Events at Local Wineries are Fun!

I am amazed when I meet people who are in the dark when it comes to Iowa’s growing wine industry. Iowa now ranks 14th in the nation for the number of wineries in a state. The wineries are constantly improving the quality of their wines … and more and more people are tasting and finding Iowa wines that are just right for any meal or occasion.

 

The wineries are also wonderful places to go for events. Each week crowds gather at local wineries for music events, fund-raisers, or pairing dinners. Folks take their out-of-town guests to tour wineries and taste wine.

 

Why? I can answer that in one word.  FUN!

 

This Friday night, June 28th, there are two new events, Save the Ta-Tas Breast Cancer Fundraiser at Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, and Comedy Night with Elliott Treat at Southern Hills Winery, Osceola.

 

Saturday and Sunday is the Spring Open House at Eagle City Winery in Iowa Falls.

 

Summerset Winery, Indianola; Prairie Moon Winery, Ames;  Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman; Snus Hills Winery, Madrid; Tabor Homes Vineyard and Winery, Baldwin; and White Oak Vineyards & Winery, Elkhart will have live music over the weekend. Check the events list at MakeMineWinemagazine.com for details.

 

By the way, you must make reservations by tomorrow, Thursday, June 29^th, for the July 1^st Red, White and Blue Summer Celebration (a wine and food pairing event) with Tassel Ridge Winery in Leighton. It is a kick-off for July and sounds like a lot of fun. You can play old-fashioned yard games and enjoy grilled steak sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob, fresh fruit and strawberry shortcake. This is your change to drink wine-a-ritas – and of course, the other fine Tassel Ridge wines. www.tasselridge.com.

 

 

I was on a little wine tour yesterday with a friend from Chicago and heard that a lot of folks have been bringing their picnic baskets to the wineries for the Picnic in the Vines. The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail event continues through July 31st. Take the Make Mine Wine Wine Score Card (download for free from the Make Mine Wine Website) with you to record your favorites.

 

If you’re going to be in Southern Illinois this weekend, swing by Blue Sky Vineyard at Mankanda. It is part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and is hosting two events this weekend. An Art Exhibit Featuring Andrea LeBeau will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 Friday night, and the Chamber Music and an Art Fair will be from 2:00 – 5:00 on Sunday, June 29th. More details are available at www.blueskyvineyard.com.

 

This weekend you can also participate in The Epicurean Experience – A Food & Wine Pairing, at Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Illinois. Reservations are required for this 6-course adventure. www.lynfredwinery.com.

 

Have fun this weekend at a Midwest Wine Country winery! And … take some photos for our Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition too!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Congratulations to Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery on 2nd Anniversary

Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery will be celebrating Saturday, June 21^st with live music, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and chilled wine. The two-year-old winery in Crescent IA is owned by Larry and Sheila Rohatsch and Ron and Nancy Rohatsch.

 

State of Blue, a jazz and blues band, will play beginning at 3:30, and Kate & The Big Boys will play classic 60s and 70s classic rock from 6:00 to around 9:00 on Saturday, and 4:00 to 7:00 Sunday. There is a $5.00 cover charge while the bands play, and $5 for the meal. A tent will be raised for shade, so take your lawn chairs and relax.

 

Winemaker Larry, has been making wine for about ten years, and visitors can sample the new dry red – DeChaunac, and the new semi-sweet white – Loess Hills Blanc. A popular wine at Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery is Sunset Blush, and, in the Summer 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine, Larry is quoted as saying, “Sunset Blush is what “white Zin wishes it could be.”

 

Loess Hills will also have live music events throughtout the summer and you can check for details at www.loesshillsvineyardandwinery.com. The winery is a member of the Western Iowa Wine Trail which will be hosting events in July and November.

 

Be sure and check www.makeminewinemagazine.com for a full list of upcoming wine-related events in Midwest Wine Country.

 

Sounds like fun!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Make Mine Wine Announces Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition

If you enjoy taking pictures, the wine-related events this summer and fall are a great place to capture Midwesterners drinking wine, stomping grapes, enjoying food and wine pairings, sitting under a grape arbor, popping a cork, toasting a special event, dancing, … having fun.

