The holidays are a time for warmth, joy, and delicious food and drink.

This year, make your celebrations extra special by uncorking the magic of Iowa wines! From festive events to perfect pairings and thoughtful gifts, Iowa's wineries are ready to help you create unforgettable memories.

Winery Spotlight: Madison County Winery

Nestled in the heart of covered bridge country, Madison County Winery is a gem offering a delightful array of wines and a packed calendar of winter events.

Holiday Favorites: Their best-selling holiday wine is the delightful Cranberry, especially when paired with their convenient Mulling kit. Other top sellers that are perfect for any occasion include Lollipop, Hunter's Moon, and Midnight Rain. For the gift-givers, their Raspberry and Cabernet Sauvignon are always a hit.

Winter Events: Get ready for a season full of fun!

December 6th: Bakker's Retirement party (honoring the previous owner)
December 12-13th: Winter Solstice Market in Winterset
December 13th: Christmas in Casey, Iowa
December 13th: Live music with Angie Daniels from 6:00-9:00 for their Holiday Party
January 23rd: Music with Madison County Line

Look out for more exciting events like Souper Sundays, Trivia Night, Puzzle Night, and a Cribbage Tournament – dates to be determined, so keep an eye on their social media and website for updates!

Winery Spotlight: Eagles Landing Winery

Perched on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Eagles Landing Winery offers stunning views and exquisite wines.

Festive Wines: Their holiday selection includes the cheerful Cheers Cranberry, the delightful Caramel Apple (sweet and perfect served chilled or warmed with a cinnamon stick), and the cozy Spiced Apple (a sweet apple wine with light mulling spices, ideal for warming up!).

Staff Picks for Gifting:

Trip the Light Fantastic: Made from the Traminette grape, this wine is light and airy with notes of pear and orange.
Blackberry: A fruit-forward sweet wine, very smooth and velvety.
Vespers: Made from Petite Pearl grapes, lightly oaked with notes of cherry.

Winter Events:

Sunday, December 14th: Christmas Warm Up - Hot Wine Day! Enjoy their two favorite warmed wines with paired mini-charcuterie plates, plus their normal pizza and appetizer offerings.
Saturday, December 20th: Christmas Countdown! Christmas trivia, ugly sweater discounts, merchandise sales, and warmed wines, plus their normal pizza and appetizer offerings.
Saturday, January 17th: Winter Game Fest: Wine, friends, and all the board games you can handle. Bring your own or try one of their favorites. Details to come!
Saturday, February 21st: Drive the Cold Winter Away Bash, 3-6 pm, featuring live music, food, warm drinks, games, and more.

Iowa Wine Holiday Photo Contest!

Show off your festive spirit and love for Iowa wine! We invite readers to share their holiday photos featuring Iowa wine on Facebook or Instagram.

Share your photos of:

Holiday tables featuring Iowa wine
Snowy vineyard photos
Cozy fireside wine moments

To Enter:

Simply tag @iawine on Facebook or Instagram
Share the location and winery that is featured

One winner will be drawn from Facebook and Instagram on December 30th to receive an Iowa Wine sweatshirt!

Wine & Dine: French Casserole with Wide River Winery's Felony Red

Looking for the perfect dish to pair with your holiday wine? Wide River Winery's Felony Red pairs wonderfully with Gratin a L'alsacienne, a delicious French casserole!

Here's the recipe:

Gratin a L'alsacienne Recipe:

1 3lb bag potatoes – boiled (do not peel)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Rosemary to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped tomatoes for garnish
1 package of your favorite sausage
1/2 cup chopped onions
Milk for mashing the potatoes
Your favorite cheese – about 1 cup
2 cloves garlic

Instructions:

Brown the sausage, then remove from the pan.
Sauté the chopped onion in the same pan.
Add water and peeled garlic to the potatoes. Cook until done.
Drain the water and heat the potatoes. Heat milk and then add to potatoes. Mash.
Add herbs and cheese to the mashed potatoes.
Combine the sausage-onion mixture and the potatoes-cheese-herb mixture.
Spread into a long pan.
Sprinkle chopped tomatoes and additional parsley over the top.
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Wines for Holiday Meals

Navigating holiday meal pairings doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some simple pairing guides to elevate your festive feasts:

Prime Rib: Consider a Marquette, Frontenac (dry), or Petite Pearl
Christmas Brunch: Sparkling wines are always a fantastic choice, as are lighter fruit wines or even a refreshing Rosé.
Holiday Charcuterie Boards: The beauty of a charcuterie board is its variety! Offer a range of wines from dry whites to medium-bodied reds to complement different cheeses, meats, and accompaniments.

Iowa Wine Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life? Look no further than Iowa-made wines!

Dessert Wines: Perfect for holiday parties and sweet endings.
Sparkling Wines: Ring in the New Year with festive Iowa bubbles!
Winery Gift Cards, Wine Clubs, Merch, or Gift Bundles: Support Iowa Wine and give the gift of choice and local charm.

Remember to shop local this holiday season and support Iowa small businesses!

Snap, Sip, WIN! Celebrate with Iowa Wine & Enter our Holiday Photo Contest