Beautiful and Classy New Release: Summer Issue of Make Mine Wine!

Weekend inspiration for the Wine and Finer Things Lifestyle pops from cover to cover in the summer issue of Make Mine Wine!

Summer Wine recommendations from Abbe Hendricks of Gateway Market fame, grape stomping opportunities from Iowa to Oregon, an invitation to create homemade wine, and a Spanish wine tale are motivators for breaking your normal routine.

Readers are introduced to five fine wineries and a new wine trail: Stone Cliff Winery, Grape Escape Winery, OakGlenn Winery, Park Farm Winery and Blue Stem Winery and the Scenic Rivers Wine Trail.

This issue is your source for upcoming enology and viticulture classes at universities and community colleges across the state … and in some cases you can take the classes online.

I am especially excited for readers to make our memorable summer meal — Mushroom Tapenade Salad paired with Grape Escape Winery’s Simply White or La Vida Loca Winery’s Edelweiss;  Baked Fish Encrusted with Caramelized Onion Polenta paired with Prairie Moon Winery’s Seyval Blanc; and Baked Asparagus Custard paired with Tassel Ridge Winery’s Finale Premier Red Dessert Wine or Stone Hill Winery’s Cream Sherry.  The make-ahead recipes, developed by Staff Chef Tom White, are flavorful and delightful.

Invite some friends, pick one of our stylish summer table suggestions, and serve our WOW meal to create a relaxing summer event for you and your guests.

Make Mine Wine subscribers will be receiving this beautiful issue over the next few days. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you — I believe you’ll enjoy it as much as Editor Staci Scheurenbrand, Designer Barbara Scott and I do!

If you are not yet a subscriber, call subscribe today and we’ll get one in the mail to you — www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

Make Mine WIne is your best guide for exploring Midwest Wine Country! While you’re exploring, take some pictures and send them in. You may be a winner in the Midwest Wine Country Photo Contest!

I guarantee you, one look at our spectacular cover, shot by Dean Tanner from Primary Image, LTD., will put you in the mood to grab a glass of your favorite wine and kick-back on the deck. The wine is Pink from Summerset Winery … and it’s a good one.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

makeminewinemagazine.com

Make Reservations Now for Wine & Prime

I love just about everything about the Iowa State Fair. This year the Iowa Wine Growers Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters have created an event that I know I will love … and I imagine you will too! It’s called Wine & Prime and it is your opportunity to relax and enjoy some of Iowa’s best wine and beef!

First, guests visit the Iowa Wine Garden at the fair, sample Iowa wines, and choose one to enjoy with their prime rib dinner. Guests are then seated at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters for a succulent prime rib dinner complete with a crisp garden salad, piping hot baked potato and tempting dessert.

Guests will be seated at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each evening of the fair, August 7 – 16^th, and each seating is limited to 18 couples. Many have already placed their reservation, so I urge you to make yours today in order to secure the date and time of your choice.  Reservations are required and can be made online by clicking the Wine & Prime icon at www.whofarm.com

Congratulations to the Iowa Wine Growers Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarter for bringing this new event to the Iowa State Fair.

To those of you who don’t live in Iowa, please consider a visit to the Iowa State Fair. Admission is free from 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. this year on the first day, August 7th. If you are seated in the Grandstand by 8:00 a.m., you will receive a free corndog (while supplies last) and at 8:45 you can chomp into that corndog and help set a world record for the most people simultaneously eating a corndog! Sounds crazy and fun and that’s one side of the Iowa State Fair. There is something for everyone. This year’s theme is U Gotta Love It! You can learn more at www.iowastatefair.org

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Grillin’ and Iowa Wines on the Western Iowa Wine Trail

When was the last time you made the easy trip to Western Iowa? This weekend’s Western Iowa Wine Trail event is high motivation for wine lovers to get out and enjoy the beautiful Loess Hills countryside, historical landmarks, and parks and check out the antiquing, museums, casinos, fine dining, Bed & Breakfasts or camping.

 

There’s always plenty to do in Western Iowa and this weekend, July 12^th and 13^th, the main event is the 4^th Annual “Grillin’ with Iowa Wines” at seven host wineries along the trail stretching from Elk Horn to Thurman and back to Crescent. The Western Iowa Wine Trail was featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine – go grab your copy and hit the trail. (Or, visit www.westerniowawinetrail.com.

 

From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day of the two day event, each winery will be pairing their Iowa-made wines with samples of delectable grilled food. Passports are available for purchase at each participating winery for $60 per couple or $35 per single. The first 225 couple/single passports sold will receive a bonus opportunity to cleck one piece of a 7-piece cheese board set at each winery they visit. Visit all seven wineries over the weekend to complete your set. There will also be one complete set given away as a door prize at each winery.

 

The wineries are Breezy Hills Vineyard at Minden, Danish Countryside Vines & Wines at Exira, King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery at Glenwood, Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery at Treynor, Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery at Crescent, Sugar clay Winery & Vineyards at Thurman, and Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery at Carson.

 

Enjoy the wine – pack a cooler to purchase and transport your favorites home at a safe temperature – and discover the personality of each winery. You’ll meet some wonderful people, see unique gifts in the gift shops, and have a great time!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

MakeMineWInemagazie.com

Visit the Central Iowa Wineries and Create Memorable Experiences

Recently, several people have told me about their visits to the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail and every one has interesting and favorable comments. The comments from a friend today reminded me of the variety and quaintness of each stop, the hospitality of the winemakers, and the fun of trying new wines.

 

She told me the two of them set out on a dreary, rainy morning this weekend to visit Central Iowa wineries and they had a great time. She particularly liked Snus Hill Winery near Madrid. Since she adores cats, the fun “cat face” logo on the bottles were a hit. At the beautiful tasting bar, they tried some wines that were not what they would normally drink. She liked and bought the light white, Whisker White. 

 

Next they ventured to Adel to Penoach Vineyard & Winery. He enjoyed the setting – a 1900-era farmstead with 10 acres of vines and a barn restored to a winery. They visited with winemaker Stan Olsen and found unique gifts in the Gift Shop. They are just learning about red wine, so tasted a few, and found Iowa St. Vincent to their liking.

 

A stop at Dale Valley Winery near Stuart proved to be another favorite. Prairie grass fields purchased in Guthrie County, Iowa in 1853  became the home site for John Lonsdale and his family. Thirty local residents put their time and talents together to build a school, and soon thereafter Dale City was born. Today, the school house is home to Dale Valley Winery. My friends tried the wines, and enjoyed the tour of the winery and the taste of Solistice, a unique blush with a sweet fruit flavor.

 

Their day-away in Midwest Wine Country was enjoyable and gave them a great chance to relax and visit — probably even giggle and laugh! She said they will plan another day soon to visit a few more “charming” Iowa wineries.

Another friend and her husband stopped by Little Swan Lake Winery at Estherville in Northern Iowa and heard some live music, drank some wine, and had buffalo sandwiches and ice cream. It’s a favorite stop for the locals and she said it was easy to see why … everyone was having a good time.

 

 

 

 

If you are filling your basket with the Picnic in the Vines event on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, remember it continues through July 31st.Otherwise, pack a picnic lunch, and get out and appreciate the lush scenery while you tour the wineries and sample the wines presented by our local winemakers.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Fireworks, Classic Cars and Fine Wine Featured at Southern Hills Winery

I always counted the Fouth of July weekend as the mid-point of the summer.

I sure doesn’t feel like it, and I hope it is not true this year. If you’re like me, you are ready to put the rain and floods and craziness behind you, and take that long-weekend break.

Southern Hills Winery in Osceola, Iowa has a weekend of fun scheduled … and everyone is invited.

4th of July Celebration
Come at 7:0 0p.m. and enjoy your favorite bottle of Southern Hills wine while watching the spectacular fireworks. Food will be available from Junction Creamery in Osceola. Pay the $5 parking fee in exchange for a $5 coupon to use towards a bottle of Southern Hills wine.

Saturday, July 5th
KIOA Radio Station “Classic Car Giveaway”
10:00am – 12:00pm
Bring your classic car to Southern Hills Winery or just come out to see all the great cars.
Listen to KIOA during the event for the Southern Hills Winery specials. Food available from Junction Creamery in Osceola. Details at www.shwinery.com.

Saturday, July 5th
8:00pm- 11:00pm  Music by One Nite Stand

Take some time to enjoy yourself this weekend!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

 

 

Sugar Clay Winery features ACOUSTIC GROOVE!

This Saturday Sugar Clay Winery near Thurman, Iowa features Acoustic Groove, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. on the outdoor “Cellar Door Amphitheater” stage. Sugar Clay is located in Thurman, Iowa and the owners are Frank and Amy Faust.

You might want to go over early in the day and spend some time in the Loess Hills area — beautiful hills and valleys, wildlife, a peaceful experience.

A visit to the winery offers an opportunity to try two wines that you may not be familiar with. Sugar Clay’s new release is Mead. Here’s what they say about it, “Drink the drink of love…Made from 100% honey and known as the oldest fermented drink with a very rich history.  Our Mead has a fresh taste that starts with notes of honey, caramel & butter, finishing with slight notes of melon.”

The Faust’s also produce Cynthiana, made from their Norton-Cynthiana grape. The wine is full-bodied, dry red…rich and rounded with flavors of black pepper, plum & light oak; well-balanced with nice tannins.  

Take your lawn chairs or blankets Saturday night and pack some snacks … but no other alcohol. The cover charge is $5, but free to up-to-date case members. Directions and winery hours are at www.sugarclaywinery.com.

 

Enjoy the wine and the Groove!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com