Carlos Creek Winery

About Carlos Creek Winery

Carlos Creek Winery has hosted visitors outside Alexandria since 1999 and describes itself as Minnesota's largest winery. The 190-acre property holds the vineyard and winery, the 22 Northmen Brewing taproom, a Grand Hall for weddings and events, and the Bold North Trail. Wines include Hot Dish Red, MinnTerra Rose, Minnescato and a Minnesota Nice series, and Big Bruno hard cider, named for the winery's rescue dog, is poured on tap and in cans.

The winery tasting room is open every day, with flights served daily until 30 minutes before closing. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, one-hour guided walking tours of the winery and vineyard include two samples and a souvenir glass. The brewery stays open a little later than the winery, and in winter it rents snowshoes. The big event is the Grape Stomp on the second weekend after Labor Day: three days of grape-stomping contests, more than 12 bands on four stages, vendors and costume contests. Friday and Saturday are 21 and over, and Sunday is open to all ages.

For food, Stoke Pizza bakes wood-fired pizzas with house-made dough and a Sunday brunch pizza, and in summer the Sizzle and Spritz trucks add comfort food, Italian plates and gelato. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, except food for infants and toddlers. Children are welcome with an adult but must stay seated at tables, and the fall calendar adds family days, pop-up shops and a Minnesota-made Christmas market.

The closest lavender farm in our directory, Morning Glory Valley near Jordan, is more than two hours southeast, so this works better as its own lakes-country outing.

What to do

• Order a wine flight in the tasting room
• Take the one-hour vineyard and winery tour, Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Try Big Bruno hard cider or a 22 Northmen lager
• Eat wood-fired pizza from Stoke, including Sunday brunch pizza
• Stomp grapes at the Grape Stomp, mid-September
• Rent snowshoes at the brewery in winter
• Shop the Minnesota-made Christmas market

Season, hours and prices

Season

Open year-round; vineyard tours Memorial Day to Labor Day; Grape Stomp the second weekend after Labor Day

Hours

Posted on their website (checked October 2026): winery Mon–Tue noon–6, Wed–Sat noon–8, Sun 11–6; brewery Mon–Tue noon–7, Wed–Sat noon–9, Sun 11–7

Admission

Free to visit. Wine flights $13–30 per person as posted in October 2026; Grape Stomp tickets sold separately from March 1

Good to know

Age

21 or older to taste or drink alcohol

Dogs

Leashed (outdoors only, not in buildings or on the trail)

Accessibility

Accessible parking and pick-up in the lot between the Grand Hall and the winery

Reservations

Walk-in; no reservations, seating is first come, first served

Tips for your visit

• No outside food or drinks are allowed, except food for infants and toddlers
• Groups over 20 should contact the winery before visiting the tasting room
• Grape Stomp tickets go on sale March 1, and stomping tickets are sold separately
• Plan a designated driver before you head out

Pair it with a lavender farm

Morning Glory Valley · about 130 minutes away

Morning Glory Valley near Jordan is a little over two hours southeast, so plan the lavender and the winery as separate days.

Getting there

• Address: 6693 County Road 34 NW, Alexandria, MN 56308
• Phone: 320-846-5443
• Website: carloscreek.com

Questions

Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free