About Garvin Heights Vineyards
Garvin Heights Vineyards bills itself as Minnesota's most scenic winery, and the claim holds up. Perched on the bluffs above the Mississippi River city of Winona, the property offers panoramic views of rolling ridges and 3.5 acres of vineyard that make the drive up Garvin Heights Road worth it before a single wine is poured. Drs. Linda and Marvin Seppanen started growing grapes here more than 25 years ago, and the winery opened in 2007 after receiving both federal and state farm winery licenses. The wines are made from 100 percent locally grown grapes, including cold-hardy varieties that thrive in the Upper Mississippi River Valley American Viticultural Area. The lineup includes dry reds, whites, fruit wines, dessert styles, and ports, giving visitors a broad sampling of what Minnesota viticulture can produce.
The tasting room is straightforward and welcoming, and the winery deck is the real draw: visitors can purchase a bottle, pick up locally made cheese curds and summer sausage from the shop, and settle into the view for an afternoon. The Ridgeview Event Center, on the winery's main level, accommodates private gatherings, meetings, and receptions for up to 100 guests, with its own outdoor deck. The winery is part of the Great River Road Wine Trail and is seasonal, typically open May through October on most days, with limited weekend hours in April, November, and December. A recent addition is overnight vineyard stays in an Airstream trailer set among the vines, offering a glamping experience with private deck views of the vineyard and surrounding bluffs.
