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

Gorgeous Days Paired with Wine Tours Will Make You Happy!

 

If you are like me you treasure each perfect summer day, and it looks like we’re going to have three in a row for this long Labor Day Weekend.

 

Clear away every excuse and get out and enjoy them.

 

A great outing – for a day or the weekend — is visiting wineries. Tasting is fun, touring is fun, and the live music and other events are fun too. Do you have guests for the weekend? Surprise them with a wonderful visit into Midwest Wine Country!

 

Make sure you arrive in time to do some wine tasting. Then select a bottle to enjoy during the event. In many cases you can purchase snacks, and sometimes meals, so check out the Website and plan to visit your favorite winery or explore a new one.

 

Yesterday’s blog gave you specifics on grape stomping opportunities. If you don’t want purple feet, there are still plenty of other great events:

 

Wine tasting at the Des Moines Renaissance Faire, Pleasant Hill. Aug 30 – Sept 1, 6 & 7, 13 & 14.

 

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid. August 29, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Billy Club with Country/Variety. www.snushillwine.com

 

Summerset Winery, Indianola. August 29. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Fat Twosday. www.summersetwine.com

 

Fireside Winery, Marengo. August 29. 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Dogs on Skis. www.firesidewinery.com

 

Sugar Grove Gathering Place, Newton. August 30. 6:00 –9:00 p.m. Flatland Frank & the Flat Cats, classic rock. www.sugargrove.com

 

Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville. Wine-In Movies (watch a movie at the winery!). www.grapeescapeiowa.com.

 

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames. August 31, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Joe & Vicki Price with Americana/Folk. www.prairiemoonwinery.com

 

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid. August 31. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. The Rivieras with 50s and 60s.

www.snushillwine.com

 

Summerset Winery, Indianola. August 31. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. The Eldorados. www.summersetwine.com

 

Millstream Brewing, Amana. August 31. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. 4th Annual Festival of Iowa Beers. www.millstreambrewing.com

 

Whispering Pines Winery, Keosauqua. August 31. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. 1^st Anniversary Harvest Band. www.whisperingpineswinery.biz

 

Please check with the wineries for the latest details.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Beautiful and Classy New Release: Summer Issue of Make Mine Wine!

Weekend inspiration for the Wine and Finer Things Lifestyle pops from cover to cover in the summer issue of Make Mine Wine!

Summer Wine recommendations from Abbe Hendricks of Gateway Market fame, grape stomping opportunities from Iowa to Oregon, an invitation to create homemade wine, and a Spanish wine tale are motivators for breaking your normal routine.

Readers are introduced to five fine wineries and a new wine trail: Stone Cliff Winery, Grape Escape Winery, OakGlenn Winery, Park Farm Winery and Blue Stem Winery and the Scenic Rivers Wine Trail.

This issue is your source for upcoming enology and viticulture classes at universities and community colleges across the state … and in some cases you can take the classes online.

I am especially excited for readers to make our memorable summer meal — Mushroom Tapenade Salad paired with Grape Escape Winery’s Simply White or La Vida Loca Winery’s Edelweiss;  Baked Fish Encrusted with Caramelized Onion Polenta paired with Prairie Moon Winery’s Seyval Blanc; and Baked Asparagus Custard paired with Tassel Ridge Winery’s Finale Premier Red Dessert Wine or Stone Hill Winery’s Cream Sherry.  The make-ahead recipes, developed by Staff Chef Tom White, are flavorful and delightful.

Invite some friends, pick one of our stylish summer table suggestions, and serve our WOW meal to create a relaxing summer event for you and your guests.

Make Mine Wine subscribers will be receiving this beautiful issue over the next few days. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you — I believe you’ll enjoy it as much as Editor Staci Scheurenbrand, Designer Barbara Scott and I do!

If you are not yet a subscriber, call subscribe today and we’ll get one in the mail to you — www.makeminewinemagazine.com.

Make Mine WIne is your best guide for exploring Midwest Wine Country! While you’re exploring, take some pictures and send them in. You may be a winner in the Midwest Wine Country Photo Contest!

I guarantee you, one look at our spectacular cover, shot by Dean Tanner from Primary Image, LTD., will put you in the mood to grab a glass of your favorite wine and kick-back on the deck. The wine is Pink from Summerset Winery … and it’s a good one.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

makeminewinemagazine.com

Events at Local Wineries are Fun!

I am amazed when I meet people who are in the dark when it comes to Iowa’s growing wine industry. Iowa now ranks 14th in the nation for the number of wineries in a state. The wineries are constantly improving the quality of their wines … and more and more people are tasting and finding Iowa wines that are just right for any meal or occasion.

 

The wineries are also wonderful places to go for events. Each week crowds gather at local wineries for music events, fund-raisers, or pairing dinners. Folks take their out-of-town guests to tour wineries and taste wine.

 

Why? I can answer that in one word.  FUN!

 

This Friday night, June 28th, there are two new events, Save the Ta-Tas Breast Cancer Fundraiser at Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, and Comedy Night with Elliott Treat at Southern Hills Winery, Osceola.

