Airport Road Vineyard winemaker honored with awards

David Rogers, winemaker at Airport Road Vineyard and Winery in Mt. Pleasant, has been awarded both a bronze medal and a gold medal by the International Cold Climate Wine Competition at the University of Minnesota.

Judges at the competition awarded the winery’s new Runway Rosé sparkling wine with a gold medal, while adding a bronze medal to Air Show, a red blend wine also made at the winery.

“Being recognized by these judges is a big honor,” said Rogers. “All the wineries in this competition come from cold climates so we are all growing and making wines in similar climates under similar conditions.”

Rogers noted that Runway Rosé is the winery’s first attempt at a sweet, sparkling wine along with a white sparkling sweet wine, Bubbly Doug.

“Both wines are refreshing, especially for summer, and along the sweet side which makes them appealing to anyone who is not a serious wine drinker,” said Rogers.

The winery and Rogers also received recognition recently by the Iowa Winemaker’s judging held in conjunction with the Iowa State Fair with a bronze medal for the Runway Rosé and a bronze medal for their Marquette wine.

Rogers will be a featured speaker at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 12th at 1 p.m. at the State Fair wine building as Airport Road Vineyard and Winery is the Winery Spotlight of the Day at the State Fair.