Summer Fun at Western Iowa Wineries!

This weekend, July 11 & 12^th is the Western Iowa Wine Trail’s event, Grillin’ With Iowa Wines. Seven wineries invite you to stop by and sample their paired wine and grilled foods. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

The first 225 passport holders are eligible to receive a 7-piece gift set when they have completed a visit to all seven wineries on the trail. Most folks on the trail prefer to visit the seven wineries over a two-day period, not one. To reserve your passports with a credit card, please call the winery where you will start your journey. Passports: $60 per couple $35 for a single.

Participating wineries are:
Breezy Hills Vineyard Minden

Danish Countryside Vines & Wines Elkhorn

King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery Glenwood

Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery Crescent

Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery Treynor

Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyard Thurman

Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery Carson

Visit http://www.westerniowawinetrail.com for a map and Western Iowa tourism information. You will also find links to information about each winery, its history, wine and the winemaker.

Have fun … and be safe.

Cheers!
Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

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

Wine Tasting, Beads and Masks Can Be Yours at Mardi Gras on the Western Iowa Wine Trail

Seven Western Iowa wineries welcome you to Mardi Gras, this weekend, Saturday, February 28 (10:00 – 6:00)  & Sunday, March 1st 2009 (Noon to 5:00).

Spend the weekend on the trail, visiting the wineries, sampling Iowa wine paired with samples of Mardi-Gras-style food. Collect beads and have fun!

Passports for the event are $18 per person and are available at each winery. The Western Iowa Wine Trail wineries are Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden; Danish Countryside Vines & Wines, Exira; King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Glenwood; Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent; Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor; Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyard, Thurman and Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery, Carson.

Visit
www.westerniowawinetrail.com for more information.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Iowa State Fair Special: 10 Issues of Make Mine Wine for Price of 8!

When people start a subscription to Make Mine Wine they are often curious about what they have missed in previous issues. The Summer 2008 is the 7^th issue, and previous magazines carried great articles on how to host a wine tasting party, which wine glass to use, the list of 2007 winning wines at the 1^st Mid-American Wine Competition, The Iowa Wine Trail in Eastern Iowa, the Western Iowa Wine Trail, the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, Hermann Missouri Wine Trail, and articles on several Midwest Wine Country wineries. We’ve provided solid information on how to start a vineyard, how much to poor, and so much more. New subscribers also missed recipes such as our Cheesy Pepperoni Squares, Beef-and-Cheese Triangles, Prosciutto-Asparagus Eggs Benedict, Coconut-Orange Caramel Rolls and Country-Style Potato Casserole.

 

Several subscribers have told me that they keep every issue to refer to again and again. And many people have found that Make Mine Wine is a much-appreciated birthday or holiday gift.

 

During the Iowa State Fair, August 7 – 17^th, I am giving everyone a change to own the entire collection, and I’ve decided to offer it to my faithful Blog audience too. Here’s the deal.

 

I’ll pay the $4.00 postage and send you the 6 back issues, beginning with the Preview Issue published in July, 2006. You will also receive 4 new issues, beginning with the current Summer 2008. Instead of paying $30 for the 10 issues, you’ll pay just $24.00 (plus tax, if you live in Iowa).

 

I don’t know how long the back issues will last, so please sign up right away.

 

Send me a note between now and August 20^th (please print your name and address):

 

State Fair Issues – 10 for 8

 

Name

Street Address

City, State, Zip

Phone Number

 

Send your check or credit card information — $25.44 (includes tax) if you live in Iowa,  anywhere else, $25.00.

 

The address is Make Mine Wine, P.O. Box 696, Indianola, IA 50125.

 

This is a very good deal – please reply today to guarantee that each issue is still available. Of course, if you’re at the fair, stop at the Iowa Wine Garden and we’ll sign you up … and send a bill. Thanks.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Summer Grillin’ and Iowa Wines on the Western Iowa Wine Trail

When was the last time you made the easy trip to Western Iowa? This weekend’s Western Iowa Wine Trail event is high motivation for wine lovers to get out and enjoy the beautiful Loess Hills countryside, historical landmarks, and parks and check out the antiquing, museums, casinos, fine dining, Bed & Breakfasts or camping.

