About Southeast Minnesota & River Bluffs
Southeast Minnesota's Mississippi River bluff country is the most visually dramatic wine region in the Upper Midwest. Steep hillsides rise 500+ feet above the river, creating south-facing slopes with thermal advantages that cold-climate grapes need; and the scenery is spectacular, rivaling anything in the Rhine or Mosel for sheer topographic drama.
The corridor from Red Wing through Winona to La Crescent concentrates the region's most acclaimed producers. Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls has been a standard-bearer for Minnesota Marquette since 2004. Falconer Vineyards and Flower Valley in Red Wing grow estate grapes on river-adjacent hillsides. Garvin Heights in Winona pours with Mississippi views. And La Crescent. The town that gave the University of Minnesota's signature white grape its name.anchors the southern end.
The river's thermal mass moderates the most extreme winter temperatures, extending the growing season and protecting vines from the -30°F cold that threatens vineyards further from water. The result is the most consistently successful grape-growing corridor in Minnesota, producing wines with the structure and complexity to compete nationally.
Southeast Minnesota & River Bluffs Wineries
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Plan Your Visit
Getting There
Red Wing is 1 hour southeast of Minneapolis via US-61. Winona is 2 hours. La Crescent is 2.5 hours. Rochester (Mayo Clinic) is 1.5 hours south via US-52.
Best Time to Visit
April through November. Fall (September–October) offers harvest, peak color, and stunning river valley scenery. Summer weekends are pleasant. Winter visits to established wineries are possible but call ahead.