The Winery at Sovereign Estate
Winery · Waconia ·

The Winery at Sovereign Estate

Winery · Waconia ·

Vineyard with award-winning wines, live music, and bistro

The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null
The Winery at Sovereign Estate by null

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9950 N Shore Rd, Waconia, MN 55387 Get directions

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9950 N Shore Rd, Waconia, MN 55387 Get directions

+1 952 446 9957
sovereignestatewine.com
@sovereignestatewine
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@SovereignWinery

$$

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Last updated

Dec 9, 2025

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11 Most Charming Wine Towns in the U.S. - AFAR

"A 30-acre lakefront estate on Lake Waconia producing regional wines and offering scenic vineyard access along the lakeshore." - Ashlea Halpern, Nicholas DeRenzo

https://www.afar.com/magazine/americas-best-small-wine-towns
The Winery at Sovereign Estate

B A

Google
I went for their "Wine down Wednesday" live music event recently, and had a wonderful time. This was my first visit to a winery. The grounds here are absolutely wonderful. The outdoor patio seating, the cabanas, the buildings. Everything was lovely. I had the Frontenac Blanc. I don't know much about wines, but it was delightful. My partner loved the Cameo Rosé. The live music was great. I'll have to try the bistro food menu next time Im in town.

Scott W

Google
We were in town for a funeral. Found this place was having a BeeGees Tribute Show. What an absolutely terrific night. Bought a couple of tickets for the Open Patio area. Although we were not inside the tent, we had a nice view and the sound was very good. The entire grounds were well maintained. Took a stroll through the vineyards which are very picturesque. Got beverages and some food items before the show, Popcorn and Cheese/Meat box. Plenty of space to enjoy the concert. There several bars had good service, and the bathrooms nearby. My main suggestion. Upgrade the Cheese/Meat Box to a real charcuterie option. Crackers, cheese spread, nuts etc, would have been a better choice.

Jeff B

Google
Eagles tribute night: just some constructive criticism for the planners: 50 yard line to buy an $8 beer. Why only 2 bars? Why not a cash only drink tub on each side of the stage? $30 cover to wait in line for 30 minutes for a drink? Wineries are terrible planners in general. Poor business acumen. Kind of a slap in the face.

J A.

Google
We love Minnesota wineries and Sovereign is the best of the best. The people, the grounds, the concerts and other special events, and most importantly, the delicious wine, all add up to a memorable experience that is not to be missed.

Megan F.

Google
Beautiful local winery with helpful staff. They have lovely areas to sit and enjoy a glass. We bought several bottles to enjoy with friends

LeiLani B.

Google
Beautiful grounds and views. I feel that the newly opened restaurant was really the highlight of the winery. We did the wine flight tasting and did not enjoy the wine from the "favorite selection". However the winery itself was very relaxed and beautiful. The wine samples we recieved at the restaurant were fantastic. 3 1/2 stars for wine and 4 stars for the beautiful scenery.

Karrisa A

Google
This place is gorgeous and so picturesque that the only thing that they can improve upon is if they decided to install a small cottage or two for lodging on the premises! As someone from the Twin Cities, it's quite the trek to come out to Waconia. But I enjoy coming to Sovereign Estate because the wine is good, the events are excellent, and the vineyard backdropped by Lake Waconia is just a delightful vignette. However, I can't in good conscience, share a bottle and a half of wine and expect to drive home! (I've used Uber which is expensive, and the wait is long, and Airbnb.) Hence, the plea to have lodging! 😀 I've done their wine tour and tasting , and most recently, the Memorial Day event with a live band and another wine tasting. All were very well done. There is, of course, a wine for everyone's tastes. I really can't recommend this place enough. I also want to mention the plentiful parking, and that the public bathrooms were very clean, and we're flush toilets!

Sharon C.

Google
The music, the location, the atmosphere- and of course, the Wine. It all speaks for itself- give it a visit!
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Ph S.

Yelp
Had an amazing wine tasting on a beautiful Sunday morning. Mary was our server in our private cabana and she was so kind. Your estate is beautiful and I can't wait to visit again. Bought 2 yummy bottles of wine that I cannot wait to open.
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Angela L.