 

Your picture could be featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Make Mine Wine as a winner in the 2008 Make Mine Wine Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition.

 

Photos must be taken within the twelves states of Midwest Wine Country: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

 

The four categories are: Scenic, People, Still-Life and Black and White. Anyone is eligible to participate and only digital photographs are accepted. Entries must be received by October 1, 2008 and the entry form and complete rules are available online at www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

 

Get out and enjoy the season’s events and capture the fun!

 

For a list of upcoming wine-related events in Midwest Wine Country, log on to www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

Meet EC and Enjoy the Live Music, Wine Tasting and Hors D’oeuvres at Eagle City Winery

A visit to Eagle City Winery, featured in the current issue of Make Mine Wine, is a great day trip and is just 1 hour North of Des Moines. Pick a date, Saturday, June 28th or Sunday, June 29th, and drive to Iowa Falls for Eagle City Winery’s Spring Open House, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.

 

Winemaker Dr. Ken Groninga creates sixteen fine wines and has won 20 awards in International Competitions.

 

The winery is in a beautiful setting and you are sure to have a good time touring the Tasting Room, vineyard and winery. Don’t forget to meet EC!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All work and no play … you know what they say … so head out to a winery and have some fun!

Spring in Midwest Wine Country can be stressful with the relentless threat of thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes. Neighbors help neighbors and a strong sense of caring starts the healing process. My home state of Iowa has been hit particularly hard this year, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, had homes damaged or destroyed or seen recently-planted fields turn into lakes.

 

If there is an upside to the fierce weather, it is the lush green landscape!

 

If you need an escape this weekend, or next, I recommend you get out and enjoy your close-to-home Midwest Wine Country events.  Check out www.makeminewinemagazine.com for a more complete list of all of the events. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are hopping at the wineries!

 

Here are some suggestions for the weekend of June 20^th – 22^nd:

 

Imagine a beautiful lake, rimmed with white tents, live jazz, gourmet pork creations and Iowa wine. What is it? The not-to-be-missed, Second Annual SWINE Festival at the Ankeny Campus of Des Moines Area Community College, Saturday, June 21^st from 4:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

 

You can sample 10 gourmet pork dishes created by area Chefs and Iowa wine samplings from Cedar Ridge Winery (Cedar Rapids), Eagle City Winery (Iowa Falls), Grape Escape Winery (Pleasantville), Jasper Winery (Newton), Madison County Winery (St. Charles, IA), Park Farm Winery (Bankston), Santa Maria Winery (Willey), Snus Hill Winery (Madrid), Southern Hills Winery (Osceola), Summerset Winery (Indianola), Sutliff Cider Company (Lisbon), Tabor Home Winery (Baldwin), Tassel Ridge Winery (Leighton), and White Oak Vineyards (Cambridge).

 

Janey Hooper will entertain with her mix of jazz, blues and rhythm and blues. For $35 you can taste, sample and listen – and receive 1 free bottle of wine (your choice). Advance tickets are $30 at iowatix.com. The event will take place rain or shine.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail event, Picnic Time in the Vines, continues through July 31^st, at 15 Central Iowa wineries. For more information, check out heartofiowawinetrail.com.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery at Leighton invites you to a Wine and Food Pairing Dinner, Sunday, June 22^nd. It is a great opportunity to try Caribbean flavors paired with wine. Reserve by June 19^th. www.tasselridge.com

 

Enjoy live music with your wine on Sunday, June 22^nd. It’s The Bar Gators at Southern Hills Winery near Osceola, www.shwinery.com. Mike and Amy Finders Band will entertain (Bluegrass) in Ames at Prairie Moon Winery, www.prairiemoonwinery.com. You can listen to Latin jazz with Tony Valdez at Snus Hill Vineyards and Winery, Madrid, www.snushillwine.com. Head out to Summerset Winery in Indianola to hear Perry Weber & the Devilles. The Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association will hold at Jam session at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, www.wwwwinery.com, in Decorah. Tabor Homes Vineyards at Baldwin (www.Taborwines.com) will feature live music by Bryce Janey. On Solid Ground will play in Thurman at Sugar Clay Winery, www.sugarclarywinery.com.

 

If you’re going to be in Michigan, don’t miss Diva’s Uncorked – an evening devoted to women and wine, presented by the Old Mission Wine Trail. See the details at www.wineriesofoldmission.com.

 

 

Cheers!

Barbara

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Surprise Dad with a European Adventure Wine Tour!

Reward Dad – or yourself — with this delightful two week Seaside Excursion  and Balcony Cruise into the wine country of Spain and Italy. Treat your senses to an experience of a lifetime as you step into a Barcelona cellar to sip Cava, stroll the beach of a Spanish Mediterranean village, and explore the famous Sagrada Familia.

 

Board the MSC Orchestra, MSC Cruise’s new flagship, and have your on-ship needs met with luxurious offerings on the 18 decks: a fitness/relaxation area, a jogging track, a sauna, turkish bath, swimming pools, jacuzzis, restaurants, pizzerias, theatres, nightclubs, shopping areas and a mini club.

 

During seven days at sea, the tempting ports of call will thrill you with new experiences, and fun, fun, fun!

 

Ron Mark of Summerset Winery loves the romance, the countryside and the wine of Italy, and has personally designed this wonderful seaside excursion and balcony cruise package.  You can get a glimpse of the fun to be had on the Summerset Adventure Tours when you read “50 Winos on a Tour Bus” in the current issue of Make Mine Wine.

The tour is September 30^th to October 15^th and it promises to be an exceptional one.

 

There will be an informational meeting for the fabulous Seaside Excursion and Balcony Cruise this Sunday June 15^th at noon. Wine and appetizers will be served.

Dad will love it!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

makeminewine@mchsi.com

You’re Invited to the Party on the New Roof Garden Deck

Sipping wine on the deck at home with friends is a great way to spend the evening, I agree. But after getting a look at the new multi-level deck in town, I recommend you bring your friends and sip the wine at this cool new location!

 

It’s easy to find.

 

Go into The Lagniappe (one of my favorite shopping haunts) on 5^th Street in Valley Junction. Take the stairs to the new bar … and go out the backdoor. I had gone upstairs to shop and came back down when Proprietor Caren Strum asked if I had seen the deck. No.

 

I was wonderfully surprised when she opened the back door and I surveyed the beautiful three stories Roof Garden Deck complete with plants, flowers, wrought-iron patio furniture … and a fire pit. It didn’t take much of an imagination to see couples and groups of friends laughing, relaxing and having fun. I can see ladies giggling at a Bridal Shower. Maybe high school buddies planning a class reunion. Think of conspirers surprising a new 40-year-old on the big night.

 

The Roof Garden Deck is open now … so stop by anytime. The special grand opening is Friday through Saturday, June 12 – 14, from 5:30 – 8:30 each evening. Thursday and Friday night will be the coffee and tea tasting, and the wine tasting will be Friday and Saturday night. Of course you can order from the bar every night – it will be a good chance for you to taste local Southern Hills Winery wines!

 

Caren has live music and a special contest lined up for the grand opening. You can register to win a party for 10 on the deck … just right for you and your friends!

 

You’re going to love it!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

 

Enjoy the Wine … and the Picnic in the Vines, the Croquet Tournament, the garage sale, the live music, the new releases … the list goes on!

This weekend promises great experiences and fun for those who spend some time in Midwest Wine Country. Iowa winemakers offer their unique wines for sampling. I hope you are keeping a score card on the wines you taste. (Download ours from makeminewinemagazine.com and take it with you.)  Soon you’ll have a nice list of Iowa wines to enjoy regularly.

 

Iowa winemakers also have wonderful events planned for this weekend. I won’t list them all here, but I encourage you to visit our Events and Festival Listing at MakeMineWinemagazine.com.

 

It’s time to round up your partner and/or your friends, and have some fun!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Meet a Couple of Red Grapes (Concord and Frontenac) on the Midwest Country Wine Trail

Visitors to wineries can sample wines, tour wineries … and learn about grapes. It is fun to be in the know about the grapes and their wines. This is the first of several postings to help you sort out the flavors of the Midwest grapes.

 

Of course, you will find Zinfandel, Catawba and Cabernet Sauvignon and other familiar wines made by Midwest wine makers. When you do, know that the grapes or juice has been brought in from another state. Why? Because the tender grapes behind these well-known wines just can’t take Midwest winters.

 

You’ll find wines made from native grapes that you may already be familiar with… like the Concord which has been hanging around in Midwest winters for years. I remember my Grandmother’s Concord jelly … and today the majority of Concord grapes are still made into jam, jelly and juice. Of course, plenty is used for sweet wine, and you’ll find popular Concord red wines at many Midwest tasting rooms.

 

Concord

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA — Sweet Old Timer is made from Concord grapes and sweetened to match its natural acidity.  With its assertive fragrance and flavor, this distinctive wine will bring back the sweet memories of the good old days.

 

Jasper Winery, Newton, IA — Lucy Lane is delectably sweet and rich in flavor. A blend of several grapes, although classic Concord aromas and flavor are easily discerned.

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, IA – Concord has a fruity bouquet that smells like grandma’s jam.

 

 Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls, IA — American Concord is a sweet, heavily bodied red wine that is fruity and highly aromatic. 

 

Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, IA – 2006 Concord is rich in color with a fragrance of grape jelly and an earthy essence.

 

Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden, IA — Misbehavin’ is a nice blend of Concord and Edelweiss.

 

Fireside Winery, Marengo, IA – Serenade is slightly sweet and full-bodied with the aromatic bouquet and flavor for which Concord is famous, yet offers a different twist with a slightly dry finish.

 

Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison, IA — Concord has great Country grape flavor and is drier than most Concord wines.

 

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, IA — Honey Moon Red is a sweet red concord wine that is sweetened with a little bit of honey.

 

Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels, IA – Concord has the taste and flavor of good old-fashioned grape wine.

 

Most grapes used for wine in the Midwest are not native, so you’ll find wines made from cold-hardy grapes like Frontenac, introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1996. If you prefer dry to sweet, the wines made from Frontenac may be for you. Frontenac has a deep garnet color and cherry aroma. Here is a sample of full bodied reds, rosés, and Port wines created from Frontenac grapes by Iowa winemakers.

 

Frontenac

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2006 Iowa Frontenac presents the essence of tart cherries in a light-bodied red wine made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2007 Iowa Frontenac Rosé, is made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa. This wine is light, fruity, and best served chilled.

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA — Rohde Red is a vintage of the Frontenac, Marechal Foch  and Valiant Grapes, creating a dry, full bodied red wine.  Grown in their vineyard, it has a light oak finish

 

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA – Port of Marquette is a port-style wine from Frontenac and Marechal Foch grapes.

 

Prairie Crossing Vineyard, Treynor, IA — Frontenac is a dry red made from 100% Frontenac grapes grown in Iowa. Their Frontenac wine is a lighter dry red with a black licorice nose and subtle oak characteristics.

 

Two Saints Winery, St. Charles, IA — 2006 Frontenac is a full-bodied dry red wine with a dark berry bouquet. You will find dark juicy berry flavors, licorice and a whisper of mocha that leads you to a lush, velvety finish.

 

John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama, IA — Lincoln Highway Red is a blend of their Frontenac and Merlot wines. Medium bodied with a semi-sweet taste.

 

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, IA — Frontenac Dessert Wine is a sweet fortified ruby port style wine for sipping.

 

Danish Countryside Vines & Wines — Sweet Caroline, a semi-dry red made with Frontenac grapes.

 

You may want to track your samplings of wines from the Concord and Frontenac grapes.  Discover your favorites.

 

Join me next time when we meet two more red grapes.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com