Elk Horn Winery: Where to Find a Winery Near Elk Horn, Iowa
Updated
There is no winery operating inside Elk Horn, Iowa itself. The closest option for most people searching "Elk Horn winery" is Danish Countryside Vines & Wines, a family-owned winery in nearby Exira, Iowa, at 1398 280th St, Exira, IA 50076. It is open daily with extended winter-season hours and also takes appointments. Before driving out, confirm the day's hours or book a time using the phone number or email below.
Where it is and how to reach it
Danish Countryside Vines & Wines sits on the Petersen farm in Exira, a short drive from Elk Horn in Audubon County. The winery is housed in a restored barn built in 1913, which the family brought back into use between 2003 and 2006.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1398 280th St, Exira, IA 50076 |
| Phone | (712) 764-2991 |
| [email protected] | |
| Setting | Renovated 1913 barn on a family farm |
If you are coming from Elk Horn, treat Exira as the destination and use the street address above rather than a town name in your navigation app.
Hours
The winery lists daily winter-season hours and accepts visits by appointment:
- Monday–Friday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
- By appointment: available outside or alongside these times
Hours can change with the season, so a quick call before a longer drive is worthwhile, especially for weekend visits or groups.
What to expect
The operation is small and family-run, which shapes the visit:
- About 20 different wines are made on site. Loren Christensen, who took over the business with his wife Jennifer in January 2016, manages the vineyard and makes the wines.
- Estate grapes. The first vines were planted in 2003, and 3.5 acres of grapes reached fruit-bearing maturity about five years later.
- A working farm setting. The tasting room is the restored barn, not a separate commercial building, so expect a rural, casual atmosphere rather than a large production facility.
- A family history. The winery grew out of a Christmas 2001 gift: a wine-making kit that Allan Petersen used to start making wine in his basement.
Planning your visit
- Pick a day and check the hours against the schedule above.
- Call (712) 764-2991 or email Loren if you want an appointment, are bringing a group, or are traveling a long distance.
- Navigate to the Exira street address, not to Elk Horn.
- Allow time for a tasting of the roughly 20 wines and a look around the barn.
The main pitfall is assuming a winery exists in Elk Horn and arriving without a destination. Confirm the Exira address and current hours first, and the rest of the trip is straightforward.