 Van Wijk Winery is located in Sully, Iowa - a mere 19 miles from the Wijn House! The winery is built within the walls of an old church, which gives their winery the look of a castle, but the feel of a cozy cottage. There is plenty of space for small or large groups and plenty to taste too! Van Wijk Winery has over 40 different selections of wines and meads and no matter what your palette, or your mood, you will find something that you will enjoy. The winery specializes in crafting meads, using honey from local beekeepers to create a range of flavors to create over 14 different flavors of mead, from their original honey to various fruit flavors including peach, raspberry and plum. One of the highlights of the winery is their amazing outdoor space. They have an expansive shaded deck as well as a wine garden which hosts several pergolas surrounded; the outdoor space is surrounded by flowers, greenery and Rebecca Van Wyk’s expansive garden. Visit Van Wijk Winery and enjoy one of their many wines or your favorite mead flavor while enjoying their outdoor seating areas for the perfect combination of wine and unwinding with friends and family.
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 During the Iowa Wine Growers Association annual conference in January, Richard and I had the opportunity to meet many of the folks involved in the Iowa wine industry and learn more about the grapes, the process and of course, the wine! During the social hour many of the wineries provide bottles of their wine for the guests to try, and during this tasting process we were able to meet David and Mary Paustian the owners of 42° North Winery. After tasting some of their wine, we knew that we wanted to get their wine into the Wijn House so we could share it with others! We had the opportunity to visit 42° North Winery for an “official tasting” and David and Mary spoiled us with tastes of their wines, followed by welcoming us into their home where we were treated to lunch with their family. The winery is located approximately two (2) hours north of the Wijn House in Vinton, Iowa. Like many of the wineries in Iowa, David and Mary began making wine as a hobby; they planted 1½ acres of grapes in 2010 and made their wines for family and friends. After many positive reviews, they began producing and selling their wine to the public in 2021. They currently carry eight (8) wines ranging from sweet to dry and everything in between. The labels of their wines are colorful and fun, and are all artwork or photographs created by family members, including paintings and photos of beloved pets. The tasting room is attached to their home and is usually open on Saturdays, or you can call them to see if they can accommodate you on a different date or time. Watch their Facebook page for more information or call them directly for a visit. You can find the wines from 42° North Winery in various boutiques and farmers markets, and, starting Saturday, March 23rd, in the Wijn House! We thought the Ladies Getaway Day on Saturday, March 23rd in Downtown Pella would be the perfect opportunity for you to meet David and Mary and taste their wines! Come join us on Saturday, March 23rd between 2:00-4:30 to taste the wines from 42° North Winery including: Blowfish, a sweet fruity white made with Frontenac Blanc grapes. Dog Days White, a semi-sweet white made with the St. Pepin grape and with a very similar flavor of a Riesling. Slinky, their sweetest wine made from California orange Muscat grape and can be compared to a non-carbonated Moscato wine. Wingnut, a sweet, but not too sweet, red blend of Merlot and homegrown St. Croix grapes Tatanka Red, a dry red blend of 4 grapes with a spicy finish  Continuing on our journey of Iowa wine exploration, Richard and I decided to venture closer to home with a visit to Madison County Winery. Nestled snugly between St. Charles and Winterset, this winery shares its neighborhood with the iconic covered bridges, just a little over an hour's drive from the Wijn House. Perched atop a hill, Madison County Winery offers a picturesque view of its vineyards and the surrounding landscape. Stepping into the tasting room, we were greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by ample outdoor seating to enjoy a tasting or a glass of wine. Our hosts, Doug and Laura, exuded genuine hospitality, their passion for wine evident as they shared insights and knowledge about their offerings. From sweet indulgences like the Strawberry Blonde and Raspberry Blanc to more refined options such as the Bourbon Barrel Red, Madison County Winery boasts a diverse selection to suit every palate. Among the standout favorites currently on The Wijn House shelves are Hunter’s Moon, a tantalizing semi-dry blend resonating with notes of pear and honeydew, culminating in a