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

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

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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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

Wine-A-Rita A Hit at Iowa Wine Garden

Tassel Ridge Winery’s refreshing new treat was getting a lot of attention on the first day of the Iowa State Fair.

 

Made in a giant blender with Tassel Ridge Winery’s Tickled Pink and Wine Glace, this frozen drink had people talking – and enjoying!

 

Stop by the Iowa Wine Garden and try it for yourself!

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa, is a beautiful Midwest Wine Country winery with a professional, friendly and creative team.

 

I’m heading back out to the fair now, and I’ll get back to you soon with more comments and reactions from the fair crowd. See you there!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com