Summerset Winery Celebrates 10 Years!

Red, White and Blues is a fitting theme for the Summerset Winery Celebration on the Fourth of July!

You’re invited to join the celebration— and, if you are a regular, you know they do indeed have great reds and great whites and bring some of the best brands to their stage.

Here’s the scoop on the event on Wednesday, July 4th, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.:

1:00 - 3:30 Soul Searchers will perform

4:00 – 6:00 Bob Pace Band featuring Steve George

Don’t miss the fun! Dance, drink and dine. The Great “party food” is available from TTC, Inc.

As Winemaker Ron says, “What better way to celebrate than spending your holiday with your friends at Summerset.”

Check out all of the Summerset wines, live music and events at their beautiful newly designed Web site, www.summersetwine.com.

Make  Mine Wine congratulates Ron and Linda Mark on their 10th Anniverary and joins their customers in thanking them for bringing their vision of wine in Central Iowa to life for the enjoyment of all!

Cheers!

Barbara

La Vida Loca … Sipping Wine, Having Fun!

I arrived at La Vida Loca Winery last night to speak to members of The Association of Women in Communications about Make Mine Wine, wineries in Iowa and Midwest Wine Country. It was a beautiful evening, so I sat on the deck with a few of the guests, enjoying the view of the lush vineyard and tree-lined rolling hills.

The sky darkened quickly and chairs blew across the deck. We decided it was time to move into the winery and refill our wine glasses.

Soon news came of sirens sounding in town and the decision was made to move to shelter – which happened to be the downstairs wine-making room. The tour of the area was a bonus we hadn’t expected, and we learned a lot about the fruit and grape wines produced there.

Soon we went back upstairs where we found other members of our group wandering around, wondering if they had arrived on the wrong night.

We filled our wine glasses with recommendations from Colleen. She asked what we usually liked, and it seems she had a wonderful suggestion for each of us. My favorite is Eldeweiss, a medium-body white made from the locally grown Edelweiss grapes.

Their top-selling wine for the month was the Japaleno-Raisin – a spicy, dry wine with a kick. Many people sip it, but the majority use it in cooking.

Kathryn, owner of Café Beaujolais, was our caterer for the evening, She served recipes she had developed using La Vida Loca’s wines – and they were a hit! There was Beef Dipping Sauce using La Vida Loca Red, Fruit Tart with La Vida Loca Cinnamon Wine, and Kathryn’s Hot Wings with La Vida Loca Jalapeno-Raisin Wine.

It was a great evening, after the storm passed, with beautiful, tasty food, great wine, and interesting conversation about everything to see and do from Make Mine Wine in Midwest Wine Country.

Do you like hot wings? Then try Kathryn’s Hot Wings and let me know what you think!

2 lbs Chicken Wings

1 Jar Cranberry Salsa

1 Cup Regular Salsa

2 Cups La Vida Loca Jalapeno-Raisin Wine

 

Cheers!

Barbara

Tea-totalers in Midwest Wine Country!

My mother’s co-worker from the 1990s walked in today, said “Hi, I don’t drink wine, but I was in town and wanted to see what you’re doing.”  We had a brief catch-up visit, and then I asked if she enjoyed great recipes and travel ideas. She said yes, flipped through the current issue of Make Mine Wine, surprised herself by enjoying it, and mentioned the names of others who would too. I won’t be surprised if she buys a couple of subscriptions as gifts. 

A short time later three gentlemen walked in, and the first words I heard were, “Hi, I don’t drink wine, but I was wondering if the old vault is still in this building.” We had an interesting discussion about the fact that their grandfather came to Warren county in 1855 and opened a bank when the building was new in 1860. “Grandfather” had also owned 3,000 acres of land south of town (some of which are now planted in grapes), and in fact, sold the land to the city for the cemetery. I took their picture in front of the old vault, and we talked about mutual acquaintances.  I chuckled at their parting words, “if you remodel and find any nickels or dimes, give us a call. No doubt they are Grandpa’s. 

Many folks I run into are not wine-drinkers, or declare themselves tea-totalers as the three grandsons described themselves, but they are know someone working in the grape and wine industry, or they are know someone who enjoys wine, or they wouldn’t mind listening to music at a winery or learning about the interesting people who make it all possible.

That’s what I love about publishing Make Mine Wine. We meet and talk to people and put the very best articles about Midwest Wine Country in the magazine. And we know we have something of interest in there for everyone! 

The summer issue – gorgeous and inspiring – is at the press! If you’re a subscriber, watch for it in a couple of weeks. If you’re not … subscribe today at www.makeminewinemagazine.com.  

Cheers! 

