WYOMING FIRST: Table Mountain Vineyards

VISIT OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  http://www.wyolifestyle.com/

OUR SISTER PUBLICATIONS:  Wyoming Weddings http://www.wyoweddings.com/  Wyovore http://www.wyovore.com/  WYO XY  http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html The Wyoming Woman http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

We are thrilled to team with the Wyoming Business Council to feature a Wyoming First business every week on our blog! Wyoming First is a program that promotes Wyoming member businesses. Visit their website (click here) to learn more about this service — and if you are a Wyoming business who’s not a member, be sure to inquire about membership! There are many benefits!

This week we are featuring Table Mountain Vineyards from Huntley, Wyoming

Patrick Zimmerer, Huntley, WY

307.459.0233

 http://www.wyowine.com/

Table Mtn Vineyards (or TMV) started growing grapes in 2001 and began producing wines in 2004.  The winery was inspired through owner Patrick Zimmerer’s Senior Thesis project while at the University of Wyoming.  Patrick and his sister, Amie later competed in the University of Wyoming 10K Business Plan competition — they won first prize along with seed money to start the project.

Table Mountain Vineyards is Wyoming’s largest vineyard and winery – producing 100% Wyoming grown and made wines.  The vines are a cross of wild and wine grapes in order to survive Wyoming’s climate.  While the grapes are a bit different than traditional varieties, the winery is able to grow and produce its product from vine to wine in Wyoming.  The winery processes anywhere from 20-40 tons of grapes per year.

Additionally, the winery has just finished construction of its new winery facility featuring a grand room for large groups, event hosting and functions.  The tasting room is located just a few miles from Huntley, WY – (around 80 miles NE of Cheyenne on HWY 85).  The winery is currently open by appointment during its harvest season.

The winery will be featured later this fall on “America’s Heartland” on RFDTV and PBS stations across the US as part of a segment featuring Wyoming agriculture.

The wines typically retail around $15 per bottle.  The winery produces 10-14 varieties of grape and fruit wines.  All the wines are “Farm to Table Wines” meaning the fruit is sourced from local vineyards and fruit growers in Wyoming.   The winery produces wines with truly “Wyoming Character” and Spirit such as Cowboy Reserve, Rooster Red, S.O.B. Raspberry Wine, Stampede White, and many more. Its most unique wine is Wyoming Nectar – a honey wine w/Cinnamon. The wine style is traditionally known as Mead – one of the oldest fermented beverages in the world and is made from local beehives in the area.

TMV Wines are located in over 70 retail outlets in Wyoming, sold through its tasting room in rural Goshen County near Huntley, and direct shipped to various states & WY through its website WyoWine.com. TMV is a proud sponsor of many events and organizations throughout the year – you can find their wines this week at the Wyoming Women’s Expo in Casper and the Saint Mary’s Wine tasting this November in Cheyenne.

TMV Winery Offers Custom Labels for weddings, reunions, and special events. We’re also thrilled that Patrick writes in every issue of our Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine — and we featured an article on Table Mountain Vineyards in our first issue of Wyovore, our bookstore-exclusive publication!

The winery currently is open by appointment – visit WyoWine.com for more information or contact the winery at 307-459-0233
Facebook.com/wyowine
— Twitter @tmvwinery

VISIT OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  http://www.wyolifestyle.com/

OUR SISTER PUBLICATIONS:  Wyoming Weddings http://www.wyoweddings.com/   Wyovore  http://www.wyovore.com/ WYO XY  http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html The Wyoming Woman http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

Tips from the Road

I have been on the road a LOT the past week. Since last Thursday, I have driven over 2000 miles. And we’re not done! We have traveled darn near every corner of the state repeatedly since we began our Wyoming Weddings guide in January 2009. Having grown up in Wyoming, we have spent years traveling the state to visit family, attend sporting events (as participants and coaches), with our volunteer organizations, for vacations, etc… But I have to say that we’ve learned the most about our state these past two years. Now that our 1st anniversary of Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine and 2nd anniversary of Wyoming Weddings is approaching, I thought it appropriate to highlight some of the tips and memories I have accumulated…

I have learned that when speaking in front of people, I need to remember one word: EXHALE. I tend to inhale, inhale, inhale, until I’m speaking fast and about to hyperventilate!

