Wineries & Tastings | The Grape Escape

Rhubarb, crab apples, chokecherries, buffalo berries, wild plums. The native fruits of South Dakota, along with recently developed grape varieties that thrive in our Northern Plains climate, make for some unique and delectable fine wines produced by four regional wineries.

If your vacation schedule needs a change of pace, Hwy. 385 is the “wine trail” connecting Hill City’s Prairie Berry Winery and Stone Faces Winery to Belle Joli Winery and Schade Winery, both with tasting rooms in Deadwood. The 50-mile drive passes through forested glens and meadowlands, as well as providing spectacular roadside views of Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan Lake – it’s a relaxing afternoon jaunt that is sure to prove particularly palatable to lovers of the grape

Belle Joli Winery is owned and operated by Jackson Winery and Vineyards, established in 2000 on the northern edge of the Black Hills near Belle Fourche. Today, the Jackson family grows cold-climate grape varieties on about 20 acres. You can taste the results, including Belle Joli St. Cab, Belle Joli Mon Cherry, La Lure and Dakota Breeze, at their newly opened tasting room in Deadwood, located just across from the Mineral Palace on Main Street.
Info: www.bellejoli.com

Schade Winery maintains its vineyards in eastern South Dakota near the town of Volga, but its new tasting room on the eastern edge of Deadwood is proving to be a ideal location for introducing wines such as its Signature Red, Goldsmith White, Black Chokecherry, plus special holiday wines such as Christmas Pleasure. The tasting room shares a building with Canyon View Amish Furniture & Gift shop – and offers its own line of wine gadgets and gifts.
Info: www.schadevineyard.com

The area’s original winery, Hill City’s Prairie Berry Winery, has been making South Dakota wines for five generations and offers more than 15 grape, fruit and honey wines to taste and purchase. The family originally pioneered near Mound City, where the area’s “prairie berries” were turned into fruit wines using “old country” techniques from wines, including its noted Red Ass Rhubarb, Wild Plum Fusion, 3Rednecks, Pumpkin Bog and Claim Jumper. Prairie Berry’s Kitchen offers artisan plates and flat-grill sandwiches featuring regional meats and produce, with each entree paired with a suggested wine.
Info: www.prairieberry.com

Stone Faces Winery is another South Dakota winery that is open for wine tasting and purchases.

All the wineries ship to most of the United States, and many local restaurants and bistros, as well as retail liquor stores, stock their products. For more information about South Dakota wineries, go to sdwg.teambluefire.com/index.php