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The 8 Best Wine Festivals In Minnesota

Rebecca Hanlon
Last Updated: July 31st, 2023

While it’s not exactly known as the Napa Valley of the Midwest, Minnesota does hold its own in terms of wine-making and wine-drinking awesomeness. The land of 10,000 lakes is home to more than 40 wineries that produce premium quality wine from locally sourced fruits.

If you love wine and the outdoors, there’s no better way to combine the two than by checking out one of the many wine festivals in Minnesota.

The state has plenty of wine festivals throughout the year, so if you’re a fan of good food, fine wine, and being surrounded by like-minded people, check out these fun wine festivals in Minnesota you won’t want to miss them!

Wine Festivals in Minnesota

The great thing about being a wine lover in Minnesota is that you don’t have to cross the state lines to get to some of the best wine festivals in the country. The Twin Cities alone host multiple festivals each year, while plenty of other cities in Minnesota also celebrate good wine and good times with fun events such as these eight fun wine festivals in Minnesota!

  1. Food & Wine Experience
  2. Waconia Wine Festival
  3. Raspberries & Wine Festival
  4. Bacchus Beer & Wine Cruise
  5. Bubbles & Burgundy Wine Event
  6. Wine and Dine
  7. WineFest
  8. Fine Spirits Classic

food & wine experience

1. Food & Wine Experience

Food & Wine Experience is a buzzing monthly event in Minnesota that invites visitors to an exciting get-together fueled by savory food, good wines, local crafts, artisan cocktails, and a wide variety of spirits and liquors! The event takes place in March, on a momentous weekend in the Truly Club at Target Field.

The festival is attended by a big bunch of locals, exhibitors, and sponsors who come together and celebrate the divine food samples, wines, and spirits and share reconnect with the community.

The event features sponsors from multiple renowned wineries from all over the state so you can explore the different varieties of spirits and enrich your palate. The wine tasting is made even more delectable with a rich menu of hors d’oeuvres and the stunning 270-degree views of the Minneapolis cityscape!

If you want to spice your drink up, a mixologist will make you a unique margarita that will be an adventure for your taste buds. The best part about the event is that its impact is not limited to just good memories, new connections, and stories, but it also extends to raising money for the local Children’s Hospital.

If you’re looking for a weekend of celebration and fun, then don’t forget to head to the Food & Wine Experience!

2. Waconia Wine Festival

waconia wine festival

Waconia Wine Festival is one of the most popular and sought-after wine festivals in Minnesota, and for good reason!

The festival takes place on a weekend in July and takes exhibitors on an exciting ride to explore and witness some of the best wineries and vineyards in the state.

The timings of the festival are very flexible; guests can choose the day, time, and the winery they would like to head start this incredible journey from!

Transportation is also included in the ticket, so you don’t have to worry about hopping from one winery to another. During the festival, you will get the chance to visit three fantastic vineyards that are within a five-mile radius of each other, including the Parley Lake Winery, The Winery at Sovereign Estate, and Schram Vineyards.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to explore the grounds and vineyards, witness the production process and taste three of the best varieties of wines from each winery. The attendees will also receive a souvenir wine glass for tasting and to take home as a reminder of the amazing times that you will have at this unique festival!

3. Raspberries & Wine Festival

raspberries & wine festival

If you’re a big fan of Raspberry wine, then this festival is perfect for you! The Raspberries & Wine Festival invites wine enthusiasts to have a ‘berry’ special time at the renowned Winehaven vineyard and winery, the first ever winery estate in Chisago City, Minnesota. The festival is a celebration of the newly produced batch of exceptional raspberry wine.

Here you can explore the origins of this delicious wine by taking vineyard tours, having lunch, and tasting the complimentary wine at the vineyard.

Various arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, and food vendors are present on site so you can do a little bit of souvenir shopping as you enjoy the wine.

The location of the winery is gorgeous, it’s settled on an elevated estate that is surrounded by nature’s wonders, a perfect venue to sip and relax!

