“The Chateaux” Cambridge, Iowa

The Iowa Wine Growers Association held their Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, February 18th, 2018. The banquet is a time to celebrate those members of the IWGA that have been selected as the best, by their peers. Awards were given in the following categories:

• 2018 Winemaker of the Year
• 2018 Vineyard of the Year
• 2018 Retail Partner of the Year
• 2018 Outstanding Industry Partner of the Year.

Soldier Creek Winery is pleased to announce that their winemaker, Anne Zwink, received the high honor of “2018 Winemaker of the Year”.  She was selected by her peers in the industry, members of the IWGA. Those who voted were not only choosing a winemaker who makes great wines, but one who contributes to the industry on the whole. The Iowa Wine Growers Association said,

“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.”

 

 

 

industry and community involvement

Anne is an outstanding member of the IWGA, she sets the bar high for wine quality and willingness to try new things. She also contributes much time and effort to the apprenticeship program as a board member and an apprentice mentor. The IWGA’s registered apprenticeship program is the first of its kind as a statewide industry association sponsored program.

As a community member, Anne contributes her extra time to activities like:  Fort Dodge Young Professionals, Leadership Fort Dodge, and the Fort Dodge Fine Arts.

“It’s a really great honor to be validated by my peers in the winemaking industry. I’m so pleased that they like what we are doing. Also, it was really neat that the professor that played a pivotal role in getting me into wine-making, Dr. Christian Butzke, was there to see me receive the award.”

You can sample and enjoy Anne’s delicious, award-winning wines at Soldier Creek Winery on Fridays from 4-8PM, Saturdays from 1-6PM, and Sundays from 1-5PM.

 

everyone loves a list

Especially when it’s being so gosh darn helpful!

Look, Valentine’s day isn’t just about couples, it can be about appreciating you! You and another person, you and your dog (don’t give wine to your dog, okay?), you and your cat (cats too, they don’t get wine guys!), you and your goldfish (again, no wine.), or just YOU. So, here’s a list of ways to treat yo’ self and maybe someone else.

1. wine, duh.

We have a couple options here:

A) Treat yourself: Grab 6 of your favorite Soldier Creek wines and get a free stemless glass. It’s fancy, it’s perfect, it’s just so you. Oh! And you get 5% off the 6 bottles.

 

Aaaaaand, I suppose you could share these 6 bottles. But not the glass. That’s for you.

B) Treat yourself AND another person that can imbibe wine: Go ahead and do it properly, get a case of your (and that other person’s ) favorite Soldier Creek wines. You’ll get two free stemless glasses and 10% off!

2. stainless steel stemless drinkware

Keep your chilled wine cold and your mulled wine warm. It’s a no-brainer, this one! Each cup is $15, might as well treat yo’self! Or someone else. Or both of you!

3. for the coffee and wine drinker

Obviously, a great gift for the coffee and wine lover is a coffee mug from their favorite winery! Because, you know, it’s not socially acceptable (or healthy) to drink wine all the time.

Also, I just have sing the praises of this mug! As a coffee addict– I want my coffee to stay as warm as possible for as long as possible (because sometimes baby gets in the way of consuming coffee while still hot) and this mug delivers! I’ve had it stay warm for up to 5 hours after I put it in there! 5 stars! 2 Thumbs up!

4. wine in a bag

Really, any amount of wine is nice– but if you’re not committed to buying 12 or 6 bottles of wine, just stick with one and put it in one of these awesome bags. No need to be eloquent, these bags say everything you wanted to say.

5. the gift of choosing

This one is for those who are always guessing. Who have no idea what their Valentine drinks. Who wasn’t paying any attention, but still wants to be thoughtful. Give them the gift of being choosy with a gift certificate. You’ll be safe with $25– that’s at least a bottle of wine (and maybe something a little extra depending on what wine they choose!).

 

gifters unite!

You can celebrate now! I’ve given you the gift of a simple list from which to choose the best gift for your Valentine, nothing is better than that. Whether you’re the extravagant gift giver or simple gift giver, this list has what you need.

rejoice, the hard part is done

With Midbest love® (<--- teeeehehe)

Meg

well, despair not dear winos, i have prepared well in advance for just such a crisis.

BEHOLD, dear readers, I’ve created a handy graphic to guide you through your cookie and wine consumption!

i won’t ruin this experience with more words. just get out there, find a girl scout, get some cookies, and pair them with the soldier creek wine you have at home (i know you stocked up during the case sale).

Smooches and Midbest love!

Meg

i’ve been littering your newsfeed on facebook and instagram with this so called “hygge”

So, perhaps I should tell you what I’m prattling on about. It’s this season, though, that brings it out in me. Especially when we get “winter weather”, I just can’t help but cozy in and get comfy. Turns out, it’s a totally Scandinavian thing to do! AND, they even have a word for it:

hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”)

 “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.”

