Fall in Love with Iowa Wine Country: A Valentine’s Escape, A Swiss Surprise, and Winery Winter Events
Winter in Iowa has a unique charm, especially when viewed from a cozy tasting room with a glass of local wine in hand. This month, we have a romantic opportunity for you, a spotlight on a unique new winery bringing Swiss heritage to Stanton, and a massive lineup of Valentine’s events to keep you warm.
❤️ Win the Ultimate Romantic Escape
Are you ready to toast to your love story? We are giving away a FREE two-night stay in the heart of Iowa’s wine country! Whether you are looking for a cozy riverside retreat or a charming view of the vines, this is your chance to sip, relax, and let the romance unfold.
The Grand Prize:
One lucky winner will enjoy a two-night stay and an exclusive tasting for two at one of these stunning locations (winner’s choice!):
Wide River Winery – Clinton
Wide River Winery – LeClaire
Wooden Wheel Winery – Keota
Enter here: https://woobox.com/w77yec
Enter your name and email address by 11:59pm CST on February 8, 2026. Must be 21+ to enter. The lucky winners will be announced in our newsletter on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, just in time to plan your Valentine's celebration! Your stay needs to be booked by April 1, 2026. No purchase necessary.
Winery Spotlight: Whitetail Valley Cellars Winery
“Taste an Iowa Summer in Every Glass!”
Nestled in Stanton, Iowa, Whitetail Valley Cellars is a testament to resilience, family tradition, and the beauty of "country wine."
From the Rhine to the Valley
The story of Whitetail Valley Cellars spans generations. It begins in Canton Schaffhausen in the Rhine River valley of Switzerland, where the family's ancestors made wine for centuries. In 1873, Johannes and Elizabeth Kutzli brought those traditions to America. Today, seven generations later, that legacy lives on in Stanton.
While the family originally planned a vineyard on their farm in 2010, the local deer and Japanese Beetles had other plans. Pivoting with nature, they planted an orchard instead. Using the sustainable "Streuobstwiese" (meadow orchard) method, they grow over 60 varieties of apples, including rare antique and red-fleshed varieties.
Small but Excellent
Opened in July 2025, Whitetail Valley Cellars embraces the philosophy of Klein aber Fein—Swiss for "Small but Excellent." They specialize in fruit wines (or Landwein), crafting complex, flavorful wines that express the terroir of the land.
The Wines: Signature apple wines, plus blackberry, plum, raspberry, peach, and cranberry. They are also debuting their first grape wine made from Iowa-grown Brianna grapes!
The Experience: Guests can relax in Das Stübli, a Swiss-style tasting room designed for Gemütlichkeit—an untranslatable feeling of comfort, peace, and belonging.
The Pairings: It wouldn’t be a Swiss experience without the big three: Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate. Enjoy pairings featuring artisan Iowa and Wisconsin cheeses and authentic Swiss chocolate.
Visit Them:
📍 2744 230th Street, Stanton, IA 51573
🌐 Whitetail Valley Website | Facebook
🎶 Live Music & Valentine’s Events at Iowa Wineries
Winter in Iowa is anything but dormant—especially inside our wineries. While a quiet glass of wine by the fire is always a good idea, our members are turning up the heat with a vibrant lineup of experiences designed to get you out of the house.
Whether you’re looking to stretch out the stress with a relaxing yoga session, test your knowledge at a lively trivia night, or unleash your inner detective at a thrilling murder mystery dinner, there is truly something for everyone. Get creative with hands-on craft workshops, swoon over romantic Valentine’s dinners, or simply tap your feet to the best live music around. Adventure, romance, and fun are pouring all season long—check out what’s happening near you:
Ackerman Winery
Bella Terre Vineyard
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery
Covered Bridges Winery
Eagles Landing Winery
Fireside Winery
The Local
Lubben Vineyards & Wines
Madison County Winery
O So Good Winery
Olathea Creek Vineyard & Winery
Oscar Carl Vineyard
PromiseLand Winery
Soldier Creek Winery
Tabor Wines
TYCOGA Winery & Distillery
Wide River Winery – LeClaire
Wide River Winery – Clinton
Wide River Winery – Davenport
Winterset Cidery
🍷 Raise a Glass to Romance and Resilience
From romantic escapes and Swiss-inspired sips to a calendar packed with entertainment, there is no reason to hibernate this winter. Whether you are crossing your fingers for the big giveaway or planning your next weekend road trip to Stanton, we invite you to venture out and support the local makers who make our state so special. Bundle up, bring a friend, and fall in love with Iowa Wine all over again. Cheers!