Iowa's Premier Wine Publication
Deep ruby red coloring with vibrant edges. This wine exhibits subtle earthy tones, black pepper, and dark cherry with hints of toasted oak and smoke. In the mouth this seems a bit tart, with bright fruit flavors and subtle oak and tannins. The wine is medium to light bodied, and would do well paired with aged cheeses and chocolate.
4/5
On March 7 and 8 I had the great pleasure of attending the Iowa Wine Growers Association’s annual conference which was held at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel. It was my first conference and my expectations were high, fueled by a desire to learn and to connect with other folks who are passionate about the Iowa wine industry. In both regards I walked away satisfied, comforted not only by the fact that there are numerous people dedicated to the growth and development of this industry, but also that there exists a strong (and growing) institutional foundation upon which industry members can lean for support.
I refer not only to the IWGA itself, but also to the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute which operates out of Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, and the Alcohol Beverages Division. These organizations are among the handful which strive to cooperatively build a sustainable and profitable industry within the state, and I am glad each made an appearance.
From a personal perspective, I found the most enjoyment in meeting old friends and new. I was especially happy to meet face-to-face those people I had only ever touched base with in phone conversations or email. It was an invigorating experience, one which stimulated a renewal of my dedication and excitement for the future of the industry.
From this experience, I am reminded of that well known idiom ‘out of sight, out of mind’.
I’ll be among the first to admit how easy it is to let slip from my mind the efforts, the passion, and the investment others have made to any cause when I have little or no contact with them over a period of time. Events like the IWGA conference are valuable, not only for the information shared through seminars and vendor pitches, but because they bring like-minded individuals together, creating a veritable mashup of passion and determination. And while I may have a vested interest in cooperating with another from a distance (and, to be sure, this can be a valuable thing) it all becomes more tangible in close proximity, and easier for my mind to assess the gravitas of that relationship.
What it comes down to is that I wish we could do this more often!
By participating in events like these – where we can learn, discuss, debate, and sample together; where we stand face-to-face and engage in intelligent and honest dialogue – we can only develop that much quicker as an industry. It’s no great stretch of the mind to realize that people will work harder for the friend standing at their side than for the person disembodied by distance with only an ethernet cable as a tether.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to the IWGA for allowing Iowa Decanted access to the event. It was a worthwhile experience and one I hope we’ll be able to revisit in the future. Enjoy the slideshow of photos from the conference below, and don’t forget to watch the video feature.
Cheers!
Nick Thornburg
Founder, Editor-in-chief
I’m a Wine Geek, I’ll admit it. But I’m not alone, so I’ve decided to take this opportunity to write blog posts specifically for geeks like me. Keep your eyes open and keep coming back to Iowa Decanted – unlike our regular content which is updated at the beginning of the month, this blog will be a continual work in progress and you’ll be able to find new content more often. I’ll be talking about pretty much anything that comes to mind in regards to the wine industry of Iowa, so I hope you’ll join me in this new adventure. First up? An interesting study brought to my attention by Mike Vincent of Wooden Wheel Vineyards.
This study, commissioned by Iowa State University, was released in March of 2014 – and it’s a report that every true wine geek should know about (false wine geeks need not continue!) and one about which every locavore should be proud. This report, which sports the titillating title ‘The Economic Impact of Iowa Wine and Wine Grapes – 2012’, states that the full economic impact of Iowa wine and grapes during the year 2012 was $420 Million.
Wow, huh?
We are, of course, currently living in the year 2014, so if you’re like me you’ll be wondering what this report from 2012 means for 2013 and today.
According to the report, this total economic impact increased 79% from the year 2008, which to this wine geek seems an incredible and wonderful leap in the right direction. Winery visit estimates were up as well at a whopping 51% from the year 2008. The total number of wineries in the state rose from 74 in 2008 to 99 in 2012.
What can we infer from this information – can we assume that this explosive growth will continue into the future?
Well, no. I think not.
Don’t get me wrong, this is great news, but given the realities of the industry I don’t believe (and this opinion is shared among many players) that this trend in growth can or will continue. Iowa is a difficult place to grow grapes – talk to any vineyard manager and she will confirm this. Agriculture is a time consuming and risky venture, in general, and it’s safe to say that despite the growing popularity of native wine, vineyard managers will be hesitant to pursue rapid expansion without certain assurances. According to this report 90% of the wineries in Iowa could be considered small producers, with only 5 wineries producing more than 5000 gallons of wine in 2012. Small producers generally experience (and pursue) tactful expansion given their lack of access to equity. They grow as they see fit and only as much as they feel comfortable with.
Winemakers experienced this firsthand in 2012. According to the economic impact report planted acreage experienced only moderate growth which led wineries to look elsewhere to find grapes/juice to fulfill their demands. These imported grapes are, of course, more costly and if this trend continues the increased cost of wine production is likely to hamper future growth and expansion.
Taking into consideration the market as a whole, we can safely say there is plenty of opportunity to grow and expand operations and capture market share. While Iowa was listed as the 25th largest wine producer in the United States for the year 2012, California topped the list boasting 88.58% of total wine production. Iowa produced only 0.03%.
As we can see – plenty of opportunity for the future.
So what can we expect for the future of Iowa wine?
While I don’t believe we can expect the same level of growth, I think we can safely assume we can see a steady, gentle increase in economic impact as time goes on. Industry members are beginning to find their rhythm and consumers are beginning to pay attention, so rather than focusing on quantity I speculate we’ll see a higher concentration on the quality of Iowa wine. Consumers are slowly learning the nuances of the wines which can be produced in this region and as their knowledge-base and palates develop they’ll begin demanding a more elevated product. In other words, I think the future of wine in our state will increasingly depend on its acceptance by a quality-centric consumer.
We have a lot to look forward to.
Until next time, I raise my glass to all my fellow Wine Geeks. Cheers!
PS – you can find the economic report from 2012 here.
Every wine enthusiast, no matter the experience, should have a healthy selection of reading material to reference when the occasion arises. Who knows, maybe you’ll need an idea when selecting a wine for your next dinner party? Maybe you’re trying to ferment your very own vintage and you need a bit of help? There are countless books on wine, viticulture, and enology floating around out there, but Iowa Decanted has pared down the selection to the 10 essential books for everyone’s shelf.
Opaque and purplish red nearing black. When swirled in the glass this wine leaves strong legs and exhibits strong aromas of toast and stewed fruit, with undertones of berry, black pepper and plum. On the palate this wine is soft with subtle tannins and acidity, but would still serve well as a pairing for strong dishes like beef.
4.5/5
The Iowa Quality Wine Consortium is a partnership between the IWGA and ISU’s Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. It was established to help enhance the reputation of Iowa wine and ensure the quality of Iowa wine overall. Members of the IWGA can submit their wines for evaluation, and should it pass a sensory analysis test from a panel of chosen evaluators, they will receive a mark of excellence which can be affixed to the wine bottle. Iowa Decanted visited ISU on the day of an evaluation to get a few behind-the-scenes shots and speak with those involved.
It’s not uncommon for people ask me what I believe the best type of trellising method happens to be. Specifically, people like to know the best way to securely anchor the ends of the trellis.
The best answer I can give in a nutshell: it depends.
I have made a trellis that has the familiar H posts at both ends, and I have made a trellis with single end post held by a guy wire to an anchor. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, and in the end it’ll be up to you (the viticulturist) to choose the best method for your vineyard.
The ‘guy wire’ is called a ‘trip wire’ by some as it can be easily caught by equipment and broken or stretched. But, this potential inconvenience is almost made up for by the fact that you only need one end post and one anchor. I find that an anchor is easier to screw in the ground then digging a hole or driving a post in the ground. An anchor also costs less than an end post. With a guy wire end, there is no horizontal brace to install making installation faster and cheaper.
With an H frame end post system, there are four components. The two posts, the brace and the brace wire. There are also two holes to dig, compared to one for the anchor system. One of the biggest problems I find with the H post system is that raccoons will sit on the brace between the end posts and use it as a seat to eat grapes and tear up the netting. Of course, one of the major advantages of this method is that it is incredibly strong and durable (assuming the installation was done properly).
With a guy wire anchored system, there is a bit of wasted space between the end post and the anchor. If you’re creative, however, this should not be a problem. I use this space to plant rose bushes or rhubarb.
I have put in both types of systems for my trellis ends but the one I prefer in my vineyard is the anchor system. It expedites the process of vineyard expansion, and keeps costs low. But perhaps this method isn’t for you. If you have a plentiful supply of posts and no raccoons to speak of, then maybe the H system may be best for you.
The following wines were compiled from a list of Iowa Decanted’s top-reviewed wines. To get our take on other wines we’ve tasted, check out our wine reviews!
1. Odessa Vineyards – ‘Autumn Mist’ – Dry White Table Wine
This wine, made from the Briana grape, is bursting with tropical fruit notes, including pineapple, peach, citrus, and grape. Although this is a dry wine, it gives the impression of sweetness simply from its fruit forward nature. If enthusiasts are interested in tasting a wine which exhibits the true characteristics of the varietal – this would be a perfect example.
2. The Winery at Kirkwood – ‘La Crescent Sparkling Wine’
This wine, made in the traditional French Methode Champenoise and fermented in the bottle, is something to make every Iowan proud. Subtle and complex, with excellent mouthfeel, this is a wine which can easily be enjoyed by itself or paired with a meal.
Unfortunately this wine is in short supply (a 40 gallon batch), so there isn’t much to pass around. Get a bottle as soon as possible.
3. Brick Arch Winery – ‘Chambourcin’ American Red Wine
This wine is nearly opaque, and a deep rich, red color with vibrant highlights. It displays strong legs when swirled in the glass. Smoke and toasted oak are evident on the nose, along with an earthiness and some spice. Dark cherry and licorice can also be noted. In the mouth this is well balanced and displays a harmony of flavors. It could be served by itself or alongside a hardy meal.
4. Snus Hill Winery – American Catnip, White Table Wine
Pale straw coloring. Strong tropical fruit on the nose, including pineapple, apricot and peach. There is a hint of minerality to this wine, adding a bit of complexity to the mouthfeel. The fruit notes are consistent in the mouth, making it a delicious standalone wine, with perfect balance and sweetness.
5. Cedar Valley Winery – Vignoles, Iowa White Table Wine
The abundance of fruit on the nose makes this a fascinating wine. Peach, apricot, green apricot predominate. This is a semi-sweet wine which sits a bit heavier on the tongue than similar whites. Perfectly balanced and best served slightly chilled.
6. The Winery at Kirkwood – Frontenac Gris
In the glass this wine appears to glow. The nose is an explosion of fruit, including notes of apricot, peach, and pineapple. It is intensely flavorful, with the same tropical fruits as the nose, supported in part by hints of green apple. Well-balanced and structured, this is a complex wine that could make any Iowan proud. Best served with light dishes or even by itself, slightly chilled.
Thornborough Vineyards is a family-owned and operated vineyard located in Henry County. They specialize in both wine and table grape growing, and are active supporters of both the native wine industry and Iowa Decanted.
