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Winning Wineries: You can do more than sip at area vintners

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Carly Weber

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Think a visit to an Iowa winery is only about sniffing and sipping? Think again. Iowa wineries are popular destinations for everything from Sunday brunch to an afternoon of live music to dinner theater. Plus, most wineries have space that’s available to reserve for private events ranging from birthday parties to business meetings to wedding ceremonies and receptions.

The Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board list more than 75 wineries on its web site, www.iowawineandbeer.com. We don’t have room to cover them all, but here are a few in Eastern Iowa to consider visiting this summer. For the most up-to-date details about each winery’s hours and event calendar, visit its web site.

— Anne Kapler, Hoopla

Ackerman Winery

4406 220th Trail, Amana; (319) 622-3379; http://ackermanwindery.com

You could call Ackerman Winery the granddaddy of Iowa wineries. Begun in 1956 in its founders’ basement with batches of Concord grape and rhubarb wines, it’s the oldest operating winery in the state. Today, Ackerman offers 22 varieties, including a unique list of exotic fruit wines like Mango, Pomegranate, and Crimson Cranberry. Visitors are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of winery, from its press room to its storage tanks, and to sample wines at the tasting bar. The winery also operates a gift shop that sells wine accessories and gifts.

Ardon Creek Vineyard & Winery

2391 Independence Ave., Letts; (563) 506-8044; www.ardoncreek.com

Located on a 156-year-old family farm approximately 30 miles southeast of Iowa City, Ardon Creek Vineyard grows five varieties of hard-hardy white and red grape vines. Its wines are vinted, cellared, and bottled in its winery, and all are available for sampling in the tasting room. Winery tours are available for parties of 10 or fewer by appointment, and the winery holds music events a couple of times a month. The music schedule is available on the winery’s web site. Music events have a cover charge, and guests are welcome to bring snacks or a picnic.

Brick Arch Winery

116 W. Main St., West Branch; (319) 643-4001; www.brickarchwinery.com

The new kid on the block, Brick Arch opened in March 2011. The winery features a tasting room and three levels of gathering space. You’ll find plenty to do here besides sampling wine: The winery holds open mic nights on Thursdays, features live music most Sunday afternoons, and holds other special events.

Cedar Ridge Vineyards

1441 Marak Rd., Swisher; (319) 857-4300; www.crwine.com

The tasting room and events center at this winery and distillery (It’s the first licensed distillery in the state since the age of prohibition.) is a busy place. Cedar Ridge features live music in its outdoor event space on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons from May through October, and holds a by-reservation-only Sunday brunch. You’ll also find a menu of wood-fired pizza, a Prime Rib dinner three nights a week, and, of course, samples of Cedar Ridge’s wines and spirits.

Eagles Landing Winery

127 North St., Marquette; (563) 873-2509; www.eagleslandingwinery.com

Eagles Landing’s Marquette Maid brand wines are produced at it’s downtown Marquette location, and grapes are grown near Volga Lake State Park in Fayette County. Sample wines in the winery’s tasting room and gift shop, or check the web site to find a calendar of events including summer Wine-A-Rita Weekends, featuring live music and Wine-A-Rita samples; a Grape Harvest weekend; an Oktoberfest celebration; and a holiday event.

John Ernest Vineyard & Winery

3291 N Ave., Tama; (641) 484-8048; www.johnernestvineyard.com

John Ernest Vineyard and Winery sits on land that was once a traditional corn and soybeans Iowa farm. Today it’s home to a variety of grapes vines along with a winery, tasting room, and retail store. An annual grape picking festival is held when the fruit is ripe – usually the last weekend in August and the first weekend and September. And live music events are held on weekends throughout the summer; guests are encouraged to bring picnic baskets to music events, but truffles, meats, cheeses, and crackers are available to purchase along with the establishment’s wines.

Fireside Winery

1755 P Ave., Marengo; (319) 662-4222; www.firesidewinery.com

Yes, as the name implies, you can sip wines fireside at this rural winery – either indoors by the fireplace in the Gathering Room or outside next to the stone fireplace on the patio or circled up around the fire ring. Samples are always available in the tasting room, and a small appetizer menu is available. Regular events include live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, and “Third Thursdays”– the winery stays open until 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The winery also holds special events, like Tropical Iowan Night (6 to 10 p.m. July 16, $10 cover charge; $15 per person for Caribbean buffet from P.H.A.T. Daddy’s restaurant), and Dinner Theatre with Old Creamery Theatre (The next show is “Love Letters,” 6:30 p.m. July 23 and 28. $40 for the show, dinner, and a glass of wine.).

