Include a Winery Visit in Your Weekend Plans

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 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

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.

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

http://www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Celebrate July 4th at a Winery

Taste wine!

Listen to live music!

Dance!

Share a bottle of your favorite wine!

Enjoy delicious food!

Play lawn games!

Entertain your out-of-state … or local friends!

Ooh and aah over the fireworks!

Hang out with people who want to have a good time!

Here are a few of the lively 4th of July events at local wineries:

July 4 Summerset Winery, Indianola,Iowa, 2:00 – 8:00 p;.m., Live Music, good food, great wine, awesome time!

July 4th. Celebrate with Red, White, & Blue, BBQ & Lawn Games at Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa. Lawn games: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m . Lunch: 12–1p $15+ tax. Grilled steak sandwiches, crunchy coleslaw, cookies.  Reserv req by Thurs, July 2.

Plans for the 4th? Iowa’s 6 wine trails beckon. Stop during vacation or plan a special getaway. Locations here: http://tinyurl.com/ledoka

July 4th, Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville, Iowa. Smoked Ribs, Potluck (7 pm), Wind Talkers/Nicolas Cage (movie on the barn), The movie is inspired by the true story of the Navajo soldiers whose courage and sacrifices helped win the war in the Pacific. Fireworks following the movie! Bring covered dish to share, lawn chairs.

July 4th, Southern Hills Winery, Osceola, Iowa. BBQ Sandwiches, wine tasting, Music by Katdaddy55, 6:30-9:30p. Fireworks at dusk.

Cedar Valley Winery, Batavia, Iowa. Grand Opening, Sat. July 4th 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sun. July 5th 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Six different wines and food.

Loess Hills Winery, Crescent, Iowa. Live Music with Chris Saub 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. July 4th. Details: http://www.loesshillsvineyardandwinery.com

July 4th Ribs on the River Fest at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, Iowa. Details at http://www.wwwinery.com.

Dale Valley Vineyard & Winery, Stuart, Iowa. July 4th, Live music by Brother Tucker – 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Details at http://www.dalevalleyvineyard.com.

Check the website for your favorite winery — some will be closed on the 4th of July — and many have live music on Friday or Sunday.

Remember: leave your pets at home — and do not bring acoholic beverages. Buy a bottle of wine to share at the event and purchase  a bottle or case of your favorite wine to take home! Remember, too, you can order many favorite wines and have them shipped to your home, or as a gift to friends, from http://www.buyiowawines.com – run by our good friend Matt Wiskus at Muddy River Wine Company at Coralville!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Explore Midwest Wine Country when you follow @makeminewine on Twitter, http://www.twitter.com

Explore Iowa’s Wine Trails

Over 50 wineries are scattered along Iowa’s Wine Trails and a visit to any of one of them is a mini-vacation from the everyday world. Treat yourself to stops at several wineries along one of Iowa’s 6 wine trails and experience for a great weekend getaway. There is so much to do in Iowa Wine Country. For starters, you can:

Taste award-winning wines

Tour a winery

Stroll through the vineyard

Meet the winemaker

Take pictures for the Make Mine Wine Midwest Wine Country photo contest (scenic, people, still-life, black and white — deadline October 1, 2009 to makeminewine@mchsi.com )

Develop your wine-tasting palate

Pick up some delicious recipes and wine and food pairing suggestions

Relax on the balcony or porch and soak in the scenery

Sign up to harvest grapes — and then do some stomping

Hang out with friends and

Listen to live music.

Hop on a trail while on vacation or schedule a special getaway. For more information on Iowa’s wine trails, click on the links below.

Amana Colonies Wine Trail — 5 wineries in the Amanas —www.amanacolonies.org

Great River Road Wine Trail — 9 wineries in iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin — www.greatriverroadwinetrail.org

Heart of Iowa Wine Trail — 16 wineries in central Iowa —  www. heartofiowawinetrail.com

The Iowa Wine Trail — 8 wineries in northeast Iowa — www.iowawinetrail.com

Scenic Rivers Wine Trail — 15 wineries in southeast Iowa, Illinois and Missouri — www.scenicriverswine.com

Western Iowa Wine Trail – 7 wineries in western Iowa — www.westerniowawinetrail.com

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

Find Weekend Inspiration (With Wine!) Here

Are you out there having fun? Your local wineries look forward to seeing you. There’s no end to the fun you can have!

Heart of Iowa Wine Trail Receive 2 Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wine glasses when you complete your passport ($25 each) with stamps from each of the wineries on the trail. Sample wine, find your favorites and take some home to enjoy. Between now and October 1st you may participate in the Heart of Iowa Culinary Celebration – purchase an apron ($40 each) and receive a free culinary item from each winery (15 in all). For more info see www.heartofiowawinetrail.com.

Purchase tickets now for one of the upcoming Wine & Prime Dinners at the Iowa State Fair. Prime rib and the fixings, along with your favorite Iowa wine from the Iowa Wine & Cheese Garden is a first-rate fine dining experience at the Iowa State Fair, August 13 – 23). Call 515/262-8323 for more information.