It’s no surprise that this word was on the short list for The Oxford Dictionary’s “word of the year” for 2016. It was a trying year for the world on the whole, and finding solace in the darkest (literally) time of year by getting exceptionally cozy seems like the perfect answer.

why? how?

When I think of these months of freezing, blizzarding, darkness (whyyyyyy sun? why do you have to go down at 5:00PM?!)…I feel rather down. But! Fear not! That’s why the Scandinavians have this word– guys, believe me when I say they have it way worse than us as far as daylight hours go in the winter time (we’re talking 3:45PM sunsets).

So, forgive me when I go all Hygge on you this time of year– but I’m pretty sure winter + Hygge = LOVE.

Fluffy socks, warm drinks (mulled wine, anyone?), candles, a crackling fire, sheepskin rugs, and all things cozy! Just surround yourself in cozy, good conversation, old friends, family. What better way to grab some #hygge on these blustery winter days than with friends over a glass of wine?

 

that’s where we come in.

We have the lock-down on Hygge in the winery. You may have noticed our faux-sheepskin seat cushions, many candles (flameless, darn it liabilities), cozy lighting, AND the wine!

Bring yourself and your friends or family to grab some Hygge!

But, if you don’t want to go out and you have some Soldier Creek wine just laying around (who doesn’t?)– light some candles, pull out the comfy blankets, throw down the sheepskin rugs, tell your friends to bring their cozy slippers, and what the heck start mulling that wine!

mulling wine

Don’t know how? No worries! I have a simple recipe here on our Pinterest page OR, if you’re local to Fort Dodge, you can swing downtown and ask for some wine mulling spices at The Spice Shack!

and there you have it, folks

Just a recap of your Hygge list:

• candles
• fluffy socks
• cozy pants
• wool blankets
• warm slippers
• MULLED WINE
• friends
• family
• pets
• this list could go on forever
• what makes you happy?
• that’s your Hygge

kisses, hugs, and hygge on this cold wintry crap stuff,

Meg

gather round the table! mother meg has some handy thanksgiving tips to share!

Greetings ye merry gentlemen and gentleladies! Still frantically scouring the web for Thanksgiving recipes? Misplaced your great grandmother’s traditional Thanksgiving meal planner? Fear not. Mother Meg has you covered.

first, let’s start with the recipes

Perhaps you recall, but this Meggy Crocker has made a whole pinterest board just for Thanksgiving, FOR YOU! So, peruse that, but here are some of the high points, that I think would be pretty damn darn amazing:

turkey

Let’s start with this Tandoori Turkey recipe from Epicurious. Spices like coriander, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ajwain have me drooling (again) butcan you blame me? This beautifully flavorful turkey would pair superbly with our Marquette Reserve. HANDS. DOWN.

Moving on….

sides

What better way to embrace the fruits of the season than with this Skillet Stuffing with Apples, Shallots, and Cranberries from Epicurious? And, it’s just so simple, throw it all together and chuck in the oven. That’s my favorite way to cook– throwing and chucking. Especially when the food pairs so perfectly with my favorite Soldier Creek wine: La Crescent. 

Okay, Epicurious, you win. A cranberry sauce WITH WINE IN IT? Duh, you know I gotta have this. Plus, why not take this fabulous Cabernet-Cranberry Sauce with Figs and substitute with Soldier Creek’s Geneva Red 7 or Maréchal Foch?

Keep it simple with this 3-Ingredient Green Beans with Frizzled Leeks from Epicurious! Plus, the tanginess and freshness of this dish pairs superbly with our Frontenac Gris… and, that orange colored wine has me all in the holiday spirit. Not only a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table, but it’s gorgeous, too!

These. Potatoes. Back to basics, people– this Earthy Mashed Potatoes recipe by Epicurious (and, coincidently, everyone’s mother) is exactly what every Thanksgiving dinner needs. And, the best part about these? They pair with nearly any Soldier Creek wine you might choose to accompany your meal!

Oh my gooooooood, DROOL. I’m actually making a list of what I need to make these for my family Thanksgiving this weekend! Buttermilk Biscuits with Green Onions Black Pepper and Sea Salt needs to be on your list of Thanksgiving dinner sides.

dessert

And where would we be without dessert? Try this new spin on a classic Thanksgiving flavor: Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Pair your dessert and conversation with a glass of our Brianna. You won’t regret it!

and there you have my favorites!

Mother Meg has spoken! Heed my suggestions for a fantastic and delicious Thanksgiving you’ll be sure to remember for at least a few days 🙂

with midbest love,

Meg