Northwest Iowa Wine Adventures: Stop #3!
We finally made it to Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery, and it was worth the wait! Richard, our pup Goose, and I met the duo behind it all: Will and Ashlee, the owners, creative visionaries and winemakers. Nestled in Inwood, Iowa (just 30 minutes from Sioux Falls, SD), this charming winery became extra special when we were joined by some of our favorite family members—our nieces and their SOs! Will and Ashlee started their wine journey cruising on a motorcycle through California wine country . Inspired by Midwest vines and their chilly Iowa roots, they took classes at DMACC (shoutout to viticulture and enology!) and turned their dream into reality. Fast-forward to 2010, Calico Skies was born, and by 2011, they opened their doors to wine lovers everywhere. Their wines are as creative as their story—like “Deebo,” a dry red blend named after one of their rescue pups. They have plenty of space for events like weddings or parties, lots of great food (pizza anyone?) and check out their website for their live music offerings! If you’re up for an adventure, the 5-hour drive from The Wijn House is so worth it. Great wine, inspiring people, and incredible views—what more could you want?
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Northwest Iowa Wine Adventures: Stop #2!
Our second stop on our winery tour last weekend was the charming Rustic River Winery & Vineyard in Lake View, Iowa! Owned by the wonderful Norm and Marsha Phillips, this family-run gem has it all: -A nearly 100-year-old barn turned into a cozy winery -A gorgeous outdoor space perfect for sipping wine with friends -Event spaces for intimate weddings, showers, birthdays, or just a relaxing weekend hangout -A vineyard with grapes like Frontenac, St. Croix, and Brianna which are all found in their wines But wait—there’s more! Every October, Norm and Marsha create an epic haunted corn maze with a new, challenging design every year. The patterns are so impressive they’ve even framed past designs in the tasting room! During our visit, we sampled some fantastic wines we had not gotten to taste before and we couldn’t resist bringing some new flavors back to The Wijn House including: -Brianna Belle – a dry, crisp white -Midnight Moon – a semi-sweet red that’s oh-so-smooth These new tastes will be available on our menu next week—so swing by and try them while they last! Rustic River Winery & Vineyard is about a 3-hour drive from us. If you're planning a visit, be sure to call ahead, especially during winter or wedding season. Trust us—it’s worth the trip! Our first stop on our Northwestern Iowa winery tour on January 18th was Sweet Honeymoon Winery. Richard and I have visited the winery before, but we wanted to stop to get restocked on their wines and it’s always a pleasure to get together with Jim and Sue! Located just 2.5 miles west of Lohrville, Iowa, on Highways 4 & 175, this Iowa Winery has been crafting their wines since 2017, with over 12 years of winemaking experience prior. The winery is dedicated to producing small-batch, high-quality wines using imported grape juice from around the world—offering varietals not typically found in northern climates. They have recently launched exciting new wines, including Mango In The Night (mango, dragonfruit, and lemon), Cranapple Delight, and Orange Sangria. The Wijn House currently features fan favorites from Sweet Honeymoon Winery, such as To Peach Their Own, This is the Last Straw(berry), Put Your Lime in My Coconut, Pull the Shades Loverboy, and Mango In The Night. The unique names and eye-catching labels for Sweet Honeymoon wines have always drawn attention to their offerings. Additionally, Jim has been hard at work creating new labels for their wines, making them even more visually appealing. In addition, their fruit-flavored wines are available in convenient 1.5-liter pouches, perfect for outdoor adventures. The pouches feature a tap and stay fresh for months—though most don't last that long! Visitors are encouraged to stop by for a tasting; since the winery is operated by its founders, Jim and Sue Hirschberg, they recommend calling ahead, especially for those traveling from a distance, to ensure they're available. For inquiries or appointments, call Jim and Sue at 712-465-3400. |
AuthorThe Wijn House - Rene' & Richard Archives
January 2025
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