Fireside Winery’s ‘Blu’ wins best of show

DES MOINES — Fireside Winery south of Marengo took top honors at the 2025 Iowa State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

Its newly reimagined sweet white wine, Blu, earned both the Best of Show – Sweet White award and the coveted Governor’s Cup, the competition’s highest honor, said a press release from Iowa Wine Growers Association.

Crafted under the direction of Winemaker Zach Bott and Assistant Winemaker Mark Germany, Blu showcases the potential of Iowa-grown wines. The vibrant wine opens with fragrant notes of limoncello, honeysuckle, pear and lychee berry, followed by a smooth, crisp palate of rich pear, stone fruit, honey and Meyer lemon, the press release said.

Fireside Winery is part of the Wyant family farm, a fifth-generation operation rooted in Iowa agriculture. The winery is operated by Bill and Rona Wyant and Zach and Cassie Bott.

Long known for producing staples like corn and soybeans, the farm has embraced winemaking as a way to diversify its offerings and celebrate Iowa’s evolving rural economy.

In addition to diversifying their farming operation, the family was looking for an opportunity to get family involved, but in a different way, said the press release.

The Iowa wine industry was starting to take off, and that, coupled with their love of wine gave them the idea to try a winery. Their first grapes were planted in 2006, and Rona and Zach were the first two employees.

Cassie joined the winery in 2008.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds presented the 2025 Governor’s Cup Trophy to Fireside Winery at the Governor’s Cup Award Ceremony, Wednesday, Aug. 13 outside Grandfather’s Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, according to the press release.

Learn more about Fireside Winery at firesidewinery.com.