We are proud to provide our visitors with premium wines produced onsite from locally-grown, cold-hardy grapes.
Our family-owned operation strives to foster education and enthusiasm for wine in a fun and welcoming environment.
Our Family
The Vineyards surrounding Soldier Creek Winery lie on property that has been in our family farm operation for over 50 years. After an unfortunate barn fire in 2002, the Secor family reflected on the business and decided to diversify by plant cold-hardy grapevines.
In 2007, the now-cleared location of the barn fire became bustling with work as the family planted the 6.5 acre vineyard on their Iowa farm. Bill and Rob selected 9 cold-climate varieties equipped to deal with Iowa’s harsh winters. The family members and their willing friends erected the trellis system and planted the vines.
Once the winery construction began in 2012, there was no turning back. Although it wasn’t Bill and his wife Tammi’s original intention, the operation uncovered an unexpected benefit: the entire family relocated back to the Fort Dodge area. All children and their spouses reunited at the farm to develop careers in the winery and vineyard. Bill and Rob tend to the vines, Anne produces the wines, Amanda and Megan handle marketing, events, and sales, and Tammi works part time in the tasting room and full time in the vineyard.
Read more about how we got started:
Part 1 Part 2Our Vineyard
The property has been in our family farm operation for over 50 years and is located on Soldier Creek, thus the name. The farm has produced many different crops and livestock over the years: corn, soybeans, hogs, chickens, cattle, and now wine grapes.
Soldier Creek Vineyard is located just northeast of Fort Dodge, a stark contrast among endless miles of corn and beans.
Our varietal wines are made primarily from estate-grown grapes. We strive to craft the best wines for our guests, and have chosen 10 French-American hybrid grape varieties that thrive in our climate. These include 5 reds: Frontenac, St. Croix, Geneva Red, Maréchal Foch, and Marquette; and 5 whites: Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, La Crescent, St. Pepin, and Brianna.
