The Retreat at Fireside

Have you heard about the new Retreat at Fireside Winery?

The Retreat at Fireside Winery awaits you!  Whether your get-away is a night away or an entire week away, The Retreat at Fireside Winery is the perfect destination for the wine enthusiast who desires elegance and comfort—along with all the conveniences of home!

View our Photo Album: http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa385/firesidewinery/The%20Retreat%20at%20Fireside%20Winery/

Located within walking distance of Fireside Winery and just minutes from the AmanaColonies, Tanger Outlet Center and the University of Iowa, The Retreat is perfectly situated, just off I-80, for a getaway, reunion, or romantic vacation with the wine lover in your life.

The Retreat at Fireside Winery is a fully furnished residence adjacent to the winery and includes these amenities:

• Three bedrooms, all with Queen beds in the lower level plus a queen sofa sleeper in upper level living room and extra twin rollaway
• Two and one half baths, one full bath on each level
• Fully equipped kitchen, including pots, pans, towels and table settings for 30 guests
• Dining area seating for 24
• Laundry facilities (detergent not included)
• 3 large flat screen Televisions (Dish Network)
• WIFI Internet access
• Multi-level patio with outdoor seating, grill and fire-pit
• Central Air/Heating

Click to learn more about The Retreat at Fireside Winery or call 319-662-4222

  

I-80 Wine Trail Uncorks Potential for X/C Tourists

 10 Million Vehicles Travel on New Iowa Wine Trail

I-80 Wine Trail Tempts Cross-Country Travelers to Sample Iowa Wines

Marengo, IA (August 18, 2011) – A new wine country is emerging amongst the rolling hills of corn and soybeans in Iowa tempting cross country travelers to exit the Interstate and to sample the new fruits of the land – Iowa grown and made wine!

The Iowa (and Midwestern) wine industry is growing by leaps and bounds in recent years and many wineries have banded together to help tourists identify local wineries by creating wine trails.  However, for cross-country travelers finding conveniently located wineries, in close proximity to I-80, has proved difficult.  The I-80 Wine Trail was developed in response to this tourism need.

More than 10,800,000 vehicles pass through central Iowa along I-80 each year!

(Statistic based upon the 2008 Iowa DOT Vehicular Traffic Map)

“One of our goals, says Fireside Winery owner and an I-80 Wine Trail organizer, Rona Wyant, was to make it easy for travelers to find wineries that are relatively close to I-80 (within 10 miles of an exit)”.  She adds, “We frequently have visitors from states like California, Illinois, and New York tell us how wonderful it is to find a winery in the Iowa and are pleasantly surprised by the high quality wines they taste and purchase”.

A colorful and informative I-80 Wine Trail brochure, including a map, winery contact information and exit number, is available at all State of Iowa Interstate Welcome Centers.  Visitors planning a trip through Iowa, via I-80, are encouraged to visit the I-80 Wine Trail website: www.I80WineTrail.com to plan ahead.

Current members of the Iowa I-80 Wine Trail, include (from east to west):

·         Brick Arch Winery (West Branch)

·         Fireside Winery (Williamsburg)

·         Jasper Winery (Des Moines)

·         Penoach Vineyard and Winery (Adel)

·         Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery (Stuart)

·         Danish Countryside Vines & Wines (Exira)

·         Breezy Hills Winery (Minden)

Down the road, organizers of the I-80 Wine Trail envision working with other I-80 connected states and adding them to the trail, until ultimately, tourists traveling coast-to-coast can visit I-80 Wine Trail wineries from New York to California.

The colorful and informative I-80 Wine Trail website serves as an illustrative guide and links to I-80 proximate wineries.  Visit: www.I80WineTrail.com for additional information.

Creative Contest - Deadline Aug. 15th

Fireside Graphics Contest

Fireside Winery is seeking creative and graphically endowed artistic wine fans to help us create fun, eye-catching, and interesting images we can use on our website, wine displays, and on our social media sites.

Considerations:

Image: JPEG or PNG, no larger than 4MB, (to use as badge or button or as Display Rack eye-catcher).

