Make Reservations Now For Fine Dining — Wine and Prime at Iowa State Fair

A pleasurable and relaxing, first-rate dining experience awaits you at the Iowa State Fair. For the second year in a row, Wine & Prime is presented by the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden and Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters.

The beautiful prime rib dinner, paired with your choice of Iowa Wine from the Garden is served in a fine-dining setting. Meal highlights include hand-cut choice beef, a farm-fresh garden salad, a piping hot baked potato and to top it off, a tempting and decadent dessert.

Guests will be seated between 6 and 7 p.m. each evening of the fair, August 13-23. Seating is limited to 14 couples. The Wine and Prime experience is $75 per couple and includes a bottle of wine, two prime rib dinners and two wine tasting tickets. Additional wine tasting can be purchased for a small fee.

Reservations are required through the Iowa Wine Growers Association online at http://www.iowawinegrowers.org or call toll-free 800-383-1682. Make your reservation today and create a special memory at the Iowa State Fair.

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine magazine

Iowa Wines Front & Center at Iowa State Fair

Iowa grapes and wines are newcomers to the historic Iowa State Fair. The interest in the Iowa Wine Industry continues to increase and this year there will be more opportunities to learn about … and drink … Iowa wines at the fair. (August 13 – 23).

The Iowa Wine  & Cheese Garden is back for its third year with more juried wines than ever for you to sample. If you were in the garden last year, you know you can gather family and friends around a picnic table, buy a bottle of Iowa wine, open it, and drink it on the spot.

I highly recommend the Wine & Prime Dinner — a true fine dining experience a the fair where you can relax, dine in style and create a memorable evening. The Wine and Prime Dinner features a succulent prime rib dinner prepared by the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters accompanied by your favorite Iowa wine from the Iowa Wine & Cheese Garden. Reservations are being taken now — so log on to www.iowawinegrowersassociation.org and make yours today. Guests will be seated between 6 and 7 p.m. each evening of the fair. Seating is limited to 14 couples. The Wine and Prime experience is $75 per couple and includes a bottle of wine, two prime rib dinners and two wine tasting tickets. Frank and I enjoyed Wine and Prime lat year and highly recommend it.

The first ever Iowa Wine Commercial Competition will be judged August 1st and the award-winners will be displayed in the new permanent vineyard and wine industry display at Grandfather’s Barn. I am Superintendent for these two events and am thrilled with the plans that have been made — please stop in Grandfather’s Barn during the fair and say hi!

Make Mine Wine is hosting a Cooking with Iowa Wine competition at the fair. We’ll be judging the entries in three categories — appetizer, bread or dessert — on Wednesday, August 19th at 3:00 in the Elwell Family Food Center.

See you at the fair!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

 

Include a Winery Visit in Your Weekend Plans

Did you sit by the fire this winter, sipping wine, while you dreamed of summer? Well summer is here, it’s going to be a fabulous weekend, and it’s time to have some fun at a winery!

You’ll find inspiration for your weekend right here … and create some memories to cherish this winter.

Do you have out-of-town guests this weekend? Introduce them to the Iowa wineries — they are sure to have a good time.

Thursday, July 16

Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Iowa http://www.jasperwinery.com

Brian Congdon and Brad Seidenfeld  6:00 – 9:00 p.m., various bands, food, fun. Free admission.

Southern Hills Winery, Osceola, Iowa http://www.shwinery.com

Lt. Governor Patty Judge will be visiting at 1 p.m. as part of the Vacation Iowa Tour. http://www.traveliowa.blogspot.com

Friday, July 17

White Oak Vineyards, Cambridge, http://www.whiteoakvineyards.com

Tony Valdez & Don Jacques perform at Friday Night Wine Down

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Fireside Winery, Marengo, http://www.firesidewinery.com

Live music, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, http://www.snushillwine.com

Bill Martin Group, Live music, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Southern Hills Winery at Jordan Creek Mall, West Des Moines http://www.shwinery.com

Vino Rita & Wine Festival, Live music and art, food and other exhibits. $5 admission. Purchase a bottle of Southern Hills Winery wine and then take a Horse-Drawn Carriage ride around Jordan Creek Town Center. Friday nights from 6:00 –9:00 p.m. Red Wine Carriage Ride for two $46. White Wine Carriage Ride for two $44. $15 for each additional person.

Saturday, July 18

Sugar Clay Winery, Thurman, Iowa http://www.sugarclaywinery.com

Live Music with Matt Cox  8-11pm  $5 cover/

Free to case club members.

Loess Hills Vineyard & Winery, Crescent, Iowa http://www.loesshillsvineyardandwinery.com

Live Music with Enigma 6:00 – 9:00 p.m

The Iowa Wine Trail sponsors The Eastern Iowa Wine Festival

Black Horse Inn, Sherrill, IA http://www.easterniowawinefestival.com

This is an “All Iowa” event featuring Iowa wines from across eastern Iowa, food and bakery products from the local area as well as Iowa musicians, music groups and Iowa artists. Festival Entrance is $10 and includes a Souvenir Wine Glass and program.