I have learned which public bathrooms throughout the state do not offer paper towels for opening the door to the bathroom as I leave. Yes, I’m one of those. I am a health care worker who is a germaphobe and a mother — bad combination. 🙂

Speaking of bathrooms, I have discovered that there is a gas station and general store combination in Pinedale that has the most beautiful bathroom. Yes, my travels revolve around places to eat, get gas, find cell phone service, and bathrooms. Modern day survival tools! 🙂

I will forever think of setting up the Rock Springs Bridal Show when I eat Domino’s Pizza. Combine a whole stack of pizzas, beer, a stage and balloon arch to assemble… The boys had too much fun making things out of balloons and we enjoyed ourselves far too much. Can’t wait for the next time! It also ALWAYS snows either before or after the show. Always!

Speaking of Rock Springs, I am hopeless when it come to navigating Rock Springs and Green River. I get lost in Downtown Rock Springs EVERY time I am there! Yesterday was no exception — I got lost in Rock Springs AND Green River AGAIN! Someone, I need a map!

For the Rawlins show, it was again storming. We left early with Keith & Erin Turbitt and crawled through the storm to get to Rawlins. There was a very sweet desk clerk at the Hampton Inn who has an accent — it’s a New York accent I think — that I cannot understand. He kept making jokes and laughing at me and I was clueless — Erin had to translate. 🙂

There are some Wyoming terms that you just don’t get wrong. I knew for years that Popo Agie is NOT pronounced ‘Po-Po Agee”, and ESPECIALLY not “Poo Poo Agee”! However, this year I was informed that Devils Tower does NOT have an apostrophe in it. To the dismay of English teachers everywhere. 🙂

In Wheatland, the Best Western has the sweetest desk clerk. He remembers my name, where I’m from, what we do and all of the places I’ve been to recently each time I go in. It’s pretty impressive! I need him to remind ME what I’m doing sometimes… 🙂

I have learned that there are many scenic places I drive through that cause me to say “WOW….” every time. Doesn’t matter if I just drove through that area two hours ago. I say WOW again.

I have learned where the sulfur pockets are throughout the state. Just saying. 🙂

This year was the first time I witnessed the Evanston Roundhouse. WOW! That is one impressive structure!

I learned that Tim Harland of Snake River Brewery eats fried bologna and ketchup sandwiches. My lunch was abruptly ended when I learned that fact. 🙂

I met Patrick Zimmerer in person by surprise when we were having dinner at The Bunkhouse in Torrington — and of course he had lots of Table Mountain Vineyards wine on hand at his table! He’s a good guy — and The Bunkhouse is one of many great restaurants in Torrington!

I have learned that Matt Mead does not mind two obnoxious youngsters who are bent on showing me that they are not going to always behave at a business event. Bless him for being so patient. 🙂

I have learned that Leslie Petersen has a terrific memory for people, places and conversations. She remembered a great deal about our interview the next time I saw her — what a classy lady!

I have learned that I can run four miles instead of two in Torrington — talk about good workouts! I may have to drive to Torrington regularly just to work out! 🙂

I have (slowly) begun to understand the one way streets in Casper and Cheyenne. Kind of.

When I see a Maverick store, I will always think ‘Linda Mccoul’. 🙂

I have learned that wearing my tall platform heels two days in a row to business events will give me a case of plantar fasciitis. However, one day on, one day off and one day on again will not…even though Levi warns me I’m tempting fate on that one…

When a special guest appears at an event, be careful introducing them at the podium. They may just have left early…. Hmmm, does anyone have a joke to fill that moment?! 🙂

And most importantly perhaps… I have learned that no matter who you talk to in Wyoming, they know someone, somewhere, that you also know… Without fail. EVERYONE is connected. Everyone!

Till next time, I’m going to keep gathering those memories and little lessons learned. Last night, as I saw the lights of Laramie ahead, I realized that entire state of Wyoming is ‘home’ to us. And that’s a pretty good feeling.

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

www.wyolifestyle.com