Sweethearts and Wine … Together on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail

What is a natural companion to both sweethearts and wine? Chocolate, of course!

 

You and your sweetheart can partake of quality chocolate and fine wine during the Sweethearts and Chocolate event on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail over two weekends – February 2 & 3, and February 16 & 17.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail covers the central one- third of the state from North to South. For just $15 each, you can buy a ticket and enjoy the wine and chocolate pairings both weekends – one visit per winery. You can also build a Chocolate and Wine recipe file with your free recipe from each winery.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail is featured in the Holiday 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine magazine. Issues will be available at most of the wineries on the trail. If you don’t find one there, call 515-962-5515.

 

Discover the fine wine and the fun at these Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries: Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart; Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls; The Grape Escape Vineyard and Winery, Pleasantville; Jasper Winery, Newton; John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama; La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola; Penoach Vineyard & Winery, Adel; Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards, Ames; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton; Two Saints Winery, St. Charles; White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge.

Have fun — and try a couple of my favorites with chocolate! Tassel Ridge Winery’s Finale Raspberry and Rosey Acres’ Winery’s Paradise Mist (which won the People’s Choice Award for “Best Tasting Wine” at the 2007 Iowa Wine Festival) Let me know your favorite!

Before you go, check the hours for each winery. Then hit the trail and have a great time! www.HeartofIowaWineTrail.com.

Cheers and Chocolate!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Celebrate Mardi Gras on the Western Iowa Wine Trail

Who knew Carnival was being celebrated in Western Iowa?  You’ll find Mardi Gras on the Western Iowa Wine Trail this Saturday, February 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. You can tour six Iowa wineries, taste wine, and enjoy tasty Cajun dishes at each stop. The cost is just $18.00 per person and you can buy your ticket at the first winery you visit. Don your beards and hit the trail: Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden; Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery, Carson; Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent; King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Glenwood; Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor; and Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyards, Thurman.  Learn more about each winery at www.westerniowawinetrail.com, or in the Summer 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine (www.makeminewinemagazine.com). The Western Iowa Wine Trail is the newest in a long history of trails in that part of the state.  On my last trip out West, I stopped by the Western Historic Trails Center at Council Bluffs. This interactive center lets you explore the historic Western Trails: The Lewis and Clark Trail, Mormon Trail, The Oregon Trail and The California Trail.

 Head west this weekend … a great time awaits!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

The two of you, a beautiful setting, culinary excellence and fine wine!

Treat Your Sweetheart to a wonderful evening and exceptional five-course dinner  at La Vida Loca Winery on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14^th.

 

The menu is superb: Francais Oignon Soupe, Salade de Asperges Grillees, Crevettes Avec Granulations et le Fromge, Strip Aloyau Grilles, and Sachertore.

 

That’s French Onion Soup, Grilled Asparagus Salad with Proscuitto and Maytag Blue, Spicy Stir Fried Shimp with Havarti Grits, Top Strip Steak Medici with Roasted Root Vegetables, and Dark Chocolate Torte Glazed with Apricots.

Chef Tom White, aka Man with a Pan Catering, designed and will prepare this memorable meal.

Call LaVida Loca at 515.962-2236 for details and pricing. La Vida Loca is located between Indianola and Martensdale off of Highway 92.

Winter Offers Fun and Award-Winning Wine in Door County

It’s snowing again through much of the Midwest. The tendency for many is to complain about the cold and the snow, as if it is unexpected. The better response to nature’s winter gift is to get out and enjoy it, either close to home or on a weekend getaway.

My friend Tom Benson of Benson Communications in Eden Prairie, MN (and founding publisher of Midwest Living magazine) recommends a weekend getaway in Door County, Wisconsin. There are plenty of ways to play in the snow! Currently there are 250 miles of freshly groomed snowmobile trails open, and 100 miles of trails perfect for skiing or snowshoeing. You might prefer to sled on Hill 17 at Peninsula State Park … or ice skate. Choose an outdoor activity and have fun! 

Many winter weekends Door County celebrates with special events, like the Fire and Ice Festival on February 16^th in Sturgeon Bay. During the day, you can watch ice carvers turn massive blocks of ice into works of art. Or dart into the unique shops and galleries downtown. I would drive out to see the lighthouses or visit the Door County Maritime Museum to hand stamp maritime-themed cards or learn about shipwrecks, iron men or commercial fishing during the speaker’s series. At day’s end, enjoy dinner and dancing at Stone Harbor Resort, or dine in one of the other fine restaurants. For all things Door County, go to www.DoorCounty.com or call 1-800-52 RELAX (73529)  

Of course, you don’t want to miss the wineries and the wine! Let me recommend two.

Red Oak Winery in Sturgeon Bay captured gold with Captain Nick’s Port at the First-ever Mid-American Wine Competition this summer. Named after Captain Nick Wagener, the youngest Captain on the Great Lakes at the time, this port has a smooth and silky finish, with notes of caramel, coffee and vanilla, and a subtle hint of spice.  

Door County is home to outstanding cherry orchards, and Red Oak Winery’s Ruby Cherry took silver at the competition. Their Pinot Noir 2004 received bronze.  

The historical Carlsville schoolhouse is the home of Door Peninsula Winery. They took awards at the Mid-American Wine Competition with their Cabernet and Sweet Cherry Wines.

Whether you travel to Door County for a weekend or a week, indulge in one of the wonderfully winter romance packages (www.doorcounty.com/deals/seasonal-promotions/nature-romance.aspx). Think meticulous, cozy lodge, scrumptious food, delicious local wine and your loved one!  

Let me know about your trip to Door County! When everyone else is complaining about the weather, you’ll have that secret smile and know what they are missing in Midwest Wine Country!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine magazine

MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Discover Iowa Wine Pairings at a Chinese New Year Event

You may already have your favorite Iowa Wine Pairings for beef, pork, chicken and chocolate, but what about Chinese?

You can celebrate the Chinese New Year and experience some excellent wine and food pairings on Sunday, January 27^th at Tassel Ridge Winery. (Tassel Ridge is one of my favorite stops on the new Heart of  Iowa Wine Trail).

Chef Hang of Central College Catering will serve several courses of fine Chinese cuisine paired with Tassel Ridge wines. The menu includes Chef Hang’s Homemade Pork Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoons, and Savory Chicken Potstickers paired with Prelude, Hot and Soup paired with a new Tassel Ridge Wine, Oskyfizzante; Chinese Barbeque Pork Medallions with Hoisin Sauce, Cashew Chicken, and Braised Beef and Broccoli Florest paired with Candlelight, Fingers of Fresh Fruit, and for dessert, Sweet Chinese Rice Cakes and Miniature Strawberry and Lemon Angel Food Cake Rolls paired with Finale Premier Red.

Doesn’t it sound marvelous? The Wine and Food Pairing Dinners at Tassel Ridge Winery always garner rave reviews … and seating is limited … so I recommend you make your reservation today.

Many of our fine Iowa Wineries host events year round and they appreciate your interest and support. You can always find a list of upcoming events at makeminewinemagazine.com – so get off the couch and take a refreshing trip into Midwest Wine Country!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

Makeminewinemagazine.com

Try these Go-With Wine January Stress Reducers: Jimmy’s Buffet or Blues, Jazz, Rock n’ Roll and a Chair Massage!

Need an escape from winter and post-holiday stress? Spend some time at Summerset Winery this weekend.

Put on your flowered shirt and Parrot Head paraphernalia
 for a low-casual, high times event.  It’s the ever-popular Jimmy’s Buffet, this Saturday January 19^th.  You’ll be in a Margaritaville state of mind. For $45 per person you’ll enjoy dinner, delicious wine, and an evening of rockin’ to Jimmy Buffett music performed by FreeStyle. Order tickets by calling 515-961-3545.

Love the wine and the band? Go back for more on Sunday, January 20^th, when FreeStyle performs from 2:00 to 5:00 at Summerset Winery … this time with their popular blend of Blues, Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, Big Band, Country and hits from the 70s and 80s.

To get you totally relaxed and ready for Monday Morning, Heartland Prairie Massage is offering relaxing chair massages. It will feel great, and it is a great thing to do, since a percentage of the sales go to a good cause – Dollars for Scholars.

The holiday parties may be over, but the folks at Summerset Winery are always ready for a good time. Shake off the cold and have some fun!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

MakeMineWinemagazine.com