Conceptual:  preference for images with Flame icon present

Possible Tag Lines:  1) “I Buy Fireside Wine”, 2) “I Love Fireside Wines”, 3) “Ask for Fireside Wine”, 4) “I Work for Wine” (suitable for a t-shirt design too), 5) other creative tag-lines are welcome.

Contest: The top three winning images, as judged by the Fireside Winery staff, will be selected to receive a $50 Fireside Winery Gift Card.  All entrants whose images are used, electronically disseminated, or printed shall be awarded a complimentary glass of wine and a tour of the winery – and our deepest appreciation!

Deadline:  August 15

Submit your art or questions to Brad@Firesidewinery.com

NEW UPDATE - iPick...iStomp...iDrink - Harvest Opportunity!

9-5-11 UPDATE - DIRECTIONS TO VINEYARD.

Each year our fans ask if they can help us with harvest, stomp grapes, and then drink some wine.  So, in response we’re pleased to announce four Saturdays (grape ripening and weather dependent, of course) where you and your friends can come out to our vineyard (Brickyard Hill Vineyard, approximately 4 miles west of the winery) and join us for the harvest.

LAST HARVEST DATE: We now have 35 additional spaces open for the September 10th harvest date!  

The September 17th harvest date is cancelled due to earlier than anticipated ripening.  If you've already signed up for that date you can join us on Sept 10th. 

 GRAPE HARVEST WORK PARTY DATES (Saturdays)
- NEW DATE - urgent need -- SUNDAY, August 21

August 27  (FULL)

September 3 - (FULL)

September 10 (OPEN) - Last Harvest Date of 2011

September 17 - CANCELLED

Where: Brickyard Hill Vineyard (Marengo, IA)

When: New times - 7:30am-noon (at the vineyard); then back to the winery for lunch

What: Join us from 7:30am to noon at the vineyard and help us harvest our 11+ acres of grapes.  Bring hat, gloves, sunscreen and snacks.  Afterwards (around noon) we’ll meet at the winery where we’ll provide you with a lunch, free bottle of wine (for those 21 or older), grape stomp, production tour (you can help us during the crush operations, if you’d like), and a 2011 "iPick iStomp iDrink" - harvest t-shirt.

THIS IS REAL VINEYARD WORK!

Must be at least 15 years old to receive above; and 21 and older to receive the complementary bottle of wine.

What to Bring?  Its a good idea to wear a long sleeved t-shirt as you'll be fishing around the vines to find the berries (not required but suggested).  Check the weather reports before you leave - might want to have a jacket for the cool morning and shorts and t-shirts for later in the morning and later on for the STOMP.  Some people wear gloves.  Insect repellant.  Snacks.  Take a break when you need. Water.  

Directions to Brickyard Hill Vineyard:

Reference Start Point – Marengo, Iowa (US-6)

1. US-6 – Drive WEST of Marengo (just out of town)
2. Turn LEFT (South) on L Ave (County Hwy V-62), a gravel road.  (NOTE: there will be a grain CO-OP at the corner of US-6 and V-62. 
3. Drive approximately 1 mile and take the first gravel road on your RIGHT ( 160^th St .).  As you travel on 160^th St. you’ll notice farm buildings and grain silos.  Continue on 160^th for about ¼ mile.   
4. Take the first turn to the LEFT (about ¼ mile from the last turn) on Kk Ave.   You’ll begin to climb a hill. 
5.  Within about 400 yards you’ll notice a Vineyard on the hill.  Turn LEFT into the grass entrance to the vineyard
6.  Follow the path up the hill and park on top.  There will be other cars and Fireside Winery staff there to direct.  
7. IF YOU GET LOST – call Brad at 319-329-1509

Here is a map link that will get you close to the vineyard:  http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2088+160th+st.,+marengo,+iowa&hl=en&ll=41.775344,-92.069464&spn=0.033093,0.084543&sll=41.779057,-92.073154&sspn=0.033091,0.084543&vpsrc=6&gl=us&z=14  

REGISTER NOW: LIMITED SPACE -- Send a note to Brad Johnson at brad@firesidewinery.com to save your spot.  Please identify the date(s) you’d like to attend and the number and names of those in your party.

