Ready for Some Winery Fun?

Dance, taste, dine and play in Iowa Wine Country this fall. Join your girlfriends for a fab night out. Sample wine and food pairings on The Iowa Wine Trail. Laugh your boots and hats off on a great couple’s night watching a mystery play. Plan a wine country getaway complete with wine, dinner and an overnight. Enjoy!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Bill Martin Group (variety and dance music)

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid

www.snushillwinery.com

Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18
Oktoberfest

Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette

www.eagleslandingwinery.com

Saturday, October 17

Brother Tucker

Dale Valley Winery, Stuart, Iowa

http://www.dalevalleyvineyard.com

Sunday, October 18

Buck Hollow Band and Rican Ribs

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery

Decorah

www.wwwinery.com

Sunday Tunes, October 18,  3–6 p.m.

Tony Valdez & Don Jaques

Summerset Winery, Indianola

www.summersetwine.com

Sunday, October 18, 2 – 5 p.m.

Sumpin’ Doo (blues)
Snus Winery, Madrid

www.snuswine.com

Thursday, October 22, 6 – 8 p.m.

Girls’ Night Out

Advance reservations required.
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton

www.tasselridge.com

Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24

Randy Manning’s Jest Mysteries

“A Fistfull of Hollers” Murder Mystery Dinner

Advance reservations required.
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton

www.tasselridge.com

Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25

Eagle City Winery Fall Open House

Wine Tasting and Hors d’Ouevres, Horse Drawn Trolley Rides, Live Music

Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls

www.eaglecitywinery.com

Saturday, October 24, 2 – 4 p.m.

Iowa’s Wine Cellar One-Year Anniversary

Iowa’s Wine Cellar

Ames

www.iowaswinecellar.com

Thursday, October 29, 6 – 8 p.m.

Girls’ Night Out

Advance reservations required.
Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton

www.tasselridge.com

Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8

The Iowa Wine Trail Food Pairing

Food from Around the World
“A World of Food with Iowa Wines” will be the theme for The Iowa Wine Trail’s

November wine and food event to be held Saturday, November 7 and Sunday,

November 8.  Each winery will serve samples of their award winning wines paired

with food from around the world.

At each winery, adventurous wine tasters will have the opportunity to sample

foods from around the world paired with unique, locally made wines.  There will

be foods from Argentina at Daly Creek Winery, Anamosa, foods from Germany at

Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, foods from Ireland at Engelbrecht Family

Winery, Fredericksburg and Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Tex-Mex foods at Sutliff

Cider Company, Lisbon, French foods at Tabor Home Vineyards, Baldwin, foods from

around the world at Wallace Winery, West Branch, food from Italy at Wide River

Winery, Clinton, and food from the Caribbean at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery,

Decorah.

Tickets for the two-day event may be purchased in advance for $25 each, or

one-day tickets for $20 each in advance.  Tickets are $35 the day of the event.

Visit www.iowawinetrail.com for the Early Bird Special (four tickets for the

price of three) if ordered before November 1.  Tickets can also be purchased at

any of the Iowa Wine Trail wineries, by calling 563-557-3727 or online at

www.iowawinetrail.com.

Visitors who attend all nine wineries during the weekend will be included in a

drawing for special door prizes.  www.iowawinetrail.com or call 563/557-3727

Wine and Dine Des Moines

Jasper Winery, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Radisson

Discover a wine excursion – right here in Des Moines! The Radisson Wine Experience includes transportation from the hotel to Jasper Winery in which you will have a tour, enjoy a wine tasting and a gift certificate to Jasper Winery. Your evening continues with a wine tasting dinner for two at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse and you will receive two commemorative Johnny’s wine glasses. End the evening with a luxurious overnight stay at the Radisson and wake to a breakfast buffet – all for only $199 plus tax. Limited packages available – call to reserve your Des Moines Wine Tour today!
Call (515) 285-7777 to make a reservation

Have fun!  Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine magazine

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

Choose a Winery for Your Next Corporate Meeting or Business Event

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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://www.snushillwine.com

 

If you’re looking for space for 150 attendees, Southern Hills Winery near Osceola (I-35) is a good choice.  http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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

Sip and Savor Fine Iowa Wines at the 4th Annual Iowa Wine Festival!

The Iowa State Fair is over, but the wine tasting continues this Saturday, August 23rd at the Iowa Wine Festival. The Square in Indianola is the place to be from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.

 

You can enjoy unlimited wine sampling, purchase wines and visit with Iowa winemakers; sample the best from Chef Jon Wiler of Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; cast a vote for your favorite Iowa Wine in the People’s Choice Award and browse the offerings of various local artists, food vendors and exhibitors.