The event takes place over a weekend in June, so it’s the perfect spot to kick start your summer celebration with friends and family!

4. Bacchus Beer & Wine Cruise

bacchus beer & wine cruise

Tasting new varieties of wine and spirits are exciting enough, but doing it on a cruise ship is a whole new ball game!

The Bacchus Beer & Wine Cruise is an annual wine-tasting festival taking place on St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater. The event is the perfect opportunity for wine lovers to sample more than 50 beers and wines while being surrounded by the most awe-inspiring views of the river.

This is a one-day event, happening on September 17th, 2022. The boat has a strict schedule so make sure that you’re at the venue half hour early, and take advantage of the free parking available. Lunch is also served on the boat as you cruise through the calm waters and toast to the beautiful Minnesota summer and fine wine!

While you’re in Stillwater, you can also go around the city and explore the historic birthplace of Minnesota. The festival is the perfect spot to take your better half or have a blast with your friends on a reunion!

5. Bubbles & Burgundy Wine Event

bubbles & burgundy wine event

Bubbles & Burgundy Wine Event is a small celebration of the smooth running business between Haskell’s Maple Grove and Boisset Family Wines for more than 50 years!

The good business is celebrated with all friends, family, and locals who are invited to taste the wine produced by the man of the hour, the winemaker at Louis Bouillot, Piere Jurie.

Most wine enthusiasts will know that the brand is well known for crafting a range of spectacular sparkling wines with elegant bubbles and an iconic fruitiness that is achieved from the Burgundian grapes.

This special wine tasting experience takes place on August 25, at Haskell’s Maple Grove. There is an incredible variety of wines to choose from, including the sparkling, red, and white wines especially brought from the house of Boisset.

You don’t want to miss out on this event if you’re a big fan of the iconic french liquor!

6. Wine & Dine

wine & dine

Wine and Dine is a special event that brings together notable members of the community for a night buzzing with connections, stories, networking, delicious food and wine, and fundraising opportunities that support the local non-profit organization. The venue of the event is the Mendakota Country Club, dated October 6th, 2022 between 5 to 9 pm.

The evening kick starts with scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, followed by 3 course small portions of gourmet bites that pair remarkably with delicious wine.

The two fundraising raffles for this year are prizes and wine, for which tickets are sold at the event and the attendees can try their luck. The beneficiary for this year’s event will be Solid Ground, a non-profit Minnesota organization that provides families with a strong foundation who are struggling after emerging from homelessness.

The event has a very social and electrifying atmosphere that makes for a perfect fall evening in Minnesota!

7. WineFest

winefest

WineFest is another fundraising event that is organized by the University of Minnesota to set new standards for children’s health and make a long-lasting difference in the lives of families in Minnesota and across the globe.

Since the inception of the event in 1995, they have done a remarkable job in raising up to $20 million to support the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.

The event features a collection of vintage wine by the Honorary Winemasters who have received plenty of praise and high ratings from wine connoisseurs. These wines are the highlight of the show and it’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to taste them at such an auspicious event.

Of course, a wine fest would be incomplete without some delicious food, so the event features delicious cuisines prepared by renowned chefs and local restaurants.

8. Fine Spirits Classic

fine spirits classic

Fine Spirits Classic is a lively one-night event that celebrates spirits, cocktails, crafts and makers, and succulent food pairings. The event is hosted on June 16th, at the historic Machine Shop present in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis.

The festival has a cozy gathering, with more than 60 regional and national distillers, craft artisans, and wine enthusiasts.

Here you can sample new and innovative cocktails, try high-end spirits, talk with mixologists and explore new flavors or play it safe with the classic flavors!

About The Author

Rebecca Hanlon

Rebecca has been a blogger for over 5 years, before that enjoying a number of jobs to fund her passion for travel. She's taught English as a foreign language, a part-time Barista, a waitress, and a tour guide.

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