History, Art, Gold Converge in Lansing Winery (published Waukon Standard May, 2016)
Nestled in bucolic and pastoral hill country adjacent the Mississippi river, between Lansing and Harpers Ferry, in Wexford, you’ll find a gem of a new business—Madigan Winery—opened in May this year.
“That’s just how we hear people describe it,” Brian Madigan says, “Going up this winding gravel road through tall trees and then the sky just opens up—it’s like you’re on top of the world…and then we drive back to find this absolute gem.”
“We love to hear that, of course. It reminds us how we felt when we first arrived. I came to this place 14 years ago, and Karen 6. I bought from Mickey Madden—who I’ll always be grateful to for giving me a shot at my dream. I wanted to create a value-added agricultural commodity and thought that was going to be blueberries, but then learned we really don’t have the soil for them. A little research and grapes came to the fore. I planted my first vineyard with my dad the next year and started teaching myself how to make wine.”
Brian’s partner, Karen Swanson, owner of “The Salon” in La Crosse, WI, points to bottles of wine on a shelf bearing ribbons. “I like dry-red wines. When we met, he was making a semi-sweet and a blush, but no dry.”
“I really loved Karen,” Brian says, “And felt I had to step up my game to keep her around! The first dry red I made was from my own Marechal Foch grapes; I got lucky--it won a second place at Iowa State Fair; it’s the one we took to the bank.”
Karen adds, “We had economic challenges—not enough clout to warrant a loan outright, and so we financed building the shell of the new building on a credit card and sold a car, and that, along with the award we won, convinced the bank we were serious contenders and a worthy financial risk.”
Their hard work paid off, an SBA loan was conferred April of 2015, whereupon they commenced finishing the building and applying for state and federal permits required to make and sell commercial wine. Karen says, “We put every nail and every screw into this building ourselves.” Brian is quick to point out the invaluable help they got especially from their neighbors Ray and Bonnie W. and brother Reilly along the way.
Cool air blows softly from the air conditioner as Karen gives the tour, and although the 120-plus year-old granary, the tasting room, is not large, there’s a lot to see. Streaming light through a roof mounted sun-tube lightens richly hued pine board walls adorned by framed art, whimsical tin signs and fun wine accessories you can purchase. Karen shows watercolor prints by former Lansing native, Phyllis Martino. “These pieces are ours, we love them, they're not for sale, but one day we'd like to offer local and regional artists a place they can display their best work, gallery style, perhaps host an artist-in-residence.”
Madigan says he and Karen are a good team. “We’re very lucky, we work well together. There’s an additive effect-it’s like we can get more done than two people working alone. And what’s more, she likes working in the vineyard.” “It’s a nice change from the work I usually do every day,” Karen adds.
Madigan Winery recently won Double Gold for their Blanc Celeste, Silver for their Birdsong, and Bronze for their Pear and Elderberry at the 2016 Iowa State Fair. Only 6 of 171 wines submitted by wineries across Iowa won Double Gold.
“We’re proud, it’s a nice thing for the consumer to be able to see—in our first attempt at commercial competition, industry experts in blind tastings declared the wine we make in this very building to be, in essence, very good. It’s also rewarding to get to meet the many wonderful people who stop into the winery and share their stories and love of adventure—they like our wine too—we get many compliments—we have 7 wines at present, something for everybody’s taste. ”
Madigan Winery also has on display and available for very reasonable prices, beautifully colorful woven rugs from TASC members of Waukon. Karen says, “We bought one right away, the cause is worthy. Each one of these rugs has the name of the person who created it on a tag, and the money from it goes right back to them—they get a sense of worthiness and accomplishment for their efforts.”
“Our 5-year-plan involves building on the foundation we have started here. We have blueprints for a two-story gambrel style barn that will provide additional indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the pond and the vineyard.” Karen says, “The evenings and sunsets out here can be so peaceful and pleasant, we’d like to provide our customers with that experience to go along with a nice glass of wine and good company.”
Brian works for Gundersen Health System as a clinical lab tech, and for Mayo in medical equipment and volunteers at St. Clare Mission. Karen has two daughters Lilah 19, and Sage 21, who reside in La Crosse, WI and Winona, MN respectively.
