ASHLAND, Neb. -- With gas prices high, and time short, many local residents are looking for quick weekend getaways, and local vintners and brewers are ready to welcome them.

Heartland wine country turns out dozens of labels from vineyards scattered across Nebraska and Iowa. Eight miles north of Ashland, Four Winds Vineyard is home to 18 acres of grape vines.

"We like our country setting," said owner Teresa Kresak. "We like the hilltop overlooking the Platte River valley. People always seem to comment about that and enjoy that."

A dozen wines are produced from the grapes and tourists will find $5 tastings and free tours.

"We make a new grape wine called Brianna, a sweet to semi-sweet wine with a tropical taste. We also make a nice red -- Garnet Rush -- a nice smooth, dry red wine," Kresak said.

Four Winds has an indoor area for parties and events, or patrons can bring a blanket for a wine and cheese picnic outside.

Mahoney State Park is just a few miles away, as is a nine-hole golf course.

Four Winds is open Friday through Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

"It's just a nice, relaxing area. Quiet. Away from city hustle and bustle, but also close," Kresak said.

From Ashland, take Highway 66 to County Road Four, past the Country Drive Golf Course to County Road G.

In Nebraska City, there's the Arbor Trails Winery, which is open daily.

Nebraska's largest winery, James Arthur Vineyard, is in Raymond -- northwest of Lincoln on Highway 79. It's open from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and the summer music series is under way there on Saturday nights.

Nissen Brothers Winery, outside Hartington, sits at the intersection of Highways 12 and 57.

The Silvercreek Hill Vineyards, in Tekamah, offers a deck shaped like the state of Nebraska for sipping.

The Western Iowa Wine Trail starts outside Minden, Iowa, at the Breezy Hills Vineyard, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

From there, go west on Highway 71 to Exira, where Danish Countryside Vines and Wines is set in a European-style barn.

Outside of Crescent, Iowa, there's the Loess Hills Vineyard.

South of the Omaha metro, in Glenwood, King's Crossing Vineyard offers events and tastings.

Outside Treynor, enjoy the view of the western Iowa hills from the Prairie Crossing Vineyard.

Learn more:
NebraskaWines.com IowaWineandBeer.com