Lisa and Kevin Miller walk through their vineyard near Cascade, with daughter, Brielle, in July 2013. Their environmentally friendly home/winery can be seen in the background. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
CASCADE – Visitors seek out one of Iowa’s newest wineries for the rural ambiance and flavorful wines, but owners Kevin and Lisa Miller believe it’s only a matter of time before connoisseurs discover the organic nature of their business.
The Millers’ Crimson Sunset Vineyards & Winery, near Cascade, produces Iowa’s only wine created entirely from its own estate-grown, certified organic grapes.
“A true crimson sunset is really rare,” said Kevin, who conceived the idea and name for their business. “That’s kind of like our wine.”
Photo (c) Edible Iowa River Valley and Homegrown Iowan/Cindy Hadish
To put that rarity in perspective, Iowa licensed just over 100 wineries last year, with Crimson Sunset the sole wine-making operation with a certified organic vineyard on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s statewide list.
I visited Crimson Sunset earlier this summer and had a great time meeting Kevin and Lisa and their adorable daughter, Brielle. The full story and photos are in the fall edition of Edible Iowa River Valley magazine and here is more info about the vineyard and winery:
Crimson Sunset Vineyards & Winery, 24765 Highway 151 West, Cascade, is open 2-8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The winery is closed Monday through Thursday. The wines also are sold at Widner Drug & Gift in Manchester.
Photo (c) Edible Iowa River Valley and Homegrown Iowan/Cindy Hadish
Crimson Sunset will host harvest parties on three weekends this month: Sept. 7, 14 and 21, 2013. Grape-picking begins at 7 a.m. and runs until noon, followed by a free lunch for participants and music from 1-4 p.m.
For more information, call (563)-495-0842, see Crimson Sunset’s website at www.crimsonsunsetwinery.com or find Crimson Sunset on Facebook.
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