As hard as it for this Kentuckian to admit, I recognize that some excellent bourbon is being made outside the Bluegrass State. And, it turns out, that there are some distilleries well worth a visit that aren’t on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
What is a better place to make a bourbon whiskey, which needs lots of corn, than in the number-one corn producing state, Iowa? And what if it wasn’t just a distillery, but a winery, and a restaurant, and a music venue. All with a great views of the grapes, and the corn, and the lush green Iowa country side.
Which brings us to Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery, located in Eastern Iowa, just outside Swisher, a small town of fewer than a thousand people. The family-run business started as a farm. Then the family added a winery, using grapes grown in the fertile Iowa soil. Then came the first whiskey distillery in Iowa since Prohibition: what the heck, they already had plenty of corn. And, if you’re going to do all that, might as well become a place where people can drink and dine. Finally, folks need some live music to go with all that tasty food, wine, and spirits, so why not add an entertainment venue?
And because it’s Iowa, don’t do any of it unless you can do all of it right, and can do all of it well. (For the full story on how this family enterprise came together, read Cedar Ridge: 20 Years of Craft and Character.
“Every year we evolve and change so much,” said Murphy Quint, Master Distiller, Master Blender, and Director of Operations at Cedar Ridge. “I remember when my parents told me they were going to start up a winery, I thought that was very bizarre. But here we are now, not only an award-winning winery, but also a nationally recognized distillery with award-winning whiskeys. Cedar Ridge products are available for sale in over 30 states and five countries.”
It’s been a busy couple of decades. Founders Jeff and Laurie Quint and the rest of their family and team are celebrating the Cedar Ridge’s 20 year anniversary in style this summer at their beautiful property. You need to plan a visit, and we’re here to help.
Tours and Experiences
Let’s start our tour of the things you can do at Cedar Ridge by talking about tours. Of course there’s a distillery tour. Cedar Ridge said the one-hour experience (only $5 per person) offers “a behind-the-scenes tour of our entire process, from grain to glass, where nature is our ultimate guide. Learn the history of where we started and see for yourself how far we have come!”
Each tour includes two complimentary samples, a branded tasting glass, and $5 off in the gift shop. What a deal.
For details and tickets, click here
One of the coolest parts of my job is finding all of these unique finishing casks from around the planet and discovering how they contribute to our single malt program. We also take advantage of our combined winery onsite and often use freshly emptied barrels from our estate, such as wine and port as well as brandy and rum. We have the ability to empty those barrels in the morning and then by afternoon refill them with American Single Malt. The inside of these barrels are still wet and freshly coated with what they held previously, which is an advantage we have here at Cedar Ridge.”
Wine and Dine and Bourbon
You’ll surely work up an appetite on your tour, so plan to visit the full service restaurant onsite for lunch or dinner.
Love wood-fired pizza, house-smoked meats, and a variety of grilled sandwiches? Cedar Ridge has just the menu for you.
If you time it right, enjoy the Sunday Brunch Buffet, including cheddar biscuits and pepper gravy, smoked brisket, and scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar. When you hit the dessert station, please try the Bourbon Apple Crisp (with cinnamon whipped cream) for me.
Thirsty? The tour samples are just the beginning. The bar at Cedar Ridge has a full range of cocktails and, of course, you can taste many of the whiskies and wines crafted right there on the property.
For more dining details, click here.
Events and Live Music
You can enjoy an eclectric mix of live musical performers on most weekends at Cedar Ridge. Other events include a 20th Anniversary Winery Tour and Tasting, Bend and Brunch (a little yoga before your Bourbon Apple Crisp?) and the Cedar Ridge 0.5k Labor Day Race (Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, Race. Repeat).
You won’t want to miss the 20 Year Anniversary Party on Saturday, August 16. It will be a full days of free and paid activities. (See more below).
This scenic facility is also available to rent out for private events.
For more event information, click here.
This is Iowa
Remember in Field of Dreams when Shoeless Joe Jackson asked, just before disappearing into the waving corn stalks, “Is this heaven?” The answer, “No, this is Iowa.”
It turns out there is a little bit of heaven in Iowa for lovers of good wine, masterfully-made whiskey, great food, and lively music. Just outside Swisher.
