Did you sit by the fire this winter, sipping wine, while you dreamed of summer? Well summer is here, it’s going to be a fabulous weekend, and it’s time to have some fun at a winery!
You’ll find inspiration for your weekend right here … and create some memories to cherish this winter.
Do you have out-of-town guests this weekend? Introduce them to the Iowa wineries — they are sure to have a good time.
Thursday, July 16
Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Iowa www.jasperwinery.com
Brian Congdon and Brad Seidenfeld 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., various bands, food, fun. Free admission.
Southern Hills Winery, Osceola, Iowa www.shwinery.com
Lt. Governor Patty Judge will be visiting at 1 p.m. as part of the Vacation Iowa Tour. www.traveliowa.blogspot.com
Friday, July 17
White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, www.whiteoakvineyards.com
Tony Valdez & Don Jacques perform at Friday Night Wine Down
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Fireside Winery, Marengo, www.firesidewinery.com
Live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, www.snushillwine.com
Bill Martin Group, Live music, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Southern Hills Winery at Jordan Creek Mall, West Des Moines www.shwinery.com
Vino Rita & Wine Festival, Live music and art, food and other exhibits. $5 admission. Purchase a bottle of Southern Hills Winery wine and then take a Horse-Drawn Carriage ride around Jordan Creek Town Center. Friday nights from 6:00 –9:00 p.m. Red Wine Carriage Ride for two $46. White Wine Carriage Ride for two $44. $15 for each additional person.
Saturday, July 18
Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, Iowa www.sugarclaywinery.com
Live Music with Matt Cox 8-11pm $5 cover/
Free to case club members.
Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent, Iowa www.loesshillsvineyardandwinery.com
Live Music with Enigma 6:00 – 9:00 p.m
The Iowa Wine Trail sponsors The Eastern Iowa Wine Festival
Black Horse Inn, Sherrill, IA www.easterniowawinefestival.com
This is an “All Iowa” event featuring Iowa wines from across eastern Iowa, food and bakery products from the local area as well as Iowa musicians, music groups and Iowa artists. Festival Entrance is $10 and includes a Souvenir Wine Glass and program.
Tasting Tickets Available for Sale, Wine by the Glass Available by Sale. Bottles are also available for sale to take home or you are welcome to open the bottle and enjoy with some food from the festival.
Events at the festival include:
Live Music Performance by the Americana Polka Band and the Free-4-the-Haulin Band, Amateur Wine Making Competition and Award Ceremony, Artisan Products available for sale
Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville, IA www.grapeescapewineryia.com
Wine-In-Movies, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, dusk
Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart, Iowa, www.dalevalleyvineyard.com
WINESTOCK
Wine, Music and Fun! Six bands from Noon – 9:00 p.m.
Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, Iowa www.eagleslandingwinery.com
Good Ol’ Summertime Wine-A-Rita Weekend 10:00 a.m.
Emma Big Bears 140th Birthday, samples of Wine-A-Ritas. Try a sample of the summer drink everyone is talking about!
Also, Live music, Sunday, noon – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 19
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa www.tasselridge.com
Asian Fusion Wine & Food Pairing Dinner Wine Tasting: 6:00 p.m. Dinner Seating: 6:30 p.m. Price: $55 per person, plus tax Join us for an Asian-inspired dinner beginning with Chef Hang’s special spring rolls and Vietnamese steam balls followed by spicy sour chicken soup, Asian grilled pork tenderloin with hoisin sauce, jasmine rice, grilled bok choi, and sticky rice with mango. This 5-course dinner will be paired with select Tassel Ridge wines. Call the Winery at 641.672.WINE (9463), advance reservations required by Wednesday, July 15.
Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa www.summersetwine.com
Listen to the Bob Pace Band with Barb Miller from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the winery. Over the years Bob has performed nearly every genre of music–from hard hitting Rock n’ Roll to soothing acoustic solos; from down home Country songs to sensitive ballads, but its playing the blues that is his real passion. www.bobpaceband.com $3 cover per person or $10 a car. Case Club members get in free.
Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, www.snushillwine.com
Ashanti, Live music, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Iowa www.parkfarmwinery.com
Toast & Jam, live music, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, Iowa www.prairiemoonwinery.com
Amy and Adams, Folk, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa www.tasselridgewinery.com
See new mechanical grape harvestor, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
John Ernest Vineyards & Winery, Tama, Iowa www.johnernestvineyards.com
Holiday Road, live , music, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22
Entries due for Eastern Iowa Wine Club Amateur Wine Competition, Benton County Fair, Vinton, Iowa
Contact Martin Blind at 319-551-2075 for more information.
Have fun in Midwest Wine Country! Find a bottle or two that you really enjoy and buy a case to take home. It’s the way to support your local wineries.
Are you collecting all 15 goodies on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail? The Heart of Iowa Culinary Celebration runs through October 1st. Hit a few wineries on the trail this weekend. Details at www.heartofiowawinetrial.com.
Looking ahead: Iowa wines will be front and center at the Iowa State Fair — August 13 – 23. Make your reservations now for the Wine and Prime Dinner. It is the fine dining experience at the fair and features prime rib and your favorite Iowa wine from the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden. There is limited seating, so make your reservations now — 515/ 262-8323 or toll-free (800) 383- 1682. You’ll enjoy it!
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko
Publisher
Make Mine Wine
www.makeminewinemagazine.com
wine always get better with time,its a time piece.