Iowa Wine Experience at the State Fair

Iowa Wine Experience at the State Fair

August 13-23, 2026

Join us for unforgettable days at the Iowa Wine Experience during the Iowa State Fair—your go-to destination for discovering the best of Iowa’s craft beverages! Held inside the newly decorated and historic Grandfather’s Barn, this unique venue offers a cozy indoor atmosphere and relaxing outdoor seating with breathtaking views from atop the hill.

Managed proudly by the Iowa Wine Growers Association, our menu is packed with incredible local flavors:

  • Wine Flights: Choose from a dry wine flight, a sweet wine flight, or our exclusive award-winners flight.

  • Famous Wine Slushies: The ultimate frozen fair staple to keep you cool.

  • Hard Cider: Crisp, bubbly, and perfectly chilled canned cider.

  • By the Glass: Enjoy a full pour of your favorite Iowa wine.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just looking for a refreshing break, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t miss:

  • Showcases of winners from the Iowa Commercial Wine Competition

  • Exhibits of top entries from the Iowa State Fair Homebrew Competition

Come for the flavor, stay for the experience—discover why Iowa wine belongs at the top of your fair must-do list! Keep up to date with happenings at the Iowa Wine Experience at the Iowa State Fair by “liking” our Facebook page. 

Daily activities:

Available for purchase: wine tastings, glasses of wine, Iowa hard cider, and wine slushies.

Location: Inside Grandfather's Barn

Time: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Want to see which wines are featured daily at the fair? Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iawine. We are going to post our daily wine list in our Facebook Stories so you can track your favorites and see exactly what is pouring each day.

Governor’s Cup Ceremony

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

Calling All Volunteers!

Want to share your passion for local wine? Volunteer sign-ups are now open for the Iowa Wine Experience at the State Fair (August 13th–23rd)!

We are looking for friendly faces to serve beverages and sell merchandise inside Grandfather's Barn, as well as staff the ticketing tent.

We have three daily shifts available (10am–2pm, 2pm–6pm, and 6pm–9:30pm). As a thank you, every volunteer receives free fair admission for the day, an official t-shirt, and a complimentary glass of wine after their shift.

Important Details & Deadlines

Be sure to sign up by July 15th to guarantee your preferred t-shirt size! Please note that parking passes are not provided, and ticket/t-shirt pickup will be coordinated with Christie at a later date.

Sign Up to Volunteer!
 

Enter to Win the Ultimate Iowa Wine VIP Experience!

Location: Grandfather’s Barn

Iowa State Fairgrounds
E Vermeer Ln
Des Moines, IA 50317