Savor Stunning Mississippi Views By The Glass At Iowa's Wide River Winery
By Ben Jones|Published May 20, 2021
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Ben Jones
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Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Does a glass of wine taste better when you’re in a spectacular location? Visit Iowa’s Wide River Winery and find out. This wonderful little winery is a gem, pairing fine offerings with a panoramic view of the Mississippi River. It’s a combination that’s hard to beat.
Here’s why you need to experience Iowa’s Wide River Winery.
Wide River Winery takes its name from the widest part of the Mississippi River and the river provides a beautiful backdrop to this craft winemaker. The river valley’s fertile soils are ideal for growing grapes.
The winery and vineyards and a tasting room are located in Clinton, Iowa. There’s also a tasting room in LeClaire and a wine bar, deck and patio in the Village of East Davenport. Guests to the winery in Clinton can enjoy a fantastic view of the river.
The winery produces about 15,000 gallons of wine every year, using grapes from both the vineyard in Clinton and other growers. It produces about 85,000 bottles annually, and Wide River wine is available from retailers throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois. It’s hard to beat a glass poured at the winery though.
Wide River grows 10 acres of grapes that are especially well-suited for the Iowa climate – unlike other varieties, these grapes can handle the cold Midwestern winters. The winery’s grapes include Frontenac Blanc, Brianna, Petite Pearl, Crimson Pearl and St. Croix.
You might not want to leave a place this idyllic. You don’t have to - at least not right away. They winery rents a lodge next door that accommodates up to 8 people. It offers gorgeous river views.
The Clinton tasting room is open daily, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Interested in touring the vineyard and winery? Tours are available from April through October – contact the winery for availability. If you would like to discover more excellent Iowa wines, consider following this beautiful wine trail.
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