Madigan Winery is located at 1536 Lily Rd. Lansing, and is open from 12-5 Saturday and Sunday and by appointment. Google “Madigan Winery Iowa”, call 563-217-0563 to reach Brian directly, or search for "Madigan Winery Facebook" for more information.
“That’s just how we hear people describe it,” Brian Madigan says, “Going up this winding gravel road through tall trees and then the sky just opens up—it’s like you’re on top of the world…and then we drive back to find this absolute gem.”
“We love to hear that, of course. It reminds us how we felt when we first arrived. I came to this place 14 years ago, and Karen 6. I bought from Mickey Madden—who I’ll always be grateful to for giving me a shot at my dream. I wanted to create a value-added agricultural commodity and thought that was going to be blueberries, but then learned we really don’t have the soil for them. A little research and grapes came to the fore. I planted my first vineyard with my dad the next year and started teaching myself how to make wine.”
Brian’s partner, Karen Swanson, owner of “The Salon” in La Crosse, WI, points to bottles of wine on a shelf bearing ribbons. “I like dry-red wines. When we met, he was making a semi-sweet and a blush, but no dry.”
“I really loved Karen,” Brian says, “And felt I had to step up my game to keep her around! The first dry red I made was from my own Marechal Foch grapes; I got lucky--it won a second place at Iowa State Fair; it’s the one we took to the bank.”
Karen adds, “We had economic challenges—not enough clout to warrant a loan outright, and so we financed building the shell of the new building on a credit card and sold a car, and that, along with the award we won, convinced the bank we were serious contenders and a worthy financial risk.”
Their hard work paid off, an SBA loan was conferred April of 2015, whereupon they commenced finishing the building and applying for state and federal permits required to make and sell commercial wine. Karen says, “We put every nail and every screw into this building ourselves.” Brian is quick to point out the invaluable help they got especially from their neighbors Ray and Bonnie W. and brother Reilly along the way.
Cool air blows softly from the air conditioner as Karen gives the tour, and although the 120-plus year-old granary, the tasting room, is not large, there’s a lot to see. Streaming light through a roof mounted sun-tube lightens richly hued pine board walls adorned by framed art, whimsical tin signs and fun wine accessories you can purchase. Karen shows watercolor prints by former Lansing native, Phyllis Martino. “These pieces are ours, we love them, they're not for sale, but one day we'd like to offer local and regional artists a place they can display their best work, gallery style, perhaps host an artist-in-residence.”
Madigan says he and Karen are a good team. “We’re very lucky, we work well together. There’s an additive effect-it’s like we can get more done than two people working alone. And what’s more, she likes working in the vineyard.” “It’s a nice change from the work I usually do every day,” Karen adds.
Madigan Winery recently won Double Gold for their Blanc Celeste, Silver for their Birdsong, and Bronze for their Pear and Elderberry at the 2016 Iowa State Fair. Only 6 of 171 wines submitted by wineries across Iowa won Double Gold.
“We’re proud, it’s a nice thing for the consumer to be able to see—in our first attempt at commercial competition, industry experts in blind tastings declared the wine we make in this very building to be, in essence, very good. It’s also rewarding to get to meet the many wonderful people who stop into the winery and share their stories and love of adventure—they like our wine too—we get many compliments—we have 7 wines at present, something for everybody’s taste. ”
Madigan Winery also has on display and available for very reasonable prices, beautifully colorful woven rugs from TASC members of Waukon. Karen says, “We bought one right away, the cause is worthy. Each one of these rugs has the name of the person who created it on a tag, and the money from it goes right back to them—they get a sense of worthiness and accomplishment for their efforts.”
“Our 5-year-plan involves building on the foundation we have started here. We have blueprints for a two-story gambrel style barn that will provide additional indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the pond and the vineyard.” Karen says, “The evenings and sunsets out here can be so peaceful and pleasant, we’d like to provide our customers with that experience to go along with a nice glass of wine and good company.”
Brian works for Gundersen Health System as a clinical lab tech, and for Mayo in medical equipment and volunteers at St. Clare Mission. Karen has two daughters Lilah 19, and Sage 21, who reside in La Crosse, WI and Winona, MN respectively.
Madigan Winery is located at 1536 Lily Rd. Lansing, and is open from 12-5 Saturday and Sunday and by appointment. Google “Madigan Winery Iowa”, call 563-217-0563 to reach Brian directly, or search for "Madigan Winery Facebook" for more information.