The Cellar Winery
Farmer
About
The Cellar Winery started at White Oak as Ottawa Vineyards, LLC established in 2012. At harvest, many grape varietals are purchased from local vineyards to fulfill wine making needs for the current vintage. Cold climate hybrids are different than the old world vinifera you may be used to; they offer a crispness due to the higher acid content but are just as delicious as any wine from other regions of the world. So, a person should clear their mind and let your palate experience the difference of these truly Midwest grown American wines made right in our backyard by one of our neighbors….do local and enjoy these locally grown and locally made wines!
Programs and Partners
Location
Madrid, IA
We are a little off the beat and path. We are within a mile of the High Trestle Trail on a country road. Please don't let the country road scare you as we believe it adds to the down-home feel we try to provide to each of our customers.
Manager
John F. Barber
I John Barber moved to Iowa from the Detroit, Michigan in 1979 and spent my career in civil engineering until 2014 when it was time for a change, the grape and the wine industry took over from there. My wife Barb and I have four awesome children and six even more awesome grandchildren that live close by in Central Iowa.
Jorene King is our tasting room manager. You may recognize Jorene's name as she was the co-owner of Wines of Iowa previously in Valley Junction. Jorene was going into retirement, but as a long time friend and customer, she decided to join The Cellar family when we moved to our current location.
Scott Nielsen started in September of 2021. Scott spent a career in the insurance business and like John he decided it was time for a change. Crazy how we connected…he was an actor in a dinner theater show we had when the Ankeny Community Theater came to the winery. I guess I'm seeing a trend in our hiring (friends become family here) the rest is becoming history but for more…. Just come visit our winery…is that carrot dangling?
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