Stone Cliff Winery

600 Star Brewery Dr., Dubuque; (563) 583-6100; www.stonecliffwinery.com

Located in the historic Star Brewery Building in the Port of Dubuque along the Mississippi, Stone Cliff Winery offers wine tastings, live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and monthly Mystery Dinner Theater shows. You’ll also find beer and light appetizers – and occasionally the winery’s grill masters fire up a grill on the wine garden patio.

Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery

3570 67th St., Baldwin; (877) 673-3131; www.taborhomewinery.com

Tabor Home Vineyards has been growing grapes in Iowa for more than 20 years, and currently produces 15 wines. The Winery, located about 50 miles northeast of Cedar Rapids, is open daily for tastings (closed Mondays January through April), and vineyard and winery operation tours are available by request free of charge for groups of 10 or fewer. It’s also home to several annual festivals, including an Anniversary Festival, the Iowa Nouveau Festival, a Holiday Open House, and the summer Music in the Vineyards series.

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery

1966 337th St., Decorah; (563) 735-5809; www.wwwinery.com

Located on a 140-year-old family farm, Winneshiek Wildberry Winery specializes in fruit and table wines. Samples of its 25 wines are available in its tasting room, and a gift shop features handcrafted items for sale. In September, it holds an annual grape stomp event.

Va-va-va-va-VODKA

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Carly Weber

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Start looking for those drinking shoes now. It’s that time of year again.

The Clearheart Vodka Crawl. is Friday (8/13) at 5:30 p.m. Registration kicks off at Bricks, 320 Second Ave. SE, and the crawl continues to five more downtown Cedar Rapids bars.

Proceeds from the night will be donated to ImpactCR and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District.

$10 admission gets you a Clearheart glass along with six drink tickets for these six downtown hot spots:

Bricks: Clearheart Vodka tonic
Toocan’s: Clearheart rum with Hair of the Dawg Mojito mix
Teeghan’s: Clearheart Vodka lemonade
Piano Lounge: Clearheart Vodka 7
Dublin: Clearheart Vodka screw driver
DC Riverwalk: Clearheart Vodka cranberry

Earn a few bucks. It’s harvest time!

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Carly Weber

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Want to make a few bucks over the next few weekends?
Grape harvest begins this weekend at The Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, at the 10-acre vineyard along Highway 965, and will continue every Saturday and Sunday through the end of September. They have about 60,000 pounds of grapes to process over the next five weeks.

Harvest will officially begin this Saturday and Sunday (August 29 and 30) at 7 a.m. both mornings. They’ll be picking an acre each of Brianna and Edelweiss.

They pay ten cents per pound to anyone who helps with the harvest. Just show up at 7 a.m. with a pair of pruners (they have a few loaners if you don’t have a pair) and they’ll provide the harvest baskets and grapes.

If you have a favorite charity and you want to pick on its behalf, bring out a group and they’ll write the check out to the charity of your choice. Let us know if you want to put a larger group together and they’ll set aside an entire vineyard for your group.

Harvest / Fall Events UPDATE
Due to the construction mess, the vineyard won’t be able to hold any harvest or fall events in the vineyards, but they’ll be announcing their grand opening very soon.

Taste Test

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Carly Weber

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In the just more than a year since the Floods of 2008 wiped out every bar and restaurant in downtown Cedar Rapids, at least 41 bars and restaurants have opened in the downtown area.
Some are old favorites. Others are new to the scene.
Residents have the chance to sample the best of both this weekend through Aug. 15 at the Taste of Downtown, organized for the first time this year by the Downtown District.
The Taste kicks off Saturday with a sampling event from 4 until 7 p.m. in the Skogman parking lot on First Avenue in downtown Cedar Rapids. A $20 cover pays for unlimited food and beverages from participating downtown vendors. There will be live music. Patrons must be 21.
For the rest of the week, participating restaurants and bars will offer various two-for-20 specials.
Not sure where to go? Keep reading.

Benz Beverage Depot
Benz offers a selection of high-quality foods, spirits, beer and wine from around the world. They carry more than 1,200 wines and the Corridor’s largest selection of spirits and beer. Check out their Web site for regular beer and wine tasting events.
• Special: Not available
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 501 Seventh Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 9 a.m.to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; (319) 365-2556; www.benzbeveragedepot.com

