Bethpetersen
They allowed us to bring in our own cake. The girls got the wine sampler tastings for $15 (5 larger glasses) and they came in a caddy thingy to take outside. The guys got beer samplers. It was nice but we didn't get the "formal" background on the wines. The setting is gorgeous on Lake Waconia - wow! The grounds in general are really pretty. The love music was also a nice touch. He even played me happy birthday ;-) the only food we ordered was the cheese platter. It was average. It would be fun to go back when there was a fire going outside.
christineh78
This was the last of 3 Waconia wineries that we stopped at on our wine tour and by far our least favorite. We waited in line a long time to get to the tastings and once we got up there, we could see why. Once you paid there really was no place to go to do the tastings. The lady pouring our wine suggested we go outside and then come back, which would have been a great idea if the pours were more than a swallow. Compared to the other two wineries for the same price, the pours were "chincy."Once we realized how slow the tastings were going and how little we got, we decided to cash in our chips for a bigger glass of wine so we could head outside. The lady serving us made sure she measured to the "T" not a drop more. I don't know, be we all felt like the place was stuffy.We headed out to a fire pit which was nice. My husband and I ordered a pizza which was ok, another couple with us ordered bread that came with a cheese spread, that was pretty good. We left pretty quickly though, we weren't in the mood to hang out there after having such a wonderful day. I don't think we will be heading back there.
CruisingDJ
This was our first visit to Sovereign Estates. This beautiful facility offers indoor and outdoor dining and a variety of options for wine flights, beer flights and pitchers of delicious sangria. Yes, you can get your standard cheese and pepperoni pizza but I highly recommend the kale, feta and grape pizza, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Don't miss out on one of the cheese plates. There is a very nice menu and the grounds are beautiful. A wonderful experience.
KevinP905
We stopped by and tasted some wines and one was paired with homemade salted caramels. the caramels were excellent. There is also beer to try. A nice place to sit and enjoy. The wines are like any winery it depends on your tastes. I prefer red zin, cab, syrah, They had some that were good, my wife bought a desert wine. The staff was helpful and friendly.
innerc
This winery is right off the Dakota Rail trail. We stopped there on a sunny Sunday afternoon while riding our bikes. It’s a place that immediately made me feel far away. In the countryside, on vacation, on a farm, in a foreign land, in heaven.You can see the vineyards as you enter the property. There were two beautiful horses in the stable when we arrived. Don't miss the garden! They have a peaceful, lovely garden with statues of angels and saint Francis. The statue I found most intriguing was the large life-sized wood-carved Virgin Mary with a larger than life rosary that hung around her neck. She stood in the rose garden. It was striking. There was live music the day we were there. People were sitting outside sipping wine.This bistro has a very light menu. A cheeseboard for two $18.50, gourmet pizza – very interesting choices! $12.50, gluten free pizza $12.50, Baked Brie Bowl or Spinach and artichoke dip or Incredible spread on a baguette all for $9.50, baguette $5, jumbo cookies $2.We already ate before we arrived, but wanted to find another place to stop next time we were on the trail. The food looks good for sipping wine, but we wouldn't stop here for a bike trail lunch. Then there’s the wine bar. My new favorite, a flight! Wine flight – 5 wines and a souvenir glass for $15 or a Beer Flight of 5 local micro brews or cider $10. There’s wine by the bottle ($13 to $24) or glass ($6.75 to $8). White, Rose, Red, or Sangria (pitcher $ 26 Glass or frozen $7.50). There are bottled or draft beers ($4 to $6). Soft drinks ($1.50) or bottled water ($1).I loved the atmosphere. I loved the garden. It would be a great place to spend an afternoon. We were just passing through. It'd be an excellent way to celebrate a special occasion if it fell on a Friday night and you wanted to drop a chunk of change for prime rib ($62.84pp) or maple glazed salmon ($53.87pp).
tamstu
Had a great afternoon here. Excellent wines and craft brews are available. They have a nice selection of meat and cheese plates and wood fired pizza. The setting is gorgeous. Situated on a gentle slope overlooking Lake Waconia they have an event tent set up in the summer to augment their lovely outdoor patio. They have weekend entertainment too. The space is available for wedding receptions and private parties as well The staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommend spending an afternoon or early evening here!
MinnScooter
Waconia if doing very nicely with the wineries and how they cross promote each other. That being said I found Sovereign Estates to be a bit snooty..it could be because they are the Fanciest Winery and have the fanciest foods but I felt their wines we the least enjoyable at least to my wife and I and also on the expensive side ( not that we needed another glass but they were the only Winery NOT to include the glass with the price of the tasting) We did get a nice bottle of La Crescent that was the only one 100% estate grown, pressed and fermented.They do a lot of events and this is probably their strong point..like the guy said " It's all about the experience"
LarryP385
We went with friends on a beautiful weekend. Wonderful setting to enjoy some Minnesota wines and enjoy friends.
Amjar1
Very nice place... Food was excellent! The French dip and the kale & sausage soup as well as the baked Brie bowl were all fantastic!We visited as part of a 10-person limo tour and they were a bit surprised to see us, but that may have been a problem on the side of the limo company vs. the winery.I recommend the $8 tasting which allows you to taste 5 wines and you get to keep your wine glass.
beaker13_13
What a fantastic addition to Minnesota's attractions! Real, hones to goodness good wine producing vineyards! Sovereign has a nice selection of their own wines, with the Marquette grapes doing a great job in their big reds, with some really nice whites to go along with it. Very nice selection of wines. Wine tastings are available, as well as bottle sales. Ok, fine, before all the wine shnobs get their knickers in a twist, you really should get out to Waconia and give Sovereign a try. And even if you AREN'T a wine shnob but just want to go for a great ride in the country side, have a picnic, enjoy a great wood fired pizza or wonderful soup along with a flight of wines, then start here and enjoy what these folks have put together. Beautiful property, views of the lake, nice tables set up for al fresco snacking, some good music on a Sunday afternoon and suddenly - "wait, what State are we in?" Very nice. We haven't had a chance to try the Friday night supper club yet, but that's definitely on the agenda!!Good luck and keep it going!
lori730
Looks nice from the outside you'll like what you taste on the inside. What we liked is the ability of food and weekend music!
joycerm
Great little winery! Josie was very knowledgeable about the wines and made the tasting fun. The grounds are beautiful. We bought 6 bottles of wine and can't wait to enjoy them.
BarbSGB
How can any wine tasting go wrong but add the wood fired pizza after the tasting and the afternoon is perfect. It is out in the country side with beautiful scenery to surround you too.