of information to help you find the perfect wine for any occasion. Browse our selection of articles today and discover a new world of wine.
The best part is you can explore the wineries with friends, family, or solo. So, swap those tiring bar hoping nights and boring drinking nights in for this fun and history-rich tour for a memorable experience – and grab a bottle on your way out.
What is the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail?
As the name suggests, the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail is composed of 8 wineries and a meadery set across the state of Iowa. These wineries are spread out across the central one-third of the state located across the north and south.
The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail brings together the state’s eight largest wineries to form a collaborative group. This group works together to promote Iowa’s wine industry to natives and visitors from across the country and the world.
The group is responsible for setting up various events throughout the year with the primary focus on promoting Iowan wine.
8 Wineries & Meadery of the Heart of Iowa Trail
Here are the 8 wineries and meadery that form the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail;
1. Summerset Winery
Address: 15101 Fairfax Street, Indianola, IA 50125
Mobile: 515 – 961- 3545
Website: www.summersetwine.com
Opened by a couple, Ron and Linda Mark, Summerset Winery has been operating in Iowa since 1997. Today, it is the largest winery in the state, producing over 140k bottles annually. The couple started growing grapes on the scenic summerset ridge estate over Middle River in 1989 and nearly a decade later, they started one of the first estate wineries in Iowa.
Located a few minutes’ drive from Des Moines, the winery is known for its award-winning crafted wine made using locally grown central Iowan grapes. At the winery, you can take tours, taste wine, and explore a wide range of souvenirs. These include different wine types, such as dry red, dry white, and even, specialty wines, like the Vignoles-inspired Midwestern Riesling.
The winery owners also share this magical space for weddings, celebratory, and corporate events through indoor and outdoor leasing. You can also take advantage of many of the winery’s events ran throughout the year.
2. Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery
Address: 2183 320th Street, Madrid, IA 50156, P.O. Box 187 Madrid, IA 50156
Mobile: N/A
Website: www.snushillwine.com
Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery is an award-winning family-owned winery set up in the scenic rural part of Iowa. This winery produces wines that reflect the regional identity of the soils and climate of Iowa. In particular, the winery uses American and French American grape varieties for its wines.
Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery produces a good selection of award-winning wines. These include white, red, rose, and specialty and dessert wines. Many of the vineyard’s wine varieties have bagged various prestigious awards throughout the year. These include wine varieties, such as the Blushing Claire, Boule de Poils, Catnip, and Chardonel, to name a few.
If you have an event or milestone to celebrate with your loved ones, you will love the quant and peaceful countryside where the vineyard is located. Snus Hill Vineyard &Winery lets you lease out space for weddings, parties, and even corporate events. You can choose an indoor banquet room with expansive decks and pastoral views or enjoy the outdoors during summer on tree-shaded lawns.
3. Penoach Vineyard & Winery
Address: 26759 N. Avenue, Adel, IA 50003
Mobile: 515-993-4374
Website: www.penoach.com
Nestled on a repurposed 1917 barn, Penoach Winery & Vineyard is a family-owned winery. The winery churns out equally exquisite wine as the beautiful views you will enjoy from the winery’s building. The repurposed barn that houses features a front porch that overlooks the abundant vineyard where the journey of handcrafting these Iowa wines begins.
In fact, during your tour of the winery, you can enjoy many of the winery’s wine varieties and blends on this very front porch. Plus you can rent space around this scenic winery to host your celebrations, whether a wedding or birthday party.
4. La Vida Loca Winery
Address: 7852 Jessup St, Indianola, IA 50125
Mobile: 515-962-2236
Website: www.lavidalocawinery.com
If you are looking to experience and taste something completely different from your regular winery offerings, La Vida Loca Winery is where you should be visiting next. The family-owned winery is popular for its award-winning and creative wine varieties.
The winery is owned by the Putz family which has been residents of rural western warren county since 1987. The property has always enjoyed an abundance of berries growing and the family started its wine-making business due to this.