crisp, citrusy finish. Additionally, the return of Midnight Rain, a medium-bodied red wine boasting a smooth yet earthy character and a Merlot and Petite Sirah that have us eagerly anticipating our next sip. In addition to their exceptional wines, The Wijn House also offers a unique twist with Madison County Wineries red wine vinegar infused with rosemary and garlic, adding a flavorful dimension to culinary creations. Our visit to Madison County Winery was delightful, reaffirming our belief in the richness and diversity of Iowa's wine culture. With its charming ambiance, passionate hosts, and diverse selection of wines, this hidden gem is undoubtedly a must-visit for wine enthusiasts and explorers alike. Our trip would not have been complete without a visit to one of the iconic covered bridges in the area; we hope to be in the area again when we can enjoy the outdoor space.  Richard and I are truly enjoying our winery tours; visiting wineries and meeting the winemakers, the owners and the staff is so much fun! One destination on our “bucket list” has been on our list since we saw it off of highway 61 between Dubuque and Davenport over three years ago, Tycoga Winery and Distillery. We were finally able to visit Tycoga and enjoyed everything about it, except how far away it is from Pella. The winery and distillery is located in DeWitt, Iowa approximately 2 ½ hours northeast of The Wijn House. Tycoga Winery and Distillery is a family owned business that began in 2010; today they are the 2nd largest grape growing and production facility in Iowa. The name Tycoga is a combination of the first two letters of names of their three children, Tyler, Courtney and Gabe. The location has a rustic charm with a cozy indoor space combined with an amazing outdoor space complete with a view of their vineyard. In the winter months you can reserve an igloo with heat and lights to enjoy a private space outdoors with friends and family. Tycoga has a wine for everyone from their sweet Serendipity to their dry Noiret and Arndt Private Red which is aged in an oak barrel and then finished in a bourbon barrel. All of their wines are aged in oak which adds a robust flavor to each bottle. After purchasing a tasting of wines you can enjoy a wood fired pizza while you sip on a glass of your favorite. Tycoga also has a wide selection of mixed drinks made with their own vodka and whiskey; Richard is anxious to try the whiskey next! There are a lot of little details at the winery that just add a personal touch, from their wine barrel sinks to the parking strips in the shape of wine bottles. Tycoga Winery and Distillery is definitely worth a visit and you will find something to suit any palette. The Wijn House is happy to have restocked our shelves with the Tycoga wines listed below; stop by for a taste this week and find your favorite!
Cheers, Richard & Rene’  Last weekend Richard and I were able to visit Lubben Vineyards and Wines located in the city of Marion, Iowa. We were excited to embark on this journey for so many different reasons; it’s an area of Iowa we had not yet explored and we were anxious to learn more about the wine-makers from Lubben Vineyards and Wines, and, of course, taste their wine! Marion, Iowa is just outside of Cedar Rapids and is about a two hour drive from the Wijn House in Pella. The winery is family owned and we were able to meet Dan, Judy and their son DJ in their current location, which is an industrial condo. The Lubbens are quickly outgrowing their space and are in the process of building a tasting room just outside of Anamosa off of Highway 151. The goal is to be open at the end of May or the beginning of June of this year; after tasting their wine we are even more excited to share the news of their tasting room, and share their wines with you at the Wijn House.  High Brow wines range from dry to sweet and everything in between and all of them are full of flavor. The Wijn House is currently carrying:
-St. Pepin, a light and easy drinking dry white wine -Destiny, a semi-sweet Frontenac Blanc -White Lies, a sweet blend of white wine -Petite Pearl, a dry red aged in a mix of French and American oak -Marechal Foch, a dry red also aged in a mix of French and American oak with a touch of a sweet fruit on the nose. There are other wines the Lubben family are working on that we are also anxious to have once they are available, including a dry red blend, a dry white Itasca and a Foch Barrel Reserve. We will be featuring Lubben wines on our tasting menu the week of March 4th through the 9th so you can have a chance to taste some of them; or, keep an eye out for the opening of their tasting room this summer! Cheers, Richard & Rene’ |
AuthorThe Wijn House - Rene' & Richard Archives
May 2024
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