Yelp
This winery is super cute, and we had great servers. We did stop in for the holiday pop up. Admission cost in my opinion was too much for just admission and some lights. It was fun to walk around but there were really no photo ops. Or anything special in my opinion to have a reason to pay $16. Once in the holiday bar, the atmosphere was fun, service was amazing. The cocktails were definitely strong but again pretty pricey considering the admission fee. We ordered some appetizers, but nothing was over the top amazing. The butter board was probably the best of the 3 we got. But lots of bread and not as much butter. If I didn't have to pay admission maybe the price of everything else wouldn't have felt like too much
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Lisa S.

Yelp
We first rode our bikes on the nearby bike trail, knowing the reward of wine would be worth the workout. We signed up for a wine tasting session. Our guide was excellent. We tasted 16 wines, yes you read that right, 16 in combination of whites, reds, roses, and reserves. For $25, it was an excellent experience to learn about the many available options. I ended up wanting 6 bottles then decided I should become a member and get 25% off 12 bottles. Membership is free with the promise you will purchase another 4 bottles 3x year. No problem as I enjoyed many options. If you purchase a case, they even have an option of personal delivery. The grounds are beautiful! There are many outdoor seats. Take a walk to the lake to get a close up of the grapes and lake views. Walk the garden to find your zen. Beautiful, beautiful surroundings. We sat outside after the tasting and ordered a pepperoni pizza and crustinis with cheese spread. It was a perfect lunch to compliment our wine tasting. Loved our visit and can't wait to go back.
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Ben K.

Yelp
I had a friend in town for the weekend and I was looking for a low key, yet special dinner spot! This was such a perfect find. We stopped in to their new Gia at the Lake pop-up and had such a great experience. Plenty of parking available onsite and just a short walk to their Marquette Pavillion, which was the home of the fun, Italian-inspired pop-up Gia at the Lake. The Pavillion overlooks their vineyard, with glimpses of Lake Waconia in the background. A picturesque spot for a romantic or platonic date night! Our server was extraordinary and friendly, although there was some room for improvement as we weren't given silverware or water until after we finished out appetizer. The food menu was small, but intentional! Italian inspired small bites and entrees. Appropriately priced for the serving size. Wine menu was lovely and our server helped us each pick something that fit our unique taste. We had the Zucchini Brushetta to start the meal and it was the highlight of the evening...perfectly toasted bread, whipped goat cheese for some creaminess, topped with lovey salted zucchini. Top notch! We each had the specialty pasta, which was a Calabrian Shrimp with spaghetti. So scrumptious! Well-cooked, lemony shrimp with a slightly spicy tomato sauce spaghetti. Finished the night off with the chocolate torte, paired with creme fraiche. A lovely meal with a gorgeous view! Can't wait to come back out to try something new!
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Kaylie B.

Yelp
I've heard good things about this winery, but I was a little disappointed in our visit. The scenery was gorgeous and there were plenty of spots to sit on the patio, but there wasn't any indoor seating because the inside was just bathrooms and a tasting/purchasing counter. We ordered the wine flight thinking that we were getting a deal, but honestly ordering a bottle that we liked would have been way better since the flights were over priced and you couldn't pick the wines you wanted. There wasn't a lot of guidance from the servers about our options and we all really only liked the red wines. Knowing what I know now, I would order a glass or bottle of what I like and stick with that! I would go back for the ambiance over the wine.
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Darcy W.

Yelp
I really enjoyed Sovereign Winery! It was a gorgeous day in MN. We had the 2 seasonal reds which we all enjoyed. It's a cool and relaxing setting. I would give it 5 stars, but for the price of the wine we drank could we please drink out of glass and not plastic glasses? (I had to buy wine glasses!) There was an event going on that I think took president... FYI the wine was not cheap! I think it might be time to order more glasses! The other 2 wineries we visited had glassware? I will say it is so nice to have some nice winery options here in MN.

Jackie B.

Yelp
Service is definitely not up to par with the prices in the bistro. Paper plate, plastic utensils. Landscape is fantastic as are the concerts but not to eat there.
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Michelle H.

