You Don’t Have to Be a Drowning Lemming

Everyday we are blasted with “bad news” about our economy. While much of the information may be true, we don’t have to crash over the cliff of helplessness, hopelessness and despair.

I believe we can each take responsibility to do something – no matter how small – to help the folks in our corner of the world have a brighter day. No doubt we will improve our own outlook along the way.

Dollars spent on tourism are down and big vacations seem a thing of the past.  That fact does not limit what you, your family and friends can do to getaway and have fun. You may choose to go 15 or 60 miles to a local winery for a 2 hour mini-vacation. Sample wine, listen to music, relax and soak up the scenery. You’ll feel refreshed and fine!

Entertaining is down, but I hope you have the gumption and ability to invite four friends over for appetizers or a potluck. Serve local wine and help your local economy

The amount of money spent on gifts this year will certainly decline, but you can still honor special occasions with a beautiful bottle of regional wine.

Choose to include some local wine in your purchase at the grocery or liquor store – or order wine to be delivered to your door from www.buyiowawines.com.

Little things you do and small amounts of money you spend do matter to your neighbors and their businesses. To find a near-by winery or find out more about 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

Let’s keep moving together towards our economic recovery.

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

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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

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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

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

You can Skip the Spring Cleaning this Weekend, But Don’t Miss the Iowa Wine Events!

Starting tonight you have so many great opportunities to sip some wine and have some fun in Midwest Wine Country! You can listen to live music or ladies, gather your girlfriends for a wine and shopping outing. 

Get an early start on the weekend with tonight’s Ladies’ Night Out — wine tasting and shopping at Earl May Nursery & Garden Center, 5910 Douglas Avenue in Des Moines. There is no cost and the events run from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Don’t forget to try Tassel Ridge Winery’s new Oskyfizzante!

Pop the cork Friday, April 4^th at one of these events: 

This week’s Friday Night Wine Down at White Oak Vineyard, Elkhart features Tony Valdez & Don. $5 cover. 

If you live near Dubuque, you can sit back and relax as the Stone Cliff Winery Tasting Room turns into the Star Wine Bar with live music – this week, April 4^th, pianist Mary Mabusth will entertain from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. 

Become a regular at Friday Nights at the Winery … Southern Hills Winery near Osceola, is a great place to kick-back and unwind from 5:00. – 8:00 p.m.  

Little Swan Lake Winery at Estherville opens the season with their Thursday Night Happy Hour with Billie James from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. This week Billie and Ceolmhor will entertain! Sunday, April 6^th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Billie James will be joined by Glenn Henriksen. Stop by and enjoy!

 

You need reservations, but it is worth it to hear Kevin “BF” Burt at Music in the Tasting Room at Wallace Winery at West Branch – the number is 319-643-3000 and the cost is $15.00 per person which includes appetizers.

 

Front Porch Fridays! At Snus Winery near Madrid will feature One Night Stand with classic rock and roll this week and the entertainment for Snus Sundays will be Billy Martin Group with jazz.

There are two big events this weekend for the ladies  — I hope you already have your reservation for Summerset Winery’s Women and Wine Luncheon on Saturday. If not, check out the details for a great event at this Indianola winery at www.summersetwine.com.

 

If you’ll be in Decorah, don’t miss Winnesheik Wildberry Winery’s Women’s Weekend Out – it is Saturday, April 5, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. Taste the wine and shop for beautifully designed items from some fine Iowa artists. You may find just the thing to put you in the mood for a great Spring – Paula Brown’s beaded jewelry, Roxeanne Snitzler’s intricately designed purses, and Cynthia Buria’s fine knitted accessories. Learn about Arbonne Skincare, Mary Kay products and Pampered Chef. Tour the winery, taste the wine and have fun!

 

The Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra will benefit from the wine tasting held on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Wines of Note event in the main lobby at the Bridge View Center. Tickets are $30 and you can find directions and more information at www.bridgeviewcenter.com.

 

Sugar Clay Winery at Thurman will feature Matt Cox from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night followed by Southpaw Bluegrass Band. Be there early for the All-U-Can Eat Soup – just $5.00 – at 5:30 p.m.

 

If you live by Boone, don’t miss the Tasting of Spring Wine and Food Festival at the Iowa National Guard Building, 700 Snedden Drive. You can sample Southern Hills Wines between 6:30 and 11:30 p.m.

 

And don’t forget Sunday Tunes from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Summerset Winery. This week the Bob Pace Band featuring Steve George will be on stage. Food is available – so you won’t have to cook when you get home!

By the way … you can stop by any of your local wineries — meet the winemaker and sample the wines. That’s the beauty of Midwest Wine Country!

 

This weekend with all of the great Midwest Wine Country events feels like the start of the season — so get out there and pop the cork on a season of wine, music, entertainment, friends and fun!

 Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine magazine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Tassel Ridge Winery: Prime Rib, Live Music and Fine Wine

Spending romantic time together is important for couples, and that is often hard to do with work, family and schedules. Several wineries on The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail have wonderful dinners and dances planned on either Thursday, February 14^th or Saturday, February 16h.  That means you can have two big date nights next week!

