So what in the world have I been waiting for, this place is a gem! Park Farm Winery, located just outside of Bankston, IA and so very close to Dubuque, is my new favorite place. Nestled on top of a lovely hill with vineyards situated all around, the tasting room house is reminiscent of a French Chateaux. Very fitting considering the surrounding land is very French in its custom, look, weather and soil. Who knew Julien Dubuque had found a bit of his own homeland on the other side of the world? The land here is perfect for growing French grapes--Marechal Foch, La Crosse, La Crescent, St. Pepin, Marquette and Frontenac. (Which always reminds me of Le Chateaux Frontenac Fairmont in Montreal, Canada. Do go sometime, it is a wonderful hotel). Many awards have been won by this winery since its inception and it is plain to see, and to taste, why.
I partook of two tastings, five wines for $3.00, a total bargain. The tasting room, to the left of the Chateaux' entrance is cozy, walls lined with a beautiful warm oak panelling, oak floors and bar, tying in perfectly with the French oak barrels in which the wine is aged. Many wine accoutrement is offered for the connoisseur and/or casual sipper--the usual cork screws, glassware, Cd's, bottle and glass jewelry, coasters, T-Shirts, wine bottle bags--for the usual prices. People come and go, tasting talking, laughing and waxing eloquent about their tasting choices. Today, a holiday, the second room is also open, which is where I choose to set up shop.
My wine selections are served by a lovely woman, Carla who knows a bit more about wine than I do and has some great recommendations to make. It turns out, our tastes are similar and I enjoy trying her choices and suggested comparisons. I taste (10) different wines in an hour--should have eaten a little something more before this--and am ready to choose a vintage for a full glass, order one of the exquisite wood-fired pizza's and retreat to the outside deck.
Stepping out onto the patio, I am surprised to see that it is almost full of people. I was so engrossed in my tasting I hadn't noticed the crowd forming outside under the large event tent erected for the concert that will start at 5:00. I am grateful to find a small table along the railing overlooking the wooded hills and vineyards. The view is westerly and there is a crisp early fall breeze and dark clouds scudding the horizon. I am so happy I brought a wrap because I will be needing it! My pizza--red sauce with bacon, asiago cheese, roasted peppers and onions and black olives arrives bubbly and warm. It looks and tastes delicious and is the best pizza I have had since arriving in Iowa. The crust is wonderful and tasty with the wood smoke baked in. There is enough for three people here, and I eat a few pieces and wrap the rest for later. (I had some of it this afternoon for lunch and there is enough for one more meal). There will be a shrimp, corn and sausage boil later and I want to be able to try some of that. Small portions are available for $5.00, a full meal for $12.00.
A young woman comes by and asks if I will be staying for the show later. For $7.00 I will be able to listen to the three piece band--The Tinker Boys from Milwaukee--receive a free souvenir wine glass and a $5.00 ticket for whatever I want to spend it on, which of course will be another glass of wine. I have brought a book with me to read and that has helped pass the time along with people watching. I am currently reading Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy. It seems an appropriate choice because the three piece band is Irish Folk and also mixes in some ballads from The Eagles, Van Morrison, James Taylor and Johnny Cash. (Molly Malone takes me back to my visit to Dublin where there is a statue of her selling her cockles and mussels.) The crowd, comprised of families and couples of all ages, truly enjoys the music and there is some dancing. Most have brought their own picnics and are set up at the various tables under the tent and picnic tables surrounding the area. Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed on the property, but all wine must be purchased on premises, and there is a lot of that on every table. The semi-sweet Picket Fence vintage seems to be very popular. It is described as their best selling white wine, a crisp, well balanced Vidal Blanc similar to a semi-sweet Riesling It is a gold medal winner at the mid-American wine competition. I'll have to try it next time I come out!
I have moved on to my second glass now, Vineyard Select 2007, the first of my tastings. "A light bodied dry red, aged in premium French oak for 20 months, this wine was produced with hand selected Marechal Foch (58%) from their estate vineyards and blended with the best Frontenac (42%)". I notice mild tannins and moderate acidity in a cherry and spice noted wine. Simply divine. I decide to send a bottle to my friend, The Design Grape along with a bottle of the St. Croix 2007 which is described as "...our fullest bodied dry red to date. Estate grown St. Croix barrel aged for 28 months in French oak. Deep, dark color with rich, full flavors and texture". They suggest a pepper steak as accompanyment. I fully intend to take those home with me along with La Fume 2007, a smoky white produced from La Crosse (72%) and La Crescent (28%) grapes. "The wine has fruit aromas of pineapple, apricot and pear along with nutmeg and vanilla. A long soft creamy finish with hints of butter, the wine pairs well with flavorful dishes such as Cordon Bleu or Cream Brule. We believe this our finest production of an Iowa white wine to date. Enjoy slightly chilled (50 degrees) to maximize flavor". I found the apricot to be a top note in this wonderful white.
The last bottle in my homeward bound selection is a sweet, dessert wine--something I have come to appreciate in the past two years after a wine tasting in Chicago. St. Pepin 2008, sweet and fruity, is a manipulated ice wine made from grapes grown near Sabula, IA. Ice wine (Eise Vine) is normally created by allowing the fruit to ripen and remain on the vine through the first freeze. This process heightens the residual sugar in the grapes and creates a delightfully refreshing, sweet flavor, perfect for sipping with dessert or as dessert. The yield is usually smaller than a normal harvest and therefore the wine is bottled in smaller containers and priced appropriately. Park Farm has challenged this process by picking the grapes at their apex and then freezing them, resulting in a more abundant harvest and a terrifically tasting ice wine at an exceptionally reasonable price. Bottled in the traditional smaller container, but at half the price of a similar vintage. The owners say that when their own St. Pepin vines are ready (5-7 years) they plan to produce a true ice wine. I say this manipulated process is quite acceptable!
All in all, I had a delightful day. I drove home just before dusk and arrived at my doorstep as the last light was fading from the sky. I gathered my handbag, book, my wrap and the bottles of wine and as I am trying to close the door to the car, the wine slips from my hands and crashes to the curb, shattering all but one of the bottles--the least expensive of course. Oh, and did I mention, they landed on my big toe first. I am sure I will lose the nail. So glad I still have a bottle so I can drown my sorrows and pain in taste and style.
Keep an eye out for the Metermaid's review of this wine tasting!