Yelp
Ok, 5 stars for the awesome relaxed setting, and the best Minnesota wine I've had. There are beautiful views of Lake Waconia with vineyards in the foreground, live music most Friday nights and a beautiful looking outdoor setting for the restaurant. The flat breads and cheese 'boards' are basic Minnesota fare but overall I am seriously in love.

Breck K.

Yelp
the Staff are absolutely amazing, helpful and very kind. I was their for an event and it was my first time there and was very impressed with the staff, while their we saw the Owner (Wife) and the turned off on how she treated her staff, she yelled at them in front of everyone, when she could have lowered her voice and talk to them, that was awkward hearing her yell at them in front of all of us, we also ran into her while getting a beverage and once again was turned off at the wife while someone next to us was getting a glass of wine and the wife turns the card reader screen around and said if you would like to tip you can do it here, oh and I am the owner, keep in mind their was already a tip jar on the counter. I could never work for an owner who is disrespectful and rude to their staff. KUDOS to the staff for doing an amazing job and having to put up with her.

Annie K.

Yelp
I came here with my girlfriends and we absolutely love this place! The best wine and shareables! Shoutout to the workers who gave me allergy meds when I had a pretty bad flare up - you guys are the best! We will be back

Kurt K.

Yelp
This is a beautiful lakeside winery on Waconia. Unfortunately, the people who work here are complete a##holes, ambivalently rude, and unwilling to provide any insight on the wine. They all seem like they are the owners entitled kids and are being forced to work there. Avoid the overpriced food especially the so called 'cheese plate'.
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Emilee J.

Yelp
HUGE FAN! Such a beautiful spot for family, friends, and date nights. The wine tours are long, informative and worth the tastings. Word to the wise, come here, buy a bottle and bring your own food for a picnic versus buying from sovereign! It's a personal pizza (which truly wasn't bad) but you could for sure make this the best date night without buying it and sticking to the wine. Absolutely come, you won't regret it! I'll be back this summer.
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Bailey M.

Yelp
Stopped in on a Friday at noon. It wasn't too busy but then more people started arriving between 1-2pm. The staff was very friendly. The wine tastings are preset. There are many options, that range from $10-$20. I liked that they had a few wines that weren't incredibly dry. I typically enjoy the more sweet/refreshing wines and they had those available. The tastings had a nice mix of wines offered. I also like that they have food options so you can enjoy lunch with your wine. We had a pizza and spinach artichoke dip. I wouldn't say it was great, but definitely worth getting if you are hungry. The overall venue is great, plenty of seating options and they have a nice patio for the summer. The one thing that was weird is we had to enter the building through a door labeled restroom. We almost thought they were closed. Make sure you try the restroom door ;) depending where you park.
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Wendy L.

Yelp
really great employees very nice. Very helpful. The two bottles of wine I bought were very good. Thanks to those that helped push me out when I got stuck with my dad.!!!! You went above and beyond what you needed to do and I really appreciate your help! Highly recommend this establishment! Super pleasant place to be!

Sarah S.

Yelp
I've always loved the property, wine, and atmosphere at this winery. I love the events and live music. But the quality of the food and service, the $2 fee to even make a reservation during covid, and the jacked up prices for less quality and quantity each year are frustrating. Beautiful atmosphere, lots of great space outdoors, and great live music. Food changes every time I come but currently 2 person flatbreads for $22 and running out of other options in the middle of a busy Sunday afternoon with a big crowd, but don't allow food to be brought in and never have food trucks like Schram Winery does down the road. The wine is good and some of the people that run it are knowledgeable and nice, but some staff are rude. They change events and don't give refunds for what you originally get tickets for. I love this place but get frustrated with the way staff are and the overpriced products.
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Connie D.

Yelp
This is my favorite winery in Waconia! Their vineyard and property are beautiful! You get great views of Lake Waconia from their vineyard. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and their wines are amazing too! Before my first visit here 3ish years ago, I was always a red wine drinker, but Sovereign Estate has showed me all the wonderful things about white wine too! Now some of my favorite white wines are from here! My favorite wines from their line up are: La Crescent, Frontenac Blanc Reserve, Talon Crest, Blue La Crescent, Patina Gris, Cameo Rose and the Ignatius. Also, sign up for their wine club if you like their wines, it is an awesome deal! You get 15% off bottles and 25% off cases. It is a 12 bottle/year commitment. They hold wine release events 3x/year with a 4 bottle selection at each event with snacks and tastings for wine club members only. Their patio is beautiful and in the summer, I could just lounge out there all day with plenty of seating, a bonfire pit, and views of the lake. They are dog friendly on the patio and also have their resident dog, Duke, roaming around too. He is super friendly and basically the winery mascot.
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Beth M.

Yelp
Came to enjoy wine the football game. Then the tv was removed during the game due to live music. No sound on game, so.... Social distancing not a thing. Several women moving chairs and tables. (That's ok with me!) Bring the game back.
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Lara O.

Yelp
Wow! I've been here twice now and it does not disappoint!! Such an awesome venue to celebrate or just to get out of town and enjoy some delicious wine. I went on a Sunday where they had free live music -jazz! Which was so great to set the mood. Did I mention the wine is good? Try their Rose bubbly, one of my favorites. Also love that the vineyards are only a few yards away with Waconia lake in the background - makes for the perfect backdrop for pictures!!! Highly recommend Sovereign.
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Jesse C.

Yelp
Really nice place, wine is very good from the 3 I tried. The property is absolutely beautiful. For a Minnesota vineyard, this is too notch. Why 4 out of 5? The staff was rude on several occasions. Plus they charge you $2 a person just to sit down and buy their wine. Kinda ass backwards if you ask me.
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Mark V.

Yelp
One negative star. The only way it will acknowledge our existence. Stood out???? Many visits and encouraged friends to visit... Soooo, we arrive. - No Shiraz - Plastic drinking cups. - No cheese tray. - 2 dollars per (4) but will deduct per bottle?? BUT not available??? Settled for cab, (- 2.00) ok but not what we came for. With first time friends, umm. Labor Day weekend Saturday and closing early???? Short staffed? Where's the owner/operator. We are also self employed for MANY YEARS. WTF??? Please respond to this new normal??? WEB site asked, Do you need more? Oh by the way, others just walked by with glass wine glasses and they said we have to buy the bottle of cabernet RESERVE. Apparently nothing else, or inside connections, deserve glass???? Please give me a reason to come back with my friends and explore the original idea of sovereign estates. Sorry for being wordy but wow.
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Barbara L.

Yelp
We love this place the view of the lake from the vineyards the fire pit at night the lights in the winter, the wine! We enjoyed this bottle and had a small pizza and listened to some great music...I slice of Heaven for sure the country is just beautiful. Enjoy can not wait to go back

Joan C.

Yelp
First time at Sovereign Estates. Totally worth the stop. The winery is absolutely beautiful. Better than any place we visited in Napa. If you like reds, I recommend the Rubique. If you like whites, I would recommend the Rose Cameo.

Jen M.

Yelp
Julie was amazing. Very helpful and accommodating and made our visit very pleasant. Had a great time, loved the wine! Thanks, Julie!
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John R.

Yelp
Very knowledgeable staff. Were able to speak in depth as to the specifics of the winemaking process. We stopped in on one of the last warm days of fall (a Friday afternoon) and the place was really busy at about 1 pm. Its a large, beautiful, and well-kept property. They've clearly made a sizeable investment in it and should be proud. Upon seeing a $10 charge to sample five wines you know off the bat it's going to be a little on the spendy side You pair that with some glasses or a bottle of wine and it can add up on you in a hurry. The wine wasn't the greatest I've had but they had a couple of ones that I liked (particularly the Marquette Reserve). They also offer some local craft brews on tap and a small food section featuring a cheeseboard, some pizzas, and a dip. There is plenty of room out back to sit and enjoy a bottle or glass and a lot of greenspace to take a little walk down to a small set of vines with a nice view of Lake Waconia. Once the weather warms back up again it looks like a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. From the signage I saw they also have a live music schedule and the big white tent onsite must be for weddings and whatever else. The sunsets out that way must be nice. Overall, a good experience.
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Kimberly D.

Yelp
Beautiful grounds, great tour, live music and love the bubbles! We were visiting from Dallas and had the opportunity to go to the winery -- what an gorgeous oasis! We were able to try a flight of wines, the bubbles and pinot noir were our personal favorites. It's a great relaxing place to spend a few hours.
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Joan S.

Yelp
Very pretty winery grounds. The "Incredible Dip" was good. But, $10 for five 1 ounce ( not a drop over ) pours is quite expensive to me. And, an $9 glass is 5 oz at best. We usually like semi-dry full bodied reds. This winery does not deliver. Although there are a few whites that do ... also with a high price tag. We usually purchase a bottle of what we like but not here. Not bad, but not great either.

Jay F.

Yelp
None of their employee's were wearing masks as mandated by MN law. Be sure to keep your social distance. "All workers in places of public accommodation are required to wear face masks during work hours. Some localities and businesses mandate face masks in indoor spaces for all workers and customers, and these requirements supersede more general face mask guidance issued in Executive Order 20-74 or in guidance from other state agencies."
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Brooke N.

Yelp
I felt like being "extra" classy at this winery the day that I went. I was clearly feelin' myself in this picture! LOL Be sure to try at least 2-3 of different kinds of wine. They have a big variety to choose from and the scenery is awesome outside
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Daniela G.

Yelp
I went there Saturday night with some friends and was not impressed. You have to order food and wine in separate lines, which is not very convenient. The charge was 20 for 4, 3 oz glasses of wine, which is way overpriced for a wine flight. The wine was not very good either. It was either flat or bitter. It was served in plastic cups in a paper carry tray. Not classy. The food came on a school lunch tray in a plastic box. It was 20 dollars for a cheese tray with nothing special for cheese. It was something I could have gotten at any cheap grocery store for a lot less. Again, not very classy. Fast food is served this way, but I expect more at a winery. There is nothing sovereign about this place. The staff was also useless, and could not even bring out some water or tell our group where we could get water. I will not be going back here again.

kenneth a.

Yelp
Terrible wines charged us a two dollar per person "sitting fee" Staff didn't know anything about wines they served Had to go ask someone in the back when I asked questions Place was over priced and filthy. Schram winery was soooo much better. Go there and avoid this place you'll thank me later
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Mark G.

Yelp
Nice location. Be prepared for a $2 per person cover charge, even if their is no entertainment. Flat bread pizza was good. Wine was okay.
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Ann Marie F.

Yelp
We were here for the Waconia Festival....wowsers! Well organized, and a gorgeous set up! Wine: at a tasting, I HATE ppl that rave over the semi-ok wine, and pay 25$ for something that shouldn't cost over 6. Of the 9 wines on the tasting,, 7 were exceptional! I'm waiting in line right now for an 11$ white and a 14$ rose. Both were things I've NOT HAD anywhere else. Delicious! Venue: beautiful, majestic and SCREAMS WEDDING!! Overall... come here! Worth the drive!!! And the outside tables are a great place to relax and rejuvenate.

Paula H.

Yelp
Thank you so much to Ben and Isaac. We truly appreciated your expertise and friendliness in explaining the process of making wine. We so enjoyed the wine tour along with the delicious boxed lunch. We will be recommending your wine tour to everyone we speak with.
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Andrew A.

Yelp
Went with family to the Christmas lights show. The people were nice, the mulled wine was tasty, and the lights were enjoyable. A little pricey ($10) for the lights portion. Would be nice if they'd throw in a hot cocoa or wine with entrance fee, as I'm not sure it's necessary to pay $10 to see the ljghts, you can just drive through and see 90% of them.
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Colin O.

Yelp
The Wine is Devine! Be sure to come and hang outside during the nice weather. Don't expect to be served though. Even though you have to make reservations ahead of time, there won't be a server. But try the flat breads anyways! Delicious and a wide variety.
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Kaycie L.