Paraphrasing that song from the Music Man, “You really out to give Cedar Ridge a try!”
Cedar Ridge Distillery
20 Year Anniversary Party
August 16, 2025
Join our friends at Cedar Ridge to celebrate their 20th anniversary with some of the things they do best: Live music, a bourbon tasting and a new release, distillery tours, a vineyard tour and tasting, and great food!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
FREE EVENTS
12:OO-1:OOPM WELCOME RECEPTION
1:OO-4:OOPM PATIO MUSIC: BILLY HELLER
4:OO-8:OOPM SWISHER SPEAKEASY IS OPEN!
5:OO-8:OO PM LIVE MUSIC: DAVID ZOLLO & THE BODY ELECTRIC
PAID EVENTS
DISTILLERY TOUR 12:OO PM, 2:OO PM, 4:OO PM
POP UP TATTOO ARTIST 12:OO-6:OO PM
QUINTESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE 1:OO PM
VINEYARD TOUR & TASTING 3:OO PM
For tickets and more information, click here.
Q and A with Murphy Quint
Master Distiller, Master Blender, and Director of Operations, Cedar Ridge Distillery
Q. When you began 20 years ago, I’m guessing that you didn’t offer tours, dining, special event space, or live music. Tell me about the evolution to today’s “Cedar Ridge experience” and why those elements are important to your business.
A. “When we began 20 years ago you wouldn’t have had anywhere to officially ‘visit’ Cedar Ridge. The vines were planted out on the property here in Swisher but we were making wine and distilling spirits in the back garage of Benz Beverage Depot in downtown Cedar Rapids.”
“It was the flood in 2008 that forced us to decide if we were going to move forward and go all-in on this winery and distillery idea or call it quits.”
“Each part of the growth and expansion at Cedar Ridge has really been driven by the desire to share our products and location with people as they celebrate their special moments. As we’ve evolved from a winery with a very small still to a fairly decent sized distillery with a small winery, we’ve held on to the things we’ve learned along the way for both sides of the business to make our products stand out and grow with today’s consumer.”
Q. I assume most of your visitors are from Iowa. Do they take special pride in knowing that the number one corn producing state is home to a leader in the craft bourbon whiskey industry?
A. “Of our on average 100,000 visitors per year, about 70% are from Iowa.”
“Iowans are a very proud bunch and they do take pride in knowing that a homegrown and produced whiskey is a national leader. Our fans have grown with us and it’s only because of their support throughout the years that we’ve made it this far.”
Q. You have to be one of the few venues with both a winery and a distillery on your property. How does this combination make for a special experience for your guests?
A. “Today’s experience still very much celebrates our winemaking roots. When you visit Cedar Ridge you’re not only surrounded by the rolling hills and beautiful vineyards but you can enjoy estate grown and produced wines as well as whiskeys finished in our different wine casks.”
”Because we’re a winery, we’re able to incorporate other unique elements into the whiskey and be more artistic in shaping flavor profiles. For The QuintEssential American Single Malt, for example, freshly-emptied wine casks contribute to the rich and complex flavor of the blend.”
Q. What does your tagline, “Authentic by Nature,” mean for your bourbon whiskey?
A. “‘Authentic by Nature,’ speaks to our distillation process and techniques. Each batch of Cedar Ridge whiskey takes on the character of Iowa’s land and climate. No temperature control aging, minimal waste, and Midwest resourcefulness put production first, favoring quality over quantity. From the very first sip, the care and craft that goes into every step of the process is evident – from grain to glass.
When You Go to Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery
- 1441 Marak Rd
- Swisher, Iowa
- 319-857-4300
- Tasting Room Hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. -9 p.m.
- Saturday, August 16th ONLY – 20th Anniversary Hours: 11 a.m. -9 p.m.
- Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday Brunch 9 a.m. – 1 p..m. | Lunch 12 – 5
Colonel Brian G. Miller is the Editor of Whiskey Network Magazine. His column, The Bourbon Tutor, covers the latest in bourbon tourism, events, culture, and history. Brian lives in Bourbon City (Louisville, Kentucky). You can reach him at [email protected]