Scenic Rivers Grape & Wine, Summer Romance in the Vineyards, takes place this weekend, June 27 & 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Download a map with the 15 wineries and check for details at www.scenicriverswine.com

Saturday, June 27th, downtown Adel is the scene for the Raccoon Valley Wine Festival. Groove with Tony Valdez sample and buy wine, explore the food vendor booths. 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

It’s Music in the Barn, Sunday, June 28th,  with Dave Moore at Wallace Winery. 2:00 – 4:30, West Branch Iowa.

Tassel Ridge Winery’s 2nd Annual Croquet Tournament is this Saturday, June 27th, in Leighton, Iowa. Stop by for wine and BBQ. Enjoy the artist’s work on display. Relax and have fun!

There are plenty of opportunities to hear the live music at Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, Iowa. Front Porch Fridays are from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Snus Sundays are 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sip wine and relax!  www.snushillwine.com

Rumor Has It will be on the big outdoor screen (10′ x 20′ on the side of the barn) at Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville, Iowa, this Saturday night, June 27th. Free popcorn during the movie – bring a chair and, if you like, snacks. Purchase wine from Grape Escape and have fun!  Movie begins at dark — around 8:45/9:00. (Must be 21 and no pets.)

Dale Valley Vineyard at Stuart, Iowa, features live music every other Saturday from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. – check the website for dates and bands at www.dalevalleyvineyard.com.

John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama, Iowa, invites you to join them for live music and wine. Their outdoor entertainment schedule is posted at www.johnernestvineyard.com  Coming up is Major Day on Sunday, June 28th from 3:00 – 6:00 and Route 66 on Friday, July 3rd from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Friday night, June 26th,  One Night Stand will be performing R&B and Jazz at Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, Iowa.

Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Iowa, has Thursday night music events, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.. This week you can hear Tony Valdez, play lawn games and purchase wine, burgers, brats, etc.

Friday Night Wine Downs at White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, Iowa, feature live music from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Details at www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Sunset in the Vineyard at Penoach Winery, Adel, Iowa, is a great place to listen to live music on Friday nights. This week it is Louderbox in Concert, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Details at www.penoach.com

Fireside Winery, Marengo, Iowa, hosts their Summer music series from 7 pm – 10 every Friday night.

Sunday, June 28th, Brich & Killion will be at Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, Iowa, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

SEMBA Bluegrass Jam takes place at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, Iowa, on Sunday, June 28. Details at www.wwwinery.com.

Park Farm Winery’s Toast and Jam gets underway every Sunday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. It’s a end-of-the-weekend wind-down in Bankston, Iowa.

There are plenty of choices for fun at wineries – all good!

Mark your calendars for next weekends 4th of July Celebration at Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa. Be there between 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. for live music, good food, great wine and fun people. www.summersetwine.com

 Of course, you can catch Sunday Tunes at Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa, every Sunday, year round from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Did you know, not far from Summerset Winery at  Carlisle, Iowa, (just off the Highway 5 by-pass) has an old-fashioned 4th of July Parade (9:30 a.m.) and a day of activities in the park. Have some fun in Carlisle, then head to Summerset Winery. That night, the spectacular Fireworks display in Carlisle will put a big exclamation mark on a wonderful day!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko Publisher, Make Mine Wine www.makeminewinemagazine.com

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It’s a Beautiful Weekend to Have Fun at a Winery!

I just took a peak at the upcoming events for this weekend and I was pleased at the number of things to do at wineries across the state (in addition to tasting and buying wine!).You still have time to enter the Make Mine Wine Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition — so grab your camera and go have some fun.

 

 I’ll give you the list in a moment, but first I have to say, if you are looking for an idea for an event, the one coming up this weekend in Coralville looks like a lot of fun.

 

Matthew Wiskus, proprietor at Muddy Creek Wine Company is hosting the Muddy Creek Wine Walk on Friday. Golfers will first enjoy 9 holes of golf at Brown Deer Golf Course, and then complete the course with 9 gold of wine tasting. Friday’s going to be a beautiful day, and I can predict the folks on the golf course at Brown Deer are going to have a memorable time!

 

As you plan your weekend, consider the wineries and pick an event or two to attend. As always, check the wineries’ websites to get all the details – this list will get you started.

 

Friday, September 19^th there will be live music at Snus Hill Winery at Madrid with ProMusica Trio (jazz);  Jimmy Buffet Night at Southern Hills Winery near Osceola with DJ Tawny, contests and fun;  Summerset Winery will host Flying Silos; Pair of Jacks will be performing at King’s Crossing Vineyard in Glenwood, Morning After will be at Fireside Winery near Marengo and Friday Night Wine Down will be on at White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge.

 

Saturday is Ladies’ Night with Joanne Jackson, the Iowa Jazz & Blues Hall of Famer, at Sunsets at Sugar Grover in Newton. Grape Escape Winery in Pleasantville welcomes you to Wine-In Movies. You can stomp grapes, hear live music, shop the crafters and have an overall great time at Sugar Clay Winery in Thurman or catch Rosey Acres at Des Moines’ downtown farmers market.

