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The Wash House gift shop located in the heart of the Lakes area.
The Wash House gift shop in West Okoboji, IA invites you to their annual Spring Open House Wednesday April 1st to Saturday April 4th. Spring has sprung at the store and we are bursting with color in every corner and floor. Stop by and get inspired by our fresh new look and take a little touch of spring home with you. Just arrived for spring are some bright yellow tulips and bunnies, rabbits and hares in different sizes and shapes. Pick up a copy of the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association new cookbook, Discover Iowa: Cooking with Iowa Wine, Meats and other Iowa Products. We have signed copies for sale by the author Amelia Painter in our gift shop.
Also featured at the Spring Open House on Friday April 3rd from 5-8pm, will be a Wine Tasting by Diane Benjamin from the Little Swan Lake Winery. Join us and sample a variety of different wines that we carry in our gift shop from the Little Swan Lake Winery and be treated to several sensational appetizers too. This will be a fun event that you won’t want to miss.
More information on The Wash House 1712 Terrace Park Blvd. West Okoboji, IA. 51351 can be found at http./www.okobojicountryinn.com/ or call (712) 332-2358.
For a sample of Dutch history, make plans to travel to Southern Iowa for the Pella Tulip Festival. There will be street cleaning, parades, special baked goods and flower gardens to enjoy. Only 20 minutes away, you can stay in the beautiful, historic McNeill Stone Mansion Bed and Breakfast located in a residential neighborhood of Oskaloosa IA. Between Pella and Oskaloosa, stop and walk along the vinyards and sample the award winning wines of Tassel Ridge Winery. You can savor history, unique architecture, wonderful food and wine all in one weekend.
Estherville, IA — The band, “Ceolmhor” will be playing at the Little Swan Lake Winery on Oct 19, Nov 16, and Dec 21, 2008.
Ceolmhor is pronounced “kell-more” — it is a Gaelic term meaning melody or musical, and Ceolmhor is a three-person band from Hartley, Iowa. The band plays an eclectic mix of folk,country, blues and Rock ‘n Roll, and is known for their on-stage bantering and story-telling.
There is no charge for the entertainment and buffalo meals are available to purchase while the band performs. The band plays from 4pm - 6pm.
Nearest B&B inns are: 1)Engel’s Lakeside Bed and Breakfast at 320 Lake Avenue in Lake Park, IA. Visit them online at http://www.engelslakesidebedandbreakfast.com;
2) Kingman Place Bed & Breakfast at 13710 240th Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA. Visit them online at http://www.kingmanplace.com
Little Swan Lake Winery 1350 320th Ave. Estherville, Iowa 51334 712-858-4592
The winery is open from April 1st through December 31st.
Here is an event calendar for the Little Swan Lake Winery Oct - Dec 2008:
October 5 - Glenn Henriksen 4-6pm October 12 - Dave Rowley 4-6pm October 18 - Chad Elliot 4-6pm October 19 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm October 22 - Chicks, Flicks, and Wine 6-9pm October 26 - Alan Morphew 4-6 November 2- Billie James and Glenn Henriksen 4-6pm November 9 - Dave Rowley 4-6pm November 16 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm November 19 - Chicks, Flicks, and Wine 6-9pm November 22-23 Christmas Open House 11am- 6pm both days November 23 -Alan Morphew 4-6 November 30 - TBA December 7 - Billie James and Glenn Henriksen 4-6pm December 14 - Dave Rowley 4-6pm December 17 - Chicks, Flicks and Wine 6-9pm December 21 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm December 28 - TBA December 31 - RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH US! Please call for reservations 712-858-4592 Entertainment is free!
Buffalo entree meal available at all weekend performances.
The Tassel Ridge Winery between Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa invites you to experience Oktoberfest winery style on Sunday evening, October 12. This German feast will be paired with the winery’s award winning Oskyfizzante Red, Overture, and Candleglow Red. The traditional four-course German-style menu includes sauerbraten and other wonderful German dishes ending with apple strudel with Bavarian cream paired with a special mulled wine.
Call 641-672-9463 by Thursday, Oct. 9 for reservations. It’s only $60 plus tax per person.
After your special dinner, you can continue that enjoyment with a stay at the historic home of a coal baron, the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B in Oskaloosa. Call 641-673-4348 for reservations or go to www.thestonemansion.com to make reservations on line. $10 discount on a suite when you show us your menu from the Oktoberfest dinner.