The family first used the berries to make jams and eventually transitioned this casual hobby to winemaking. As evidence of the family’s creativity and use of berries, the winery offers a range of interesting wine flavors. these include the sweet Aronia or raspberry, semi-sweet edelweiss or elderberry, dry gooseberry, and even, the cooking basil-raisin and jalapeno raisin, to name a few.
5. Jasper Winery
Address: 2400 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines, IA 50321
Mobile: 515-282-9463
Website: www.jasperwinery.com
Located near downtown Des Moines, Jasper Winery offers a more modern feel compared to other wineries on the list. Jasper operates as a winery with a modern tasting room and a unique events space to host your parties. The tasting room offers samples, flights, and by-the-glass.
Nonetheless, even with the modern feel, the winery still focuses on the Iowan culture. It offers wine made using locally grown grapes and innovative new wine styles. The winery’s most prized produce is the three wine styles, i.e. bottled wine, canned wine, and bourbon barrel-aged wine. You can also sample their crafted cider.
6. Two Saints Winery
Address: 15010 20th Ave, Saint Charles, IA 50240
Mobile: 641-396-2102
Website: www.twosaintswinery.com
The Two Saints Winery is where you should head if you are a sucker for scenic settings. While the winery is relatively new, it has quickly gained prominence in the wine-making scene in Iowa. Located in rural warren county in the rolling hills, the owners began planting grapes on the 5-acre property in 2003 and by 2008, the construction of the winery, tasting room, and rentable banquet facility was complete.
Using Iowa grapes, the winery produces some of the best Iowan wines. Take a tour to enjoy red and white wines, take advantage of the numerous wines & cheese tasting events, or grab a few gifts from the gift shop on the property during your next visit.
7. The Chateau and The Cellar at White Oak
Address: 2183 320th Street, Madrid, IA 50156
Mobile: 515-367-7777
Website: www.whiteoakcellar.com or www.whiteoakchateau.com
The Cellar Winery at White Oak is a relatively new winery with less than a decade on the market. The winery was established in March 2015 and the first wine made using Iowan grapes was distributed in retail markets in May 2016.
The couple-owned winery boasts a wide range of wines you can taste around the winery. Alternatively, you can even serve the wines in your celebrations as you rent out the Chateau space located above the winery – also part of the White Oak family!
8. Covered Bridges Winery LLC
Address: 2207 170th Trail, Winterset, IA 50273/ 1895 Kiowa Ct, Winterset, IA 50273
Mobile: 515-729-WINE
Website: www.coveredbridgeswinery.com
The Covered Bridges Winery is a family winery located in the Rolling Hills of rural Madison County. The winery is known for its excellent quality native Iowa wines made using 100% native Iowa-grown and hybrid French-American grapes.
The wine takes advantage of the delicious grapes that get their flavors from the north river basin’s fertile soils and traditional winemaking technique. Whether you drink the wine casually or pair it with a meal, the Covered Bridges wines never disappoint.
9. Buzzed Bee Meadery
Address: 1755 340th St., Melbourne, IA 50162
Mobile: 641-485-1725
Website: www.buzzedbeemead.com
The Bussed Bee Meadery is where you should tour if you love specialty alcoholic drinks. Specializing in honey-based alcoholic beverages, Buzzed Bee Meadery typically produces about 5 to 7 types of mead at a time. You can find dry, semi-sweet, and sweet varieties.
Further, Buzzed Bee churns out three types of mead, traditionally made with just water and honey with zero flavorings. You can also find Metheglin mead added with delicious spices and herbs or Melomel mead that combines honey and fruits, such as Aronia, goji, and elderberries.
Conclusion
The eight wineries and meadery that make up the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail are designed to cater to visitors of all kinds. Whether you want to tour a rural countryside or modern style winery, you can always find one that fits your preferences.
Similarly, each winery comes with a craft they’ve perfected. These include everything from harnessing flavors from the best native Iowan grapes and French-American hybrids to unique flavor combinations, like the spicy cooking wines from La Vida Loca. These wineries also offer spaces for events – you can always celebrate your dream winery wedding at any of these wine trail locations.