Bigg Daddy’s Dogs
A recent addition to downtown, Bigg Daddy’s serves hot dogs, brats and cheesesteaks on the corner of Third Avenue and Second Street SE. Try the cheesesteak, made with beef brisket and onions and peppers fried on the spot.
• Special: Monday and Tuesday, two brats, two sodas and two chips for $10; Wednesday, two cheesesteaks and two sodas for $10; Aug. 13, two barbecue brisket sandwiches, two sodas and two chips for $10; Aug. 14, two chili cheese dogs, two sodas, two chips and two cookies for $10.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: Corner of Third Ave. and Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

blend
blend’s menu changes monthly and features globally inspired American cuisine served with an artful presentation. blend features an open dining room with both indoor and outdoor dining and a lounge with daily happy hour specials, perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a schedule-friendly business lunch.
• Special: Lunch, two lunches and two desserts for $20; dinner, choose two courses from a selective menu for $20.
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 221 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; lunch, 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, dinner, 5 p.m. to close Monday to Saturday; (319) 366-3364; www.blendcr.com

The Blue Strawberry Coffee Company
The Blue Strawberry offers gourmet coffee and a cozy ambience. In addition to coffee, teas and other beverages, the Blue Strawberry has bistro-style entrees, including hot panini sandwiches made to order, fresh salads and soups.
• Special: Two entrees, two beverages and two desserts for $20
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 118 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; (319) 247-2583; www.blue-strawberry.com

Bricks
In addition to daily drink specials for the after-work and late night crowds, Bricks has a menu to compliment the beer munchies. The menu has all the expected deep-fried goodies, plus wraps, sandwiches, pizza and daily specials.
• Special: Sirloin or ribs and two pints of beer for $20 or two entrees and four pints of beer for $20.
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 302 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday; (319) 366-0950

Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery
Using grapes from their own vineyards south of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Ridge produces a variety of wines and fruit-based spirits. The Cedar Ridge Distillery was the first licensed still in the state since prohibition and their wines and spirits can be found at Hy-Vee and other wine shops and retails stores throughout Iowa.
• Special: None
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 501 Seventh Ave. SE, Suite B (entrance through Benz Beverage Depot); 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 362-2778; www.crwine.com

City Meat Market
Whether you’re looking for good ol’ Iowa 1 1/2-inch thick porkchops or a quick hot-off-the-grill lunch, the City Meat Market is your place to go. They also offer a wide variety of cheeses and meat products, including smoked meats, ribs, summer sausage and more.
• Special: Aug. 14 two rib dinners for $20
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 615 Second St. SW, Cedar Rapids; market 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; deli 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday; grill 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 363-3937

The Coffee Emporium & Cafe
Serving coffee drinks in Eastern Iowa for more than 45 years, the Coffee Emporium offers quality whole bean specialty coffees, traditional espresso and iced blended coffee drinks. Their selection of teas are brewed loose leaf and on-demand and their menu includes breakfast sandwiches, bakery items, wraps, pitas, salads and paninis.
• Special: two pounds of coffee for $20
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 220 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 362-3384; www.thecoffeeemporiumcr.com

Daniel Arthur’s
Located in an 1800s-era mansion, Daniel Arthur’s artfully presented dishes in an unique atmosphere. Dining areas are tucked in rooms of the mansion, including The Underground Lounge in lowest level and outdoor patio.
• Special: Monday, half-price burgers in the lounge 5 p.m. to close; Tuesday, select appetizers half-off with entree purchase 5 p.m. to close; Wednesday, buy one domestic beer, get one half-off in the lounge 5 p.m. to close; Aug. 13 wine dinner, reservations required, limited space available; Aug. 14 two-for-one beef, chicken or shrimp satays in the lounge 5 p.m. to close; Aug. 15 purchase any appetizer and two entrees, get tableside Caesar salad or bananas foster free 5 p.m. to close.
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 821 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, dinner 5 p.m. to close Monday to Saturday; (319) 362-9340; www.danielarthurs.net

DC’s Riverwalk Pub & Eatery
Like Third Base Brewery’s menu? Check out the new DC’s Riverwalk. Under the same ownership, DC’s menu offers the same hearty bar fare, like a platter-sized pork tenderloin, burgers, wraps and salads. Looking for something special? Try the signature entrees. Thirsty? A fishbowl will quench it.
• Special: Two chicken or shrimp carbonara for $20
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 401 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Sunday; (319) 362-0310

Deb’s Ice Cream & Deli
Deb’s Ice Cream & Deli is exactly what you think a deli should look like. Sandwiches like a BLT and egg salad are made to order at one counter while delicious ice cream is scooped at another.
• Special: Two lunches for $20 (choose from selection of signature sandwiches)
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 215 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 365-1010

Dublin City Pub
Reopened in the former Muddy Water’s, Dublin has made the space all its own. Dine downstairs. Drink upstairs. With an extensive bottle and on-tap beer list, Dublin lives up to it’s Irish name.#</aic:cclr>
• Special: Two sandwich baskets and two draft beers for $20
• At kickoff: no
• Details: 415 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids; (319) 247-7180

Gringo’s
Gringo’s interior is Old World, with its intricate woodwork and vintage tables. The menu offers a full range of Mexican flavors from piled-high nachos to sizzling fajitas.
• Special: Fajitas for two plus fried ice cream for $20; two tacos with beans and rice, two beverages and fried ice cream for $20; two pick-twos and two house margaritas for $20.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 207 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; (319) 363-1000; www.gringoscr.com

Little King Deli
Little King Deli is a quick stop for breakfast or lunch. The morning menu includes breakfast pizza and bagels and fresh baked cinnamon rolls. At lunch try sandwiches, soups and salads to eat there or a boxed lunch on the go.
• Special: Three regular sandwich combos for $20
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 201 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 363-9695; www.littlekingcr.com

LoDo’s Pizzeria
With a name derived from its lower downtown location, LoDo’s features pizza by the slice or whole pizzas on either New York style thin or Chicago style thick crust. Their menu also includes salads with homemade dressing, pastas and subs.
• Special: Two pastas or subs, two side salads and two drinks for $20.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 112 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday; (319) 247-LODO (5636); www.lodospizzeria.com

Maid-Rite West
One of the oldest restaurants in Cedar Rapids, the red and white striped exterior of Maid-Rite West has been a downtown staple since 1935. Their menu continues to offer traditional favorites, including breaded pork loins and it’s namesake loose-meat sandwich.
• Special: Two hot dogs, grilled cheese or fish sandwiches for $2.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 621 First Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; (319) 364-4415

The Piano Lounge
Named Cedar Rapids “Best Cocktail” and “Trendiest Bar” two years in a row, the Piano Lounge provides live music and an entertainment lounge with pool tables, dart boards, widescreen TVs and a Wii arena.
• Special: Saturday, half-price wine and martinis and $1 off beer; Aug. 14 and 15 two covers and two martinis for $20.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 208 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday; (319) 363-0606; www.thepianolounge.com

Pita’z
Pita’z offers authentic Lebanese-style Mediterranean cuisine. Try the Tawook Pita — if you’re feeling adventurous, ask them to make it spicy. Pita’z is located in the Armstrong Centre food court Downtown.
• Specials: Shish Tawook — marinated boneless chicken, rice, hummus, pita bread and drink for $8.50; Chicken Shawarma with rice, hummus, pita bread and drink for $8.50.
• At kickoff: No
• Details: 210 Third Ave. SE, Ste. A, Cedar Rapids; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 366-7482

Prairie Soup Company
The Prairie Soup Company has gourmet soups made using all natural ingredients and served with fresh baked bread. The menu also includes a selection of fresh salads and sandwiches. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries are served hot and fresh starting at 6:30 a.m. daily.
• Special: $2 off any combination of two menu items
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 425 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids; 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; (319) 362-0972; www.prairiesoup.com

Sixteen at the Crowne
Take in the view from the top as you relax with a drink or enjoy an item from the newly revamped menu at Sixteen at the Crowne. Previously Top of the Five, the restaurant at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers a lounge area and a new menu to match.
• Special: Lunch, two luncheon entrees and two beverages for $20 (serves 2); dinner, one dinner entree and one appetizer for $20 per person
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 350 First Ave. NE, 16th floor, Cedar Rapids; breakfast, 6:30 to 11 a.m., lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Sunday; (319) 363-8161

Teeghan’s Ice Bar
At Teeghan’s Ice Bar, you can chill out both literally and figuratively, as you enjoy drinks served up from one-of-a-kind ice displays behind the bar.
• Special: $2 domestics; Saturday, no cover with Taste of Downtown sampling wristband
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 315 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday: (319) 364-4112

Volume
Volume is a nightclub that is all about the music. Chill while you listen to a regular lineup of live bands on one side or dance the night away as a DJ spins tunes on the other.
• Special: Saturday, no cover with Taste of Downtwon sampling wristband
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 329 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; (319) 366-1501

Zins
Zins small-plate menu is about experiencing a variety of tastes in one meal. Each dish is meant to be eaten in six bites. Order one for yourself or several to share. The wine storage system allows for the nearly 70-bottle wine list to be purchased by the glass or flights.
• Special: Saturday and Tuesday through Aug. 15, two price-fix menus with two tastes of wine for $20 (serves one); Saturday, two glasses of Raymond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for $20; Sunday, two brunches for $20; Monday, two tastes of Duckhorn Napa merlot for $20; Tuesday, $2 Grainbelts for first 20 customers; Wednesday, $2 Fat Tires for first 20 customers; Aug. 14, two tastes of Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon for $20; Aug. 15, $2 Sam Adams for first 20 customers
• At kickoff: Yes
• Details: 227 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; (319) 363-ZINS (9467); www.zinsrestaurant.com