Iowa Wine Experience at the State Fair

August 13-23, 2026

Join us for 11 unforgettable days at the Iowa Wine Experience during the Iowa State Fair (August 13–23)! Hosted at the historic Grandfather's Barn at the top of the hill, this is your premier destination for discovering the best of Iowa's craft beverages.

Take the Sky Glider up the hill and relax on our scenic patio, and celebrate the incredible talent of Iowa's local grape growers and winemakers.

Sip & Snap Photo Contest

We want to see how you "wine down" at the fair! Upload your best photos from the Iowa Wine Experience for a chance to win an official Iowa Wine Merch Pack (including a T-shirt, tank top, and hat) and be featured in our statewide newsletter!

Enter the Contest here: https://woobox.com/rsjhaa

🏆 Meet the 2026 Wine Champions

Every year, we proudly showcase the very best pours in the state from the Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

This year, a massive congratulations goes to Fireside Winery for taking home the prestigious 2026 Governor’s Cupwith their sparkling specialty wine, Fizzy Firefly! We are also thrilled to feature our elite "Best of Show" sweepstakes winners across all seven categories, including incredible, award-winning wines from Covered Bridges Winery, Oscar Carl Vineyard, Dosaage Winery, and Van Wijk Winery.

👉 Click here to meet the 2026 Governor's Cup Winner & see the full list of top State Fair pours!

🍷 On the Menu at Grandfather's Barn

Our barn offers a full summer menu of refreshing, locally crafted beverages and snacks:

Award Winners Flight: Sample 7 top-scoring wines, including the Best of Show & Governor’s Cup winners!
Custom Wine Flights: Sample 4 targeted pours in our signature Dry or Sweet wine flights.
Famous Wine Slushies: The ultimate icy, sweet fair staple to beat the mid-day heat.
Hard Cider & Craft Pours: Enjoy a crisp, cold canned cider or a full glass of your favorite local wine.
🧀 NEW! The Grazing Cup: Pair your drinks with a beautiful, charcuterie-inspired cup filled with artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, crackers, and nuts—perfect for snacking on the go or enjoying on the patio.

📲 Track Daily Featured Wines on Facebook

Because our menu features a massive variety of award-winning Iowa bottles, our selection changes throughout the fair! Be sure to follow Iowa Wine on Facebook and check our daily Facebook Stories to see exactly which wines are pouring each day.

🤝 Meet the Winemakers & Our Volunteer Crew

The Iowa Wine Experience is organized by the Iowa Wine Growers Association and brought to life by over 170 volunteer shifts! When you stop by, be sure to give a warm thank you to the friendly faces making it all happen.

Meet the Winemakers Behind the Bar: Want to chat with the people who craft your favorite wine? Stop by on these special dates to meet featured winery teams volunteering behind the counter:

August 14 & 22: Van Wijk Winery Crew
August 17: Fireside Winery Crew (2026 Governor's Cup Winners!)

Tips for a Great Cause! This year, 100% of the tips collected at our counters throughout the fair will be donated to Foster SQUAD, an amazing non-profit organization that provides crucial resources, support, and community to Iowa foster families as they care for our state’s most vulnerable children.

Governor’s Cup Ceremony

TBD - - Governor's Cup Trophy Ceremony with Gov. Kim Reynolds presenting the 2026 Governor's Cup Trophy

Location: Grandfather’s Barn

Iowa State Fairgrounds
E Vermeer Ln
Des Moines, IA 50317