Beer, Wine & Spirits in Des Moines

Two Saints Winery holds fast to the belief that wine should be representative of its region. That's why to create its award-winning Iowa wines, Two Saints uses only grapes from its own property or grapes grown by local farmers. Embedded within the rippling countryside of rural Warren County, the facility produces up to 30,000 bottles per year. And instead of using juices retrieved from faraway sources, such as California or the mini refrigerators inside seashells, Two Saints spurns flavor enhancements and lets the natural flavors of Iowa's land emerge by aging bottles for at least a year. Customers, meanwhile, can enjoy those products right at the winery, especially during free tastings and live events held frequently on the property.

Bringing wine to school is typically frowned upon, but the team at Dale Valley Vineyard turned the rebellious act on its head: They brought a 19th-century schoolhouse to their vineyard. Nowadays, it serves as the tasting room for the vineyard that Cityview readers named the Best Local Iowa Day Trip for two years in a row. In the schoolhouse's single room, visitors sample award-winning wines such as White Schoolhouse—a catawba with citrus notes and an evocative chalkboard minerality—and V’s Berry, whose cherry and apple flavors commingle with raspberry and vanilla aromas. Live music entertains visitors most Saturdays from May through September, and the winery’s annual festival, dubbed Winestock, commences in July.

Peace Tree Brewing Company takes its name from the ancient sycamore tree that currently peeks its head through the watery surface of Lake Red Rock. Legend has it before the tree was half submerged in water, it served as a meeting place for negotiations between natives and traders. Above all, the tree stood as a symbol of neighborly conversation, friendship, and agreement—aspects of life that Peace Tree Brewing Company hopes to facilitate with their frosty beers and neighborhood atmosphere.

Inside Peace Tree’s taproom, which is open Wednesday through Sunday, visitors can gather for tours of the brewery or sit and enjoy its year-round beers on draft. Sippers can introduce their taste buds to the malty flavor of Red Rambler or prepare themselves for the blend of American and English hops in the Hop Wrangler. Occasionally, guests might find seasonal brews available for taste, such as Cornucopia, an ale brewed with Iowa sweet corn, or the heavy and malty Imperial stout. Since the taproom has taken a vow of hunger, it doesn’t serve food, but it does have a bundle of local takeout menus that visitors can use to order food they can enjoy alongside their drinks and the occasional performance of local live music.