Uncork Fun at Greater Des Moines Wineries

No need to book a flight to Napa for a winery weekend. Several cold-hardy grape varieties thrive in Greater Des Moines (DSM) vineyards. The urban and rural wineries across the region host live music, special events and scenic views. Toast to friendships with a glass of semi-sweet white or split a bottle of dry red under the blue skies of summer.

TIP: Earn points for logging your winery adventures with Travel Iowa’s Iowa Wine Passport. Each check-in and redemption will increase your chance at prizes and sweepstakes. Many participating wineries offer discounts through the Passport, too. For more details, check out the full rules here.

9 Wineries Across Greater Des Moines

Covered Bridges Winery takes its name from the icons of Madison County, where they grow native and French-American hybrid grapes. Stay “on theme” by sipping varieties like “Hogback Bridge,” a fruit-forward sweet red wine, “Cedar Bridge,” a semi-sweet blend with peach and apricot overtones, and “Roseman Bridge,” a light, fruity blush with a delicate finish. Stop in for Saturday “Music at the Winery” nights, trivia on the First Thursday of the month and other special events. Collaborations with Winterset businesses include Cedar Shake Farms and Piece Works Quilt Shop.

In St. Charles, visit the newly remodeled Madison County Winery, which features unique flavored wines, frozen “wine-a-ritas" and select craft beers.

Established in 2023, Dosaage Vineyard+Winery in Grimes brings the bubbles. The tasting room is nestled next to the family’s commercial horse boarding facilities. Their traditional method, bottle-fermented and disgorged/dosaged sparkling wine is a must-try. These living wines take extra time, extra patience, additional steps in the process, more decision points and specialized equipment.

Pack a picnic and listen to local favorites like Damon Dotson Band, The Nadas and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels during Jasper Winery’s summer concert series, held 6 - 9 p.m. Thursday evenings, May through July in 2025. These concerts are kid-friendly, or great for a group evening out with friends. Outdoor bars sell Jasper wines available by-the-glass, sangria, cider and beer. Burgers and brats hot off the grill are also available for purchase, as well as food truck fare. Parking can be tricky, so consider biking from Downtown Des Moines (DSM), through Waterworks Park or via the trail from Gray’s Lake.

In addition to bottled and canned wine and cider, you can pick up Jasper Winery’s bourbon barrel-aged red blends in the tasting room. Open daily (closed Tuesdays in April). And on Saturday, June 14 the winery will host an all-ages “Free Range Music and BBQ Festival,” pairing a blend of country and bluegrass performers with four food vendors.

 

Decades after winning the Iowa State Fair amateur wine-making contest, Michael Van Natta opened Nearwood Winery & Vineyards with his wife, Joann in 2018. Their Knoxville location has become a haven for wine-drinking Marion County creatives. Local authors sell books, performers use the stage for music, storytelling and comedy and a weekly writers group meets here. They are also part of the “Harvest Hosts” network of farms, wineries, breweries and other unique locations that invite RVers to stay overnight.

 

One of Iowa’s most established “estate” wineries, Summerset Winery first opened in 1997. While the winery announced they are taking a break for the 2025 season to repair and refresh their space after a water main break damaged their event space, you can still purchase their wines at most Hy-Vee and Fareway locations. And you’ll often find Summerset at the Downtown Farmers’ Market — presented by UnityPoint Health. The Winery also has short-term rental that was a former bed & breakfast, which remains open. Follow the Winery on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

Looking for award-winning Iowa wine? Try Tassel Ridge Winery. Located between Pella and Oskaloosa in Leighton, their Rockets Glare Rosé® was named Best of Show at the 2024 American Fine Wine Rosé Competition. Call ahead to make reservations for a seated wine tasting ($15). Choose from one of eight tasting flights. Each option features five wines, freshly baked bread, Frisian Farms Young Gouda and Tassel Ridge® Dipping Oil. Their Iowa Candleglow® variety is among several available for personalized labeling. Order a case (12 bottles) for an extra special celebration.

Located on a working farm and vineyard in the rolling hills of scenic Guthrie County, Twin Vines hosts private tastings, workshops and public events just west of Panora. The pastoral setting is also a favorite of photographers, who can take advantage of the scenic backdrop for an hourly rate.

Van Wijk Winery, in its small-town Sully setting, feels like an escape to a European village. Four generations of the Van Wyk Family and several extended family members are involved in wine making, events and winery operations. They produce and bottle 40 wines, 12 of which are meads. Sample from their “Renaissance Selections,” “Heritage Blends” or limited-edition releases in the tasting room inside a restored church building. Then wander to the wine garden and admire the “Dutch Letter Homestead garden” before enjoying a bottle on the shaded deck or in charming private pergolas.