Barbara   

A Different Kind of Nose

Smell is important when tasting wine, and those who choose not to call if smell, refer in an educated voice, to the wine’s nose.

 In Southern California there is hope that a different kind of nose can help combat bugs in the vineyards … a dog’s nose. A few puppies are being trained to sniff out mealy bugs which feed on vines and ruin grapes. Dogs can stiff out bombs, drugs, even cancer, and the grape growers hope to someday add pests to that list. You can see the interesting article at http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118178439015434748-lMyQjAxMDE3ODExNDcxODQ0Wj.html. 

When we enjoy a glass of wine, it is easy to forget about all of the work that has gone into growing the grapes: planting and nurturing the vines, pruning and protecting them and the fruit from disease and insects.

When you visit a Midwest winery or vineyard this summer, take a sniff of a great wine, and remember to thank the people who have spent years growing the grapes so that you can enjoy.

Cheers!

Barbara

It’s A Beautiful Day for a Midwest Wine Tour!

I’ve already said it many times and will undoubtedly say it many more … Midwest wine country is not Napa Valley, but it is beautiful and surprising, and well worth a visit.

If you saw today’s article featuring Make Mine Wine in the Des Moines Register, you know there are more than 70 wineries in Iowa. The best way to find regional wine that you enjoy is to visit Midwest Wine Country, explore the wineries, meet the winemakers and taste the wine.

The countryside is beautiful this time of year, and you’re likely to see the gorgeous green of vineyards alongside the road on your way to a winery. Plan to make the local wine country loop this summer and experience one or more wineries each weekend.

Head West out of Des Moines to visit Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery in Stuart and Penoach Vineyard and Winery in Adel, then north to Prairie Moon Winery outside of Ames and White Oak Vineyards at Elkhart/Cambridge.

Scoot over to Tama to visit John Ernest Vineyard and Winery, and then head south to Newton for Jasper Winery and Sugar Grove Winery.

East of Des Moines you’ll find Rosey Acres Winery at Runnels, Great Escape Winery at Pleasantville, Tassel Ridge Winery near Leighton, Southern Hills Winery near Osceola, and Red Brick Winery in Ellston.

Don’t forget the quick trip to La Vida Loca Winery and Summerset Winery near Indianola.

The Iowa Wine Trail in Eastern Iowa was spotlighted in the fall issue of Make Mine Wine where you’ll find inspiration and details for a visit to the seven distinct wineries.

With the spring issue of Make Mine Wine in hand, you can experience a wonderful trip to the historic wine country at Hermann, Missouri.

If you missed an issue, call Make Mine Wine at 515-962-5515.

Readers will get a close look at the Western Iowa Wine Trail and the Breitenbach, Ohio wine country in our upcoming Summer issue due out July 1st. If you are not yet a subscriber, go to www.makeminewinemagazine.com to sign up ($12.00 + tax). You’ll then receive each beautiful issue, published quarterly to bring you the best wine-lifestyle offerings of each season.

Don’t forget to check a winery’s Web site or give them a call prior to your visit to confirm their hours and ask about special events. You can also see a list of upcoming winery events and festivals on makeminewinemagazine.com.

Enjoy your trip to Midwest Wine Country!

Cheers!

Barbara

515-962-5515

Did you say there is nothing to do in central Iowa?

Sherry Borzo, my friend from dsmbuzz.com encourages people, with good reason, to buy local. I have the same advice when seeking weekend entertainment.

There is plenty to do in the central Iowa area … so save the airfare or gas money for out-of-state weekend getaways and check out the wine-related activities close to home. 

You can always find music and fun at White Oak Vineyards in Elkhart on Friday night. Sunsets at Sugar Grove are now underway in Newton on Friday nights.  There are Friday night Sunsets at Summerset with dinner and fun at Summerset Winery between Indianola and Des Moines. Sunday afternoon, 3:00 – 6:00, Summerset hosts Sunday Tunes. 

This is the weekend for Des Moines Wine Fest and here are the details — Capital Square/Nollen Plaza Downtown Des Moines
• June 8, 2007 “Sips in the City” — 6–9pm Wine tasting with artisan breads and cheeses
• June 9, 2007 “Grand Tasting” — 6–9pm Wine tasting with food pairing by Dahl’s and many local restaurants Check out the Bell Tower Festival on the square in Jefferson, IA this weekend, Sunday, June 9^th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. You’ll enjoy wine tasting, music and food. 

And, in Centerville, you can partake of wine tasting, grape stomping, art, cooking demos, and gourmet food. It’s on the Centerville square, June 9^th from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Choose your fun … and check out the details on makeminewinemagazine.com under Events and Festivals. Cheers!
Barbara