little swan lake winery

A great time outside with fantastic weather, wine and fun. The trumpet soloist was over the top! The wines are always a treat and the friendly low key atmosphere is fun. scott and Diane always make it relaxing

I really enjoy going to chick's flicks and wine here with my friends and meeting new ones. The owners are very nice and easy to talk to and you can tell they love their job.

This is worth the trip to the country! Located on a beautiful buffalo farm, overlooking Little Swan Lake, this winery invites you into their barn to taste and shop their wine and gift selection. Come when they have live music and you'll really be in for a treat! They even serve meals made with buffalo at certain times. They've also added a Bed & Breakfast that is just amazing...you just have to be able to climb stairs. A great place to go for an afternoon, an evening or for a weekend! Enjoy!

While spending a couple of days in Estherville, IA, we returned for our second visit to Little Swan Lake Winery for a little wine tasting. Although the winery is still on the "winter schedule," Scott graciously welcomed us to the tasting room/gift shop. We enjoyed visiting with Scott while sampling several wines. After asking about our wine preferences, he made recommendations about which wines to taste. We were not disappointed. He also answered several questions that we had about the area. After making our wine purchases, we bid Scott good-bye and promised to return next time we are in the area. On our next visit we hope the timing is such that we can attend the "Thursday and/or Sunday events" where there will be food, entertainment and fun.

Saturday morning we left Estherville and took a drive west on Hwy. 9. At Superior, we found the road to Little Swan Lake Winery. We drove north on a scenic route that took us to Little Swan Lake where we turned around and went back to the lane that led to the winery. When we entered the winery, a converted barn or out building, we were greeted by two ladies who immediately made us feel welcome. After looking around at the displays of merchandise, we moved over to the "bar" where we proceeded to sample several wines. Not only does the lady with the Australian accent (Sorry that I don't remember her name) know her wines, but she also has a wealth of information on using the wines in cooking and on pairing them with a variety of foods. We were entertained with a sample of the beautiful voice of our Aussie wine presenter and were disappointed that we were not able to return on Sunday for the bison dinner and entertainment. Our intention had been to sample wine and buy a couple of bottles. But we found so many of the wines to our liking that we came home with a box of different wines. We look forward to enjoying them and sharing them when we entertain. Each time we open a bottle it will "take us back" to the Little Swan Lake Winery and we will remember the pleasant time we experienced that Saturday morning. Cheers!

I look forward to visit and enjoy an unusual evening each year on our vacation. First, you wine taste some different and great wine. I love the blue bottled wine. Then you go into the barn and listen to Bobby as she entertains you. She is fabulous. Where can you go, that has a lovely lake, buffalo roaming, cold wine, munchies and wonderful music all in one. What a perfect evening!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Little Swan Lake Winery and Bed and Breakfast. The winery is in an old barn and the bedrooms are in an attached grain elevator that has been remodel and is very nice. We had the Buffalo room - top floor and had great views off the attached deck. The bed was comfortable, as was the wooden soaker tub. The breakfast, three courses, was delicious. The wine is good and there was music in the winery the evening we stayed. Scott and Diane are great host and Diane is a superb cook. They also raise buffalos, which can be viewed from the winery and the bed and breakfast area.

While visiting my daughter working her summer job at Camp Foster YMCA nearby we decided to check out the local winery. What a pleasant surprise! The owners (Scott and Diane) are a great couple passionate about their hobby turned into a great business. not only are the wines terrific, they also have a buffalo herd outside that they raise (which they have processed into some terrific sausage) and finally a great bed and breakfast...oh yeah I almost forgot about the Aussie entertainment they have on staff who sings a few times a week and the balance entertains guests with her great sense of humor. Finally if you are a graduate or student of the University of Northern Iowa you can learn the UNI fight song or join in if you know it! ...ask Diane not Scott to help!We loved it and hope to get back with my wife soon!P.S. my wife and I drank the bottle of Zinfandel 2007 (Scott's special barrel!) when i returned home and it was terrific!

The Winery is a short drive from the Iowa Great Lakes, and not what one would expect. Yes, the vines are visable from the dirt(sometimes very rutty) road, but also many buffalo are roaming the hillsides near Little Swan Lake! (I didn't see any swans.) The business is located in a large red barn complete with a silo, which is a bed-and-breakast. Every Thursday evening(6-8) is a great Happy Hour with free entertainment and appetizers(a jar for "tips" is nearby), and of course wine for purchase($1 off per bottle). The Tasting Room has every wine offered for sampling - you can try each one if you want(not recommended!) . Your selection(s) are uncorked and come with glasses. There are many wine-related items for sale in the Room too. The barn has a small stage for "Awesome Aussie" singer Billie James, a talented lady. Seating in the rustic room is limited, so reservations are needed. There are other musical entertainers on other days, including Sunday afternoons where a complete buffalo meal is served at 5PM. The proprietors(Scott and Diane Benjamin) raise their own bison; the meat is also available to buy. LSLW is really a great place to relax and have a really fun experience!

This was a fun place to go with the wife. We spent part of the day here while the kids were with the grandparents.