Not only is Cedar Ridge the only winery AND distillery in Iowa, Cedar Ridge became the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition in 2005.
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Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery

4.7
·764 reviews·Swisher, United States

Savor award-winning Iowa bourbon, delicious wood-fired pizza, and stunning vineyard views at Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekend Afternoons

Lively atmosphere, full menu

CrowdHigh
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Not only is Cedar Ridge the only winery AND distillery in Iowa, Cedar Ridge became the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition in 2005.

Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery

Best Time

Weekend Afternoons

Lively atmosphere, full menu

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Savor award-winning Iowa bourbon, delicious wood-fired pizza, and stunning vineyard views at Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery.

4.7
(764 reviews)

"A great spot to connect hang out and have fantastic food and fun drinks."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Distillery Tours

Tours are highly recommended for an insightful experience. Book ahead to secure your spot! 🎟️

🍕 Don't Skip the Pizza

The wood-fired pizzas are a standout! Perfect with their wines and spirits. 🍕

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 764 reviews

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bourbon and Whiskey Tastings

Bourbon and Whiskey Tastings

Distillery Tasting Room

Sample award-winning Iowa bourbon and single malt whiskey. A must-try for spirits enthusiasts!

Wood-Fired Pizza

Wood-Fired Pizza

Winery Restaurant

Enjoy delicious, flavorful pizzas with a great view. The perfect pairing for your drinks.

Scenic Vineyard Views

Scenic Vineyard Views

Outdoor Seating Areas

Relax and soak in the beautiful rolling hills and forested landscapes surrounding the winery.

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Planning Your Visit

Set Expectations for Iowa Bourbon

While Cedar Ridge offers a fantastic experience, remember it's Iowa bourbon. Reviews suggest setting expectations appropriately, but many find the single malt and bourbon enjoyable. The pizza and views are consistently praised, making it a worthwhile stop right off the highway.Reddit

Book Tours and Tastings in Advance

Popular tours and tastings, especially those led by knowledgeable guides like Ashton, can fill up quickly. Booking ahead ensures you don't miss out on the full Cedar Ridge experience, including their excellent food and beverage options.Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekend Afternoons
Why
Lively atmosphere, full menu
Crowd
High
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Quieter tours, relaxed vibe
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

I write a blog on "off the beaten path" wineries, and my latest post is on Iowa! But I need your help: what did I miss?

Hello everyone, My name is Steven, and I'm a blogger who writes about "off the beaten path" travel and wineries. I was completely fascinated by Iowa's wine scene, particularly the Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA, and decided it had to be my next feature. The scenery is even…

🎯 Book Distillery Tours

Tours are highly recommended for an insightful experience. Book ahead to secure your spot! 🎟️

🍕 Don't Skip the Pizza

The wood-fired pizzas are a standout! Perfect with their wines and spirits. 🍕

reddit.com

Show me what you got! Here in CR for the month, where do I need to go?? Hiking, foodie spots, distilleries, caves, historic spots, hidden gems etc.

Check out Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher. They make wine too if you're into that. Pretty expensive but also you get a ton of free samples so it evens out. Maybe like 15-20 minutes away from CR depending on where you're staying A lot of the hiking spots are closed by storm…

reddit.com

Americans of /r/bourbon I need a craft distillery suggestion in every state

I'm filming a webseries about craft distilleries, and I need some cool ones, especially if they have a good story. Except for Florida cause we filmed there already. Doesn't need to be bourbon, but does need to be whiskey. Any ideas?

🚗 Easy Freeway Access

Conveniently located just off Highway 389, making it a great stop. 🚗

🥂 Enjoy the Views

Take time to appreciate the gorgeous vineyard and rolling hill scenery. :camerawithflash:

reddit.com

What’s The Best Whiskey You’ve Had Outside of the Most Common Whiskey Regions?

I’m talking about whiskeys outside of the US, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. I prefer Scotch, Irish, and Japanese style whiskeys (so I’m not really into corn whiskeys), but I’m open to hearing any suggestions.

