We're super excited to show you what we're up to!
It's not unusual for folks to feel a bit confused the first time they see this urban vineyard, home of “Wine and Other Old Things” but it doesn't take long before they get it. Here, nestled in the heart of what used to be a fairly rough neighborhood, is an unexpected surprise!
Lea, the founder of this curious property has been a hobby winemaker for 14 years. As her love for wine making grew, so did her interest in Iowa wine grapes. She acquired a few vacant lots in Sioux City and went to work, After clearing out truck loads of trash and removing tons of dead, fallen trees, the property was ready for the 130 grape vines that she started from cuttings. Today it looks very much like a park, surrounded by a hedge of lilac trees. Thinking of the future, she left a clearing big enough to some day, build a small winery on the property. Hopefully, soon that part of the dream will also become a reality.
But, in the meantime, how would she begin to turn her passion into a business? Without a commercial building on site, it made sense to start the business, downtown. So Lea leased a small retail space and began building a business, selling Home Brew and Wine Making Supplies and Vintage Gifts.
Before long, she was able to follow her heart and begin selling Wine! But not just any wines, these are wines made exclusively in Iowa. From earthy, dry wines to delightfully fruity wines, the selection grew. She started selling wine from one Iowa winery, and then two, and then three, eventually selling wines from 10 different wineries. Although at first, the plan was to brand her own wine, she found that helping other small businesses to grow, was hugely satisfying.
During the next 5 years, she would try out 4 different downtown locations, looking to find the perfect fit, but that little urban vineyard kept tugging at her heart. After all, the vineyard had been created for this business and this business had been created for the vineyard. So after months of soul searching, it became clear, that somehow, this business had to find it's way home. So with lots of encouragement from family and friends, she decided to use what she has, a small, quaint barn she'd built on the property. Unfortunately, there is presently, only room for the Wine Making and Home Brew Supplies.
But what's a vineyard without wine? Will Lea find a way to continue this labor of love? Only time will tell!
Welcome, Friends, to Wine and Other Old things.
Lea, the founder of this curious property has been a hobby winemaker for 14 years. As her love for wine making grew, so did her interest in Iowa wine grapes. She acquired a few vacant lots in Sioux City and went to work, After clearing out truck loads of trash and removing tons of dead, fallen trees, the property was ready for the 130 grape vines that she started from cuttings. Today it looks very much like a park, surrounded by a hedge of lilac trees. Thinking of the future, she left a clearing big enough to some day, build a small winery on the property. Hopefully, soon that part of the dream will also become a reality.
But, in the meantime, how would she begin to turn her passion into a business? Without a commercial building on site, it made sense to start the business, downtown. So Lea leased a small retail space and began building a business, selling Home Brew and Wine Making Supplies and Vintage Gifts.
Before long, she was able to follow her heart and begin selling Wine! But not just any wines, these are wines made exclusively in Iowa. From earthy, dry wines to delightfully fruity wines, the selection grew. She started selling wine from one Iowa winery, and then two, and then three, eventually selling wines from 10 different wineries. Although at first, the plan was to brand her own wine, she found that helping other small businesses to grow, was hugely satisfying.
During the next 5 years, she would try out 4 different downtown locations, looking to find the perfect fit, but that little urban vineyard kept tugging at her heart. After all, the vineyard had been created for this business and this business had been created for the vineyard. So after months of soul searching, it became clear, that somehow, this business had to find it's way home. So with lots of encouragement from family and friends, she decided to use what she has, a small, quaint barn she'd built on the property. Unfortunately, there is presently, only room for the Wine Making and Home Brew Supplies.
But what's a vineyard without wine? Will Lea find a way to continue this labor of love? Only time will tell!
Welcome, Friends, to Wine and Other Old things.
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