 

Saturday and Sunday is the Spring Open House at Eagle City Winery in Iowa Falls.

 

Summerset Winery, Indianola; Prairie Moon Winery, Ames;  Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman; Snus Hills Winery, Madrid; Tabor Homes Vineyard and Winery, Baldwin; and White Oak Vineyards & Winery, Elkhart will have live music over the weekend. Check the events list at MakeMineWinemagazine.com for details.

 

By the way, you must make reservations by tomorrow, Thursday, June 29^th, for the July 1^st Red, White and Blue Summer Celebration (a wine and food pairing event) with Tassel Ridge Winery in Leighton. It is a kick-off for July and sounds like a lot of fun. You can play old-fashioned yard games and enjoy grilled steak sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob, fresh fruit and strawberry shortcake. This is your change to drink wine-a-ritas – and of course, the other fine Tassel Ridge wines. www.tasselridge.com.

 

 

I was on a little wine tour yesterday with a friend from Chicago and heard that a lot of folks have been bringing their picnic baskets to the wineries for the Picnic in the Vines. The Heart of Iowa Wine Trail event continues through July 31st. Take the Make Mine Wine Wine Score Card (download for free from the Make Mine Wine Website) with you to record your favorites.

 

If you’re going to be in Southern Illinois this weekend, swing by Blue Sky Vineyard at Mankanda. It is part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and is hosting two events this weekend. An Art Exhibit Featuring Andrea LeBeau will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 Friday night, and the Chamber Music and an Art Fair will be from 2:00 – 5:00 on Sunday, June 29th. More details are available at www.blueskyvineyard.com.

 

This weekend you can also participate in The Epicurean Experience – A Food & Wine Pairing, at Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Illinois. Reservations are required for this 6-course adventure. www.lynfredwinery.com.

 

Have fun this weekend at a Midwest Wine Country winery! And … take some photos for our Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition too!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://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

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

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.

Expect a Great Event!

If you’ve seen the striking, fun advertising for SWine or their Web site www.swinefestival.com, you’re probably looking forward to the event as much as I am.  This Saturday, July 14^th, cork meets pork at the First-ever Iowa Premiere Pork and Wine Event. You’ll experience gourmet pork creations from some of Central Iowa’s finest chefs and restaurants, assisted by the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College. You’ll also have the opportunity to taste, and purchase bottles of, delicious Iowa wines. The event is accompanied by music by Taste of Revival. 

Stop by the Make Mine Wine Booth and pick up a copy of the gorgeous summer issue … and say hi. I would love to meet you. Our editor, Kent Darr, will be around with his camera — SMILE!

 The event is paired with the First-ever Mid-American Wine Competition and you’ll have an opportunity to meet the events world-renowned judges at SWine. Tickets are $25 at the event and are all-inclusive for the wine samples and the food. You can also purchase tickets in advance from iowatix.com for $20.00. Children under 5 are free. Designated drivers and folks 6 – 20 pay $20 to get in.  If you enjoy our regional wine, you’ll be glad to know the proceeds from SWine will benefit the new Viticulture and Enology program at DMACC. You may have read about that in the Spring 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine. This is a fabulous program under the direction of Paul Gospodarczyk, instructor of enology, and Randall Voss, viticulture instructor, with great support from the DMACC administration. They are organizers of the Mid-American Wine Competition, and have been unpacking and organizing the hundreds of wine bottles for the judges! Take a look at http://www.dmacc.edu/ici/winecompphotos.asp SWine will be held under big tents to protect from sun (or rain) from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the DMACC campus (next to the lake), 2006 South Ankeny Blvd in Ankeny.  See you there! Cheers!
Barbara Rasko

Third Annual Summer Grillin’ with Iowa Wine is this Weekend!

That’s right. It’s time to head to Western Iowa for a great weekend of touring Midwest Wine Country and tasting some mighty fine wine. A variety of grilled entrees will be paired with select wines at each of the seven wineries on the Western Iowa Wine Trail.

This special event takes place from 10am to 6pm on Saturday July 14th and Sunday July 15^th. You can purchase your passport and start anywhere along the trail — Danish Countryside Vines & Wines in Elkhorn, Breezy Hills Vineyard in Minden, Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery in Crescent, Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyards at Thurman, King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery in Glenwood, Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery in Carson or Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery in Treynor.

You’ll love the wine and the hospitality. If you really hustle you can do the entire wine trail in one day, but I recommend you take your time and appreciate the uniqueness of each winery, and enjoy the scenery, the people and the fun. For more information on the event, including pricing and dining and lodging options, visit www.westerniowawinetrail.com. You also might want to check out www.traveliowa.org which carries a complete guide to western Iowa attractions.

The Summer issue of Make Mine Wine has a seven page feature on the Western Iowa Wine Trail. Our editor, Kent Darr, along with his wife Sue, hit the trail a few weeks ago and the article is a wonderful recap of their trip, along with recommendations on their favorite wine at each of the wineries.

You can order the magazine at www.makeminewinemagazine.com – and I’m guessing you can also pick up a copy this weekend if you are on the trail in Western Iowa.

Enjoy your travels in Midwest Wine Country.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko