How COVID-19 Defined a Business Objective

Photo by Joann Schissel, July 2020

Business success for many wineries in the time before COVID-19 depended on packing customers into tasting rooms, hosting large weddings, and crowding music lovers into a room with a live band. Of course, we know that has changed. You and I have to find safe alternatives without giving up our enjoyments. 

As I was planning a road trip for my own respite from routine duties, I imagined how awesome it would be to experience a destination as if I was a celebrity, without crowds, complete with friendly, personalized attention from the owner/manager/host. Then I realized how we at Nearwood Winery have a unique ability to do that. Mike and I own and operate the winery and we’ve been practicing personalized service long before the pandemic. Here’s a few things you can expect.

• A wine tasting of our wines geared to your preferences with recommendations for what foods to pair with which wines. 
• If you’re interested in how wine grapes are grown and harvested, we can take you on a tour of the vineyard on request or you can wander through the rows yourself. 
• Do you like to camp? We have a large camping spot for up to two RVs 40’ or smaller with 30 & 50 amp service, in a beautiful location between the woods and the vineyard. Plus we have a large restroom with shower just for you as a camping guest. If you need a book to read while you relax, we have a selection of books written by the Iowa authors that are part of the Marion County Writer’s Workshop.
• Tired of your own cooking and don’t want to go to a restaurant? Try our Rock Star Dinners. We close the winery to the public and after hours make you a gourmet dinner complete with different wines with your multi-course meal.

Wine tastings are available anytime during open hours. All other activities require advanced notice/reservation. If you’re interested in experiencing something unique and being treated like a celebrity, please contact us for more information.