 

The fun will be set to the music of Big Daddy Blues (2:00 – 5:00) and Tony Valdez and The Large Band (6:00 – 9:00).

 

Check out the schedule of events and be prepared to participate in the contests, games, bocco ball and grape stomping, the crowning of the Iowa Wine Festival King and Queen, and the silent auction with plenty of cool stuff. I can imagine the bragging rights – and noise – from the winner of the Whining Contest!

 

Best of all you can enjoy some of the best Iowa Wines from these fine wineries:

Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls

Fireside Winery, Marengo

Grape Escape Vineyard & Winery, Pleasantville

Jasper Winery, Newton

John Ernest Vineyard and Winery, Tama

La Vida Loca Winery, Indianola

Little Swan Lake Winery, Estherville

Madison County Winery, St. Charles

Penoach Vineyard, Winery and Nursery, Adel

Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels

Southern Hills Winery, Osceola

Summerset Winery, Indianola

Tabor Home Winery, Bankston

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton

Two Saints Winery, St. Charles

Wide River Winery, Clinton

 

Bring your camera! This will be a great time to take some photos for the Make Mine Wine Midwest Wine Country Competition. Also, remember to bring a designated driver!

 

 

 

 

Full information for the event is online at http://www.iowawinefestival.org/. Tickets for this event are $25 in advance.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

To subscribe, send an email to makeminewine@mchsi.com

Meet EC and Enjoy the Live Music, Wine Tasting and Hors D’oeuvres at Eagle City Winery

A visit to Eagle City Winery, featured in the current issue of Make Mine Wine, is a great day trip and is just 1 hour North of Des Moines. Pick a date, Saturday, June 28th or Sunday, June 29th, and drive to Iowa Falls for Eagle City Winery’s Spring Open House, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.

 

Winemaker Dr. Ken Groninga creates sixteen fine wines and has won 20 awards in International Competitions.

 

The winery is in a beautiful setting and you are sure to have a good time touring the Tasting Room, vineyard and winery. Don’t forget to meet EC!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All work and no play … you know what they say … so head out to a winery and have some fun!

Spring in Midwest Wine Country can be stressful with the relentless threat of thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes. Neighbors help neighbors and a strong sense of caring starts the healing process. My home state of Iowa has been hit particularly hard this year, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, had homes damaged or destroyed or seen recently-planted fields turn into lakes.

 

If there is an upside to the fierce weather, it is the lush green landscape!

 

If you need an escape this weekend, or next, I recommend you get out and enjoy your close-to-home Midwest Wine Country events.  Check out www.makeminewinemagazine.com for a more complete list of all of the events. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are hopping at the wineries!

 

Here are some suggestions for the weekend of June 20^th – 22^nd:

 

Imagine a beautiful lake, rimmed with white tents, live jazz, gourmet pork creations and Iowa wine. What is it? The not-to-be-missed, Second Annual SWINE Festival at the Ankeny Campus of Des Moines Area Community College, Saturday, June 21^st from 4:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

 

You can sample 10 gourmet pork dishes created by area Chefs and Iowa wine samplings from Cedar Ridge Winery (Cedar Rapids), Eagle City Winery (Iowa Falls), Grape Escape Winery (Pleasantville), Jasper Winery (Newton), Madison County Winery (St. Charles, IA), Park Farm Winery (Bankston), Santa Maria Winery (Willey), Snus Hill Winery (Madrid), Southern Hills Winery (Osceola), Summerset Winery (Indianola), Sutliff Cider Company (Lisbon), Tabor Home Winery (Baldwin), Tassel Ridge Winery (Leighton), and White Oak Vineyards (Cambridge).

 

Janey Hooper will entertain with her mix of jazz, blues and rhythm and blues. For $35 you can taste, sample and listen – and receive 1 free bottle of wine (your choice). Advance tickets are $30 at iowatix.com. The event will take place rain or shine.

 

The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail event, Picnic Time in the Vines, continues through July 31^st, at 15 Central Iowa wineries. For more information, check out heartofiowawinetrail.com.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery at Leighton invites you to a Wine and Food Pairing Dinner, Sunday, June 22^nd. It is a great opportunity to try Caribbean flavors paired with wine. Reserve by June 19^th. www.tasselridge.com

 

Enjoy live music with your wine on Sunday, June 22^nd. It’s The Bar Gators at Southern Hills Winery near Osceola, www.shwinery.com. Mike and Amy Finders Band will entertain (Bluegrass) in Ames at Prairie Moon Winery, www.prairiemoonwinery.com. You can listen to Latin jazz with Tony Valdez at Snus Hill Vineyards and Winery, Madrid, www.snushillwine.com. Head out to Summerset Winery in Indianola to hear Perry Weber & the Devilles. The Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association will hold at Jam session at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, www.wwwwinery.com, in Decorah. Tabor Homes Vineyards at Baldwin (www.Taborwines.com) will feature live music by Bryce Janey. On Solid Ground will play in Thurman at Sugar Clay Winery, www.sugarclarywinery.com.

