Barrel Head Winery

Was educated today on tasting with top and bottom of your tough and nose. Owner was nice invited back to grill on patio. We will return!!!

Tasting room and retail for craft estate wines not available through distribution. We spent a great afternoon chatting with the owner about his wines. A great variety of international award winning wines. Some fruit, mostly red and dry wines, all very smooth and drinkable.
No food available, but he does have grills available if you want to bring food and have a picnic.

A hidden gem. Almost don’t want to write this review as I am sure once they are found there won’t be any wine left for us… lol
John and Karen Burns are the owners of this small ESTATE winery just south of Dubuque. I did not really want to go to just another midwest winery with what I think are generally just sweet wines but my wife convinced me as she had been told good things.
When we showed up the business hours posted that they were closed and we started back to the car. Then heard a voice that said «Hello» and Karen invited us in. Out came the glasses and wines that we have never tasted from this area. OMG a good rich dry wine in Iowa? TRUE
I could go on and on and bore you but will cut to the chase… They have competed and won at least six medals, have two champagnes (which are called Campenoise) here since it’s not from France, that scored 90 or above and won Silvers against some of the best world renowned wine makers.
They also have an open grill so groups can bring their meat on grill on site. Grounds are meticulous.
I don’t know their hours so it is probably best to call.
We run a B&B not far from Barrel Head so we will send our guests to this small treasure for sure.