may not have year-round Napa Valley weather, but that doesn’t mean their wineries can’t compete! In fact, you may be surprised by the diverse selection of wines and experiences.

Against all the odds of Minnesota weather, these amazing wineries can still offer fresh wine year-round for tasting—there’s just something beautiful about the challenge. We can all cheers to that!

Unless you’re a wine savant, it can be hard to know which winery to try. That’s why

Jerry

, the first

super app

for car owners, has narrowed your options down to eight. These are simply the can’t-miss wineries in Minnesota. Check them out!

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7 Vines Vineyard: wine flutes and local roots

Address: 101 MN-96, Dellwood, MN 55110

Hours: 3pm-9pm Wed-Fri, 12pm-9pm Sat, 12pm-6pm Sun

Fees: Bottles range from $27 to $75

Pet friendly? No, but service dogs are allowed

Family friendly? Yes

7 Vines Vineyard

doesn’t just serve wine, it serves an experience. The state-of-the-art winery is highlighted by a perfect blend of modern and rustic design styles, featuring catwalk showcases, stone fireplaces, a barrel room, and much more.

As a bonus, owners Ron and Arlie were high school sweethearts from St. Paul and attended the University of Minnesota together. Now, they continue to raise their two children in Dellwood next to the vineyard and winery. It always feels good supporting a business with local roots!

Nearby: 7 Vines Vineyard neighbors White Bear Lake, which is home to the popular Mahtomedi Beach. And you’re only 20 miles away from downtown Minneapolis, so there are plenty of other accessible amenities nearby.

Alexis Bailly Vineyard: the proof is in the grapes

Address: 18200 Kirby Ave So., Hastings, MN 55033

Hours: 12pm-5pm Fri-Sun

Fees: Bottles range from $15 to $32

Pet friendly? Yes

Family friendly? Yes

The catchphrase of the

Alexis Bailly Vineyard

is “where the grapes suffer,” which references the harsh Minnesota climate for wine production. But, as with most things, there’s beauty in the struggle. As proof, Alexis Bailly Vineyard has been powering through since 1973, using grapes entirely grown in Minnesota. These second-generation winemakers proudly serve around a dozen wines and offer entertaining jazz music to accompany them.

Nearby: Just south of Alexis Bailly Vineyard, you’ll find

Hidden Greens Golf Course

and

Bellwood Oaks Golf Course

. If golf isn’t your thing, downtown

Hastings

is only a few miles away and you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops there.

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Cannon River Winery: experience is everything

Address: 421 Mill Street West, Cannon Falls, MN 55009

Hours: Varies by season but typically open daily

Fees: Bottles range from $15 to $33, memberships available for $50

Pet friendly? N/A

Family friendly? Yes

Cannon River Winery

has something for every pallet, from full-bodied reds to dry whites. The quality of their wine is only enhanced by the experience. Inside the winery’s tasting room, you’ll find limestone walls, rustic décor, and an antique bar. Some people enjoy the experience so much that they have their wedding there—check out their complete list of

event venues

Nearby: The tasting room is located in downtown Cannon Falls, so there’s

plenty to do

! The vineyard is about 10 minutes south, which is where they hold most of their weddings.

Carlos Creek Winery: good times only

Address: 6693 County Rd 34 NW, Alexandria, MN 56308

Hours: Winery open 12pm-6pm Sun-Thurs, 12pm-7pm Fri-Sat—other facilities have extended hours

Fees: Wine flights $12 to $15 per person

Pet friendly? Yes

Family friendly? Yes

If you’re looking for a fun time rather than a snobby tasting room, search no further than

Carlos Creek Winery

. Although calling it just a winery is a bit of an understatement—it’s also a brewery, pizza kitchen, live music venue, and more! People love the atmosphere and entertainment, but don’t take our word for it. Star Tribune has given Carlos Creek many ‘Minnesota’s Best’ awards, including gold medals for best winery & patio and silver medals for best date night spot & summer destination.

Nearby: Carlos Creek is located in the northern part of

Alexandria

, which is known for its over 350 lakes and resort destinations. Make a whole weekend out of your trip by staying at the

Lake Carlos Bay Resort

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Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard: the new kids on the block

Address: 731 County Rd 30 SE, Delano, MN 55328

Hours: 12pm-7pm Sat, 12pm-5pm Sunday

Fees: N/A

Pet friendly? Yes

Family friendly? Yes

They may be the new kids on the block, but

Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard

(est. 2019) has quickly become a household name. Their no-frills perspective on wine is refreshing—especially for those of us who don’t claim to be savants. Their wine is just incredibly drinkable and delightful. You can enjoy a glass of Frontenac Gris or La Crescent by the red barn overlooking the gorgeous vineyard.

Nearby: Head into downtown Delano for a burger and shake at the award-winning

Peppermint Twist Drive-In

Millner Heritage Winery & Cidery: #thefunwinery

Address: 32025 State Hwy. 15, Kimball, MN 55353

Hours: Varies by season, but typically open Wed-Sun

Fees: $5.00 for 7 samples and $8.00 for 12 samples

Pet friendly? N/A

Family friendly? Yes

Millner Heritage Winery & Cidery

self-proclaims themselves as #thefunwinery—and we definitely won’t argue! As their name suggests, they offer a lengthy tasting list of wines and ciders, ensuring that everyone has a drink to enjoy! They also offer a riding vineyard tour and walking winery tour if you’re interested in learning about the end-to-end process of winemaking.

Nearby: Millner Heritage is out in the middle of nowhere. If you're traveling an hour and a half from the

Minneapolis

metro, you may not have time for much else in the day, anyway.

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Parley Lake Winery: where wine and art collide

Address: 8280 Parley Lake Rd, Waconia, MN 55387

Hours: 4pm-8pm Fri, 12pm-6pm Sat-Sun

Fees: Wine flights $15, guided wine tasting $30, glasses $7 to $8

Pet friendly? Yes

Family friendly? Yes

Parley Lake Winery

is not afraid to brag about its trophy case. They have won 25 medals over the last five years in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—not to mention the over 200 awards in other national and international wine competitions. You can feel success in the air as you overlook the 125-acre vineyard and orchard. And the incredible art gallery and sculpture garden certainly add to the atmosphere. Simply put, this is a must-visit winery.

Nearby: Earn your wine first—or work it off afterward—by hiking at the nearby Carver Park Reserve.

Winehaven Winery: redefining wine

Address: 10020 Deer Garden Lane, Chisago City, MN 55013

Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun

Fees: Flights $20, bottles averaging $20 to $25

Pet friendly? Yes

Family friendly? Yes

As their logo implies,

Winehaven Winery

has also operated honeybee hives for over 40 years. This unique blend of expertise has created some innovative wine flavors that have become crowd favorites. Bottles of Winehaven wine can be found in stores across the majority of Minnesota. But just because you can find it at your local liquor store doesn’t mean you should pass up visiting the winery—the experience is really second to none.

Nearby: Winehaven promotes fun activities, state parks, resorts, and more in the

nearby attractions section

on its website. There’s tons of fun to be had in the Chisago City area!

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Find affordable car insurance

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