 

If you’re going to be in Michigan, don’t miss Diva’s Uncorked – an evening devoted to women and wine, presented by the Old Mission Wine Trail. See the details at www.wineriesofoldmission.com.

 

 

Cheers!

Barbara

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Meet a Couple of Red Grapes (Concord and Frontenac) on the Midwest Country Wine Trail

Visitors to wineries can sample wines, tour wineries … and learn about grapes. It is fun to be in the know about the grapes and their wines. This is the first of several postings to help you sort out the flavors of the Midwest grapes.

 

Of course, you will find Zinfandel, Catawba and Cabernet Sauvignon and other familiar wines made by Midwest wine makers. When you do, know that the grapes or juice has been brought in from another state. Why? Because the tender grapes behind these well-known wines just can’t take Midwest winters.

 

You’ll find wines made from native grapes that you may already be familiar with… like the Concord which has been hanging around in Midwest winters for years. I remember my Grandmother’s Concord jelly … and today the majority of Concord grapes are still made into jam, jelly and juice. Of course, plenty is used for sweet wine, and you’ll find popular Concord red wines at many Midwest tasting rooms.

 

Concord

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA — Sweet Old Timer is made from Concord grapes and sweetened to match its natural acidity.  With its assertive fragrance and flavor, this distinctive wine will bring back the sweet memories of the good old days.

 

Jasper Winery, Newton, IA — Lucy Lane is delectably sweet and rich in flavor. A blend of several grapes, although classic Concord aromas and flavor are easily discerned.

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, IA – Concord has a fruity bouquet that smells like grandma’s jam.

 

 Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls, IA — American Concord is a sweet, heavily bodied red wine that is fruity and highly aromatic. 

 

Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, IA – 2006 Concord is rich in color with a fragrance of grape jelly and an earthy essence.

 

Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden, IA — Misbehavin’ is a nice blend of Concord and Edelweiss.

 

Fireside Winery, Marengo, IA – Serenade is slightly sweet and full-bodied with the aromatic bouquet and flavor for which Concord is famous, yet offers a different twist with a slightly dry finish.

 

Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison, IA — Concord has great Country grape flavor and is drier than most Concord wines.

 

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, IA — Honey Moon Red is a sweet red concord wine that is sweetened with a little bit of honey.

 

Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels, IA – Concord has the taste and flavor of good old-fashioned grape wine.

 

Most grapes used for wine in the Midwest are not native, so you’ll find wines made from cold-hardy grapes like Frontenac, introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1996. If you prefer dry to sweet, the wines made from Frontenac may be for you. Frontenac has a deep garnet color and cherry aroma. Here is a sample of full bodied reds, rosés, and Port wines created from Frontenac grapes by Iowa winemakers.

 

Frontenac

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2006 Iowa Frontenac presents the essence of tart cherries in a light-bodied red wine made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2007 Iowa Frontenac Rosé, is made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa. This wine is light, fruity, and best served chilled.

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA — Rohde Red is a vintage of the Frontenac, Marechal Foch  and Valiant Grapes, creating a dry, full bodied red wine.  Grown in their vineyard, it has a light oak finish

 

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA – Port of Marquette is a port-style wine from Frontenac and Marechal Foch grapes.

 

Prairie Crossing Vineyard, Treynor, IA — Frontenac is a dry red made from 100% Frontenac grapes grown in Iowa. Their Frontenac wine is a lighter dry red with a black licorice nose and subtle oak characteristics.

 

Two Saints Winery, St. Charles, IA — 2006 Frontenac is a full-bodied dry red wine with a dark berry bouquet. You will find dark juicy berry flavors, licorice and a whisper of mocha that leads you to a lush, velvety finish.

 

John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama, IA — Lincoln Highway Red is a blend of their Frontenac and Merlot wines. Medium bodied with a semi-sweet taste.

 

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, IA — Frontenac Dessert Wine is a sweet fortified ruby port style wine for sipping.

 

Danish Countryside Vines & Wines — Sweet Caroline, a semi-dry red made with Frontenac grapes.

 

You may want to track your samplings of wines from the Concord and Frontenac grapes.  Discover your favorites.