Will Work For Wine? -- Fireside Wine Ambassador Program

NEXT TRAINING - Sept. 14th (6:30-9:00pm)

Our wine friends frequently tell us how they'd love to work behind the tasting bar or at a wine tasting event.  We've figured out a way to bring our most vocal supporters into the wine industry through an innovative volunteer program called, "Fireside Wine Ambassador Program".

Our hope is to find our most ardent fans and equip them (through wine education, training, and wine tasting supplies) to, a couple times a month, help us by conducting wine tastings on our behalf at a retail outlet near where you live.

You won't get rich by doing this, but you will have fun, meet nice and interesting people, and as our slogan goes you "will work for wine"! :)

Below is a more formal description of our program.  If you're interested, read on...share with other Fireside wine fans, and if you're ready to join us, contact us soon because training will begin shortly.

Fireside Wine Ambassadors

Volunteer Program

The Fireside Wine Ambassador Volunteer Program is designed to identify, train and ultimately staff off-site tastings and events with our most ardent supporters.  Volunteers will need to agree to serve wine at two events per month.

Fireside Wine Ambassadors Are…

• ·         Vocal supporters of Fireside Winery
• ·         Passionate about Fireside wines
• ·         People who want to share their knowledge of wines
• ·         Interested in learning more about wine, winemaking and the Fireside Story
• ·         Fans who represent Fireside Winery during off-site tastings and events

Training

Prior to your first solo off-site tasting/event each Ambassador will need to complete the following: 1) attend a Fireside Winery wine education program (includes: winery tour, wine 101, and basics of wine service); 2) assist during an off-site tasting/event with a trained Fireside employee.

Benefits

There are several benefits to being a Fireside Wine Ambassador.  It’s fun!  Hosting a wine tasting at a local retailer, pouring samples and describing Fireside wines is just plain fun!  In addition to being our vocal advocate in the community, you’ll gain a new level of appreciation and understanding for the wine industry in general and Fireside Winery in particular. 

One of the benefits of serving as a Fireside Wine Ambassador is the opportunity to access our wine industry training program, via Today’s Wine Professional.  This 15 hour online Winery Tasting Room Service Training is organized to take you through basic wine production information (e.g., how red wine production differs from white wine production), sparkling wine production, wine sensory analysis, health benefits and history of the wine industry, and finally how to properly serve wine to customers.  The online format, using YouTube video instruction and online assessment ensure you have every opportunity to learn as much as you can about the world of wine. 

At Fireside you’ll be treated like family – employee discount prices on wine purchases, use of wine glasses during our special events, and other ambassador benefits.  Moreover, each year we will host a Wine Ambassadors Night during the summer season to show you our appreciation.

Compensation

Fireside Winery Wine Ambassadors are volunteer off-site tasting representatives.  In addition to the benefits described above, as a Wine Ambassador you’ll receive the following volunteer compensation:

• One complimentary Fireside bottle of wine for each 2-3 hour event you volunteer
• Complimentary Fireside Winery “I Work for Wine” t-shirt
• Fireside Winery Name badge
• Two  free passes to Fireside Winery special events (e.g., Tropical Iowan Night)
• Earn special bonuses for your annual Wine Ambassador service:
• After 5 events – Complimentary appetizer and two glasses of wine at Fireside
• After 10 events – Friday Night Live: free catered dinner for two and bottle of wine
• Additional bonuses to come…

FINALLY...If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend an upcoming training session, please contact Brad Johnson at brad@firesidewinery.com

 

Around Fireside...happenings

Summer is here at last...and before you know it we'll be in the vineyard harvesting our grapes and making wine again!  This is just a brief note to catch you up with the happenings around Fireside Winery.

In the Cellar:  Zach, our winemaker, is in the process of bottling all of our 2010 wines in order to make room for the 2011 grapes that will need space.  We're continually working to improve our wine quality through education and top-of-the-line winery equipment.  We've recently upgraded our wine filtration system, a machine we use to make sure the wine is clear; and have added 3,000 gallon-worth of new stainless steel tanks. 