 

There’s always plenty to do in Western Iowa and this weekend, July 12^th and 13^th, the main event is the 4^th Annual “Grillin’ with Iowa Wines” at seven host wineries along the trail stretching from Elk Horn to Thurman and back to Crescent. The Western Iowa Wine Trail was featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine – go grab your copy and hit the trail. (Or, visit www.westerniowawinetrail.com.

 

From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day of the two day event, each winery will be pairing their Iowa-made wines with samples of delectable grilled food. Passports are available for purchase at each participating winery for $60 per couple or $35 per single. The first 225 couple/single passports sold will receive a bonus opportunity to cleck one piece of a 7-piece cheese board set at each winery they visit. Visit all seven wineries over the weekend to complete your set. There will also be one complete set given away as a door prize at each winery.

 

The wineries are Breezy Hills Vineyard at Minden, Danish Countryside Vines & Wines at Exira, King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery at Glenwood, Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery at Treynor, Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery at Crescent, Sugar clay Winery & Vineyards at Thurman, and Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery at Carson.

 

Enjoy the wine – pack a cooler to purchase and transport your favorites home at a safe temperature – and discover the personality of each winery. You’ll meet some wonderful people, see unique gifts in the gift shops, and have a great time!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

MakeMineWInemagazie.com

Meet a Couple of Red Grapes (Concord and Frontenac) on the Midwest Country Wine Trail

Visitors to wineries can sample wines, tour wineries … and learn about grapes. It is fun to be in the know about the grapes and their wines. This is the first of several postings to help you sort out the flavors of the Midwest grapes.

 

Of course, you will find Zinfandel, Catawba and Cabernet Sauvignon and other familiar wines made by Midwest wine makers. When you do, know that the grapes or juice has been brought in from another state. Why? Because the tender grapes behind these well-known wines just can’t take Midwest winters.

 

You’ll find wines made from native grapes that you may already be familiar with… like the Concord which has been hanging around in Midwest winters for years. I remember my Grandmother’s Concord jelly … and today the majority of Concord grapes are still made into jam, jelly and juice. Of course, plenty is used for sweet wine, and you’ll find popular Concord red wines at many Midwest tasting rooms.

 

Concord

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA — Sweet Old Timer is made from Concord grapes and sweetened to match its natural acidity.  With its assertive fragrance and flavor, this distinctive wine will bring back the sweet memories of the good old days.

 

Jasper Winery, Newton, IA — Lucy Lane is delectably sweet and rich in flavor. A blend of several grapes, although classic Concord aromas and flavor are easily discerned.

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah, IA – Concord has a fruity bouquet that smells like grandma’s jam.

 

 Eagle City Winery, Iowa Falls, IA — American Concord is a sweet, heavily bodied red wine that is fruity and highly aromatic. 

 

Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, IA – 2006 Concord is rich in color with a fragrance of grape jelly and an earthy essence.

 

Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden, IA — Misbehavin’ is a nice blend of Concord and Edelweiss.

 

Fireside Winery, Marengo, IA – Serenade is slightly sweet and full-bodied with the aromatic bouquet and flavor for which Concord is famous, yet offers a different twist with a slightly dry finish.

 

Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison, IA — Concord has great Country grape flavor and is drier than most Concord wines.

 

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, IA — Honey Moon Red is a sweet red concord wine that is sweetened with a little bit of honey.

 

Rosey Acres Winery, Runnels, IA – Concord has the taste and flavor of good old-fashioned grape wine.

 

Most grapes used for wine in the Midwest are not native, so you’ll find wines made from cold-hardy grapes like Frontenac, introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1996. If you prefer dry to sweet, the wines made from Frontenac may be for you. Frontenac has a deep garnet color and cherry aroma. Here is a sample of full bodied reds, rosés, and Port wines created from Frontenac grapes by Iowa winemakers.

 

Frontenac

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2006 Iowa Frontenac presents the essence of tart cherries in a light-bodied red wine made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa.

 

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA — 2007 Iowa Frontenac Rosé, is made entirely from Frontenac grapes grown in Mahaska County, Iowa. This wine is light, fruity, and best served chilled.

