Southeastern South Dakota’s Winery Trail

Wine tasting is a growing industry and tourist attraction in South Eastern South Dakota and we enjoyed visiting a few wineries that make up the Southeast South Dakota Winery Trail.

Most of the wineries are very creative in incorporating local products such as Plum, Chokeberry, Honey or Rhubarb into their offerings. Every winery we visited, Wilde Prairie Winery, Schade Vineyard and Winery and Strawbale Winery were each delightfully situated in gorgeous farmland settings where visitors can enjoy a sip of the countryside along with their local wares and handcrafts.

Our favorite was Strawbale Winery in Renner, South Dakota. An ingenious straw bale constructed “green and environmentally sustainable” winery beautifully set amidst cornfields between a century old barn and grapevines, this spot was truly fabulous, the wines were good, and the ambiance was unbeatable.

The wines at Strawbale are all local except one from Wisconsin. An outdoor stage venue made from ponderosa pine added to the charm. Strawbale makes 30 different fruit wines, heritage and sentimental wines, as they refer to their wares affectionately. The most pop wine is made with black currant. Their Strawberry Rhubarb is the second most popular.

A lovely little gift shop with everything wine related from trinkets, to clothing to decorative items offers a wonderful little opportunity to purchase some souvenirs of the area.

Be sure to ask about tours and various events throughout the year.

You could not ask for a more peaceful and tranquil environment to enjoy South Dakota’s unique wines and hospitality amongst resident chickens, and wildlife.