Yelp
Sovereign Estate has beautiful grounds and it was great to visit on a sunny, autumn day. I purchased (and recommend) the $10.00 wine tasting which allows you to taste seven wines and keep the wine glass. If you are looking for more "bang for your buck" you may want to try the $15.00 wine tree which allows you to have a two-ounce glass of five different wines (your choice), as well as keep the wine glass. The wine tree is nice because then you can have all of your wine and find a place to sit back and enjoy the view. There are a few reasons I gave Sovereign Estate two stars. First, it would have been nice if there was seating near the tasting bar. When tasting seven wines and trying to visit with friends it would have been more comfortable to sit. Secondly, I wasn't thrilled about the wines. To be honest, I didn't really like any of them (and I'm an avid wine drinker). Finally, I was surprised by the pricing of food for what you receive. My friends and I inquired about the cheese plate (i.e. the price and how much you receive) to find out it was $19.95 for a take out box of cheese and crackers. I understand that cheese is expensive, but that seemed very overpriced. With that being said, the staff members seemed very knowledgable and explained each wine wonderfully. If you are going to visit Sovereign Estates, focus on the beauty of the grounds and the company you are with and hopefully you'll enjoy the wines more than I did. From a Dietitian's Perspective: When venturing on a day of drinking make sure you have a well-rounded, protein-packed meal beforehand. Sometimes when you drink the munchies arise and your decision-making capabilities aren't the best. By having a healthy, satisfying meal beforehand that alcohol may not go straight to your head!
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Shawn S.

Yelp
Sovereign has a nice tasting room - some fairly expensive bites for what you get, OK wines. The servers are a bit more engaging than the other wineries in the area. The parking lot is huge and it does make for a good stop when out in Waconia wine tasting. Overall I am not a fan of the Minnesota attempt at making wine...the beers they make are OK but not worth the drive from the Twin Cities. That said - come for the experience, scenery, vs what you get for the price.
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Craig O.

Yelp
Local wine is an interesting thing. Old world "Europe" drinks local varietals and cheap wine. They generally work well with the local foods and they take a bit of time to get used to if you're a traveler coming thru. Somehow in America, no one has told us that's ok. We're supposed to love all CA wines and now a few from OR and WA. Damn the rest of the country. Well... damn those who push this on the other 47 states. This family in MN is (all in) on developing cold climate grapes and harvesting and making quality wine from these grapes. I used to import. I never liked MN wines. Ever... Until now. The owners son, (an actual vineologist) works the vineyards 12 months a year to harvest. And a very smart winemaker (another son) is crafting really nice wines of many cold climate grape styles. Don't be nervous, these grapes may be (a bit) different than the grapes you drink every day, but, eat them with MN food and you will soon be looking for MN girthed Reds instead of Cab or Zin. And you will turn in your Sweet Whites or Reislings for a number of their beautiful whites that cross the spectrum. I won't name wine names, but everyone either likes Red,Rose or White. Dry, Sweet, Fruity or Flowery, low or high alcohol I won't pretend to tell you what you like, but every wine I tried was (a real wine), not a fake bunch of juice blended with a lot of sugar. (Which is fine if you love that. Really!:) The staff is friendly, the food is approachable and reasonable for a destination location. The view and vibe.... "The most beautiful in MN". And the music. It's every Sunday afternoon all year indoor our out. Pop, Jazz, Folk, Rock, Gospel, Classical, Euro folk, Americana, Country. You never know. They have concerts and series from Spring to Fall. Local, Regional and National. Dogs are welcomed, and the light show from fall to new years (sync'd to radio) with a market and carolers and Santa and Lama's? Yes lama's (I'm guessing it's the closest to Reindeer they can get, but everyone wants to pet them, and no, they will not fly if you give them wine.) It's family fun for one and all. In fact check out all the MN winerys in the area.They are all different. Support local. In my mind, and tastebuds and ears, the Winery at Sovereign Estate is the best winery in MN. Tasting Sessions with staff and private sessions with winemaker I'm told are available. Exclusive Private Dinners as well. Wedding Receptions in the Pavillion are sold out. Honestly, I'm an entertainer and a foodie, I've actually entertained in this place for a number of years and that's how I fell in love with it. So much that I'm out of retirement and working with them again. Come relax, enjoy the best view and the best local wines. Shop local, Eat local, Drink local ! If you want to talk wine, look me up if I'm on property or entertaining, I'd love to say hello and help you "find your wine":) My only negative? Not alot of Hotels, B&B community down there yet, so be responsible and bring a D.Driver or Uber it. Did I say I like this place..
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Kelsey N.

