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News • South Dakota • United States • 2012-08-24

Wineries – South Dakota’s Hidden Gems

Wine lovers unite – in South Dakota. The Mount Rushmore State offers an exceptional opportunity for wine enthusiasts. From east to west, the diverse terrain of South Dakota is home to a number of wineries, each with their own twist on classic varieties and unique specialties. Your clients can visit our wineries located on the vast farmlands of eastern South Dakota, near the deep and clear waters of the Missouri River, the great prairie grasslands of central South Dakota, and don’t miss our wineries in the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota, located only miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. These wines are crafted by passionate men and women who are creating a taste of South Dakota\'s abundant harvest. Every time you visit is special, and every winery in South Dakota is a unique experience for you and your clients.

The eastern region of South Dakota offers a number of wineries. Valiant Vineyards at Buffalo Run Resort in Vermillion is the oldest winery in the state and is home to a number of delectable wines. There, visitors can sample wines and take a tour of the wine-making facilities. Following Interstate 29, head north to Renner and visit the Strawbale Winery, which was built using bales of straw to help mimic the environment of caves in which wine has traditionally been stored. Travel further north on Interstate 29 and west on US Highway 14 to Volga and the Schadé Vineyard & Winery, one of the first bonded wineries in South Dakota. West of Volga about 185 miles on US Highway 14 is Pierre, where visitors can find ChrisaMari Vineyards and sample wines produced in central South Dakota.

In the west, the geographic center of the nation, Belle Fourche, features the Belle Joli Winery, whose success is a result of the rich, fertile soil of the Black Hills. Continue the journey to Hill City, headquarters for the award-winning Prairie Berry Winery. Located in the heart of the Black Hills, this winery will impress wine and food lovers alike. All across the state, South Dakota’s vast selection of wineries is sure to dazzle wine enthusiasts of all kinds.

Although located far from the well-known lands of California wine country, South Dakota has plenty of opportunities for wine enthusiasts to sample wines made from both imported grapes and South Dakota soil, which integrates another astonishing variable to the bouquet that first-class wines offer. It’s time to explore South Dakota Wine Country and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Travel Professionals Tip

The South Dakota Department of Tourism’s YouTube channel offers a variety of videos which convey the beautiful landscapes and bountiful wildlife the state has to offer. Click here to watch some of our breathtaking footage!

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Featured Itinerary: The Lewis and Clark Trail

Day One

Enter South Dakota from Nebraska on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Your first stop is Heritage Park in Elk Point, just off Interstate 29. The town derived its name from the explorers, whose journals noted much \"elk sign\" in the area. Travel on Highway 50 to Vermillion, where the Spirit Mound visited by Lewis and Clark still stands.

Next, travel to Yankton and tour the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at Gavins Point Dam. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, also near Yankton, offers a host of outdoor activities from biking to canoeing and kayaking. Continue on Highway 50 to the Pickstown/Wagner area, where possible activities include gaming at a tribal casino and a powwow dancing demonstration. Overnight in the Wagner area.

Day Two

Activities today can center on the same area – Pickstown/Wagner. Options include the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, the site of old Fort Randall and the grave of Struck by the Ree, a Yankton chief. Overnight in the Wagner area.

Day Three

Travel north along the Lewis and Clark Trail to Platte. It was in this area that Lewis and Clark recorded seeing smoldering \"volcanic\" bluffs along the river. Travel to Chamberlain via Highway 50 and Interstate 90 and tour the Akta Lakota Museum, which houses Native American artifacts and art. A replica of Lewis and Clark’s keelboat can be seen at the Interstate 90 Information Center. Also available in Chamberlain: boat rentals and horseback riding. From Chamberlain, take Highway 50 north to BIA Highway 4, BIA Highway 10 and then Highway 1806 north as you follow the Native American National Scenic Byway. Choices in this area include tribal casinos at Fort Thompson and Lower Brule, a Lakota culture camp at Lower Brule, or a stop at the Buffalo Interpretive Center on Highway 1806 just seven miles south of Fort Pierre. Overnight in Pierre/Fort Pierre.

Day Four

In the Pierre/Fort Pierre area, your options include a tour of a working buffalo ranch or the Buffalo Interpretive Center. The explorers saw thousands of bison on their journey through South Dakota. Next, visit Fischer\'s Lilly Park in Fort Pierre, the site where Lewis and Clark had their first meeting with the Lakota Sioux at the mouth of the Bad River.

A fascinating exhibit at the Cultural Heritage Center explores Native American culture in South Dakota. A replica of a Jefferson Peace and Friendship Medal, which Lewis and Clark handed out on their journey, also is on display. While in Pierre, be sure to visit the State Capitol. The beautiful 1910 building has been restored to its original splendor. Overnight in Pierre/Fort Pierre.

Day Five

Travel north on Highway 1804 (or Highway 83) toward Gettysburg. At the West Whitlock Recreation Area, visitors can see a replica of an Arikara lodge. Lewis and Clark spent several days with the Arikara during October 1804. Travel north to Mobridge and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where tours can visit a memorial to Sacagawea. Native American step-on guides and tours are available. Depart for North Dakota’s Lewis and Clark sites or visit the beautiful Black Hills in western South Dakota

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