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA — Rohde Red is a vintage of the Frontenac, Marechal Foch  and Valiant Grapes, creating a dry, full bodied red wine.  Grown in their vineyard, it has a light oak finish

 

Eagle’s Landing Winery, Marquette, IA – Port of Marquette is a port-style wine from Frontenac and Marechal Foch grapes.

 

Prairie Crossing Vineyard, Treynor, IA — Frontenac is a dry red made from 100% Frontenac grapes grown in Iowa. Their Frontenac wine is a lighter dry red with a black licorice nose and subtle oak characteristics.

 

Two Saints Winery, St. Charles, IA — 2006 Frontenac is a full-bodied dry red wine with a dark berry bouquet. You will find dark juicy berry flavors, licorice and a whisper of mocha that leads you to a lush, velvety finish.

 

John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, Tama, IA — Lincoln Highway Red is a blend of their Frontenac and Merlot wines. Medium bodied with a semi-sweet taste.

 

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, IA — Frontenac Dessert Wine is a sweet fortified ruby port style wine for sipping.

 

Danish Countryside Vines & Wines — Sweet Caroline, a semi-dry red made with Frontenac grapes.

 

You may want to track your samplings of wines from the Concord and Frontenac grapes.  Discover your favorites.

 

Join me next time when we meet two more red grapes.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com

Experience the Spring Fling this Weekend on the Western Iowa Wine Trail

Do you want to have some fun this weekend? Here’s the event for you!

 

During the Spring Fling on the Western Iowa Wine Trail, you can sample each winery’s newly-released wines, paired with cheeses, breads and flavored dipping oils.

 

Purchase a commemorative Western Iowa Wine Trail wine glass for $20.00 per person at your first stop … and that’s the ticket you use at each stop. You can visit wineries from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th.

 

The Western Iowa Wine Trail runs 90 miles from north to south, so plan your route using the map of the Western Iowa Wine Trail available at www.westerniowawinetrail.com/events.shtm.

 

Sample the wines and visit with the owners at these participating wineries:

 

• Darrel and Roberta Morse, Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden
• Allan and Carol Peterson, Danish Countryside Vines and Wines, Exira
• Rick and Karen Foster, King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Glenwood
• Andy and Julianna Hrasky, Prairie Crossing Vineyard Winery, Treynor
• Larry and Sheila Rohatsch and Ron and Nancy Rohatsch, Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent
• Frank and Amy Faust, Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyards, Thurman
• Mike and Dana Killinger, Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery, Carson

 

The Western Iowa Wine Trail was featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Make Mine Wine. Spend a Midwest Wine Country weekend on the Western Iowa Wine Trail … you’ll taste some fine wine and meet some wonderful people.

 

Cheers!

 

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Let Spring Fever Carry You Away to a Winery Event!

Remember your high school days? How did Spring Fever affect you? Were you frisky? Restless? Ready to get out and try something new?

 

It’s time to let Spring Fever get a hold of you again … and this time, I’m guessing you are old enough for a weekend escape … so go out and try some new wines!

Go Grilling with Iowa Wines on The Iowa Wine Trail this weekend, April 26^th and 27^th.  Discover wines that complement your summer outdoor barbeques. The event is open each day from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at seven Eastern Iowa wineries. You can sample tasty grilled tidbits paired with the excellent wines of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.  The Iowa Wine Trail wineries are: Daly Creek Winery, Anamosa, Wallace Winery, West Branch, Sutliff Cider Company, Lisbon, Tabor Home Vineyards& Winery, Baldwin, Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, and Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, Decorah.  

Ticket information is available at www.iowawinetrail.com. Free Designated Driver Tickets are also available for food sampling only.

King’s Crossing Vineyard and Winery at Glenwood, Iowa is hosting a Medieval Feast with Vegetable-beef soup, roasted turkey legs, twice baked potatoes, bread and butter, fruits and a medieval dessert … and King’s Crossing wine. They seat 20 royals, merchants, commoners or peasants … so call today for details or to reserve your space. Reservations and pre-payment ($30 per person) required, so call 712-526-2873. If it’s too late to join the fun this weekend, get your reservation in for their next event! www.kingscrossingvineyard.com

 

Head over to Wichita, Kansas, Saturday, April 26^th for the 13^th Annual Midwest Winefest. At the Grand Tasting and Auctions in Century II Exhibition Hall, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., attendees will sample from over 300 different wines, enjoy gourmet cuisine from Wichita’s finest restaurants, attend cooking with wine demonstrations and participate in silent auctions. Enjoy live Jazz music, browse wine-related booths and a rare bottle exhibit, or visit the Cigar Veranda. You’ll sip new wines, learn some interesting facts, taste outstanding foods and delight in the company of fellow wine enthusiasts.

 

The fast-paced excitement of the live auction begins with the venerable wine auctioneer, Fritz Hatton. Participants will have the opportunity to bid on everything from rare wine to wine dinners to vacation getaways. 

 

Best of all, your attendance will help the Guadalupe Health Foundation serve the needy families in our community. For more information about the Midwest Winefest and the Guadalupe Health Foundation, visit the web site at www.midwestwinefest.com.

 

Already booked this weekend? Plan ahead to attend one of these enjoyable events next weekend!

It’s Southern Hills Winery’s Birthday and it’s time to celebrate. The party is Saturday, May 3^rd  from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. in Osceola, Iowa  … and you are invited. Step up to the taco bar and fill your plate, then relax while One Night Stand entertains with their high-quality contemporary jazz and rhythm and blues sound. Purchase your tickets ($15.00 each) before May 1^st. www.shwinery.com

 

Planning to be in the Cedar Falls area on May 3^rd? Order your tickets now to attend An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips, 6:00 pm – 8:00 p.m This is the 23^rd year for this popular and enjoyable event, presented by the Friends of KUNI/KHKE to benefit public radio in Iowa. Attendance is limited to 800 guests so don’t hesitate to order tickets ($35 in advance and $45 at the door) at 319. 277-1255..

More than two hundred domestic and imported wines are available for sampling with reds, whites, blushes, dessert and sparkling wines on hand. Wines from the vineyards of California, Washington, Italy, France, Australia, Spain, and Iowa, will be poured. Also available for sampling is a variety of Midwestern cheeses, plus breads and fruits to cleanse the palate.

Adding to the festive atmosphere will be live jazz and classical music by Marc Irving Weber, plus arrangements of fresh tulips by Rainbow Florists & Greenhouses (Waterloo).

 

You may be interested in attending the Meet the Distributors VIP Pre-Party – call Angela Vezdos at 319.273.6336 to purchase a ticket at a Patron level.

 

Ready for one more great Spring Fever suggestion? It’s a good one!

 

The Western Iowa Wine Trail wineries present their annual Spring Fling, May 3^rd and 4^th. Again, this is a wonderful opportunity to sample Iowa wines, and enjoy the wineries and their fine hospitality. Participating wineries are: Breezy Hills Vineyard, Minden, Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent, Sugar Clay Winery & Vineyards, Thurman, Danish Countryside Vines & Wines, Exira, King’s Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Glenwood, Whispering Hills Vineyard & Winery, Carson and Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor. To purchase a passport and print a map of a trail, visit the Web site at www.westerniowawinetrail.com/.

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

 

It’s Winter Wine Release Weekend at Sugar Clay Winery

Sugar Clay Winery in Thurman, Iowa, has a great afternoon and evening planned for the release of their new wines.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 1^st and 2^nd, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. you can enjoy their 3 new wines with a delicious food pairing. Take the recipes to recreate at home. It’s just $5.00 a person. 

On Saturday night the fun continues from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. with Open Mic Night. There is no admission fee – and you can step up to the mic or just enjoy the entertainment. Sugar Clay invites you to bring your guitar, harmonica, fiddle, “bones” or “spoons” for an open jam session. “All-U-Can-Eat” soup for $5.00 starts at 6:00 p.m.

If you’re looking for a fun break from winter – and your weekend routine – this is it! Plan a spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway and spend the night in Omaha, just 40 miles from Sugar Clay Winery. Have fun! 

Cheers!
Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com