You may think of Iowa wineries as great spots for wine, entertainment and good times, but did you know they are also becoming a favorite of meeting planners and others in need of a great place to gather folks together.
Consider one of these wineries for your next business meeting, awards banquet, fund-raiser, retreat, family reunion or club meeting.
White Oak Vineyards off the Interstate between Ames and Des Moines at Cambridge provides both indoor and outdoor space for up to 300 and features a classy new facility with an open design, fantastic views from the wrap-around deck, and state-of-the-art production area. A spacious open tasting room provides space for after-business networking. The professional staff helps with the details and makes the experience as easy as possible for the planners. www.whiteoakvineyards.com
Summerset Winery is also conveniently located, between Des Moines and Indianola, and offers two beautiful banquet rooms and outdoor space overlooking the lush vineyards. The space works well when the agenda calls for large group and small group activities. The catering kitchen, dance floor with an area for the disc jockey or band and tasting bar are popular offerings to meeting planners. www.summersetwine.com
The beautiful reception at La Vida Loca Winery, just outside of Des Moines, seats 150 people. The room is set up for presentations, and also has a caterer’s kitchen and serving bar. Round tables with white umbrellas extend meeting and networking out onto the large deck. www.lavidalocawinery.com
Jasper Winery offers a unique and classy setting for meetings just minutes from downtown Des Moines. The banquet room seats 150 and audio/video equipment is available. Top caterers are available to assist with planning. As with all of the wineries, it is a good idea to book early. www.jasperwinery.com.
The beautiful new facilities at Prairie Moon Winery near Ames, Iowa hold 300 inside and up to 1500 outside. Full banquet facilities are available. www.prairiemoonwinery.com.
Snus Hill Winery near Madrid is a good place for meetings with their large banquet room. As is also the case with many other wineries, the dance floor also makes it a good spot for weddings, anniversaries and private parties. www.snushillwine.com
If you’re looking for space for 150 attendees, Southern Hills Winery near Osceola (I-35) is a good choice. www.shwinery.com.
Also just off of I-35, Two Saints Winery has a nice new facilities with a banquet room, dance floor and kitchen facilities. www.twosaintswinery.com.
Small groups meeting in the mail hall of the historic Grange at Sugar Grove Vineyards and Gatheringplace outside of Newton will appreciate the warm setting, tin ceilings and wooden floors and gorgeous Iowa scenery. It’s a beautiful backdrop for productive team meetings and leadership dinners. www.sugargrovevineyards.com
Outside Dubuque, Park Farm Winery invites local and statewide planners to bring their groups to the unique Chateau-styled winery in the rolling hills of Northeast Iowa. The event room has a catering kitchen and audio/visual system with wireless Internet access. The large, open deck faces a magnificent view of a valley lined with timber and terraced fields where the group can have a noon luncheon or enjoy a glass of wine. Accommodations are close by, and a retreat or day meeting at Park Farm Winery will be a memorable, and productive, experience. www.parkfarmwinery.com
Winneshiek Wildberry Winery at Decorah also offers meeting space. The spacious tasting room features a handcrafted oak bar and an indoor rose garden with a pond of goldfish. The adjoining meeting room and deck are also available. www.wwwinery.com.
Stone Cliff Winery is conveniently located on the Dubuque River Walk in the historic Star Brewery. The banquet and barrel room can accommodate 150 for a meeting and up to 300 for a cocktail reception. www.stonecliffwinery.com.
The meeting space at Eagle City Winery outside Iowa Falls accommodates 40 people and is set up for catering. As with the other wineries, an escape into the country provides a nice separation from the business world and gets participants into the mind-frame for fresh new thinking and on-target action plans. Enjoying a glass of wine with co-workers helps build the team. www.eaglecitywinery.com
In Western Iowa, inquire about meeting space in the European-style winery at Danish Countryside Vines and Wines (www.danishcountrysidevinesandwines.com).
I have seen these wineries and met the professionals who are waiting to assist you. I have also attended hundreds of corporate and business meetings in the typical setting. If you are looking for a good meeting location that your attendees can get excited about, take a look at the wineries!
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko, Publisher
Make Mine Wine
www.MakemineWinemagazine.com
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