 

On Sunday, River & The Tributaries will entertain you at Park Farm Winery in Bankston. Don’t forget to text before arriving for your free glass of wine (see the advertisement in the Summer issue of Make Mine Wine). Summerset Winery between Des Moines and Indianola has music by Switchback; Snus Hill Winery invites you to Madrid to hear Midnight Crisis, there is live music at Prairie Moon Winery in Ames, and Little Swan Lake Winery in Estherville features music by Ceolmhor.

 

I visited Tabor Home Vineyard in Baldwin earlier this month and you can reach more about my trip in the upcoming Fall/Winter issue of Make Mine Wine. Better yet, attend Music in the Vineyard this Sunday, September 21^st. You can bring your own picnic and hear music by Surprise. You’ll have a great time in a gorgeous setting.

 

One more thing … Thursday night, September 25^th, Café Dodici is hosting Guest Chef Lynn Loula and you can be there for the Asian-inspired feast. You may remember Café Dodici has been featured in Make Mine Wine, and we highly recommend this Washington, Iowa experience. You’ll always find international cuisine and wine as well as local art, gourmet foods and more in Dodici’s Shop. Owner Lorraine Williams was a Washington, Iowa native and, after spending 25 years in Italy, came home and created a unique destination.

 

Enjoy your weekend in Midwest Wine Country! And don’t forget your camera!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Grape Stomp and Squeeze … and Snap!

Take off those shoes and socks … scrub your feet … and jump in the barrel!

 

It’s grape stomping season in Midwest Wine Country!

 

The current issue of Make Mine Wine provides the details on technique, and our website, www.makeminewinemagazine.com lists whens and wheres. Check it out and make reservations to stomp grapes this year.

 

Grape stompers are usually grape pickers first – it’s part of the deal. Then the real fun begins and often includes lunch, wine tasting, stomping contests, costume contests and wine drinking!

 

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

 

Hey! Don’t forget to snap some photos of all that fun! The deadline for the Make Mine Wine Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition is October 1^st – and the winners will be featured in the Spring 2009 issue. Details are on the website!

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

http://www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Visit the Central Iowa Wineries and Create Memorable Experiences

Recently, several people have told me about their visits to the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail and every one has interesting and favorable comments. The comments from a friend today reminded me of the variety and quaintness of each stop, the hospitality of the winemakers, and the fun of trying new wines.

 

She told me the two of them set out on a dreary, rainy morning this weekend to visit Central Iowa wineries and they had a great time. She particularly liked Snus Hill Winery near Madrid. Since she adores cats, the fun “cat face” logo on the bottles were a hit. At the beautiful tasting bar, they tried some wines that were not what they would normally drink. She liked and bought the light white, Whisker White. 

 

Next they ventured to Adel to Penoach Vineyard & Winery. He enjoyed the setting – a 1900-era farmstead with 10 acres of vines and a barn restored to a winery. They visited with winemaker Stan Olsen and found unique gifts in the Gift Shop. They are just learning about red wine, so tasted a few, and found Iowa St. Vincent to their liking.

 

A stop at Dale Valley Winery near Stuart proved to be another favorite. Prairie grass fields purchased in Guthrie County, Iowa in 1853  became the home site for John Lonsdale and his family. Thirty local residents put their time and talents together to build a school, and soon thereafter Dale City was born. Today, the school house is home to Dale Valley Winery. My friends tried the wines, and enjoyed the tour of the winery and the taste of Solistice, a unique blush with a sweet fruit flavor.

 

Their day-away in Midwest Wine Country was enjoyable and gave them a great chance to relax and visit — probably even giggle and laugh! She said they will plan another day soon to visit a few more “charming” Iowa wineries.

Another friend and her husband stopped by Little Swan Lake Winery at Estherville in Northern Iowa and heard some live music, drank some wine, and had buffalo sandwiches and ice cream. It’s a favorite stop for the locals and she said it was easy to see why … everyone was having a good time.

 

 

 

 

If you are filling your basket with the Picnic in the Vines event on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, remember it continues through July 31st.Otherwise, pack a picnic lunch, and get out and appreciate the lush scenery while you tour the wineries and sample the wines presented by our local winemakers.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://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

 

 

33 New Iowa Releases from 11 Local Wineries Announced in Make Mine Wine

The Wines for the Season in the Spring issue of Make Mine Wine are 33 new Iowa releases.  The 11 featured wineries have produced new wines that will please wine lovers from novice to sophisticate.

 

Reading the descriptions from the winemakers – with information on grapes, tasting notes and pairing suggestions — inspires me to hit the wine trail and sample! You can do the same using the three-page section in the magazine as a handy guide to new Iowa wines.

 

If you want to take notes and score the wines you taste, print out Make Mine Wine’s wine score card from www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com and take it with you.

 

If you would like to receive the Spring issue highlighting the new Iowa releases, subscribe today to Make Mine Wine by calling 515-962-5515 or on-line at http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com New subscribers will receive a bonus — the Winter issue, with the complete listing of the winners of the first-ever Mid-American Wine Competition.

 

The Spring issue of Make Mine Wine will be mailed to subscribers this week.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine