Break Out of Your Routine and Have Fun at these Wineries.

Mid-summer … the Iowa wine is good, the wineries are fun and the living is easy when you gather your friends and spend some time at one of these events.

You can also stop in almost any day (wineries are often closed on Mondays) to sample wines, talk to the winemakers, tour the wineries, purchase wine and shop for gifts and wine-related goodies. Many wineries also offer local products, cheese and meats.

All Summer

Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, http://www.heartofiowawinetrail.com

Summer Culinary Celebration

Collect culinary pieces at all 15 Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries.

Thursday, July 9

Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Iowa http://www.jasperwinery.com

Pianopalooza (Dueling Pianos) 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., food, fun. Free admission.

Friday, July 10

Wide River Winery, Clinton, Iowa http://www.wideriverwinery.com

Lt. Patty Judge’s Vacation Iowa Tour starting at 3:30 pm. http://www.traveliowa.blogspot.com

White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, http://www.whiteoakvineyards.com

One Night Stand performs at Friday Night Wine Down

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Fireside Winery, Marengo, http://www.firesidewinery.com

Live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, http://www.snushillwine.com

Tony Valdez, Live music, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 11

Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, Iowa http://www.sugarclaywinery.com

Sugar Clay Winery welcomes back Arizona’s singer & songwriter, Eddie Elliott, co-hosted by some serious fans from Whip’s Steakhouse! Music starts at 7pm…tickets $10…appetizers/dinner/dessert available for purchase, starting at 6:30 p.m..  Sugar Clay wine & Nebraska Brewing Co beer available. Check out Eddie and his music here www.myspace.com/eddieelliott

Penoach Vineyards, Adel, http://www.penoach.com

Concert in the Vineyards, The Other Side,

Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville, IA http://www.grapeescapewineryia.com

Wine-In-Movies, Taken, dusk

John Ernest Vineyards & Winery, Tama, Iowa  http://www.johnernestvineyards.com

Dogs on Skis, live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Amateur Wine Competition, Lee County Fair Wine Expo, Donnellson, IA www.leecountyfairiowa.com/

July 11, 2009 3:00 – 6:00 p.;m.

The amateur wine competition is open to anyone 21 years of age.

Saturday & Sunday, July 11 & 12

Grillin’ with Iowa Wines

10:00-6:00pm Saturday,

11:00-5:00pm Sunday

Plan your summer road trip on the Western Iowa Wine Trail’s signature event!

Each of the 7 wineries will greet you with delicious grilled foods paired with the right Iowa-made wines that compliment the flavor!   To make your road trip even more fun,

be sure to visit each winery along the trail to collect a piece of the 7-piece gift set, available to the first 225 passport purchasers.

Although you can complete the trail in 1 day, many of our repeat wine trail participants have found that it is much more relaxing over 2 days.  Travel safe!

To reserve your passports with a credit card, please call the winery where you will start your journey. Passports: $60 per couple $35 for a single.

Sunday, July 12

Tabor Home Vineyards & Winery, Baldwin, Iowa http://www.taborhomewine.com

13th Anniversary Celebration with Music in the Vineyards

3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Bryce Jayne

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, http://www.snushillwine.com

One Night Stand, Live music, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Iowa http://www.parkfarmwinery.com

Toast & Jam, live music, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa          http://www.tasselridgewinery.com

Artist’s Display with Mary Beth Heikes, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Watercolors

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, Iowa http://www.prairiemoonwinery.com

Erick Hovey Band, Blues, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa http://www.summersetwine.com

Tony Valdez and The Large Band, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Celebrate Tony’s Birthday!

John Ernest Vineyards & Winery, Tama, Iowa  http://www.johnernestvineyards.com

Barefoot Becky, live music, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Wallace Winery, West Branch, Iowa http://www.wallacewine.com

Blues in the Barn

Kevin “B.F.” Burt, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wine by the glass or bottle and appetizers will be available.

Whispering Pines Winery, Keosauqua, Iowa http://www.whisperingpineswinery.biz

Two Pony Blues Band, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Blues from the 1920s to today.

Tony Blew on guitar and harmonica and Kurt Mielke on slide guitar combine forces to recreate the sounds of the Delta Blues tradition.

1st Annual Calhoun County Amateur Home Wine Making Competition, Rockwell City, Iowa

Sponsored by the Northwest Iowa Grape Growers Association and Calhoun County Expo Board, Calhoun County Expo. For more information: 515-351-9601 or e-mail bcbush@wccta.net by Thursday, July 9th.

Thursday, July 16

Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Iowa http://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 http://www.shwinery.com

Lt. Governor Patty Judge will be visiting at 1 p.m. as part of the Vacation Iowa Tour. http://www.traveliowa.blogspot.com

Friday, July 17

Fireside Winery, Marengo, http://www.firesidewinery.com

Live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, http://www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Tony Valdez & Don Jacques perform at Friday Night Wine Down

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Fireside Winery, Marengo, http://www.firesidewinery.com

Live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, http://www.snushillwine.com

Bill Martin Group, Live music, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Southern Hills Winery at Jordan Creek Mall, West Des Moines http://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 http://www.sugarclaywinery.com

Live Music with Matt Cox  8-11pm  $5 cover/

Free to case club members.

Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent, Iowa http://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 http://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 http://www.grapeescapewineryia.com

Wine-In-Movies, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, dusk

Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart, Iowa, http://www.dalevalleyvineyard.com

WINESTOCK

Wine, Music and Fun! Six bands from Noon – 9:00 p.m.

Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, Iowa http://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 http://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 http://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, http://www.snushillwine.com

Ashanti, Live music, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Iowa http://www.parkfarmwinery.com

Toast & Jam, live music, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, Iowa http://www.prairiemoonwinery.com

Amy and Adams, Folk, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa          http://www.tasselridgewinery.com

See new mechanical grape harvestor, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

John Ernest Vineyards & Winery, Tama, Iowa  http://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.

Cheers!
Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Host Your Next Business or Social Event at a Winery in Midwest Wine Country

Create enthusiasm for your next event as soon as it is announced by selecting an unexpected location.

From corporate meetings to weddings, anniversaries, reunions or retreats, local wineries provide a wonderful unique setting. Wineries usually offer inside and outside space, so be creative with your activities to get your attendees involved. Many are set up to serve meals, and of course, wine tasting inspires networking and fun.

Here are some Central Iowa locations to consider. A quick phone call to your local winery can get you started as you evaluate meeting or event sites.

Prairie Moon Winery outside of Ames has a newly-opened Banquet Hall to seat 300 with beautiful lighting and floor to ceiling views. The full kitchen supports caterers. There is room for 1500 people to roam outside with live music, food and fun. The Tasting room seats 40 for small events.

If you need wedding or meeting space for up to 300 people, take a look at White Oak Vineyards at Elkhart (between Ames and Ankeny). You can get married outside near the vineyard, at the gazebo, in the tasting room by the fireplace, or in the banquet facility. The building is beautiful and the people are terrific.

White Oak is also a great spot for a corporate day meeting for large or small groups. They have planned ahead to make sure you would have everything you need including wireless capabilities and plenty of electrical outlets! www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Whether you are planning a wedding or a strategy session, Summerset Winery is a close-to-the metro location. There are several event locations on site for outside and inside. Two banquet rooms, a dance floor, small catering kitchen and and decks are available for large and small groups. Business planners can arrange for simutaneous workshops, bring the group together to listen to a speaker and have a social event at the end of the day. It’s a beautiful setting that is sure to please.

Jasper Winery in the heart of the Des Moines metro is available for special events of all sizes, inside or outside. Jasper Winery is also a beautiful site for weddings and events.

Also consider these welcoming locations:

Snus Hill near Madrid has a banquet room with dance floor and a big front porch.

Southern Hills Winery, off of I-35 at Osceola can accommodate 140 guests for weddings, corporate events such as lectures, meeting luncheons or dinner,  and private events such as birthday parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, graduations or anniversary parties. They, like other wineries, can help find a caterer or band, or just about anything else you need for the event.

Two Saints Winery just off I-35 at St. Charles has a new banquet facility and tasting room.

The Reception Room at La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola, seats up to 140 people. There is a dance floor, catering kitchen and special serving nook off of the room, which is also equipped with a large screen for presentations.  Outside, a large deck and a gazebo extend the entertaining and event options.

John Ernest Vineyard and Winery at Tama has a nice banquet facility, and, as with the other wineries, can incorporate a visit with the winemaker into your meeting activities.

Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls, has a beautiful outdoor setting as well as a welcoming, nicely decorated party room, set up for catering, to accommodate 40 people.

Dale Valley Vineyard near Stuart is also a fine location for outdoor weddings, receptions, reunions and business meetings.

Consider wineries next time you are planning an event. You’ll find great hospitality and support to help you pull off a successful day, no matter your mission.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko,

Publisher Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakemineWinemagazine.com

Toast the New Year with Iowa Wine!

I’ll be toasting 2009 with Iowa wine and I hope you’ll do the same. Here are some great picks with descriptions straight from the winemakers. Check each winery’s web site for retail locations.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton. www.tasselridgewinery.com

Oskyfizzante White is a fruity, semi-sweet, carbonated wine made from Muscat grapes. It has grapefruit, kiwi and stony fruit on the nose, and kiwi, peach, and citrus on the palate. Oskyfizzante White is a great wine for celebrations. Serve well chilled.

 

Summerset Winery, Indianola. www.summersetwine.com

Festiva

A delightful sparkling wine, similar to an Asti Spumante

 

White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge. www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Celebrate

Semi Sweet Ruby Red Wine. This blend of French-American hybrid grapes has been one of ou customers “Most Popular”. It resembles a White Merlot with a cranberry tartness that leaves you with a pleasant mouth feel and taste.

 

Tabor Home Vineyards & Winery, Baldwin. www.taborhomewinery.com

A Real Sweetie

NEW in 2006. This LaCrosse white grape wine from our vineyards is soft & Smooth with the sweetness of pears. If you enjoy Muscato, you will love A Real Sweetie dessert wine.

 

Wallace Winery, West Branch. www.wallacewine.com

Blanc de Blanc

Rich Chardonel wine sparkled in the traditional champagne style by natural fermentation.

 

Little Swan Lake, Estherville. www.lslwinery.com

Semi Sweet Reisling

A sweeter, gentle white wine with flowery scent and smooth flavor.

 

As always, you can ask your liquor store manager for additional Iowa Wine suggestions. If you are in the Coralville area, let Matt Wiskus at Muddy Creek Winery help you select an Iowa wine. You can also buy wines from 10 Iowa wines online from Matt a www.buyiowawines.com.

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

It’s Picnic Time in the Vines on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail

Close to home weekend fun doesn’t get much better than this!  With 15 wineries on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, all within a 60 mile radius of Des Moines, you can visit one, two or three each weekend and taste wine, learn and enjoy!

To add to the fun, you can purchase a picnic cooler for two at any of the participating wineries, and beginning Sunday, June 1st through July 31st, you can receive a unique picnic item from each winery for your Picnic Time in the Vines basket. This is a limited edition event with only 150 picnic coolers available for sale at $40.

 

The fifteen Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries are: Dale Valley Vineyard & Winery, Stuart; Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls; Grape Escape, Pleasantville; Jasper Winery, Newton; John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama; La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola; Penoach Winery, Adel; Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards, Ames; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton; Two Saints Winery, St. Charles; and White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge.

 

I’ve been to almost all of these wineries and can tell you the people are friendly and helpful, the wineries are interesting and unique, and you are sure to find wines you will enjoy! Hit the trail and have some fun in Midwest Wine Country!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

 

 

Sweethearts and Wine … Together on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail

What is a natural companion to both sweethearts and wine? Chocolate, of course!

 

You and your sweetheart can partake of quality chocolate and fine wine during the Sweethearts and Chocolate event on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail over two weekends – February 2 & 3, and February 16 & 17.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail covers the central one- third of the state from North to South. For just $15 each, you can buy a ticket and enjoy the wine and chocolate pairings both weekends – one visit per winery. You can also build a Chocolate and Wine recipe file with your free recipe from each winery.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail is featured in the Holiday 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine magazine. Issues will be available at most of the wineries on the trail. If you don’t find one there, call 515-962-5515.

 

Discover the fine wine and the fun at these Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries: Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart; Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls; The Grape Escape Vineyard and Winery, Pleasantville; Jasper Winery, Newton; John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama; La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola; Penoach Vineyard & Winery, Adel; Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards, Ames; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton; Two Saints Winery, St. Charles; White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge.

Have fun — and try a couple of my favorites with chocolate! Tassel Ridge Winery’s Finale Raspberry and Rosey Acres’ Winery’s Paradise Mist (which won the People’s Choice Award for “Best Tasting Wine” at the 2007 Iowa Wine Festival) Let me know your favorite!

Before you go, check the hours for each winery. Then hit the trail and have a great time! www.HeartofIowaWineTrail.com.

Cheers and Chocolate!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Summer Goes Better with Wine!

Midwest wineries love the chance to entertain their guests on beautiful summer evenings. This weekend’s “after the fourth” events are as tempting as their delicate, tempting summer wines! Take some time and sample both this Friday, July 6th and Saturday, July 7th.

 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. … Sunsets at Summerset with the Stu Calhoun Trio featuring Morgan Halgren. I love the sound of this latin jazz combo band and the beautiful voice of my dear friend Morgan. There will be another Trio there Friday too … Pasta Trio, available from Contemporary Catering. Summerset Winery between Des Moines and Indianola. www.summersetwine.com

Friday Night Wine Down at White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, Iowa is always a real good time. This week Tina Haase & Lady Blue is performing. 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Stop by King’s Crossing Winery for Desserts at the Winery 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in Glenwood. www.kingscrossingvineyard.com

The new Fireside Winery in Marengo invites you to stop by and sample their wines — 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. www.firesidewinery.com

This week’s Front Porch Friday, 6:30-9:30  p.m. features Scott Davis & Jason Danielson (jazz variety). Snus Hill Vineyard, Madrid.

Saturday, July 7th

A special event at the Downtown Des Moines Farmer’s Market takes place this Saturday. There will also be a home-grown Iowa wine-tasting event featuring five Iowa wineries from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery in Stuart hosts the Grand Opening from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Stop in and taste their wine. Enjoy music by the Soul Searchers. www.dalevalleyvineyard.com

The first-ever Raccoon Valley Wine Festival will be in downtown Adel, 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. with Iowa Wineries sampling and selling their wine and  Acoustic Mayhem, a popular group of musicians from Iowa City and Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts from the Des Moines area playing Blues & Boogie music. Adel, Iowa.

Sunsets at Sugar Grove with The Likely Suspects (Classic Rock), 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Newton. www.sugargrove.com

So have some wine and have some fun!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko