Tasting room featuring estate wines and an upstairs patio in Fountain City
Great tasting room! Very friendly manager. We saw the actual vineyard on our drive and almost turned around but we saw the tasting room was just a head. Sad that more of the sweet wines were out of stock but we'll be back again.
In search of wineries before staying in Winona for the weekend, we stumbled upon this gem of a spot just over the MN-WI border. At the time, we were the only ones in on a Friday afternoon and the service we received was spectacular! She went over many different wines with us, gave us samples, provided chocolate, cheese, and crackers depending on the wine sampled and was very knowledgeable about any questions we had. We ended up going up the stairs to the patio and enjoyed our drinks in the fresh warm air. After some samples, we settled on the Frontenac Reserve and the Smiling Moon. Both, well, all their wines are made from grapes grown just down the road from the tasting room. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area!
The oldest local tasting room serving estate wines less than two miles from the Vineyard itself, Seven Hawkes Vineyards tasting room has a historical facade that invites you in with an equally cozy and bright interior decorated to encourage second and third glances at all the creative details. It feels less like entering a place of business and more like visiting a close friend that is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about wine, eager to share every available expression. Heather served us and made fantastic recommendations based upon our palates, asking what we enjoyed or liked the thought of based on the descriptions listed, and made certain to offer pairings by way if a crisp cheddar, caramel, and piece of dark chocolate to ensure we could appreciate every nuance of their wines. I've never met her before but found her an absolute delight, a stellar guide to the local wines. Every deacription was on the money for each wine we tried, so I'll add my additional observations below. The Summer Moon has a nose of white flowers and pineapple, with the bright tartness rounded out gently in a mineral, river stone finish. A stellar porch punder, perfect for a hot day. La Crescent Reserve is juicy and crisp, with a subtle herbaceous middle note of parsley, finishing with salted limes- excellent on its own or as a white Sangria base. Ardella's Rose, a semi-sweet Rose, is fruit forward and playful, a plum blossom nose that would make a killer red sangria. Ridgetop Apple I give five stars, absolutely no notes. It's crisp, sweet, utterly delightful and kills when followed up with a nibble of caramel. Their Fontenac Reserve is a sexy dinner red akin to a decadent Cabernet with notes of black pepper, smells of a dark berry crumble and tastes fantastic. Bold, layered, impressive. All in all the tasting room is chic, inviting, unpretentious and a lovely local stop with surprising wines easily swinging above and beyond their price point. I cannot recommend this place enough, add on the upstairs deck and cottages available to rent and you have a truly unique unsung gem In view of the river. They did have a few other wines listed that i would have loved to try, but they were unfortunately unavailable for tasting. Maybe I'll get lucky and have a chance to taste their fortified and ice wines next time. 10 out of 10!
My wife and I stayed at the Redtailed Hawk cabin this year. It is our 4th year coming here for anniversaries or just plain 'ole escape. We've never been disappointed. You feel comfortably isolated up here, but close enough to check out the restaurants or historic sites. The staff at 7 Hawks is wonderful, accommodating and kind. We'll be back for sure. Thanks again. P.s. drive a small car, the switchbacks are not for beginners. P.p.s. hillside fish house, drab on the outside, wonderful food and clean on the inside. Try it!
I agree. I have leg problems. One other couple in the place. I pulled up a chair. If we get crowded you have to put the chair back. What do I need to bring in my handicap parking placard??? Poured our tastings in the same glass. She said so sorry my bar does not have a sink to rinse the glasses. The last tasting was evident that red wine remnants in the glass. How about a clean glass!! Mixing red wine with a dessert wine. Seriously. Ask about the price of wine trail glasses. She helped the other couple then went into her “back room”. We stood there for awhile and then said forget it! Probably find at another winery. There is a sign out front. Free wine tasting. lol. $6 for the tasting. 3 - 1 ounce pours. Disappointed. We expected a cost so surprised to see sign. Falsely advertising to draw in people? It is empty right now.
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