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Wine Grape U-Pick Orchards in Southeastern Minnesota in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for wine grapes that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have wine grapes orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Goodhue County

• Cannon River Winery - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, grapes, wine grapes, table grapes, gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  421 Mill Street West, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. Phone: 507-263-7400. Email: info@cannonriverwinery.com . Open: Vineyard is open select weekend days. Directions: From Rochester: Highway 52 North to Cannon Falls. Exit and turn right at Main Street \(Highway 19\). Proceed into downtown. Turn left on 4th Street. \(Highway 20\). Turn left on Mill Street. The Winery is on your left. From the Twin Cities: Highway 52 South to Cannon Falls. Exit and turn left at Main Street \(Highway 19\). Proceed into downtown. Turn left on 4th Street. \(Highway 20\). Turn left on Mill Street. The Winery is on your left. . Click here for a map and directions . Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Cannon River Winery Facebook page . Check Winery website for this year's dates and timesFrom Rochester: Highway 52 North to Cannon Falls. Exit and turn right at Main Street (Highway 19). Proceed into downtown. Turn left on 4th Street. (Highway 20). Turn left on Mill Street. The Winery is on your left. From the Twin Cities: Highway 52 South to Cannon Falls. Exit and turn left at Main Street (Highway 19). Proceed into downtown. Turn left on 4th Street. (Highway 20). Turn left on Mill Street. The Winery is on your leftWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsIn addition to wine grapes, our vineyard offers three varieties of table grapes: Somerset Seedless, King of the North, and Bluebell. We ask that people check in at the winery (located at 421 Mill Street West, Cannon Falls, MN) to get a map with directions. Cost: $3 per basket. You can also become part of our Harvest Crew! E-mail harvest@cannonriverwinery.com for more information.

Winona County

• The Fremont Vineyard - wine grapes, porta-potties, Cell service cell phones work here
  29641 County Road 29, Utica, MN 55979. Phone: (952) 913-5386. Email: kevinjbaer@gmail.com . Open: rday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm ,when the grapes are ready for harvest; Typically late August to Late September; See the website for notification on when we are open for the season. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: I90 East to exit 242, Winona County Road 29 towards Lewiston. Turn left on County Road 29 (At B & B Fremont Store) and watch for The Fremont Vineyard sign on the right. Click here for a map and directions . Harvest season is typically late August to Late September;. Payment: Cash, Venmo. Premium Itasca, Frontenac Gris and Marquette grapes for your home wine making or small winery needs.
  (ADDED: August 18, 2024)

Wine Grapes

Types of Grapes

There are  several; types of grapes:

• Table Grapes for eating fresh and making juice and jelly, can be seedless or with seeds. See this page for a master list and guide to table grape varieties
• Muscadines and Scuppernongs, Large, very sweet southern grapes with large seeds
• Wine Grapes ... for making wine.
  These are obviously specialized grapes that generally do not taste very good when eaten fresh, but do make excellent wine.  Most are Italian or French varietals (like Pinot Noir) that are grafted onto native American grape roots (like Concord) because the American variety roots are resistant to fungus and diseases that devastate vineyards.

Grape picking tips

• Pick ripe: Grapes do not ripen after they are picked. Of course, wine grapes are unique and for sweet dessert wines, like Auslese, are often picked after a frost or after they have shriveled.  The wineyard will know what's best for you.
• Appearance: Look for heavy, firm grapes
• To harvest grapes , carefully cut the grape clusters from the vine using pruning shears. Be careful not to bruise or damage the fruit or the surrounding vines.

Grape recipes, canning, jelly making juice, etc

• Grape jelly from fresh grapes
• Grape jelly from grape juice (canned, bottled or frozen)
• How to make your own grape juice, scuppernong, juice, muscadine juice . - W, P

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)