You deserve it and, with the wonderful romantic choices from the wineries, I know you’ll enjoy it!

Tassel Ridge Winery, at Leighton, offers Prime Rib Wine and Food Pairing Dinners on Thursday, February 14 and Saturday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. The menu will be the same for both dinners, and each course will be paired with select Tassel Ridge wines:

• Appetizers including Spicy Bacon Sticks, Fresh Fruits and Gourmet Cheeses, including locally produced cheese
• Mixed Green Salad with Vintage Dressing inspired by Lawry’s in Chicago and Beverly Hills – paired with Tickled Pink (special Valentine’s Day edition!)
• Prime Rib with Sautéed Mushrooms, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Fresh Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce – paired with Twilight
• Silky Homemade Triple Chocolate Cheesecake – paired with Finalé Premier Red

The Food and Wine paring dinners at Tassel Ridge are wonderful, as is the live music. Here are the details: advance reservations and payment are required; $50 per person, and space is limited! To make your reservations, call Tassel Ridge Winery at 641.672.WINE (9463) or e-mail Sarah Thompson at sthompson@tasselridge.com. Reservations for the February 14 dinner will be accepted through Monday, February 11, and reservations for February 16 will be accepted through Thursday, February 14.

 While you’re at Tassel Ridge Winery for one of the dinners or during the Sweethearts and Chocolate event on the 15th and 16th, be sure to try, Sweet Roxie Red, especially if you are a fan of their Red, White, and Blue. This new wine is sweet and fruity with cherry and green apple notes on the nose and cherry and plum on the palate.Cheers!Barbara Rasko, PublisherMake Mine Wine

MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Mulled Mead … and Great Gift Ideas at Summerset Winery!

I stopped by the Holiday Open House at Summerset Winery today (It’s from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. today, tomorrow, Sunday and Christmas Eve. Rob Lumbard will perform from 2 PM – 5 PM on December 21 and 22. On December 23 Soul Searchers will be playing, and Rob Lumbard returns on CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24. 

Stop out and try the mulled mead … you’re in for a treat. They are serving soups, hors d’oeuvres, holiday treats, a variety of mulled wines to try as well as complimentary wine samples. Special discounts on store merchandise and custom made gift baskets will be available. 

Centrally located between Indianola and Des Moines, it’s a great spot for music in the summer and of course, a fun place anytime. The Jimmy Buffet is coming up in January – and if you’re looking for a great gift – there it is!  This annual (and always sold out event) is January 19, 2008 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. with Jimmy Buffet music performed by FreeStyle. Tickets are $45 per person for the wine reception, dinner with wine, and dancing and cavorting to FreeStye.  

Here’s another great gift idea – a Southern Iowa Wine Tour! Anytime Limousine Service now offers winery and vineyard tours. Reserve your spot today on the Southern Tour of Iowa Wineries where Summerset Winery is your first stop. Tours are approximately 4 hours long and cost $280 for up to 8 people. For more information call Anytime Limousine Service at (515) 962-0126.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Add Visiting a Winery to Your List of Fun!

Two visits to Central Iowa wineries yesterday put me in the mood to visit a few more. I stopped by Prairie Moon Winery in Ames and Rosey Acres Winery in Runnels. Matt Nissen at Prairie Moon was making preparations for a “two-band” weekend. No doubt the grape stomping and two nights of music will add up to plenty-o-fun! Check out the details at www.prairiemoonwinery.com.

Stop by Rosey Acres and say hi to Al and Sherry Meek and Tom and Karen Diltz. At least two people have got a kick out of “the tour”. The wine is excellent – Rosey Acres won People’s Choice at the Iowa Wine Festival in Indianola last weekend. Go with friends, grab a bottle and sit out on the lawn – there are tents for shade. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

I hope you will spend a little time at a winery this weekend. Check the events list at www.makeminewinemagazine.com for ideas on where to go and what to do. Salute the last long weekend of summer!

By the way, you can learn more about Prairie Moon Winery and Rosey Acres in the next issue of Make Mine Wine. The Central Iowa wineries will be featured – it’s an issue you’ll refer to again and again. www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Grape Stomping Time is Near!

Grape harvest is about to begin in Midwest Wine Country and, as you may have guessed, grape harvest leads to grape stomping. Wineries will be stomping grapes from now through September, depending on the grapes they are harvesting, and you can see the current list of grape stomping events at  www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

Send us pictures of the grapes between your toes, and we’ll post the best on our Web site.  

Here’s a grape stomping event you won’t want to miss, whether you’re stomping or observing. Make plans now to be at Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri on Saturday, August 11^th for grape stomping, brats, live bluegrass music and winery tours and tastings (8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) You can also make dinner reservations in the restaurant. See http://stonehillwinery.com/locations/hermann/events/GrapeStomp.aspx for all of the details.

Kickapoo Creek Winery in Central Illinois (right off 1-74 (exit 82), about 10 minutes west of Peoria, will host their 2^nd annual grape stomp on Sunday, August 19^th. There will be wine, music and fun … and an I Love Lucy look-a-like contest! I’m not sure if you have to be a natural Lucy look-a-like, or if props are allowed! You can get more information by calling (309)495-WINE.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko