Loved these wines. The staff were very friendly and clearly enjoyed their jobs. Loved discussing…read morethe history of the winery and wines with them. The wines run slightly on the sweeter side, but the dry wines were in fact dry (and yummy). Loved the atmosphere too- options for being inside and outside (on a deck overlooking vineyards). They do have light fare food options though I didn't try any of it. Love that their grapes are all estate grown. And it's the oldest winery in Iowa!

What a gem! Yesterday I enjoyed a great afternoon of music and sunshine on the grounds of the…read morewinery. This was my first visit, but it will not be my last. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the winery hosts an outdoor concert. The cover charge is only $5 a head and is worth every penny. I must admit I didn't partake of any wine yesterday, but maybe next time.

I was able to attend a small event recently at Speckled Hen Farm encompassing Speckled Hen and a…read morecouple of businesses they closely partner with including Covered Bridges Winery. Kevin from Covered Bridges Winery was an excellent host and let us know about their business in the same way as our hosts from Speckled Hen Farm and Lone Oaks Farms did. Where they started, where they are now, and what they have coming up. He offered tasting of 8-10 different wines from sweet to dry of his different blends. I tried the St. Croix (dry red), Frontenac Gris (dry red), LaCrescent (dry white), Marquette (dry white), Petite Rose (dry rose), and Rattlesnake Red (semi-sweet red). I'm not a huge wine drinker...some over the years...and I know my taste leans to dry and not overly sweet. I enjoyed all the samples I tried; both red and white! Ask Kevin about how the name rattlesnake red came to be...! Since we were on the Speckled Hen property we didn't get the full winery experience, but Kevin had the same enthusiasm as Kris (our host from Speckled Hen Farm) and Luann (our host from Lone Oaks Farms). You can tell why they all partner together so well! Winterset is just a 30ish min drive from where I live in Clive. A trip to the Northern part of Ankeny or to the South side can take me just as long...so it's really not far away at all and it's a nice drive. If you're like me and you enjoy a little bit of a day trip to find new things... It's worth the short drive from the metro! Check out upcoming events at Covered Bridges Winery on their Facebook page and site (as well as those for Speckled hen Farm and Lone Oaks Farms on their respective pages). https://coveredbridgeswinery.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CoveredBridgesWinery

Good wine, great service and nice location…read more I stopped here with Harvest Hosts for an overnight stay. It was packed when i got there with live music and a packed house. One of the owners saw me trying to find a place to park and pointed me to the best area to park, said after the band was over people would think out and I could park anywhere i wanted on the grounds. After getting setup i came in and grabbed a bottle of red wine and a charcuterie plate. The owners and staff were wonderful, the wine was great and the music was fantastic!! I had a great time staying with them and if i lived in the area i know i wold be there often.

sadly, i have no pictures of our delicious repast. even more vexing, no pictures of my lovely pinor…read morenoir. i entered the establishment. had i died and no one told me? the area is beautiful and spacious, it does not smell like fried foods. at a long bar, people were delicately sipping various wines, while other people perused the open air shop. everything was so clean and airy. we had made reservations for four people, and were promptly seated. of course, i immediately forgot our server's name, i'm quite daft that way. but she was lovely and so very attentive. of course, i started with a full bodied pinot noir, while two of my seatmates looked at me in askance, as it was only noon. however my grape loving friend ordered a white wine, to keep my wine glass company. we were brought warm bread and butter, our orders were quickly taken. one person had gnocchi carbonara; the presentation was beautiful, and she said it was amazing, but man, i just can't get down with gnocchi. however, that thought was strictly between me and my wine, which sadly, was looking suspiciously close to empty. but i digress... i had the classic cheeseburger, without the cheese. i didn't want the seasoned mayonnaise either, but just asked for it on the side, since i didn't want to be a diva and refuse both cheese and mayonnaise. the hamburger and onion strings were gloriously yummy. i ordered another glass of wine to celebrate this delicious food - served HOT. i know a barbeque ranch chicken salad was ordered. i do not recall the fourth dish, as i was involved with cutting my hamburger in half. they offer a brunch and bubbles and wine o'clock! what in the delicious sorcery?? there is also a wine club - it's not even disguised as a tasteful book club - it's a blatantly open wine club. i almost amazoned a flapper dress to my table. atmosphere - tasteful/airy service - amazing food - delicious wine - always appreciated

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $36 08/15/2026 Tonight's stop included our first ever dinner on their outside patio and while it did start raining during our meal, we were protected and enjoyed the experience. We started with a Spiced Watermelon Paloma (see picture) and Summer Berry Spritzy Sangria (see picture) - both of which were very tasty and quite refreshing. For our meals, my wife ordered the Cooper's Hawk Chicken Giardiniera (see picture) and I opted for the Blackened Mahi Sandwich (see picture). We both enjoyed our meals as well as the samples that we shared with each other - so would definitely order them again and recommend them. While I was disappointed with our first visit and find the lighting quite poor inside the restaurant in the evenings, the food, drink and atmosphere are consistently very good.

Great selection and reasonably priced. Found a unique Tequila. Friendly service and helpful.read more

A couple friends and I decided to try this little place out. It's located amidst a couple other…read moreplaces in a small strip "mall" type area. The outside was pretty cool with their signage and decor. Once inside, it was bigger than it appeared from outside. There were several tables both low and high top with lots of room to move. Many were playing card and board games while enjoying a beer. It was close to the end of the night on a Friday and they had a guy walking around with some pizza for sale right on site. Good deal! We tried 4 different beers and they were all pretty dang tasty. My personal favorite was the Greenbelt Trail Mile #4 (Hazy IPA). It had a lot of flavor and perfect for a hazy. I'd definitely visit 515 Brewing again when I'm in the neighborhood for a tasty beverage!

Good beer and close to the bike path. Coincidence? I think not. Have a good time with good food…read moreand beer and then avoid the Po Po on the way home.

The Firetrucker was created and raised on the shoulders of a great man, and the legend continues…read more This has become a local standout as far as breweries go! They have embraced the locals as well as the biking crowd. Being right off the high trestle trail they are perfectly located to serve the 2-wheel crowds! With occasional live music and always having a food truck roll in it is a great place to drink fantastic beers and handmade cocktails while enjoying a snack or meal from the revolving food offerings. The staff are always friendly and quick to fill your drink orders. In addition to that they have a massive selection of board and card games to help pass the time with your friends and family! Go check it out!

Great place for live music! Smaller patio but still good size. Picnic tables. Looks like you could…read moremaybe bring your own chairs. A few snacks sold inside. Huge beer menu. We had Jell-O shots on the 4th! Very friendly staff! Would definitely go back & recommend . Check it out!

There's something quietly rare about The Rabbit Room--it doesn't try to impress you, it lets you…read moreexhale. From the moment you walk in, the space invites you to slow your pace and settle in. The atmosphere feels intentional without being overdone--warm, a little literary, and deeply human. Whether you're there with someone you care about or just carving out a pocket of time for yourself, it creates this natural opening for real conversation... or quiet presence. It's the kind of place where time loosens its grip a bit. The offerings follow that same spirit. A thoughtfully curated wine list that feels both elevated and approachable, alongside simple, well-chosen bites--pizzas, charcuterie, small desserts, and even ice cream with lovely, memorable flavors that feel like a small delight you didn't know you needed. Coffee and non-alcoholic options round it out beautifully, making it just as inviting for an afternoon reset as an evening unwind. And the books woven into the space? They're not decoration--they're part of the experience, like a gentle invitation to linger a little longer. What really stands out, though, is the care behind it all. Jamie Farrington and the team have a way of making everything feel seamless--the hospitality is present, attentive, but never intrusive. There's a grace to how the space is held that you can feel without needing it pointed out. If you go, don't skip the wine tastings--they're one of the best ways to experience what this place does so well: slowing things down just enough for you to actually taste, notice, and enjoy. It's not just a wine lounge--it's a place to remember what it feels like to be here.

The wine is interesting, the drinks are delightfully creative and DELISH. There are small bites we…read morehaven't tried but look good. Owner was fun to talk to. Will definitely go back. Excellent spot to sit and read a book and have a beverage.

Lua is a great spot for a group dinner, drinks with friends, or grabbing some food at the bar. They…read morealso have a nice patio and outdoor seating. The staff was super friendly and attentive. It does get busy, though, so it can take some time to be waited on. The vegan mushroom French dip was phenomenal! A friend and I shared the sandwich and fries, along with the vegan miso mac with tofu, and everything was SO good! The bread was soft, the sauce took me back, and the mushrooms were . The sandwich got the right kind of soggy, soaking up all that delicious sauce. And they have THE BEST fries, which are mostly soft shoestring fries. IYKYK. The miso mac is spicy, so you may want to request the chili sauce on the side or ask them not to stir it all in. So grateful they have a vegan menu (don't forget to ask for it ) and that they're continuing to expand their vegan options!

Just left here. Had high hopes as I had been wanting to try Lua for a while, so I thought, while…read morein Des Moines... It was hot out so we sat inside at the bar. It was a touch past lunchtime but the bar area was still busy, yet had seats open. We sat at the end and after some time was given some a water carafe and 2 small glasses (with no ice). She (never gave us her name) then came back for our drink order. And immediately asked for food, which we were not ready for. We gave her our drink order, after that we never seen her again. Sat there awhile. For so long we started looking at other restaurants around to eat. Then we she finally looked our way my husband made a motion to pay so we could just leave. Name on the receipt said AM B. Needless to say, we won't be back. Nor will we ever recommend it.