Zach Bott, winemaker at Fireside Winery in Marengo and Ackerman Winery in Amana, has been named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association Winemaker of the Year.
Mr. Bott was honored during the 2024 Iowa Wine Awards banquet on Monday, Jan. 8, along with four other recipients. The awards ceremony was held at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, in conjunction with the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference.
Mr. Bott crafts a diverse range of wines for Fireside Winery and Ackerman Winery, primarily utilizing northern climate grapes grown on their property. His wines have garnered numerous awards and are popular with wine lovers. His wine lineup reflects some of the best wines in Iowa, featuring everything from dry wines made from locally grown varietals, to popular seasonal offerings, to sweet fruit wines.
The four other award winners are:
- Victoria Eckstat, of Victoria’s Vineyard in Altoona, was named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association Vineyard of the Year. Victoria’s Vineyard is owned by Dr. Steve Eckstat and wife Victoria. In 2004 they planted 1,000 grapevines and now produce white and red grapes for production of native Iowa wines.
- Jeremy and Tara Kohlhaas, of The Wijn House in Pella, was named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association Retail Partner of the Year. The Wijn House, established in 2016, is Iowa’s largest retailer of Iowa wines and typically features more than 40 wineries from around the state in their Pella shop.
- Brian Jones, of Three Sons Vineyard in Columbus Junction, was named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association Outstanding Industry Partner. Mr. Jones has had a vineyard for over a decade, and does custom harvesting for other growers and wineries.
- Steve and Jean Larson, of Train Wreck Winery in Algona, was named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association Jean Gerrath award recipient. This award was established by the IWGA board of directors in 2019. It honors industry members who have been involved in the industry and in the association. The award is named after IWGA founding President Jean Gerrath. The Jean Gerrath award recipient is determined solely by the IWGA board of directors.
“We are thrilled to recognize each one of these very deserving industry members, and we are proud of their hard work and dedication to the Iowa wine industry. All awards, except the Jean Gerrath Award, are nominated and voted on by peers,” said Christie Jensen, executive director of the Iowa Wine Growers Association, in a release.
Established in 2000, the Iowa Wine Growers Association is dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the Iowa grape and wine industry through support of research and development, continuing education, legislative oversight and promotion of native wine and grapes.