These behind-the-scene changes reflect our commitment to quality wine and our goal of continual improvement.  

KCRG A-List: Earlier this Spring we asked you to show your support by voting for Fireside Winery as your favorite "wine shop" in the KCRG A-List.  Because of your efforts we were awarded the 2011 Winner "Best Wine Shop" in Eastern Iowa!  

Thank you for your vote...and your show of support!


 

Excellent Entertainment: our line-up of high quality local musicians make a trip to Fireside even more enjoyable.  Each Friday (arrive by 6pm) we have lively music (bring your dancing shoes), delicious catered food of P.H.A.T. Daddy's Restaurant, and all of our wines.

Every Sunday (open noon-5pm) we offer a more casual mix of live music, appetizers, and wine-by-the glass (or bottle) and a lovely environment to relax with your friends.

Special Events: Every so often we produce an extra-special event for our winery friends.  Here are a couple of our upcoming events:  July 16th - Tropical Iowan Night featuring the musical performance of the Cedar Island Band, delicious tropical foods prepared by P.H.A.T Daddy's; and on September 24th we'll be rockin' country style during our Harvest Festival (and Hog Roast) with Chris Brooks and the Silver City Boys.


...That's all for now!  Stop out and see us, but if you can't, please support our local retailers: http://www.firesidewinery.com/products2.html

Eventastic!

Just read a recent article, from a Missouri winery owner, about the music we (winemakers) listen to during the winemaking process and how it might affect the wines we make.  He went on to suggest that the music we play (in the cellar during production and in the tasting room) says a lot about the winemaker and winery owners.

This got me thinking about the events wineries have and how the personality of a winery is reflected, not only in the music, but in the events and activities promoted by a winery. We enjoy hosting events!  Whether it is our new "3rd Thursdays at Fireside" or Friday Night Live and Sunday musical events or our extra special events held periodically throughout the year - we love a good event!

Here are some upcoming events that are Event-tastic!  

80's Ladies Night - Saturday, June 25th (7-11pm)

Girls just wanna have fun!!

...and you'll be at the center of the fun universe this Saturday (June 25th) at Fireside Winery.


PRIZES FOR - BEST 80's DRESSED & BEST 80's HAIR - Dress up in your best 80's outfit, poof-up your hair and compete to win.

Join us for 80's dance music, fun & games, Tanger Outlet goodie bags, and wicked-awesome fun!!

$5 cover charge - entitles you to a 20% discount on all 80's Ladies Night purchases.

Share this with your friends and if you haven't been to Fireside Winery yet (or in a long time) this is a great chance to bond with the girls, sip some wine, and dance - dance - DANCE!

Tropical Iowan Night - SPECIAL EVENT - Saturday, July 16th

Fireside Winery will transform into "Wine-a-Rita-ville" on Saturday, July 16th (7-10pm) when the Cedar Island Band plays all of your favorite tropical-inspired tunes!

Food Service ($15):  Catered by P.H.A.T. Daddies Restaurant and includes: Jerk Pork Loin; Coconut Curry Chicken; Rice & Beans; Caribbean Pasta Salad; Sweet Potato Salad; Banana Casserole; Tropical Fruit Salad.

Beer?  Yes, one time only!  Millstream Brewing Company.

Special Event Cover Charge - $10.  Save $5 when you dress in tropical attire (e.g., Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, etc.).

Dinner Theatre

Old Creamery Theatre Presents: LOVE LETTERS

Two Live Performances: 1) Saturday, July 23rd and 2) Thursday, July 28th

This bittersweet love story traces the lifelong correspondence between Andrew and Melissa. Their relationship is gradually revealed through what they have written in their letters and what they have left unsaid. 

Featuring Tom Milligan and Deborah Kennedy:  This special dinner theatre presentation will begin with dinner served at 6:30 pm and the show will begin at 7:30 pm. Cost is $40 per person and includes the show, dinner, a glass of wine of your choice, tax and gratuity. 

SEATING IS LIMITED - Call Fireside Winery now to make your reservations at 319-662-4222