Follow the Great River Road to a hillside winery that captures the terroir of the Upper Mississippi bluff country. Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery pours estate-grown wines and hard ciders with sweeping valley views — a serene, Napa-pace afternoon on Minnesota's most scenic road.
What to expect
Perched on a bluff above the river 20 minutes north of Red Wing, Maiden Rock is a working estate producing fruit wines, grape wines, and celebrated hard ciders from orchard-grown apples. The tasting room opens onto a terrace where the view stretches across the Mississippi to the Wisconsin hills. Knowledgeable staff walk you through each pour with genuine enthusiasm, and the on-site store stocks locally produced cheeses and provisions perfect for an impromptu picnic on the deck.
Good to know
Arrange a rideshare or private car from Red Wing (approx. 20 minutes each way). Check seasonal hours before visiting — the winery is popular and can have weekend waits. Factor return travel into your all-aboard schedule with at least a 45-minute buffer.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Red Wing — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.