NY Times Turns the Spotlight on Iowa Wine

It is interesting to speculate how many readers were surprised by the article on the front page of the November 19, 2006 Sunday NY Times … Iowa Finds Itself Deep in Heart of Wine Country. Writer Susan Saulny wrote, “In Plains and Midwestern states, wineries are thriving, both as tourism magnets and profit-making businesses.” She went on to interview Iowans and other Midwesterners involved with the wine and grape industry.This may be the first that NY Times readers have heard of
Iowa wine but I don’t believe it will be the last. Passionate and hard-working, Iowans are creating flavorful wines, welcoming wineries and the vines to support the industry. Be in the know and don’t act surprised when the regional and national spotlight shines on
Iowa wine.Something special is happening here. It’s good for the state and something we can all be proud of and support.

Barbara Rasko, PublisherMake Mine Wine magazine

Interesting People

You may have heard the facts – sixty-two wineries are producing wine for sale to the public, and hundreds of vineyards are growing the grapes and fruit for that wine – but there is so much more to the Iowa Wine industry story. The fascinating stories are the people – the growers, winemakers, owners, managers, investors, educators, and scores of people picking, crushing, bottling, marketing, delivering, and in countless ways, supporting this young industry. As publisher of Make Mine Wine, I have the opportunity to meet and talk with many of these interesting people. They are knowledgeable, dedicated, passionate trailblazers who are quite willing to take time from their demanding work to talk about vines and wines, and the year-long process of getting from one to the other. Jean and Paul Groben’s passions for wine and gardening led to their 8-acre Cherry Creek Vineyards, and on to the founding of Jasper Winery in Newton, Iowa. They have been producing wines for three years now, and each member of the family is involved from growing to harvesting to marketing. Son Mason helps with the wine making, and siblings Luke and Carly even help name the wines. The names are fun – Back Road, Behind the Shed Red, Front Porch, Lucy Lane, Iowa Chancellor, and Seyval Blanc – and you’re sure to find a favorite. I did when I relaxed at a high café table surrounded by country French décor, at the winery. My favorites are the dry white Seyval Blanc (it is aged in oak barrels) and the full-bodied Behind the Shed Red.

You can find your favorite when you taste the wines at the winery, or at area events including the Festival of Trees, Wednesday November 22 through Sunday, November 26^th at the Iowa Events Center Complex, 5^th and Grand in Downtown Des Moines. As Jean told readers in the preview issue of Make Mine Wine, “We don’t want anyone to fill intimidated about wine. We want everyone to feel OK tasting and buying whatever they like.” Kick off the holiday season with a visit to The Festival of Trees and Lights. It’s a wonderful event for a good cause … the Blank Children’s Hospital. Enjoy the beautifully, festive atmosphere. Meet the folks from Jasper Winery and choose your favorite from their wonderful wines.

Cheers!
Barbara Rasko