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
Make Mine Wine Magazine 