Back in mid-1960, 1966, in fact, the state of Iowa, came into my consciousness’ In five years at the time, was not much awareness’ All they knew was that my father had a temporary job transfer and left Chicago to live in Iowa for one year’
Over the next 15 months we have made several long trips by car and western Iowa to Chicago’ I remember always wanting to see the Mississippi River, the main window of our van’
All these years later, the Mississippi River still has control over me, but for any other reason’ Now, the historic river towns are waiting for its architecture, landscape and sense of place’ With travel west on I-80, is the fate of the country came from Iowa and one of our favorite weekend – Dubuque, Iowa
Iowa Wine
Iowa has a long history of grape and wine, like other states in the Midwest’ The soil is fertile and conducive to the growth of all types of cultures, including raisins’ In particular, the valleys of Iowa in the west and east are ideal for vines’
When the ban was in 1920, Iowa farmers have resorted to other activities and the wine industry is on hold until the end of 1980′ Today, some 20 years later, Iowa, the wine industry is in the midst of an exciting recovery’ Wineries, almost 60 years, came from Iowa and five paths are the introduction of travelers and wine lovers to some fantastic wines’
From Interstate 80 cuts directly in the center of Iowa, Iowa, to explore one of the tracks of wine is a perfect diversion for anyone performing or traveling cross country’
The chairs and wine
Let’s start our exploration of the wine route eastern Iowa, in the small town of West Branch, near the I-80 and about 45 minutes west of the Quad Cities and the Mississippi River’
If West Branch child even vaguely familiar to you, congratulations, you’re a historian? West Branch is the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, president of the 31, and houses the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum’
This was our first stop, and it is strongly recommended’ Far from a stuffy and dusty old museum, the Hoover Presidential Library chronicles not only the presidency of Hoover, which has fascinating exhibits relating to all presidents’ In fact, this is a training center dedicated to the history of United States and especially presidential history’ We visited several times over the years and is becoming more fascinating than the last’
Our first stop is the Herbert Hoover cave along the road, approximately 4 miles from the Presidential Library’ Wallace Winery, as in a picturesque environment that is’ In a century-old barn and then a beam tasting room, you will want to stay’ We have estimated the white wines, the star here, especially Traminette, from the Gewurztraminer grape – a great buy at $ 13′
Also, be sure to try and buy the Book Iowa Barn’ This comfortable, easy to enjoy table wines white is a tribute to the disappearance of a part of our landscape, the old barn wood’ In fact, Wallace Winery donated a portion of profits from the sale of these wines to the Iowa Barn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic barns’
Wallace Winery, travel north on the beautiful highway 1 to the City of Anamosa Iowa’ Along the way, takes you through the village of Mount antiquities’ Vernon’ Stop, walk and enjoy a small town in Iowa hospitality’
In Anamosa, to finding Daly Creek Winery North Ford Street’ Located in an old building CREMERIE, one of the first things you notice is the red cedar Iowa tasting bar’ Daly Creek is adjacent 50-seat bistro, and while we have not eaten here, the menu is always welcome’
Daly Creek wine’ Being a big fan of the movie “Shawshank Redemption” was my first Penetentiary red, a Cabernet Franc that the whole body and fragrance’ In memory of our art school, also benefited Daly’s Creek white wine, white, gothic style’ This wine takes its name from Anamosa, Iowa, the most famous resident, painter Grant Wood, best known for his classic “American Gothic’”
After catching a few bottles to take home, we went to Anamosa Iowa east on Route 64′ It is about 25 minutes to Baldwin, a small town that hosts our next cave, Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery’
We are particularly satisfied here, as we have tried before Tabor Home wines’ Since 1997, Tabor Home has been added to your offer of wine racking and wine prices’ These wines are true Iowa, with most of the bottling plants created from grapes grown in vineyards in Tabor Home’
Presentation of Dubuque
Tabor Home, which is a little 40 miles north of Iowa 51 to our night, historic Dubuque, nests along the Mississippi River at the confluence of the Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin’
Dubuque is a destination weekend long that can be combined with its history of Illinois, Galena, just 20 miles’ Dubuque has been described as a river town, a common history and a university town’ Of course, there are three!
Dubuque: The characteristics
In Dubuque, it all starts with the River’ Along the banks of the Mississippi, you’ll find an aquarium at the national level of a note, a brewery from the 19th century restored building, a remodeled Riverwalk, nightlife, boat rides, and entertainment’ A few blocks away is the historic district of downtown with shops and jazz at night’ Further west, the College District, with its own style and atmosphere’
Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, to celebrate 175 years in 2008 and has long been a vibrant river city’ Dubuque, is distinctive because of its steep slopes and cliffs of the river – the geographic characteristics that many people do not expect to find in Iowa With 62,000 inhabitants, is big enough to be diverse and small enough for easy navigation’
There are a number of “must sees” in Dubuque’ A good starting point is the Mississippi River Aquarium’ Enjoy dynamic exhibitions, including a personal visit and close to some rivers such as the catfish, alligators and creatures’ Plan to spend a few hours’ At $ 10′50 per adult, is one of the best bargains in the Midwest’
From there you can take a boat on the river promenade or the Riverwalk’ We did our first day until the Dubuque Star brewery renovated building houses a new winery, Stone Cliff Winery’
When you visit, you can taste wines from grapes grown in the vineyard of stone cliff just west of Dubuque’ Our favorites are the Cabernet Sauvignon, winning a silver medal at the Wine Fair in the State of Indiana, and Riesling, a semi sweet fruity wine gem’ Open the installation of Dubuque Star since May 2007, Dubuque stone cliff is the new attraction along the River’
Enjoy More Wineries
You will find that the next wine region just 15 miles west of Dubuque’ It is Park Farm Vineyard and Winery, Iowa, surrounded by beautiful scenery with hills, trees and terraces’
Park Farm Winery & Vineyards is largely dependent on Iowa grown grapes and crops, with varieties such as the LaCrosse, Niagara, Marechol Foch, and Vidal, to name a few’ It is a warm and welcoming, with an impressive new addition to the open air of the castle that houses the tasting room and gift shop’ The bridge itself is a valley and a visit is not rushed’
Another came to us with an opportunity to Iowa travel north on highway 52, more or less along the River’ Eagles Landing Winery and Vineyards is located in Marquette, Iowa, just across the river from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin’
Eagles Landing is not just a cave, but a bed and breakfast, too’ Situated on the banks of the Mississippi, is a paradise for ornithologists’ The name comes from many bald eagles that winter in the area, located on the rise in trees or on the river for a meal’
There is a tasting room in downtown Marquette offers 18 varieties of wine Eagles Landing’ Try the Frog Hollow Foch, a dry finish on red oak, with grapes grown in Eagle’s Landing Iowa vineyard’ There are some great fruit wines here’ You can also take advantage of Iowa Pearl, a white semi-dry with a nose of apricots and a clean, fruity order’
After exploring the city center and neighboring Marquette Prairie Du Chien (both worth a stop for a walk), back to Dubuque’ We should mention there is another winery in this way – that Winneshick Wildberry Winery in Decorah, about 1 / 2 hours from Marquette’ We have heard very good things about their fruit wines, and if you’re in the area, stop in’
This part of Iowa is a skillet, place to visit, and Dubuque is located in the center of Iowa Wine Trail, making it an ideal stopover for the night’ If your travel plans I-80, or if you live in the upper Midwest, be sure to delete some time for the vineyards of Eastern Iowa
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