Tasting Tickets Available for Sale, Wine by the Glass Available by Sale. Bottles are also available for sale to take home or you are welcome to open the bottle and enjoy with some food from the festival.

Events at the festival include:

Live Music Performance by the Americana Polka Band and the Free-4-the-Haulin Band, Amateur Wine Making Competition and Award Ceremony, Artisan Products available for sale

Grape Escape Winery, Pleasantville, IA http://www.grapeescapewineryia.com

Wine-In-Movies, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, dusk

Dale Valley Vineyard, Stuart, Iowa, http://www.dalevalleyvineyard.com

WINESTOCK

Wine, Music and Fun! Six bands from Noon – 9:00 p.m.

Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, Iowa http://www.eagleslandingwinery.com

Good Ol’ Summertime Wine-A-Rita Weekend 10:00 a.m.

Emma Big Bears 140th Birthday, samples of Wine-A-Ritas. Try a sample of the summer drink everyone is talking about!

Also, Live music, Sunday, noon – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 19

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa http://www.tasselridge.com

Asian Fusion Wine & Food Pairing Dinner
Wine Tasting: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner Seating: 6:30 p.m.
Price: $55 per person, plus tax
Join us for an Asian-inspired dinner beginning with Chef Hang’s special spring rolls and Vietnamese steam balls followed by spicy sour chicken soup, Asian grilled pork tenderloin with hoisin sauce, jasmine rice, grilled bok choi, and sticky rice with mango. This 5-course dinner will be paired with select Tassel Ridge wines. Call the Winery at 641.672.WINE (9463), advance reservations required by Wednesday, July 15.

Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa http://www.summersetwine.com

Listen to the Bob Pace Band with Barb Miller from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the winery.  Over the years Bob has performed nearly every genre of music–from hard hitting Rock n’ Roll to soothing acoustic solos; from down home Country songs to sensitive ballads, but its playing the blues that is his real passion.  www.bobpaceband.com
 $3 cover per person or $10 a car.  Case Club members get in free.

Snus Hill Winery, Madrid, http://www.snushillwine.com

Ashanti, Live music, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Park Farm Winery, Bankston, Iowa http://www.parkfarmwinery.com

Toast & Jam, live music, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Prairie Moon Winery, Ames, Iowa http://www.prairiemoonwinery.com

Amy and Adams, Folk, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, Iowa          http://www.tasselridgewinery.com

See new mechanical grape harvestor, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

John Ernest Vineyards & Winery, Tama, Iowa  http://www.johnernestvineyards.com

Holiday Road, live , music, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 22

Entries due for Eastern Iowa Wine Club Amateur Wine Competition, Benton County Fair, Vinton, Iowa

Contact Martin Blind at 319-551-2075 for more information.

Have fun in Midwest Wine Country! Find a bottle or two that you really enjoy and buy a case to take home. It’s the way to support your local wineries.

Are you collecting all 15 goodies on the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail? The Heart of Iowa Culinary Celebration runs through October 1st. Hit a few wineries  on the trail this weekend. Details at www.heartofiowawinetrial.com.

Looking ahead:  Iowa wines will be front and center at the Iowa State Fair — August 13 – 23. Make your reservations now for the Wine and Prime Dinner. It is the fine dining experience at the fair and features prime rib and your favorite Iowa wine from the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden. There is limited seating, so make your reservations now — 515/ 262-8323 or toll-free (800) 383- 1682. You’ll enjoy it!

Cheers!
Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

http://www.makeminewinemagazine.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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“Really?” That’s Great! … Common Reactions in the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden

Visitors to the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden continue to be surprised.

 

Yesterday the new gourmet wine was introduced by Summerset Winery. It is an upscale version of their unexpected and too cool sport wines. The wines are great for walking around the fair – wine in plastic bottles (no necks) with screw caps. The gourmet wine has the traditional wine bottle figure and is lovely. The sport wines are the ever-popular Summerset Winery’s Caba Moch, Sangria style Rosé; and Harvest White, sweet and tart white Catawba with a hint of grapefruit in the finish. Summer Breeze, a slightly sweet pink, is the gourmet wine. All are chilled and ready to go at the Iowa Wine and Cheese Garden.

 

The Iowa State Fair teamed with Jasper Winery to create a commemorative wine bottle label – U Gotta LOVE IT – and it’s a hit for collectors, gift-givers and retail outlets with Iowa gift baskets. The wine is Jasper Winery’s new release, Edelweiss, is a striking blue bottle.

 

The Wine and Prime dinner was enjoyable, and Frank and I were pleased with our wine choice for the evening, Jean D’Arc from Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery. Jean D’Arc is a dry blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah and went well with the prime rib. By the way, the chocolate mousse was presented beautifully and was served on a chilled plate. Nice.

Yesterday I spoke with Rose from Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery. The winery is located at Willey in Carroll County, Iowa. They grow Frontenac, Edelweiss, Saint Croix and Brianna grapes and will have their first harvest this year. Like many wineries, they are looking for more grapes and would like to talk to anyone interested in starting a vineyard in their area.

She suggested I try their semi-dry white which is made entirely of Reisling. I did. It was excellent. The wine is Swan Lake White, and I purchased a bottle for a friend’s birthday. She will love it!

Hope to see you at the fair!

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko, Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

Make Your Choice from 67 Wines When You Sample at the Iowa Wine Garden

This year 67 Iowa wines from twelve Iowa wineries are available for you to choose from at the Iowa Wine Garden … sample, choose your favorite, and purchase a bottle to open and enjoy – or take with you. Tonight my husband and I are attending Wine & Prime — which is receiving rave reviews — so we’ll be sampling and selecting a wine to enjoy with our prime rib, potato, salad and chocolate mousse! I’ll let you know what we select.

 

 

Participating wineries at the Iowa Wine Garden are: Jasper Winery, La Vida Loca Winery, Madison Country Winery, Park Farm Winery, Penoach Vineyard, Winery and Nursey, Prairie Moon Winery and Vineyards, Santa Maria Vineyard & Winery, Southern Hills Winery, Summerset Winery, Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery, Tassel Ridge Winery and White Oak Vineyards. Winemakers and staff from the wineries are pouring, and it is always interesting to visit with them.

 

There are tables in the Iowa Wine Garden and folks are sitting down in the fan-cooled tent and spending some time off their feet, relaxing, laughing and having fun.  Many are taking a free copy of Make Mine Wine to the table, and browsing through the Summer issue. After reading Stomp! Stomp! Stomp! Squeeze? I hear some planning to participate in grape stomping this season. One of the most surprising things for many is the list of all Iowa Wineries – the wine trails and the wineries that are not associated with a trail. It fills a page – small print – and will serve for many as a check list as they spend weekends visiting Iowa wineries.

 

I love the stories that I hear. Yesterday a guy who grew up in Ames and lives in Arizona said he was back for a family reunion. The event was held at Fireside Winery near Marengo. He was amazed to discover the winery in the middle of the cornfields and very pleased with the high-quality of the Fireside Wine. I asked which ones he tried. He shook his head, assured me that he was with a group of twenty people, and said, “All of them!”

 

One couple told me that they had always prided themselves on stocking and drinking high-priced wine, since they felt the price assured them they were drinking the best. One night they stopped into White Oak Winery at Cambridge and found a wine that is now their favorite, and more reasonably-priced to boot. Since then they are traveling to other Iowa wineries and have add a new more local wines to their “must have on hand” list.

 

A young couple was entertaining friends from Oregon, who brought wine to share with them, so they brought out their favorite Park Farm wine, and the friends ended up taking a few bottles back to Oregon with them, along with a new appreciation of Iowa wine.

 

Many folks have asked if I’ve had Prairie Moon Winery’s ice wine. They all feel like they are giving me a tip on a new great wine and of course I have to tell them I already love that Winter Moon.

 

Come on out to the Iowa Wine Garden – I look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories from Midwest Wine Country!

 

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher

Make Mine Wine

www.MakeMineWinemagazine.com

 

 

 

 

Make Reservations Now for Wine & Prime

I love just about everything about the Iowa State Fair. This year the Iowa Wine Growers Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters have created an event that I know I will love … and I imagine you will too! It’s called Wine & Prime and it is your opportunity to relax and enjoy some of Iowa’s best wine and beef!

First, guests visit the Iowa Wine Garden at the fair, sample Iowa wines, and choose one to enjoy with their prime rib dinner. Guests are then seated at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters for a succulent prime rib dinner complete with a crisp garden salad, piping hot baked potato and tempting dessert.

Guests will be seated at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each evening of the fair, August 7 – 16^th, and each seating is limited to 18 couples. Many have already placed their reservation, so I urge you to make yours today in order to secure the date and time of your choice.  Reservations are required and can be made online by clicking the Wine & Prime icon at www.whofarm.com

Congratulations to the Iowa Wine Growers Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarter for bringing this new event to the Iowa State Fair.

To those of you who don’t live in Iowa, please consider a visit to the Iowa State Fair. Admission is free from 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. this year on the first day, August 7th. If you are seated in the Grandstand by 8:00 a.m., you will receive a free corndog (while supplies last) and at 8:45 you can chomp into that corndog and help set a world record for the most people simultaneously eating a corndog! Sounds crazy and fun and that’s one side of the Iowa State Fair. There is something for everyone. This year’s theme is U Gotta Love It! You can learn more at www.iowastatefair.org

Cheers!

Barbara Rasko

Publisher, Make Mine Wine

www.makeminewinemagazine.com