Little Swan Lake Winery

Whether you’re looking for a scenic winery with outstanding music or a destination music venue that offers quality wines and naturally stunning views, a visit to Little Swan Lake Winery in Estherville, just 1-1/2 miles north of Superior, is a must. Situated on a beautiful Northwest Iowa landscape dotted with a roaming buffalo herd, Little Swan Lake Winery features 35 house-crafted wines and exceptional live music to make your stay, whether for an hour or a weekend, an event.

Owners Scott and Diane Benjamin are both former band directors and admittedly hold their musical performers to a higher standard than most others. And he says that the evolvement of his winery’s musical offerings is truly one of his proudest moments as a winery owner. Examples include well-known New Orleans jazz groups and a clarinet player that has played for several past presidents. In addition, Benjamin says that all the musicians at Little Swan Lake Winery love playing for the guests because it is more of a concert feel than simply playing at a bar. “We have become a well-known concert venue as well as a destination winery,” said Benjamin. “It may be what I’m most proud of, and it has been thoroughly enjoyable, rewarding, and actually quite unbelievable.”

Visitors can expect to enter through the restored 1920s barn, where they are met with a selection of wines to taste based on their specific likes. All of the available wines are produced onsite and feature a large number of dry wines, an owner and customer-base favorite. Little Swan Lake Winery has indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy your wine and all the surrounding landscape offers, including scheduled music events. In addition, food featuring the locally raised and cared for buffalo from Benjamin’s farm is available whenever there are scheduled music events. There is also a gift shop featuring wine-related products to remember your visit.

Attached to the tasting room is a beautifully decorated bed and breakfast crafted from an old, 60-foot-tall grain elevator that Benjamin relocated from another farm in the area. Benjamin was always intrigued by having some type of tower structure on his land, and once he gained access to the abandoned grain elevator, he never looked back. The fully restored five-story structure includes two standard rooms and one suite for guests. Each room comes with a bottle of wine, breakfast, and a private deck for enjoying the serene, spectacular views of the area. Additionally, Benjamin says that eagles have set up residence on the property, offering the awe-inspiring experience of eagle watching.

Little Swan Lake Winery is the perfect place to host your event, from smaller gatherings to reunions, showers, and weddings.

For more information, available wines, hours, and event schedules, please contact them at...

Little Swan Lake Winery

1350 320th Avenue

Estherville, Iowa 51334

Phone: 712-858-4592 or 712-380-0001

Email: lslwinery@lslwinery.com

Website: www.lslwinery.com

Rustic River is a family owned winery gem in rural Iowa. Come and relax on the patio overlooking four acres of grapes. Visit the tasting room and enjoy our award winning wines.

April-December Hours:

Fridays 5-7pm

Saturday 2-7pm

Sundays 1-5pm

Hours Vary Seasonally

Follow us on Facebook @ Rustic River Winery & Vineyard

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Spencer, IA

• Spencer’s Historic District: Take a walking tour of Spencer’s Historic Grand Avenue Commercial District! Tour booklets are available at the Spencer Main Street Office and Clay County CVB Office.

West Bend, IA

• Grotto of the Redemption: The largest man-made Grotto in the world. The Grotto stands as a testimony in stone, a treasured work of art. Covering a city block, the Grotto represents the largest collection of precious and semi-precious rocks, minerals, fossils and petrifactions concentrated in any one spot in the world.

Enjoy a Beverage-Inspired Trip to Northwest Iowa

For lake recreation, brewery and winery visits and local events, now is the time to start marking your calendar and planning your route for a visit to northwest Iowa. For inspiration, check out our website, www.trails-tales.net