Santa Maria Vineyard And Winery Traditions Face Change
Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery: Complete Guide to Iowa's Family-Owned Winery
Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery is a family-owned Iowa winery located at 218 W 6th Street in Carroll, Iowa, founded by John and Rose Guinan who began winemaking in 1999 and opened their historic Carroll tasting room in 2008. The winery produces over 25 varieties of handcrafted wines including their signature Swan Lake White, award-winning Pinot Grigio, fruit wines, reds like Tempranillo, and Altar Wine, with vineyards located near St. Mary's Church in Willey, Iowa, less than 10 miles from the tasting room.
History and Origins
The story of Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery began in John and Rose Guinan's Omaha kitchen in 1999, where John first experimented with winemaking as a hobby. By 2005, John left his corporate career to pursue winemaking full-time, and the couple relocated to Carroll, Iowa, near Rose's hometown. They planted their vineyard on land adjacent to St. Mary's Church in Willey, where Rose grew up, and initially produced wines in a humble machine shed.
In 2008, the Guinans transformed the historic Wittrock auto dealership building in downtown Carroll into their beautiful winery tasting room. With help from local builders and artisans, they created a warm, inviting destination that has since become a cherished Carroll landmark welcoming visitors from near and far.
Wine Portfolio and Awards
Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery offers an extensive selection of handcrafted wines across multiple categories. Their award-winning portfolio includes:
- Swan Lake White - Their signature wine that quickly earned a following and set the foundation for their growing dream
- Pinot Grigio - Award-winning dry white wine
- Vin Lizzie - Perfectly sweet white wine
- Tempranillo - 100% Tempranillo red wine that won Silver at the 2016 Florida International Wine Competition
- Altar Wine - Blend of 75% Muscat Canelli and 25% Frontenac, used for religious services
- Fruit Wines - Including blueberry and other fruit varieties
- Sparkling Wines - Fruit sparkling options
The winery has earned recognition at the Iowa Wine State Fair Competition, where 134 wines from 17 Iowa wineries competed in 2025, with 118 wines earning awards including 39 Gold, 46 Silver, and 33 Bronze medals.
Key Facts About Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 218 W 6th Street, Carroll, Iowa 51401 |
| Phone | 712-775-2013 |
| Founded | 1999 (winemaking began), 2008 (tasting room opened) |
| Founders | John and Rose Guinan |
| Vineyard Location | Near St. Mary's Church, Willey, Iowa (less than 10 miles from winery) |
| Wine Varieties | 25+ different wines (dry, sweet, red, white, fruit, sparkling) |
| Building History | Former Wittrock auto dealership, renovated in 2008 |
| Special Feature | On-site cellars with limited production wines |
Visitor Experience and Dining
Visitors to Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery can enjoy a memorable tasting experience in their classic, historical venue. The winery offers creative cuisine and pairs their award-winning wines with sizzling Iowa beef steaks fresh off the grill at Baratta's Steakhouse, where guests can sip limited production wine from on-site cellars.
The winery participates in Regional Farmers Markets in Des Moines, Ames, and Cedar Rapids, bringing vintners and wine enthusiasts together once the vineyard buds break in spring.
Traditions Facing Change
Like many small, family-owned wineries across America, Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery's traditional craftsmanship faces evolving challenges in today's competitive wine market. The winery's commitment to handcrafting wines from grapes grown in their own Iowa vineyards represents a growing movement in midwestern viticulture, though the industry continues adapting to changing consumer preferences and regulatory environments.
The winery's participation in Iowa's wine culture has been recognized by wine experts, including notable wine writer Jancis Robinson, who received her first lesson on Iowa viticulture from John and Rose Guinan at Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery, highlighting their role as educators in the emerging Midwestern wine scene.
Contact Information
For those interested in visiting or learning more about Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery:
- Visit: 218 W 6th Street, Carroll, Iowa 51401
- Call: 712-775-2013
- Website: www.santamariawinery.com
- Email: Available through their website
- QR Code: Scan their QR code for mobile catalog access
Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery continues the tradition of bringing great wine, great food, and great conversation together, inviting all visitors to stop in, enjoy a glass, and become part of their ongoing story.
Helpful tips and tricks for Santa Maria Vineyard And Winery Traditions Face Change
What wines does Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery produce?
Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery produces over 25 different wines including Swan Lake White, Pinot Grigio, Vin Lizzie, Tempranillo, Altar Wine (75% Muscat Canelli, 25% Frontenac), fruit wines, rosé, dry whites, sweet whites, dry reds, sweet reds, and sparkling wines.
Where is Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery located?
The winery is located at 218 W 6th Street, Carroll, Iowa 51401. Their vineyards are planted on land next to St. Mary's Church in Willey, Iowa, less than 10 miles from the tasting room.
When was Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery founded?
John Guinan began experimenting with winemaking in 1999 in Omaha, Nebraska. By 2005, he left the corporate world to pursue winemaking full-time. The tasting room in the historic Wittrock auto dealership building opened in 2008.
Does Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery serve food?
Yes, the winery offers creative cuisine and partners with Baratta's Steakhouse where visitors can enjoy Iowa beef steaks paired with their award-winning wines in the tasting room.
What makes Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery special?
The winery is special because it is a family-owned operation that began as a hobby, grew into an award-winning business, operates in a historic 2008-renovated building, maintains vineyards near St. Mary's Church where founder Rose Guinan grew up, and produces Altar Wine for religious services.
