Business : PREMIERE NATIONAL WINE COMPETITION RECOGNIZES ACHIEVEMENT

Fireside Winery receives accolades during Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition

In the wine world few wine competitions possess the prestige associated with it as does the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition. Organized and led by Doug Frost, one of three people in the world to hold both the Master of Sommelier and Master of Wines accreditations – and for the second year in a row Fireside Winery was invited to the competition.

“Just being invited to this invitation-only wine competition is a tremendous honor” says William Wyant, owner of Fireside Winery. Only the best wines from wineries across the country are invited to submit their wines. Wines from Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Michigan were judged alongside notable wineries from California (e.g., Barefoot Cellars, Gallo Family Vineyards, and Rodney Strong Vineyards), Washington (e.g., Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest), and New York (e.g., Dr. Konstantin Frank, Hazlitt's 1852 Vineyards, and Sheldrake Point Vineyard). And from among more than 600 wines “our Frontenac, a dry red wine made from Iowa-grown grapes, was recognized as one of the best wines receiving a Jefferson Cup Nomination”, says Wyant.

Two other Fireside wines were recognized as “American Examples of Greatness”, equivalent to gold-medal awards: Edelweiss, an off-dry white wine, made from Iowa grapes; and Firefly, a semi-sweet blush wine.

“This achievement speaks highly of the care given to the growing of our grapes and to the process of winemaking by our talented winemaker, Zach Bott” said Wyant.

Fireside Winery wines placed well at a number of national and international wine competitions in 2010. Awards received at the Mid-American Wine Competition: Firefly (Gold), Frontenac (Silver), and Edelweiss (Bronze); and the INDY International Wine Competition: Frontenac (Gold, Best of Class).

“There can be no doubt, particularly when the most skilled wine tasters in the world tell us, that great wines are being made in the Midwest with locally grown grapes” said Bill Wyant “and we’re proud to be recognized in these competitions”.

About: Fireside Winery is a family owned and operated winery in Marengo, IA. Growing more than 13 acres of grapes, Fireside Winery produces in excess of 13,000 gallons of wine per year and distributes to retailers throughout eastern and central Iowa.