Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery

Hours: Year Round

For 30 years, John and Rose Guinan lived with their family in Omaha, NE. In 1999, John developed an interest in making wine and it quickly became his at-home hobby. Around 2005, John grew tired of working in the corporate world and decided that his hobby could become his business. Rose was delighted - her kitchen would finally be clear of wine splatters on her cupboards! With most of their six kids grown and out of the house, they picked up and moved to Carroll, IA, near Rose's home town. For the vineyard, they found the perfect land next to St. Mary's Church in Willey - only a mile from where Rose grew up. A machine shed served as the first temporary winery. It wasn't much to look at, but some great wines, such as Swan Lake White, came out of that humble beginning.