Winneshiek Wildberry Winery is located on a 160-year-old family farm. The winery is owned and operated by Ken and Yvonne Barnes, and their two daughters Darla Jones, and Beth Guzman, all of Decorah.
The farm has been in Yvonne’s family for 160 years tracing back to her great-grandmother. Ken and Yvonne have owned the farm since 1969.. During this time they milked dairy cows, raised beef cattle, and farrowed pigs. With the decline of farming their desire to keep the farm viable led them to grapes.
Ken started planting several grape varieties in 2001. Darla, our winemaker, finished a series of classes she had undertaken to improve her craft and increase her knowledge about winemaking. During this time Ken began drawing up plans for rebuilding the barn into a winery. The winery was built on the original foundation of the dairy barn. It was built by the Amish, Henry Miller a.k.a. “Barefoot Henry” and his crew in 2004–2005. It all came together in the fall of 2005 with the opening of the winery’s doors in October.
There are now over 20 acres of the vineyard for guests to enjoy as well as a patio for enjoying the scenery and sipping wine. Inside the winery is a beautiful wood furnished tasting room, complete with a majestic oak bar. The winery has wine tasting and food available all day. The gift shop is the perfect place to pick up wine related gifts for yourself or someone you know. Winneshiek Wildberry Winery truly is the perfect place to “Share a Day in the Country!”