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Highest-rated wineries in Minnesota by visitors

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Angyalosi Beata // Shutterstock
Angyalosi Beata // Shutterstock
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Napa Valley isn't the only travel destination in the United States for a good glass of wine. While California's wine country is known for being a top winery destination (and also home to the award-winning bottle of Chardonnay that won top honors at the Judgment of Paris competition in 1976), wine connoisseurs no longer have to travel all the way to California for a good winery experience. In fact, at this point, noteworthy wineries are available to visit in every state, if you know where to look.

As of January 2025, there are 11,499 wineries in the United States, slightly down from the 11,691 reported in early 2023, marking a modest decline of about 1.6%. According to WineAmerica's latest 2025 Economic Impact Study, the U.S. wine industry now contributes a total economic output of approximately $323.6 billion, creates or supports 1.75 million jobs, and maintains 10,761 distinct wine-producing operations.

With such a booming industry and a plethora of wineries to choose from, how does a vino-lover know if a winery is worth it? First, the location is a big reason why people choose to visit a winery; if they are tucked away next to a sprawling field of grapes for guests to explore, then the wine is likely locally sourced. The tasting experience is also key. Wineries will offer a selection of their wines by the glass, or even tastings where the customer can order smaller pours of a variety of their wines. Some wineries even offer cellar tours with glimpses into their winemaking process. Of course, the ambiance is a big draw. If it's the kind of place that makes guests want to post photos on Instagram to make their friends jealous, then that winery is probably doing something right.

So, how do you know which winery to visit that includes some—if not all—of what makes a winery the best of the best? Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated wineries in Minnesota, according to Tripadvisor, so you know exactly where to venture when wine o'clock hits—no trip to Napa necessary. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5.

You may also like: Counties with the most veterans in Minnesota

#26. River View Vineyard and Winery

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#26. River View Vineyard and Winery

- Rating: 4.1/5 (20 reviews)
- City: La Crescent
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#25. Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard

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#25. Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard

- Rating: 3.9/5 (21 reviews)
- City: Delano
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#20. The Winery at Sovereign Estate

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#20. The Winery at Sovereign Estate

- Rating: 4.3/5 (75 reviews)
- City: Waconia
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#18. Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery

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#18. Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery

- Rating: 3.9/5 (86 reviews)
- City: Kasota
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#16. Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

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#16. Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (61 reviews)
- City: Kimball
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#15. Round Lake Vineyards & Winery

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#15. Round Lake Vineyards & Winery

- Rating: 4.8/5 (42 reviews)
- City: Round Lake
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#9. Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery

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#9. Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (143 reviews)
- City: Spring Valley
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#8. Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

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#8. Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (100 reviews)
- City: Waconia
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#6. Urban Forage Winery and Cider House

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#6. Urban Forage Winery and Cider House

- Rating: 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#4. WineHaven Winery and Vineyard

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#4. WineHaven Winery and Vineyard

- Rating: 4.5/5 (77 reviews)
- City: Chisago City
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#3. Salem Glen Vineyard and Winery

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#3. Salem Glen Vineyard and Winery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
- City: Rochester
- Read more on TripAdvisor

#1. Carlos Creek Winery

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#1. Carlos Creek Winery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (271 reviews)
- City: Alexandria
- Read more on TripAdvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 45 states.

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