Mt. Pleasant winemaker nominated for 2022 Iowa Winemaker of the Year

David Rogers, winemaker for the Airport Road Vineyard and Winery of Mt. Pleasant has been announced as one of the nominees for 2022 Iowa Winemaker of the Year by the Iowa Wine Growers Association.

Award winners will be announced and presented at the 2022 Iowa Wine Awards Social held Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the FFA Enrichment Center Ballroom in Ankeny.

The awards social event is held in conjunction with the 2022 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference taking place on Feb. 9 and 10, also at the FFA Enrichment Center.

This award honors an Iowa winemaker who has served as a leader in the wine industry by crafting superior Iowa wines utilizing locally sourced products when possible, adhering to the best practices of winemaking, and demonstrating a willingness to experiment and try new techniques while positively contributing to the industry as a whole.

Rogers has been a winemaker at Airport Road Vineyard and Winery since 2018, when he joined with vineyard owner Mike Henderson to craft wines at the Mt. Pleasant vineyard.

Rogers has since been promoted to Head Winemaker for the winery as well as Vineyard Manager. A graduate of Radford University in Virginia, Rogers has completed the Winemaker Certification and Vineyard management Certification from Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids.

Rogers and his wife, Whitney, moved to Mt. Pleasant from Orlando, Florida, where both had been in management rolls for the Walt Disney Company.

At the Iowa Wine Awards Social, two of Roger’s wines — Flightpath and Airshow — will be served to the members. Both wines were award winners at last summer’s Iowa State Fair.

Also nominated for the award are Josh Glasson of Ardon Creek Vineyard and Winery in Letts, and Ken Foulker of Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery in Swisher.