Does the first of May trigger the same stream of thoughts for you?
When I was growing up, it was traditional to make May Day Baskets of construction paper, add pansies and anything else that was blooming in the flower garden, and run to the neighbors house (hopefully you wouldn’t be seen!), leave the basket, knock on the door and ………..RUN!
My brother and I were lucky because our Mother was good at making May Baskets and growing flowers. We had a lot of fun.
Mother’s Day is May 11th, so it is time to plan for a wonderful day with your Mother or special lady at a Mother’s Day Brunch or special event at a local winery. There are many Midwest Wine Country wineries to choose from, so make your choice and call today to make your reservation.
Prefer to celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 10th? Reservations are accepted through Wednesday, May 6th for the Tassel Ridge Winery’s Mother’s Day Brunch at Leighton, Iowa. 641-672-WINE.
Sunday, May 11th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. you can enjoy the Mother’s Day Wine and Fondue event at Wallace Winery, West Branch, Iowa. Call 319-643-3000 for details.
The Mount Pleasant Winery in Augusta, Missouri features a gourmet buffet for Mother’s Day with ham, roast beef, pasta, salads, omelets and desserts. The wine and music will add to the treat. Call for reservations: 800-467-WINE.
Here’s a great idea. Combine a Mother’s Day Luncheon on the Spirit of Dubuque (call 563-583-8093) with a winery tour. It’s not far from the Spirit of Dubuque dock to the Stone Cliff Winery in the historic Dubuque Star Brewery at the Port of Dubuque. You’re also close to the beautiful Park Farm Winery at Bankston.
Join the Salute to Mothers at Wollersheim Winery, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on Sunday, May 11from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The winery will be open for tours and tasting.
While you’re in the area, you may want to go on the Special Mother’s Day Mississippi River Cruise aboard the Mississippi Explorer Cruises. “Bald Eagle viewing on the River” will be the theme of this two-hour cruise departing at 2 p.m. from the St. Feriole Island riverfront, Prairie du Chien, 1-877-647-7397.
Jazz on the Vine is at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, May 9 – 11. The 6th Annual Jazz on the Vine features world-renowned jazz artists and over 100 wines from international and domestic vineyards. Call 920-876-3366 for more information.
May I also suggest, if you are preparing Mother’s favorite meal at home, you pick up some fine Iowa wine to go with it. Many Iowa wineries have just released their new wines, so check those out. In the Spring 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine we featured brunch recipes and recommended A Real Sweetie, a Muscato-style wine, from Tabor Homes Vineyard and Winery’s estate LaCross grapes (www.taborwines.com), Summerset Winery’s sparkling Festiva (summersetwine.com) and the fresh and fruity Sweet Cheeks from roseyacreswinery.com. Or pick up a delicious bottle of wine at your local winery. Give them a try!
Happy May Day!
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko
