Why you should visit St Croix Falls wineries
This blog post covers the best wineries near St Croix Falls, Wisconsin.
The best St Croix Falls wineries reflect the charm of this tiny Midwestern town and the uniqueness of local Wisconsin-grown grapes.
St Croix Falls is a small town in Western Wisconsin nicknamed the “City of Trails.” There’s no official wine trail in the St Croix Falls area. But there are three wineries in town and three wineries just outside of town. I’d say six wineries is enough to make a wine trail, eh?
St Croix Falls WI is a short one hour drive from Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota. It’s the perfect length for a weekend trip.
When you’re not busy wine tasting you can enjoy the hiking trails and biking trails in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love to hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail or paddle the St Croix National Scenic Riverway.
During the summer there’s live music at the deck overlooking the Xcel Hydroelectric dam. Locals call it “Music on the Overlook.” And if you’re a theater buff check out the Festival Theatre in Franklin Square in the historic downtown.
Combine an outdoor activity with wine tasting at these St Croix Falls wineries and you’ve got a recipe for a great weekend getaway from the Twin Cities.
How to access St Croix Falls wineries
St Croix Falls, Wisconsin is a one hour drive northeast of Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota.
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) serves the Twin Cities.
If you live in the Twin Cities, a one hour drive is the perfect distance for a day trip or a quick weekend getaway.
If you don’t live in the area, you could fly into the airport, rent a car, and drive to St Croix Falls.
Either way you’ll need a car to explore St Croix Falls wineries. The first three wineries on this list are located in St Croix Falls. The final three wineries on this list are located a short drive from the town’s center.
Wineries in the town of St Croix Falls
Dancing Dragonfly Winery (St Croix Falls, WI)
Dancing Dragonfly Winery makes award-winning wines and pizzas. Can you think of a better combo?!
Dancing Dragonfly Winery crafts wine from a variety of grapes from the Midwest and the Coast. They work with cold climate grapes like Marquette, La Crescent, Petite Pearl, Prairie Star, and Frontenac.
Their great wines have won multiple awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, and the International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC).
Dancing Dragonfly Winery offers several wine tasting options. The Paired Tastings includes five wines paired with a food sample.
The Winery Tour & Barrel Tasting happens Saturdays at 3 PM and costs $15 per person. They’re open seven days a week.
Dancing Dragonfly Winery also offers food including pretzels, hand-crafted pizzas, baked cheese, panini sandwiches, and wraps.
Chateau St Croix Winery (St Croix Falls, WI)
Chateau St Croix Winery is a Wisconsin winery made in the image of a European estate.
The winery estate features formal gardens, stables, a carriage house, and a vineyard (of course). Various statues grace the grounds and a fountain decorates the entrance. There are even suits of armor.
Chateau St Croix Winery hosts fun events like a Renaissance Feast that includes a meal and live entertainment. They certainly know how to commit to a theme!
Their grounds are pretty as well. Multiple cold climate grape varieties grow in their vineyard including Itasca, Marquette, Petite Pearl, Prairie Star, La Crescent, Marechal Foch, King of the North, and Frontenac.
Wine tastings include five two-ounce pours for $15. The Chateau Bistro serves cheese plates, sandwiches, and pretzels.
Chateau St Croix Winery is open seven days a week. Walk-ins are welcome.
Deer Lake Winery (St Croix Falls, WI)
Deer Lake Winery makes wine from organic grapes.
They make a wide selection of wines including merlot, malbec, tempranillo, cabernet, pinot noir, riesling, pinot grigio, and chardonnay.
Some of their more unusual offerings include tomato wine with chili and basil. Fruit wines include an apple wine, apple cranberry wine, and a smokey blend of grapes and blends. In addition to wine they sell beer and drinks like cocktails, coffee, and tea. Food items like nachos, bruschetta, and soups are available for purchase.
There’s live music every Saturday from 6-9 PM. The winery is child and pet friendly. Deer Lake Winery is closed Monday through Wednesday and open Thursday through Sunday.
Wineries a short drive from St Croix Falls
The following three wineries are a short drive from the center of St Croix Falls.
Rustic Roots Winery (Scandia, MN)
Rustic Roots Winery is located in Scandia, Minnesota in the heart of the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.
Guests can relax in the indoor tasting room, on the expansive patio area, under the heated pergola, or in the estate-style vineyard.
Fun events typically include live acoustic music, trivia, and food trucks. In addition to wine by the glass, flight, or bottle there are ciders, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks available.
This Midwestern winery turns grapes such as Frontenac Blanc, Marquette, and Riesling into dry, sweet, and semi-sweet wines. The Frosted Root White is a semi-sweet blend of Brianna and La Crescent grapes. The semi-sweet Roots Rosé is a blend of Minnesota-grown Frontenac and Frontenac Gris grapes that won silver at the 2021 Finger Lakes Wine Competition.
This beautiful winery is a 21 minute drive from St Croix Falls.
Wild Mountain Winery (Taylors Falls, MN)
Wild Mountain Winery is a family-owned winery that serves wood-fired artisan pizzas and hand-crafted wines.
Owners Alan and Judy Olson planted their first grapes in 1994 and opened their winery in 2010. Their vineyard is located on the second highest point in Chisago County.
Their dedicated tasting room or patio is a great place to relax with a glass of wine. Order a wood-fired pizza and you’ve got a recipe for relaxation.
There’s also a bottle shop and gift shop if you’d like to purchase something to take home.
Wild Mountain Winery is a 15 minute drive from St Croix Falls. During the summer they’re open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Saint Croix Vineyards (Stillwater, MN)
Saint Croix Vineyards has been crafting award-winning wines for thirty-two years.
Guests can enjoy a wine sampling, a wine-making tour, and live music at their estate near Stillwater, Minnesota. Be sure to take a stroll through the picturesque vineyards.
Saint Croix Vineyards works with cold climate grapes including Frontenac, Marquette, Itasca, and La Crescent. Their Frontenac Gris wine scored a Double Gold medal at the prestigious San Francisco International wine competition.
Those with a true appreciation for sweet wines will like the Zinfandel port and raspberry infused wine.
A restored century-old barn houses their rustic tasting room, which is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Saint Croix Vineyards is a 10 minute drive from St Croix Falls.
Similar Midwestern wine towns to visit
If you’re interested in exploring Midwestern wineries look no further. We have you covered!
Waconia, Minnesota is a small town full of natural beauty (hello Lake Waconia!) and good wine. Waconia wineries are nestled in the rolling hills of Waconia just west of Minneapolis and St. Paul. These three wineries craft award-winning wine from Minnesota-grown grapes.
Egg Harbor is located on Door County Peninsula, which stretches into Lake Michigan. Door County is a treasure trove of charming villages and delicious food and wine. These Egg Harbor wineries prove Wisconsin wine deserves attention too.
Another charming Midwestern town is Petoskey, Michigan. Petoskey is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Midwest, so you’ve probably heard of it. But did you know they have wine? We’ve made a list of ten wineries Petoskey MI offers that are sure to delight.
Put-in-Bay is a quaint village on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. You can only access the island via boat or plane. Put-in-Bay wineries offer delicious wine, beautiful old buildings, and the world’s largest geode. It’s an unexpected (yet delightful!) combo.
