Mt. Valley Vineyard & Winery

Our family owns and operates Mt. Valley Vineyard & Winery.  We take pride in offering quality Iowa wines at affordable prices.  The grapes we used are estate grown on the Ludwig farm. 

There are several components to operating our business.  Each of us brings a unique talent to the busines.

Gary Ludwig: Chief Gopher and all-around-get-the-job-done guy.

Nobody can take an idea and make it a reality like Gary.  Without his pursuit of our shared dream and passion for getting the work done at any cost, we would not be here today.  Gary is responsible for the maintence of the winery equipment and building.  Throughout the growing season you can see Gary driving his Gator down the vineyard rows spraying for insects, fungus and generally keeping all nasty critters at bay.

Gary handles all the speaking roles for the winery.  Whether its the local paper, radio station, Lians or Rotary club or even a grape growing course, Gary has never turned down an opportunity to talk about the vineyard and winery.  Next to his grandchildren and Model T's, the winery is his pride and joy. 

 

Barb Ludwig: Chief Worry-Wart, greeter and vineyard specialist

Barb handles all the worrying and anxiety for the entire team.  She turns mole hills into mountains and at every turn is reminding us of our checking account balance.   No doubt about it, though... money and cash flow keep the doors open and Barb has managed that extraordinarily well and has kept us afloat so far!

Visiting the winery, you will surely be greeted by Barb at the door or from behind the counter.  On slow days, her and Gary may be sipping some of our end product on the front porch (just making sure it is fit to serve... of course).  She loves meeting new customers of the winery and spending time in the vineyard.  The harvest season is Barb's favorite time of year - people from town join in on the festivities and help bring another vintage to fruition.     

Jackie Heiser: Chief Marketing Chick and Boss-Lady 

Scott Heiser: Wine Maker and cautious optimist

I not only help Barb in controlling Gary's irrational exuberance, I also make the wine.  I've always loved the idea of having a vineyard and winery - though some days that dream is more like a nightmare, I can't imagine doing anything else in my spare time.  I've attended several wine making courses and read quite a few books but nothing beats the hands-on training I get every year at Mt. Valley.  I like to experiment with different yeasts, blends, acids and alcohol levels to vary the tastes and aromos of our wines.  We introduced a new wine in 2009 (You Go I Go) that is made entirely of Edelweiss grapes and is on the sweeter side.  Next time you are in, give it a try.
 
There is so much to learn and try but I am very pleased with the wines we have produced the past four years (and I hope you are too).