Raise a glass to Iowa's finest! The 2025 Iowa Wine Awards banquet was held on Tuesday, February 11th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, in conjunction with the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference. It's no secret that Iowan's know a thing or two about agriculture! Grapes have been grown in Iowa as early as 1857 when a vineyard was planted in the rolling hills of western Iowa near Council Bluffs. A resurgence in the industry occurred in 2000, when the Iowa Wine Growers Association was established to represent the wine grape growers and winemakers across the state of Iowa.

Just like the vines we nurture, Iowa's wine scene is growing stronger every year. Ready to discover which exceptional wineries and individuals took home top honors, including Winemaker and Vineyard of the Year? We are excited to share the 2025 Iowa Wine Award winners!

Anne Zwink of Soldier Creek Winery isn't just winning awards (and she's winning a lot of them); she's constantly striving to improve. Anne's secret weapon? She actively explores new techniques and seeks feedback. This dedication to continuous learning and sharing knowledge at grape and wine conferences across the country, makes her a true leader in the Iowa wine community.

Anne is passionate about winemaking at her family's winery and works closely with Iowa grape growers, consistently producing award-winning wines at Soldier Creek Winery. Visit Solder Creek Winery today!

Nominees for Iowa Winemaker of the Year included: Dalton Lubben from Lubben Vineyards & Wines, Dave Rogers from Airport Road Vineyard & Winery, Dave & Mary Paustian from 42 North Winery, Jonita Boyer from Tassel Ridge Winery, and Lane Moorlach from The Cellar Winery.

Vineyard of the Year (tie)

Paula Davis, PMD AG, LLC

Paula Davis, PMD AG, LLC, of Grimes, Iowa, has a gift for coaxing the best from her vines. Paula took over the vineyards at the original Snus Hill Winery and has done an excellent job managing them. Her canopy and pest management skills are outstanding, which has resulted in fruit from her vineyard contributing to the 2024 Iowa State Fair Best of Show Dry Red Wine.

Paula's not just growing grapes; she's sharing her knowledge and collaborating on research projects, making her a vital resource for others in the industry. She maintains 8.5 acres with nine different varieties of Hybrid Grapes. Paula works with ISU students, the Institute and the University and is willing to work with people in any way she can. Congratulations!

Vineyard of the year (tie)

Norm & Marsha Phillips

Norm & Marsha Phillips, Rustic River Winery in Lake View, Iowa show how lifelong farmers can also grow grapes! Inspired by their son Andrew, who attended Iowa State University and received a bachelor of science in Agronomy, they agreed to let him do a test vineyard on an acre of land.

Now, with the help of their entire family, they're producing award-winning wines and creating a beautiful backdrop for weddings and community events. Their journey, marked by hard work and a little bit of stubbornness (hand-watering through droughts, anyone?), is a testament to the power of family and a love for the land. Their "Cream of the Crop" award from Iowa Farmer Today says it all! Visit Rustic River Winery today!

Other nominees included: Matt Greteman from Louis & Roberto Vineyard

Retail Partner of the Year

Heaven Boutique Winery

Heaven Boutique Winery, Lisa & Carlton Goodwin in Fayette, IA, is known for spreading the excitement of Iowa wine. Lisa's family has been involved in the Iowa wine industry for many years via Eagles Landing Winery, plus since 1999 Lisa & Carlton have their own vineyard, Volga River Vineyard. Lisa curates a diverse selection of Iowa wines in her retail shop, organizes the Fayette Wine Festival, and even hosts Airbnb guests at her vineyard. Her infectious enthusiasm and vast knowledge make her the perfect ambassador for Iowa wine.

Outstanding Industry Partner

Randall Vos

Randall Vos of Iowa State University Extension & Outreach from Knoxville, Iowa is a force of nature in the Iowa wine world. From national organizations to the "Unwrapping Wine Podcast," Randall is involved in nearly every aspect of the industry. He was instrumental in the positive changes to the Iowa Wine Experience in 2024, and is assisting the Iowa Wine Growers Association to revamp the Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. He's also always helping improve vineyards through trials and visits and training the next generation of grape growers with education. Congratulations!

Other Nominee: Matt Eide from Eide & Walton

Megan Secor of Soldier Creek Winery in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is the storyteller behind the brand. Since 2015, Megan has played a pivotal role in shaping the winery’s brand presence and marketing efforts. Her work has brought Soldier Creek’s vision to life across multiple platforms—be it print, digital, or social media—ensuring the winery’s messaging resonates with diverse audiences.

Her work isn't just about selling wine; it's about building community and elevating the entire Iowa wine industry. Her participation in events such as the Travel Iowa Conference and collaboration with Visit Fort Dodge and Travel Iowa demonstrates her dedication to positioning the winery as a key player in Iowa’s tourism and cultural landscape. Megan's visionary leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to community engagement, has proven time and again that she deserves the title of Marketer Excellence of the Year. Congratulations!

Other Nominee: The marketing and events team at Jasper Winery

Doug Bakker, winner of Iowa Wine's Jean Gerath Award, has made significant contributions to the Iowa wine industry. His journey began in 2000 with planting grapes, leading to winemaking and sales by 2005 with the founding of Madison County Winery. Doug's understanding of the industry spanned all aspects, from cultivation and production to marketing, leveraging his graphic design skills to create memorable labels. A strong advocate for education, Doug regularly attended MGWII educational events and tasting workshops to refine his sensory skills. His leadership as president of the Iowa Wine Growers Association (IWGA) in 2010 was pivotal, driving legislative advancements like self-distribution. His commitment to quality was evident through his active participation in these educational opportunities. His 2019 Winemaker of the Year award underscored the industry's recognition of his passion and impact. Our industry is definitely greater because of his involvement!

Special thank you to all our volunteers!

We also wanted to thank our long standing Iowa Wine volunteers! It takes many volunteers to run events like the Iowa Wine State Fair and we could not have done it without them! Special thanks to: Ed Schmidt, Joe Schall, Diane Schall, Teri Huss-Nelson, Jody Quinnett, Deb Schmidt, and Theresa Murphy-Schamel

Visit an Iowa Winery near you

Raise a glass of wine to all the winners! These individuals, and so many others, are the heart and soul of Iowa wine. Cheers to them!

If you haven't visited an Iowa winery lately, we encourage you to taste the experience that Iowa wine has to offer. Trust us, getting there is half the fun. Visit our map to find wineries near you or create a full weekend trip to one of the seven official Iowa wine trails that crisscross the state.

The Heart of Iowa Wine: Meet the 2025 Award Recipients

Special thank you to all our volunteers!

Visit an Iowa Winery near you