They’ll be picking grapes and watching how the harvest becomes the wonderful award winning wines that Tassel Ridge is known for. Tours are available as well as tasting on Friday, September 5. Van and Bonnie will be there from 3pm to 6pm.
After the tour, you deserve some pampering and you’ll find that with an overnight stay at the nearby southeast Iowa Bed and Breakfast in Oskaloosa, Ia. This beautiful historic home was built by a coal baron and has been lovingly restored to the elegance of the 1900’s, yet has the convenience of modern day. What could be better than to enjoy some wine and then settle in for a comfortable night at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B. Show us what wine you purchased at Tassel Ridge and you’ll receive $10 off your nights stay in one of our two suites.
Ladies, looking for a fun evening out, then head over to the Little Swan Lake Winery for their Chicks, Flicks, and Wine August 27th from 6-9pm. Diane Benjamin, who owns the winery with her husband, Scott, wanted to spotlight women who worked hard to start their own businesses. Each Chicks, Flicks and Wine event starts off with wine tasting and door prize registration. Next a woman-owned business will speak about its work and demonstrate something it offers. The night wraps up with, of course, a “chick flick”. Appetizers are served throughout the evening for a free-will donation. Otherwise, the event is free. The event takes place indoors. Diane recommends calling the winery to make a reservation, as the room can only hold 90. Women of all ages may come for all or part of the evening. Due to its success, Diane plans to run Chicks, Flicks and Wine through December, when the winery closes for the season.
The Okoboji Country Inn is located just 20 minutes from the Little Swan Lake Winery. Make it a girl’s getaway and book your room now at the Lakes area newest bed and breakfast.
Warren County, Iowa is the home of three wineries and too many vineyards to count. Two Saints Winery, located between St. Marys and St. Charles just opened this spring and has already won three awards for their wines. Their facility and their views are wonderful. La Vida Loca, located just a few miles west of Indianola has some incredible cooking wines, like garlic, and it can be purchased in the half bottle. Summerset Winery is just minutes north of Indianola. This winery is a really hoping place with entertainment Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. All three wineries have tasting rooms to sample their fine wines in. Garden and Galley Bed and Breakfast in Indianola is just minutes away from all three. Bed and Breakfasts make the perfect pairing with wine and wineries!
On the Web:
Okoboji Bed and Breakfast News: Summer Entertainment Schedule at Little Swan Lake Winery
Little Swan Lake Winery offers free entertainment every weekend of the summer. Each show is free and buffalo entree meals are available. Call the winery at (712) 858-4592 to reserve your spot today.
July 6- Billie James and Neal Ruge, 4-6pm.
July 13-Ceolmhor, 4-6pm.
July 20-Dave Rowley, 4-6pm.
July 27-Neal Ruge and Tammy Hamlin, 3-6pm.
Aug.3-Billie James and Glenn Henriksen, 4-6pm.
Aug.10-Dave Rowley, 4-6pm.
Aug.17-Ceolmhor, 4-6pm.
Aug.24-Neal Ruge and Tammy Hamlin, 3-6pm.
Aug.31-Alan Morphew, 4-6pm.
Sept.7-Billie James and Glenn Henriksen, 4-6 pm.
Sept.14-Neal Ruge and Tammy Hamlin, 3-6pm.
Sept.21-Ceolmhor, 4-6pm.
Sept. 28-Dave Rowley, 4-6pm.
While in the lakes area touring the Little Swan Lake Winery, make your lodging accommodations at the Okoboji Country Inn. We offer six different themed guest rooms and a peaceful relaxing time during your stay with us in our historical inn. Click on www.okobojicountryinn.com to view our rooms or call (712) 332-2358 for more information.
Little Swan Lake Winery has arrived at The Wash House gift shop in West Okoboji. You will find Little Swan Lake’s most popular wine, Buffalo Blush in 750 and 375 milliliter bottles and the ever popular LSL Reisling!! For your sipping enjoyment, The Wash House has an array of crystal and etched wine glasses in both stemless and stemmed, lovely carafes and sparkling wine chillers!! Little Swan Lake wines and a set of wine glasses make the perfect gift for that up-coming wedding or shower. Gift shop hours at The Wash House are Monday-Saturday 10 am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm. Located just off Hwy. 71 in West Okoboji.
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