I still remember my first Maipole festival in Germany many years ago. It was the start of spring, and the whole village turned out for it. Everyone was dressed up and the Maipole in the center was wrapped with bright ribbons. There was a lot of laughter and dancing, and you could hear music everywhere. People of all ages were catching up, sharing big plates of food and drinking beer right from the tap. It felt like everyone was part of one big family celebrating together. Now, all these years later, I get to relive that joyful tradition right here in my backyard at the Amana Colonies Maifest.
At Tycoga Winery & Distillery, it’s more than just about the drinks; their pizza is pretty good, too. Thirty minutes from our door to theirs, we stepped into a place buzzing with life. Despite the crowd, the manager spotted us right away, treating us like VIPs and ushering us to the bar. That warm welcome set the stage for an experience we won’t forget, savoring standout pizza and wine in the heart of Iowa.
Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, Illinois, is a good spot to savor lunch and a glass of wine. However, following my visit, I’m left pondering the winery’s legitimacy. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the wine flight I ordered—it was pretty good. And we discovered a bottle that suited both our palates. The problem occurred when our server seemed less versed in the wines and couldn’t answer any of our questions. She took our order, handed it to the bartender, and left us to our own devices. Having had such a delightful time at Old Oaks Winery in Milan last week, we decided to explore another local winery.
Jennifer McDonald is no stranger to crushing things. As the owner of Jenny Dawn Cellars in Wichita, she is crushing competitions, stereotypes, and a few grapes too. And she is doing this while introducing premium wines to the next generation …
Beaches, Mountains, and Historical Beauty Weather, wind, and water have shaped the island of Sicily into one of the most varied landscapes on the planet. As a result, the island is home to many beautiful beaches, national reserves, and mountains. …
Germans love wine and walking. The German Weinstrasse is redefining both– open vineyards, generous pours, wine walk with friends, & tons of delicious food at the festivals and fairs. The German Wine Road is for anyone who enjoys a good time.
The United States boast a remarkably robust network of wineries, wine trails and wine-related activities. Wine tourism is alive & well in places like Sonoma and Napa. But also in new emerging wine regions around the US that are less well-known, but just as good– or better.
Sparkling wines are delicious. And I’ve tasted them in wine regions all around the world. I’ve had them in beautiful places like Napa, New York, France, Italy and Germany. But few offer the stunning natural landscapes and level of hospitality like the Prosecco Wine Road
Unveiling Etna: A Unique Wine Legacy Beyond Italian Borders Italy’s Mount Etna is young by modern standards for such an old wine region. Bottled wines have only been produced here for a few short decades, yet the rapidly growing interest …
Looking for a new way to enjoy a glass of wine. As if you needed one, right? However, Bluejacket Crossing Vineyard & Winery has come up with the solution to a problem I don’t think exists. But it’s still awesome. …
It’s almost time for one of my favorite festivals in Germany. The Durkheimer Wurstmarkt wine festival in Bad Durkheim is the largest wine festival in the world. Yup– big reason to go, right? But you don’t have to wait for …
Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to three distinct wine trails, each offering exciting wine and food pairing events throughout the year. Spectacular Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noirs attract wine lovers from all over the world. And New York State is now …
Ask for a sample of either the Sparkling Raspberry or Sparkling Almond. We were lucky to sit next to new friends Anna and Linda who requested a sample from their server. I gotta say, they are both yummy, but that Sparkling Almond, has a slight resemblance to Almaretto, without being heavy– its crisp, but sweet taste lingers on the tip of your tongue.