The Perfect Recipe for Summer, Just Add Wine
posted
on Saturday, May 27, 2017
Explore the Iowa countryside and you’ll discover Fox Ridge Winery tucked into the hills of northern Tama County. You’ll find nine varieties of delicious wine, a gift shop and tasting room and a large balcony for sipping your favorite wine while taking in the view of the vineyard.
In 2000, when local owners, Mike and Gwen Seda, were looking for alternative crops for their Christmas tree farm, they decided on grapes. Back then, there were only 76 wineries in Iowa. Now, the Sedas are entering their eighth year of business as a winery and Iowa is home to 103 wineries. The Iowa wine industry draws in 358,000 tourists spending $41,000 in wine-related spending each year.
Fox Ridge Winery is open year-round (by appointment only, January-March). In the summer, visitors can purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy on the outdoor patio, take a tour and witness the harvest in late August/early September (production is done on-site). In October, the winery hosts their annual Fall Festival.
On select summer evenings, you’ll also find live music and plenty of room for a picnic on the lawn. In 2017, Checker & The Bluetones will kick off the season on June 3. On the evenings with live music, food is also served.
Late in the season, you may want to enjoy one of their crafting events or plan an event any time of year in their banquet room. They also have a gazebo that can be used for special events.
As part of the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, you can purchase a 2017 Heart of Iowa Wine Trail Passport from Fox Ridge Winery. Be sure and ask how you can earn a passport stamp. Visit all eight wineries on the trail to earn a stamp from each for your chance to win a prize.
According to research conducted by Vernon Research Group for Travel Iowa, Iowa wines were described as affordable, delicious, sweet, refreshing, up-and-coming and expertly made. If they’re describing Fox Ridge Winery, we couldn’t agree more!
Gather your friends and make plans to visit Fox Ridge Winery. They’re located a half hour south of Cedar Falls (1465 L. Avenue northwest of Traer).
Looking for more to do while in the Cedar Falls area? The Cedar Falls Visitor Center has information about Things to Do, Places to Stay and Places to Eat & Drink. Stop in and see us at 6510 Hudson Road or give us a call at 319-268-4266 or 800-845-1955. The visitor center is open seven days a week.
We’d be happy to help!
(Owners of Fox Ridge Wine, Mike and Gwen Seda)
(all photos are courtesy Fox Ridge Winery and used with permission)
- crafting
- fall festival
- fox ridge winery
- heart of iowa wine trail
- live music
- mike and gwen seda
- wine
- wineries