A weekend day trip to a local winery is one of the most fun activities you can do if you’re a wine lover. It gives you the chance to meet up with friends, spend a day out in nature, and, of course, try some delicious wine. Luckily for those living in or around Rochester, Minnesota, there are many charming wineries in the area.
Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery
Located only a half-hour drive away from Rochester, this charming location features a winery and a cidery, with a restaurant and event center also available to visitors. The 6-acre vineyard produces excellent quality grapes, from which the Four Daughters wines and Sunflake wines are made, so visiting wine enthusiasts will definitely enjoy their time here. As a special bonus, guests are invited to try the Loon Juice hard cider, a product of the local cidery.
There are more surprises and fun activities for visitors, aside from the wine tasting and the gorgeous natural surroundings. There’s a live music show happening every Friday and Saturday in the tasting room, while Saturday mornings also feature gentle flow yoga classes in the vineyard.
Salem Glen Winery
This family-owned winery was established in 2006 about 16 miles west of Rochester, in the Zumbro River valley. It used to be the location of an old dairy farm, but the sun-kissed hills around it are just perfect for winemaking. The 5-acre vineyard has over 3000 vines and all the wine varieties you’ll find here are 100 percent grown on-site. Visitors are welcome all year-round, with a full tasting consisting of over eight wine varieties. There’s also home-made pizza available during the summer months, while the store offers great deals on wines, tea, and souvenirs.
Whitewater Wines
Located in Whitewater River’s valley, 30 miles from Rochester, this winery is also a great hiking location, with 30 acres of vineyards, hardwoods, and prairie offering guests breathtaking views. Open since 1996, it’s run by the Hanlon family and currently has over 20 different types of grapes growing on the property. No matter what your favorite wine types are, odds are you’ll find them here in their wine list. Guests can bring their own food and have a picnic on the location, making this the ideal spot for a day trip.
Villa Bellezza
This special winery takes a little longer than an hour to get to by car, but once you’re there you will discover that it’s well worth it. It manages to bring the magic and charm of the Mediterranean wineries from Italy, Spain, or France all the way to Minnesota, making it the perfect escape from everyday life. The quality of their wines matches the location, with a wide variety of white, rose, and red wines to satisfy all wine lovers.
Visiting a winery is one of the most fun weekend activities you can have because it blends the pleasure of enjoying a delicious glass of wine with the beauty of local natural landscapes. By visiting any of these locations you’ll get to immerse yourself in nature and experience the best wine Minnesota has to offer.
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