September 15, 2026

Fall Road Trip Guide: Wine Tasting, Lake Views, and Fall Fun in Glenwood, Minnesota

There is a brief, magic window in West Central Minnesota when the humidity breaks, the hardwood canopies around the lakes turn amber and crimson, and an afternoon outdoors feels like a necessity rather than an option.

If you are scouting fall day trips from Alexandria, the Twin Cities, Willmar, Fergus, or Fargo, look no further than the hills overlooking Lake Minnewaska.

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Rolling Forks Vineyards is hosting our signature autumn gathering: the Roll Out the Barrels Fall Wine Festival.

Whether you are packing up the car for a long-overdue girls’ trip, organizing a couples’ getaway, or just hunting down the best cold-climate red wines in the state, here is everything you need to know to plan your autumn escape weekend in Glenwood, Minnesota.

Friends enjoying a toast with Rolling FOrks Vineyards award-winning wines at a picnic in the vineyards overlooking Lake Minnewaska from our rolling glacial hills

What Makes Harvest Season So Special

Winemaking in Minnesota takes genuine grit, passion, and deep respect for the seasons. By late September, our vineyard crew has brought in the final clusters of cold-hardy grapes from the vines. The fermentation tanks are humming, and the air is filled with the rich, heady aroma of a brand-new vintage getting underway.

For our team, "rolling out the barrels" is a chance to finally take a breath, welcome neighbors from across Minnesota, and celebrate the season’s hard work together before another deep winter arrives.

Perched high on the ridge with panoramic views over Lake Minnewaska, our patio gives you front-row seats to Central Minnesota’s fall colors, crisp lake breezes, and golden-hour sunsets. There is simply no better time of year to sit back with a glass of wine and soak it all in.

Rolling Forks Vineyards sits atop the rolling Glacial Hills overlooking Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood Minnesota

The crowd cheers on Rolling Forks Vineyards tasting room patio overlooking Lake Minnewaska in summer

Roll Out the Barrels 2026: Schedule of Events

The festival runs all day on Saturday, September 26th, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. We have designed the day so you can pop in for a quick tasting or stay from morning mimosas all the way through nightfall.

All-Day Experiences (11:00 AM – Close)

Open-Air Artisan Market: Shop handmade items directly from more than 10 regional vendors, including wheel-thrown ceramics from Lake Reno Pottery, natural skincare and tallow balms from Jayne’s Layne, hand-poured tapers from Up North Beeswax, and unique wine pourers from WasteNot.
11-Acre Minnesota Corn Maze: Get lost in our massive, Minnesota-themed field maze. It is spacious, stroller-friendly, and fun for all ages.
You-Pick Pumpkin Patch: Find the centerpiece for your front porch straight off the vine.
Vineyard Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tours: Pick up your clue sheet in the tasting room or scan our QR codes to learn about cold-climate viticulture as you stroll the property.

Live Music Lineup

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Duke Zecco (Acoustic favorites on the outdoor patio stage)
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Kyle Colby (Golden hour and sunset acoustic vibes)

After Dark: The Flashlight Maze (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Pick up glow sticks and a flashlight in the tasting room, bundle up with a warm flannel, and navigate our 11-acre maze under the stars.

Featured Event

4:00 - 5:30 PM

Guided Marquette Vertical Tasting

Marquette is the crown jewel of northern red viticulture—a cold-hardy grape created by the University of Minnesota that delivers robust black fruit, spice, and ruby depth.

During this intimate, ticketed masterclass, Head Winemaker Patricio Aravena will guide guests through a vertical tasting across multiple harvest years. You’ll discover how summer rainfall, winter freezes, and barrel aging transform the character of each vintage.

Get Tickets

Note: Seating is limited to preserve a conversational, salon-style setting. Reserve your masterclass seat online in advance.

End-of-Summer Wine Sales: Stock Your Rack

Harvest festival day is also our biggest cellar sale of the year. If your home wine rack is looking bare ahead of the holiday season, take advantage of these exclusive on-site festival specials:

BOGO Free Select Wine Bottles: Buy one bottle, get a second select bottle free to mix and match your favorites.
$7 Wine Slushies: Available at the outdoor bar all day long.
Wine & Wood-Fired Flavor: Take $5 off when you pair any Hawaiian pizza with any bottle of Rolling Forks wine.

(Special offers are valid in-person on Saturday, September 26, 2026, while supplies last).

Woman carrying wine at Rolling Forks Vineyards in Glenwood Minnesota

Build a Fall Weekend Getaway in Glenwood:

Don’t rush home after the sun sets. The Glacial Ridge region of West Central Minnesota is packed with scenic drives, quiet hiking trails, and cozy shoreline lodgings.

Where to Stay

GrandStay Hotel & Suites (Glenwood): Located less than 10 minutes from the vineyard, offering comfortable suites and an indoor pool.
Peters’ Sunset Beach Resort (Lake Minnewaska): Classic Minnesota lakefront resort living with cottages, private docks, and unmatched lake views.
Alexandria Lake Area Stays (20 minutes away): Alexandria offers a broad selection of hotels, boutique lake rentals, and resorts like Arrowwood.

Sunday Morning Add-Ons Before Heading Home

Coffee & Bakery: Stop into downtown Glenwood for fresh pastries and coffee at Gather.
Minnewaska State Park / Glacial Lakes State Park: Hike the rolling prairie kames and kettle lakes just 15 minutes south of the vineyard.
Antiquing in Alexandria: Spend a Sunday morning browsing vintage shops along Alexandria’s historic Broadway corridor.

Getting to Rolling Forks Vineyards

We are located right off Selnes Road, just minutes from downtown Glenwood:

Address: 21505 Selnes Road, Glenwood, MN 56334
Phone: (320) 634-7655

Estimated Driving Distances

From Alexandria, MN: ~25–30 minutes (US-29 S)
From Willmar, MN: ~50 minutes (US-71 N to MN-28 W)
From Fergus Falls, MN: ~1 hour (I-94 E to MN-29 S)
From St. Cloud, MN: ~1 hour 15 minutes (I-94 W to MN-55 W)
From Fargo / Moorhead: ~1 hour 45 minutes (I-94 E to MN-29 S)
From Twin Cities (West Metro): ~2 hours 15 minutes (I-94 W or MN-55 W)

Plan Your Visit

Admission to the vineyard grounds, artisan market, and live music is open to the public. Corn maze passes can be secured at the door or pre-booked online. Guided Tasting tickets must be booked online prior to the event.

Ready to roll out the barrels with us?

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