Join us at the Iowa Wine Experience at Grandfather's Barn, each year throughout the IOWA STATE FAIR.
The Iowa Wine Experience at Grandfather's Barn is open each year throughout the Iowa State Fair. Join us at the Iowa Wine Experience to learn more about the grape and wine industry in Iowa, sample Best of Show award-winning wines from the Commercial Wine Competition, listen to educational speakers and enjoy some of the best views of the Fairgrounds and downtown Des Moines! We are located at the to
03/09/2026
Hello Iowa Wine Experience followers! We will be closing down this page on April 1, 2026. Everything Iowa Wine Experience related will be posted on our Iowa Wine page. If you are not following us there, please do so. We are excited to still be hosting the Iowa Wine Experience at the Iowa State Fair, but are just simplifying into our one page.
08/17/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair SUNDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING- Whatcha Smokin BBQ’s Three Little Pigs tastes great when enjoyed with Wide River’s Double Jeopardy Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/16/2025
These are flying out the doors today! Come cool off with a refreshing wine slushy!
It's 🔥🔥 today! Beat the heat with our wine slushies at the Iowa Wine Experience! Try a sample flight of all 3! We have Sangria, Margarita, and Mimosa today.
08/16/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair SATURDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING- Winn & Sara’s Kitchen’s Chicken Bacon Ranch Eggroll (Winner of Best State Fair Food) tastes great when enjoyed with Fireside Winery’s Blū Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/15/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair FRIDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING - Cattleman’s Beef Quarter’s Hot Beef Sundae tastes great when enjoyed with Olathea Creek’s Frontenac Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/15/2025
On Wednesday, we were honored to welcome Bill and Rona Wyant of Fireside Winery to the Iowa Wine Experience to accept the 2025 Governor’s Cup Trophy from Governor Kim Reynolds.
Their wine, Blu, won Best of Show – Sweet White in the 2025 Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition and went on to claim the title of overall Governor’s Cup Winner. It was a proud moment for Iowa’s wine industry, and we were thrilled to celebrate their achievement alongside one of the state’s biggest champions of agriculture, Governor Reynolds.
08/14/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair THURSDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING - HOQ’s Lamb Wrap pairs perfectly with Jasper Winery’s Behind the Shed Red Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/13/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair WEDNESDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING - Destination Grille’s Lobster Corndog tastes great with Ackerman Winery’s Rhubarb Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/11/2025
2025 Iowa State Fair MONDAY WINE AND FOOD PAIRING - The Bacon Box’s Grinder Balls are a perfect food to enjoy with Soldier Creek’s Rubra Wine. Cheers!🍷
08/10/2025
Many of you have asked, and the answer is YES - we do have shirts for sale this year! We also have hats, tanks, and the Iowa State Fair wine - Loesscato from Oscar Carl Vineyard! Check out the merch tent outside the barn!