Yelp
Admittedly not a wine expert - rating based on atmosphere. I would recommend buying a bottle of wine if you like it. It's the best deal at the place! This is a fun and family friendly spot. I wish they were open later into the evening. The pizza is tasty and I love the sangrias. We've been out for a few special events - and always enjoyed the music and activity. If they continue to host a 4th of July event - I highly recommend it.

Sue K.

Yelp
My favorite MN winery with beautiful grounds, great wine and fabulous entertainment! Last night we saw Craig T. Olson and band give an amazing live show of Billy Joel songs. Excellent vocals, arrangements, talented musicians that was non stop fun and singing along enjoying this exceptional show! Everyone had a great time. Staff all wore masks, very friendly and attentive. We have a great time every time we go here and will be back again soon. So worth the drive!

Joseph C.

Yelp
Apparently, cannot be bothered to answer their phones - tried calling them several days in a row during normal hours of operation, but nobody there seems to know how to respond to a ringing telephone??? They have an automated line where you are directed to select an option to supposedly speak to a real person, but ultimately nobody answers. Instead, you are asked to leave a message so that they can return your call. Sorry, but they simply appear to be lazy or screening calls. So, since you cannot answer a simple phone call in the middle of the day, (including your #2 option for customer service), then that most likely tells me all I need to know about your level of service as a real business(?) I'm choosing to make my plans elsewhere this weekend. Seriously - as a business, you might want to take a lesson in attending to potential customers and get a clue...
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Chelsea W.

Yelp
Sovereign Estate is hands down, my favorite winery in Waconia! The staff here is always pleasant and their wine is great! They have beautiful grounds too, that overlook Lake Waconia. In the summer months, my husband and I always bring our dog and sit out on their patio to enjoy the sunshine with a glass of wine or two. They serve local craft beer and small appetizers, too. Make a trip out to Waconia and check this place out--you won't regret it!
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K D.

Yelp
LOVE this place! Such beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. We bought a bottle of wine and some of the seasonal bavarian soft pretzels with beer cheese dip(omg...Outstanding!!). Enjoyed them in some chairs on the lawn overlooking the lake. They are very helpful in answering questions you may have on different wines.
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Stephen S.

Yelp
My favorite place to visit. They have a beautiful outdoor patio and tent for weddings. They have food and a beautiful friendly black retriever to greet you. We took a limo tour to visit and was pleasantly pleased. They had great selections but there is a cost to wine tasting. The place has charm and was wonderfully situated near a lake. There wines are very good and reasonably priced. Very disability conscious and walkable. The staff couldn't have been more friendly and funny.
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Sally M.

Yelp
This is a Napa caliber winery in small town America! They always have fun and interesting things to do. The Holidays are very special here and you can walk or take a ride through the beautiful xmas lights . Bonfires add to the ambience!
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Milo M.

Yelp
Very nice place. Solid selection of wines. Comfortable place to hang out with your spouse or whomever. Nice lunch menu. A must visit!!!
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Ann S.

Yelp
Very nice place... Food was excellent! The French dip and the kale & sausage soup as well as the baked Brie bowl were all fantastic! We visited as part of a 10-person limo tour and they were a bit surprised to see us, but that may have been a problem on the side of the limo company vs. the winery. I recommend the $8 tasting which allows you to taste 5 wines and you get to keep your wine glass.

Emily R.

Yelp
This is my favorite winery so far in MN! For both the wine and the ambiance. The 5-glass wine flights have substantial (3oz.) pours, and I actually enjoyed most of the reds I tried (which is usually not the case for MN winerys... I lived in France so I have high standards!). Even my father-in-law, who is very picky about his wine, found a reserve red he enjoyed. The patio has a great ambiance, and you can bring your dog. They have food onsite (which was casual and very basic), or you can bring your own in the picnic section (what I would probably recommend). However, if you do want their food the cheese and summer sausage plate was nice. (Pizzas.... not so much... very bland). If you're looking for a fun outing I highly recommend Sovereign Estate!
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Jon F.

Yelp
The family that runs this winery, makes great food. Coupled with their decent wine their passion has created a successful business with going to. The winter brings an incredibly display of Christmas lights, the summer a scenic view of the lake over the fields of grapes.