The crisp autumn air has almost arrived in Iowa Wine Country, and we have plenty to celebrate! From looking back at our incredible summer to gearing up for the holiday shopping season, here is everything happening in the world of Iowa Wine.

Cheers to the Iowa Wine Experience!

First, we want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who joined us at the Iowa Wine Experience during the Iowa State Fair! Whether you took the sky glider to the top of the hill for a famous wine slushie or relaxed at Grandfather’s Barn with an Award Winners Flight, seeing so many of you support our local winemakers made this year truly unforgettable.

We also want to thank our volunteers! We literally could not have done it without you.

Sip & Snap Photo Contest

A huge shoutout to everyone who entered and voted in our Sip & Snap Photo Contest! We loved seeing how you all “wine down” at the fair. We have officially picked a winner: Jen Findlay from Winterset Cidery! She shared a great shot of her fair experience with the caption: "Award Winners Flight And that nearly empty glass? 👀 That’s Winterset Cidery’s Gold Medal-winning Peach Cider… clearly, it didn’t last long!"

We also couldn't help but smile at some of the other fantastic captions submitted with your photos:

"We learned all about oenology and savored the delicious, dry wine flight and enjoyed escaping the crowds for a moment in Grandpa’s Barn!" — Heidi Wilson
"I don’t always drink wine, but when I do it’s at Granfather’s Barn." — Emely Weber
"Parents day out… henna cows, wine, and love!" — Lauren Hollatz
"Got nothin to wine about" — Jill Miller
"Good vibes, Great wines ~ State Fair 2026!!!" — Diane Lansink

Sip & Shop at the Des Moines Holiday Boutique

Ready to get a head start on your holiday shopping while sipping your favorite local pours? We are thrilled to announce that Iowa Wine will be at the Des Moines Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center from November 6–8, 2026!

Stop by our area to sample and purchase from an incredible lineup of local producers. Here are the participating wineries so far (with more to be announced soon!):

👉 Get your tickets and learn more here!

Fall Pairings: The 2026 Governor’s Cup Winner

Looking for the perfect bottle to elevate your autumn dining? Look no further than our 2026 Governor’s Cup Winner: Fizzy Firefly by Fireside Winery.

Meals: This sparkling specialty wine is wonderful served as an apéritif, but it also acts as a fantastic complement to salty meats (like pulled pork dishes) and spicy entrees (like your favorite Indian food).
Cheese: The sweet flavors in Fizzy Firefly pair beautifully against cheeses of similar boldness. We highly suggest creating a charcuterie board featuring blue cheese, smoked gouda, or pepper jack!

Celebrating Harvest Season

Harvest season is the busiest and most beautiful time of the year for our local vineyards. We love seeing the hard work and passion our growers pour into every bottle! Check out these amazing behind-the-scenes harvest moments from a few of our wineries:

Find a Winery Near You This Fall

The beauty of harvest season means there is no better time to plan a weekend trip to Iowa Wine Country! Whether you want to enjoy a crisp autumn afternoon on a vineyard patio or pick up a few bottles for your upcoming holiday gatherings, there is an incredible local producer waiting to welcome you.

👉 Click here to explore our interactive winery map and find your next fall destination!

Fall Wine Pairings & The Des Moines Holiday Boutique