Winter cold makes hardy grape varieties important across much of the Midwest. Growers use American and European grapes as well as hybrids bred from different vine species. Wines made from cold-climate grapes often have pronounced acidity. Michigan's vineyards benefit from the influence of the Great Lakes. Old Mission Peninsula grows Riesling and Pinot Grigio, while Lake Michigan Shore produces fuller reds as well as wines from hybrid grapes. Iowa grows more than 40 grape types and makes dry, sweet, rosé, dessert, sparkling and ice-style wines. In Minnesota, even the warmest areas can reach about -25°F. Its high-acid grapes are also used for wines with some sweetness. Illinois growers use American and French-American grapes for winter hardiness. Ohio grows American, hybrid and European varieties, and Missouri's official state grape is Norton/Cynthiana. The wider collection also includes Arkansas, with the Altus and Arkansas Mountain appellations, and Mississippi, where warm, humid conditions suit muscadine grapes.
10 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of Midwest.
- 01ArkansasNo producers listed yetArkansas includes the Altus and Arkansas Mountain AVAs. Beyond those mountain areas, vineyards generally turn to hardier grapes better suited to cold conditions.
- 02IllinoisNo producers listed yetWinter cold shapes grape choice in Illinois. Growers use American and French-American grapes, and Upper Mississippi River Valley and Shawnee Hills are the state's listed appellations.
- 03IndianaNo producers listed yetIndiana's wineries are concentrated in the south and centre, where climate and soils better support grape cultivation. Ohio River Valley and Indiana Uplands are listed appellations.
- 04IowaNo producers listed yetIowa's cold-hardy grapes support dry, sweet, rosé, dessert, sparkling and ice-style wines. Some reds can be low in tannin, with currant and dried-fruit flavours.
- 05MichiganNo producers listed yetMichigan's wine areas take much of their character from the Great Lakes. Old Mission Peninsula is associated with Riesling and Pinot Grigio, while Lake Michigan Shore is known for bold reds and hybrid varieties.
- 06Minnesota1 producerMinnesota's cold climate leaves many wines with high acidity. Varieties developed by the University of Minnesota, including La Crescent and Frontenac, suit off-dry, dessert and ice-style wines.
- 07MississippiNo producers listed yetMississippi's warm, humid conditions favour muscadines, so local wines lean toward muscadine-based styles. These grapes are not cold-hardy and can be injured near 0°F.
- 08MissouriNo producers listed yetNorton/Cynthiana is Missouri's official state grape and central to its red-wine identity. Hermann, Augusta and the Ozark Highlands are among the state's listed appellations.
- 09OhioNo producers listed yetOhio includes wines made in labrusca, hybrid and vinifera styles. Grand River Valley, Loramie Creek and Isle St. George are its listed appellations.
- 10WisconsinNo producers listed yetWisconsin has five distinct wine regions. Within the state, the Driftless Region places more emphasis on traditional grape-wine varieties than the other regions.