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Distillery Tours

Tours are highly recommended for an insightful experience. Book ahead to secure your spot! 🎟️

🍕 Don't Skip the Pizza

The wood-fired pizzas are a standout! Perfect with their wines and spirits. 🍕

🚗 Easy Freeway Access

Conveniently located just off Highway 389, making it a great stop. 🚗

🥂 Enjoy the Views

Take time to appreciate the gorgeous vineyard and rolling hill scenery. :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.7
(764 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Cedar Ridge for its superb pizza, flavorful drinks, and beautiful vineyard views, making it a worthwhile stop right off the highway. While the spirits are a highlight, some suggest managing expectations for Iowa bourbon. The facility is top-notch, and the staff, particularly for events, receives high marks for service.

"Superb pizza and great view. Flavorful drinks. Lovely house salad with yummy dressing. The server seemed discombobulated and underwhelmed with their job. Right off 389, so definitely worth a stop. It is IOWA bourbon, so be sure to set your expectations at the right level. A great spot to connect hang out and have fantastic food and fun drinks. We could have stayed longer."

Jeremy Perigo

"This is a place we have wanted to visit for a long time and finally we were able to do that. It is located just off of the freeway a couple of miles and easy to find. It is a beautiful setting and the facilities are top notch! I really enjoyed their single malt whiskey and also their bourbon. The pizza was most excellent and our server was friendly and helpful."

Keith

"Had an awesome tour, tasting, and lunch at Cedar Ridge Distillery on 11/20/25. Our guide, Ashton couldn't have been better! The bourbon tasting and food were outstanding! Thanks to Ashton and the folks at Cedar Ridge for a great day!!"

Dean Rockweiler

What People Like

Superb pizza and drinks
Beautiful vineyard views
Excellent distillery tours

What People Dislike

Set expectations for Iowa bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery is conveniently located just off Highway 389, making it easily accessible by car. Many visitors mention its straightforward access from the freeway, making it a perfect stop during a road trip.Reddit

Yes, ample parking is available for visitors at Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery. You'll find it easy to park upon arrival.

While public transportation options are limited in this area, it's best to plan your visit with a personal vehicle or rideshare service for convenient access.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the grounds is generally free, but specific experiences like distillery tours and tastings require tickets. It's highly recommended to book these in advance, especially for popular times.Reddit

Operating hours can vary seasonally and by day. It's always best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing times.

Absolutely! Cedar Ridge offers engaging distillery tours that are highly praised for their knowledgeable guides. Booking in advance is strongly advised to secure your spot.Reddit

Yes, Cedar Ridge offers various tasting options for both their wines and spirits. These are a popular way to sample their offerings and are often part of the distillery tour experience.Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can enjoy distillery tours, wine and spirit tastings, savor delicious wood-fired pizzas, and take in the beautiful vineyard views. It's a great spot to relax and connect.Reddit

While the focus is on wine and spirits, families can enjoy the scenic setting and the pizza. However, keep in mind that tastings and tours are for adults.

Visitors rave about the gorgeous views of the vineyards, rolling hills, and surrounding forested areas. It's a beautiful setting to enjoy your food and drinks.Reddit

Yes, Cedar Ridge is a fabulous venue for events like rehearsal dinners, with staff and services receiving high praise for making occasions fantastic.Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Cedar Ridge is known for its superb wood-fired pizzas, which are flavorful and highly recommended. They also offer other menu items like house salads with yummy dressing.Reddit

Reviews consistently highlight the excellent food, particularly the pizza. Many visitors mention it as a fantastic culinary experience alongside their drinks.Reddit+1

While specific dietary options aren't detailed in reviews, the pizza menu often allows for customization. It's best to inquire directly with the restaurant about current offerings.

📸 📸 Photography

The scenic vineyard views, rolling hills, and forested areas offer beautiful backdrops. The winery's architecture and outdoor seating areas also make for great shots.Reddit

The picturesque setting with vineyards and natural landscapes makes Cedar Ridge an ideal location for engagement and wedding photos.

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