Specifically, our name! I’m sure we have many who have wondered “Why Soldier Creek Winery?”.
Well, it’s really quite simple. In Iowa, we know the best way to help our customers connect with us is by connecting with them. In our part of Webster County, there’s this little creek that feeds into the Des Moines River: Soldier Creek. In fact, Soldier Creek runs directly north of our oldest vineyard (see map below)! And, with that, you have a name. It’s really as simple as that!
We have a few (and a few new ones in the works for the 2016 vintages!), so let’s just make a list:
Our La Crescent wine is named for the variety of grape that is in it: La Crescent. We like to keep it simple at Soldier Creek Winery 🙂 Also, we want our winery to primarily reflect that of the classic wineries from Italy, France, and California– they name their wines, typically, for the grapes that comprise the wine.
The La Crescent grape is a French-American Hybrid grape developed by the University of Minnesota. Why a hybrid? If you live in/have been to/are from Iowa, you know that our perennial plants must be cold-hardy. This is why we grow French-American Hybrid grapes, they are cold-hardy! This grape originated from a cross between St. Pepin and ES 6-8-25, and I know those are just numbers and letters– but the lineage of La Crescent is deeply rooted in American and French grapes, thus giving it the distinction “French-American Hybrid”.
The Soldier Creek St. Pepin is, again, named for the grape that is in it: St. Pepin. We love this grape so much that we planted it in our old vineyard and the new (Junior) vineyard! Personally, this is my favorite wine that Anne makes. Especially in the summertime– there’s nothing better than sipping on a glass or two (or three) in your favorite reclined chair, in the sunshine, wearing sunglasses, sleeves rolled up, while you watch the dogs (children/birds/squirrels) play after your hard work in the garden/vineyard. Ahhhhhhh, I can just picture this from last summer 🙂
The St. Pepin grape is a unique French-American Hybrid, developed by the father of Midwest grapes: Elmer Swenson. This variety is unique in one way, really: it doesn’t pollinate itself with the help of wind or bees, it must be planted near a grape that can pollinate it in the spring. The parentage of St. Pepin is deep and varied, with many American and French grapes in the parentage. But, it is a direct hybrid of Seyval Blanc & Rosette.
Our Frontenac is named for the rather popular grape that is in it: Frontenac. The Frontenac grape is such an aromatic and flavorful grape– I’m always so surprised at how toned down and complex the wine is compared to the grape on the vine. Anne is a wizard.
The Frontenac grape was developed at the University of Minnesota in 1996. This grape is direct hybrid of the Landot 4511 (also a hybrid) and the a cold hardy selection of Vitis riparia. Vitis riparia is a native grape variety– usually found in Canada and the central and eastern parts of North America.
Again, we named our Geneva Red 7 for the grape variety that makes it: Geneva Red 7. We love the vigorous flavors of this wine, the grapes create such a cacophony of aromas and flavors that it’s hard to not like this wine (if you’re a red wine drinker).
The Geneva Red 7 (or GR7, as it’s called among grape growers, enologists, and researchers alike) was developed through Cornell University. The hybrid was created from a cross between ‘Buffalo’ and ‘Baco Noir’ in 1947. Usually, this grape is used exclusively in blends around Iowa. As far as I know (and after a quick Google search), we are the only winery offering this grape as a single-variety wine.
Our Maréchal Foch wine is named for the grape variety that makes it. Did I mention how we like to keep things simple? 🙂
Now, this grape variety has a very interesting history! It is believed to have been created in Alsace, France by Eugene Kuhlmann. There is some debate among scientists about the parentage, but the debate only goes as far as guessing the following varieties in the mix: Goldriesling (a cross of Riesling and Courtiller Musqué), a Vitis riparia- Vitis rupestris cross, and Oberlin 595. This grape gets its name from the French marshal Ferdinand Foch– who had an important role in the First World War armistice negotiations. This grape was, formerly, very well known in the Loire region– it has since been reduced greatly and is now seen primarily in the northern parts of North America.
(Sorry about the missing photo!) Our Marquette is…you guessed it! Named for the grape variety that makes the wine! We love the earthy flavors of this wine, and the simplicity of the grape. In the vineyard, this grape is hardy and an easy grower.
The Marquette grape was developed by the University of Minnesota in 1994. It was created from a cross between MN 1094 and Ravat 262. This grape actually has a very well-known parent– Pinot Noir! It has a deep parentage among native cold-hardy grapes, which contribute (no doubt) to the higher acid levels. But, we could conclude that the grapes versatility and willingness to be made into something really beautiful could be from that famous parent, Pinot Noir.
Soldier Creek’s St. Croix is named for the grape variety that it is primarily comprised of: St. Croix. The St. Croix grape has been around for some time, and we love the versatility of this grape. In our short history, we have had this grape make a sweet-style wine and a semi-sweet (possibly even an off-dry) style wine.
The St. Croix grape was developed in 1981 by the father of the Midwest grape– Elmer Swenson. It is a complex cross between American hybrids and French hybrids. The most notable characteristic of this wine is the distinct lack of Vitis labrusca flavors. This is a highly sought after trait among the cold-hardy French-American Hybrid grapes for winemakers.
Our Frontenac Gris, it’s something special, but we still name it for the grape that made it 🙂 Maybe you’ve noticed, but this rosé is orange. If you ever took a (guided) stroll through our vineyard, when the grapes were ripe, in the rows containing Frontenac Gris, you would notice one thing. The grapes….they’re….they’re…..slightly orange! Oh the humanity! Just kidding, it’s perfectly natural.
The Frontenac Gris grape has a bit of an interesting history from the University of Minnesota: this is the “white” version of Frontenac created from a single bud mutation. The mutation created this “grey” grape– thus the Gris part of the name (grey in French). Overall, the characteristics of this grape in the vineyard are the same as it’s parent, Frontenac. Which, really, is quite nice for us.
Hey! This one is different! Paragon Pink is a blend of Secor Vineyard grapes. Maybe you’ve noticed– the address of our two vineyards and the winery is on Paragon Avenue. And this wine is definitely Pink. And here you have it! A lovely alliteration of two important elements of this wine: Paragon Pink.
No one else has this particular blend– but you may find it tastes like some of your other favorite sweet Iowa wines. That’s okay. But this wine is completely comprised of grapes and only grapes. No other fruits. And, it definitely satisfies the sweet tooth of the sweet wine drinker!
Lastly, the Brianna. We named our Soldier Creek Brianna after the primary grape in this wine: Brianna. In my experience, the Brianna grape can exhibit different aromas and flavors depending on its terroir, or the area in which it is grown. I have had Brianna wines from the southeast part of Iowa with the most floral nose you wouldn’t believe– so distinctly Jasmine and Gardenia. Our Brianna has light floral aromas and unmistakably tropical flavors like Pineapple and Peach.
Again, we have Mr. Swenson to thank for this delicious grape. It was developed by Elmer Swenson, but named by Ed Swanson of Cuthills Vineyard in Nebraska. The grape is a cross between Kay Gray and ES 2-12-13. Brianna is a well-loved variety across the Midwest, and can be found at many wineries as a sweet wine.
What’s in a name? Hey, it’s not all that complicated. Some of the grape varieties have interesting and detailed names! We love the simplicity of our wines, and we hope you appreciate it. Now, if you know your favorite variety– you can ask for it! Most wineries know the grape varieties that comprise their blends, so ask for what you know you like! It’s the same as asking for a Pinot Grigio or something similar, but now you can sound like you know something about French-American Hybrids!
Meg
