Three wineries around Waconia are open to the public: Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery, Sovereign Estate Wine and Parley Lake Winery. Schram also pours its own beer. Waconia no longer has a downtown brewery: Waconia Brewing Co. closed in January 2026, and Schram Haus Brewery's downtown taproom closed in December 2025, though Schram says its house-brewed beer continues at the vineyard. This guide covers each stop and how to plan the day without driving impaired.
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Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery
Schram (8785 Airport Rd, (952) 492-1259) is a 32-acre winery, brewery and restaurant overlooking Reitz Lake, with about 10 acres of grapes. It is open year-round, with a walk-up tasting bar, the Bonfire & Barrel restaurant, house-brewed beer, and live music nearly every weekend. Its Vine to Wine tour runs May through October, and the Winter Lodge operates December through February. Buses, limos and large groups must arrange their visit in advance.
Parley Lake Winery
Parley Lake Winery (8280 Parley Lake Rd), founded in 2008, pours in the 1888 barn at Deardorff Orchards. It makes wine from cold-climate grapes grown on the farm, and its tasting room has a wrap-around deck overlooking the Lake View Stage and the Itasca vineyard, plus an art gallery of local artists. Hours are Friday 4 to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6pm, starting the first weekend in May. Groups need a reservation, and party buses are not allowed. In fall, Deardorff Orchards sells apples in the same barn on weekends.
Sovereign Estate Wine
Sovereign Estate (9950 North Shore Rd) is a lakefront vineyard on the north shore of Lake Waconia. Its estate vineyard grows cold-climate grapes such as Itasca, Marquette and La Crescent. It offers a five-wine tasting for groups of up to eight, a seasonal patio with food, and free live music on Fridays and Sundays; check its calendar, since some events need tickets.
Don't Drive Impaired
Have a designated driver or use a rideshare. If you are traveling as a group, note that Schram and Parley Lake both require groups to arrange visits ahead, and Parley Lake does not allow party buses.
Eat Between Stops
Schram's Bonfire & Barrel and Sovereign both serve food. Downtown, Iron Tap, Lola's Lakehouse and Bode Gray's work for lunch or dinner.
Restaurants directory →Planning the Day
Check each winery's hours before you set a route, since they differ by day and season: Parley Lake is open only Friday evening and weekend afternoons. If you only have an afternoon, pick two. In fall, Parley Lake pairs with apples at Deardorff Orchards. J. Carver Distillery, which used to round out this tour, has announced it will close by the end of October 2026.
Plan Your Tour
Combine the wineries with lodging and dinner downtown for a full weekend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many wineries are in Waconia, MN?
- Three: Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery (8785 Airport Rd), Sovereign Estate Wine (9950 North Shore Rd, on Lake Waconia's north shore) and Parley Lake Winery (8280 Parley Lake Rd, at Deardorff Orchards).
- Are there breweries in Waconia, MN?
- Not downtown. Waconia Brewing Co. closed in January 2026 and Schram Haus Brewery's downtown taproom closed in December 2025. Schram Vineyards says its house-brewed beer continues at its Bonfire & Barrel restaurant at the vineyard.
- Is J. Carver Distillery still open?
- J. Carver Distillery has announced it will close by the end of October 2026 and is running a pickup clearance sale.
- Can I bring a group or party bus to the Waconia wineries?
- Arrange it in advance. Schram requires buses, limos and large parties to get approval before arriving. Parley Lake requires reservations for groups and does not allow party buses.