I-80 Wine Trail tempts travelers to sample Iowa wines

A new wine country, emerging amongst the rolling hills of corn and soybeans in Iowa, is tempting cross country travelers to exit the Interstate and sample the new fruits of the land – Iowa grown and made wine!

The Iowa (and Midwestern) wine industry is growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. Many wineries have banded together to help tourists identify local wineries by creating wine trails. However, cross-country travelers have had difficulties finding conveniently located wineries near I-80. The I-80 Wine Trail was developed in response to this tourism need.

A colorful and informative I-80 Wine Trail brochure, including a map, winery contact information and exit number, is available at all State of Iowa Interstate Welcome Centers. Visitors planning a trip through Iowa via I-80 are encouraged to visit http://www.i80winetrail.com/ to plan ahead.

Current members of the Iowa I-80 Wine Trail, include (from east to west):


• Brick Arch Winery (West Branch)


• Fireside Winery (Williamsburg)


• Jasper Winery (Des Moines)


• Penoach Vineyard and Winery (Adel)


• Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery (Stuart)


• Danish Countryside Vines & Wines (Exira)


• Breezy Hills Winery (Minden)


Down the road, organizers of the I-80 Wine Trail envision working with other I-80 connected states and adding them to the trail, until ultimately, tourists traveling coast-to-coast can visit I-80 Wine Trail wineries from New York to California.

Cassie Bott, Fireside Winery