 

Join me next time when we meet two more red grapes.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

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

Cooking with Wine

I enjoy knowing interesting people and great food! 

Not long ago I met an interesting lady – Luann Alemao. She is a leadership, image, etiquette, food and nutrition expert – and she enjoys wine! Recently we filmed a ‘cooking with wine’ segment for her popular TV show, Get Fit, which airs on CFU Cable Channel 15 in Cedar Falls. 

First Luann and the camera crew, Tyler Gray and Mike Verlo, shot footage for the show at Eagle City Winery in Iowa Falls. They visited with the owner and winemaker, Dr. Ken Groninga, and bought Eagle City wine back to use in a recipe on the show. www.eaglecitywinery.com.

When I arrived at Luann’s Home in Cedar Falls, it was time to get the final segment in the can, as they say. Together, for the Get Fit audience, Luann and I prepared the dishes she had developed:  Chicken Veronique with wine and grapes, mouth-watering biscuits with wine, and tasty salad with wine in the dressing. The food was beautiful, nutritious and delicious.

If you live in the Cedar Valley area, you’ll be able to see the show soon on Channel 15. When the show airs (around November 1^st) Luann will post her recipes on her Web site, www.laanda.com. 

While we were filming the show I was reminded of how easy — and rewarding  — it is to cook with wine. It is fine to sip while you cook – but I’m talking about the other cooking with wine! 

Wine is a flavorful, robust ingredient. 

This morning I had breakfast with Tony and Sue Putz, owners of La Vida Loco Winery near Indianola. We talked about a few great ways to use their famed Jalapeno-Raisin Wine as an ingredient.    

Jalamimosas – Jalapeno-Raisin wine and orange juice           

Jalapeno Bloody Marys – Substitute Jalapeno-Raisin wine for the hot sauce           

Jalapeno-raising wine as the liquid in bread recipes, to marinate steaks or fish, or add to the stock in soups and stews.           

One of their customers even adds a little to Pepsi! I don’t think I’ll be trying that one!

Think about your favorite wine. How can you use it to flavor soups, stews, or marinates? Consider pouring wine over fruit or adding some to favorite recipes.  Experiment, or play it safe and choose a tried and true wine-flavored recipe.

In the Fall I take more time to plan and cook delicious meals. This year I’ll be adding some wine – why don’t you!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.Makeminewinemagazine.com

Crowds are Enjoying Iowa Wines at the State Fair

You have five days left to sample Iowa wines and talk to winemakers at the Iowa State Fair – it runs through Sunday, August 19^th.  Not only that, you can buy a bottle of wine – any bottle for the State Fair Special Price of $12.00 – and sit in the shade and enjoy it, take it up to the campground, or pour it into a wine glass and stroll! The Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden is open and inviting … and fair-goers love it!

Two of the most popular wines on these hot August days is Rosey Acre’s Paradise Mist (I love the name!) and Red, White and Blue from Tassel Ridge. If you like Rieslings, Paradise Mist is for you. The traditional sweet white, Red, White and Blue is Concord-based and delicious.

The wines being sampled at the fair are certainly some of Iowa’s best. The wines were juried and you’ll find selected wines from twelve of Iowa wineries: Deja Vine, Eagle City Winery, Jasper Winery, Kaiser Home Winery, Madison County Winery, Park Farm Winery, Penoach Vineyards and Winery, Prairie Moon Winery, Rosey Acres Winery, Summerset Winery, Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery and Tassel Ridge Winery.

I’ve been in the booth each day showing off Make Mine Wine and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of you that have stopped by. Some have seen the magazine previously – others have not. It’s a hit since the wine-drinkers at the fair are curious about and interested in Midwest Wine Country.

I hear rave reviews about the Caba Moch and weekly music events at Summerset Winery in Indianola. The wines from Tassel Ridge, as well as the pairing dinners, are popular – and people rave about that beautiful green granite winery. Folks from the Eastern part of the state are thrilled to be close to the gorgeous wineries and great wines of Park Farm and Tabor Home. Lots of fans of Eagle City stop by, and the Central Iowa regulars love seeing their familiar winemakers … especially Jean Grebe and Al Meeks.

The fine people from TTC, Inc. created the inviting Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden. Kevin and Jayne Smith are true professionals and long-time concessionaires with endless energy and a friendly, competent staff. The booth is west of the Giant Slide—and you’ll see the stand under a big white canopy, ringed by a grape-stained bar set on French oak barrels (they are for sale and can be made into tables, chairs and a wine-chilling cooler).

Stop by, taste some great Iowa wine, and say hi. It’s the best new experience at the Iowa State Fair!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Click here to subscribe to Make Mine Wine.