IOWA WINE AND GRAPE INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
DES MOINES, IA—The Iowa Wine Growers Association has announced the list of award nominees in the grape and wine industry for the upcoming Iowa Specialty Producers Awards Banquet. Each year, the Iowa Wine Growers Association recognizes and awards leaders within the grape and wine industry at the industry awards banquet. Previously called the Iowa Wine Awards Banquet, the Iowa Specialty Producers Awards Banquet will take place from 6 - 11 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ankeny, Iowa.
The banquet is part of a new event, the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, being hosted by the Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) and the Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (IFVGA), taking place January 23 and 24, 2020 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa. The two associations have combined efforts for this event, having previously hosted their own annual conferences respectively. The two-day event features more than 40 speakers in a variety of specialty crop, business, marketing and agritourism topics.
The banquet will feature a multi-course evening dinner sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, specially paired with a selection of quality Iowa wines sponsored by the Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute, as well as a social cocktail hour, evening entertainment provided by Ducharme-Jones Band, in addition to the awards presentation ceremony. The event is open to the public, ages 21 and over. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online at the Iowa Wine Growers Association website or the Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association website.
Seven winemakers in Iowa were nominated for the 2020 Winemaker of the Year Award. This award honors an Iowa winemaker who has served as a leader in the wine industry by crafting superior Iowa wines utilizing locally sourced products when possible, adhering to best practices of winemaking, and demonstrating a willingness to experiment and try new techniques while positively contributing to the industry as a whole. Nominees include Megan Farley, Summerset Winery in Indianola; Dave Cushman, Park Farm Winery in Durango; Kent Foulker, Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in Swisher; Zach Bott, Fireside Winery in Marengo and Ackerman Winery in Amana; Kevin Fifo, Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset; Andrew Morse, Breezy Hills Winery in Minden and Josh Glasson, Ardon Creek Winery in Letts.
Three vineyards were nominated for the 2020 Vineyard of the Year Award. This award honors an Iowa vineyard positively contributing to the industry through demonstrated superior viticulture practices, adhering to viticulture best practices to provide high quality produce for Iowa wineries, while continually seeking to improve their business through education and advancement. Nominees include TYCOGA Vineyard & Winery in DeWitt; Lubben Vineyards in Marion and Cooper Vineyards in Humboldt.
Two industry businesses were nominated for the 2020 Retail Partner of the Year Award. This award honors an Iowa retailer who has supported the wine and grape industry growth in Iowa through partnership with Iowa wineries and vineyards and demonstrating willingness to showcase Iowa wines in the retail setting. Nominees include Andy Breuer, Muse Wine Bar and Nikki Schneider, The Whimsical Wine Trailer.
Two industry members were nominated for the 2020 Outstanding Industry Partner Award. This award honors an individual or organization that has supported the growth of the wine and grape industry in Iowa, served as an advocate for the industry and has positively impacted the quality of the Iowa grape and wine industry. Nominees include Terry Bockenstedt, Nutrien Ag Solutions in Dyersville and Lucas McIntire, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.
The 2019 Award Winners include Winemaker of the Year - Doug Bakker, Madison County Winery; Vineyard of the Year - Chris Larsen, Compass Hill Vineyard; Retail Partner of the Year - Jeremy & Tara Kohlhaas, The Wijn House and Outstanding Industry Partner Award - Terry Bockenstedt, Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Peers from within the industry appoint nominees and the awards are coordinated and given out from the Iowa Wine Growers Association. Members are then able to vote electronically during a one-week period prior to the event, with the award recipients being announced at the banquet.
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“Iowa Wine Awards….you might say WHAT, no kidding folks it’s real, and its coming this month. I moved to Iowa in 1979 from the Detroit area and the most exotic beer available was Coors, oh…and you could get some crazy casserole dishes at the local café, my how times have changed. Now you can get anything you want from our brothers and sisters in the fermentation business, and the restaurants and different types of cuisine…it’s too numerous to mention just one! Like that best kept secret in the USA, so is our wine industry. Did you know that Iowa is the first state to have an apprenticeship program for wine makers. Our industry is still young starting in the late 90’s but we are on the move and we need to celebrate the best of the best whether its in the vineyard or in the winery….we ARE getting our game on. We also like to honor those who help by supporting the retail side or other industry partners….we especially want to spread the love to the people who made this happen and continue to make our industry grow. We have an award for that… called the Jean Gerrath Award, Jean was one of the founders and first President of the Iowa Wine Growers Association. On January 23, 2020 we will know who these award winners are, so stay tuned,” said John Barber, The Cellar Winery at White Oak, IWGA Board Member and Conference Chairperson.
ABOUT IOWA WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION:
The Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of the wine and grape industry in Iowa. Established in 2000, the Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) supports the industry through education, marketing/promotion and legislative support.
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