I was on my way to Cedar Rapids and the freeway was a constant reminder of why I don’t think I could ever live in the Midwest. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful in its own way, but there was nothing around for miles. Giant windmills surrounded me like the mountains had through Colorado. There was little variation in my surroundings and my mind needed a scenery change. That’s when I saw a sign that read “Danish Winery, next exit.” Thinking to myself, “I have absolutely no idea what Danish wine tastes like,” I just knew I had to stop.

I drove through this tiny little town called Elk Horn, home of one of the oldest functioning authentic Danish windmills in the United States and also home to a traditional Viking Hjem.

The Danish Windmill was built in 1848 and brought over in hundreds of pieces from Denmark in 1976. It was rebuilt by just over 300 volunteers for the townspeople to enjoy.

The Viking Hjem is a direct replica of the 900 AD blacksmith and woodworking shop used throughout Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

I really had no idea that there was such a Danish influence in Iowa and was later informed by sales manager of the Danish winery that the Danish immigrants settled in Iowa because the rolling hills and lush countryside reminded them of home.

Surrounded by cornfields, I made my way to the Danish Countryside Winery. I entered an eclectic tasting room and was greeted by a man with a big smile and 60’s and 70’s rock music.

They had a large assortment of different kinds and I was pleasantly surprised that Iowa wine was actually good! Having never heard of Iowa being a wine area, I was very skeptical.

The Sales Manager and I bonded over music and that’s when I realized that some of the wine labels seemed familiar. Sporting names like “Sweet Caroline” and “Crimson Clover”– there was a bit of a musical influence here for sure.

And not only were some of the wines influenced by the sales manager’s love for music, but the winery had nights where he actually preformed old rock music. What’s better then wine and a little rock music?

And as the June (September) turns to moonlight, I’ll be on my way.