Penoach Winery in Adel, Iowa

Reprinted from the February 2009 DiscoverAdel Newsletter

It was a natural choice for Stan Olson and his family to open the Penoach Winery, Vineyard and Nursery in Adel, where they have lived for 30 years.

The family owned winery was named after the original name for the area of Adel which means “Beautiful Place” or “Pleasant Valley.” The winery is known for its rustic character and fun, enjoyable atmosphere.

Located on a 1900 era farmstead with its 1917 converted barn, Penoach Winery offers a place for friends to gather and share the loveliness of Iowa’s landscape. Stan and his family strive to create a fun experience with a knowledgeable staff that can help you find that perfect bottle of wine.

One of the biggest advantages to opening the winery in Adel has been the fast growing community. Adel continues to grow and change, and the winery reaps the benefits of the renewed interest in wine that was swept across the nation in recent years. Adel also offers traditionally rich Midwest soil that supports cold hearty grape varieties, some of which are available through the Nursery.

The Penoach Nursery offers a wide selection of grape plants with various types of suitability. Some plants are great for the Adel area and surrounding community, while others are recommended for the warmer or colder climates of places like Oklahoma or Canada.

The Nursery ships all over the United States; Stan has shipped plants to Georgia and yes, even to Alaska!

The grape plants are used mainly for wine making, though some varieties can be used for table grapes. There is a full list of grape plants available on the Penoach Winery website, www.penoach.com, and all of the grape plants have been inspected by the Iowa Department of Land Stewardship.

There are many great wines at Penoach, but the best seller is called Briana, described as “a sweet luscious white wine with a hint of pineapple.” Briana is considered a varietal wine, which means it is primarily from a single named grape, in this case, Iowa’s own Briana grapes! Another crowd pleaser is the Apple wine. This autumn wine is made from locally grown apples from the Dallas County Orchard in Dallas Center.

Penoach Wine makes a great gift to give, with bottles available year round that can fit any budget. A full list of wines, descriptions and costs are available online at the Penoach Winery website.

Penoach Winery is part of the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail, which consists of 15 Iowa wineries spanning the entire state from Oskaloosa to Iowa Falls. Join the Penoach Winery for the Heart of Iowa Wine Trail’s Tropical Wine Festival Friday, February 6th 2009 between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM at the Des Moines Botanical Center!

Escape the cold Iowa winter and sample wines from the 15 Heart of Iowa Wine Trail wineries. Enjoy hor d’oeurves, prize drawings and other fun activities. Each guest will receive a commemorative wine glass! Be sure to wear your favorite tropical shirt.

Advance tickets are $25 ($30 at the door) and may be purchased at the Penoach Winery, Ingersoll Wine and Spirits, Ingersoll Wine Merchants, the Southern Hills Store at Valley West Mall, the Iowa Favorites Store at Jordan Creek Mall, or any Heart of Iowa Wine Trail winery. 2009 Passport holders get a 10% discount. Group discount-Buy 20 tickets, get 5 free!

Turn your evening into a private getaway at the Renaissance Savery Hotel, the event planner. Call (515) 244-2151 and ask for the special Heart of Iowa Wine Trail event room rate. Free twice- hourly shuttle service between the Renaissance Savery Hotel and the Botanical Center.

Are you looking for a scenic, unique location for your upcoming wedding, wedding reception or special event? Contact Stan to discuss Penoach Winery’s availability to help make your gathering even more memorable!