[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING FIRESIDE WINERY

 Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize 
Fireside Winery of Marengo, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  Husband and wife Bill and Rona Wyant have always had a passion for 
wine. In 2007, they decided to start a winery of their own, 
establishing Fireside Winery in Marengo. Fireside Winery allowed the 
Wyant family to get back into agriculture but in a new way for their 
family farm. The Wyant family farm has been producing Iowa staples like 
corn and soybeans in Eastern Iowa for five generations, and the winery 
was an excellent opportunity for the Wyants to diversify their family 
business. Fireside Winery produces red, white, and sparkling wines from 
Iowa-grown grapes on their 22-acre vineyard. Fireside Winery offers 
wine tastings in their tasting room, winery tours, live music, and a 
beautiful venue for weddings.
  The Wyant's hard work has paid off. In 2020, the Iowa Wine Growers 
Association awarded Fireside Winery's Storyteller white wine the Best 
of Show/Governor's Cup. Bottled in 2018, the Storyteller White was 
named silver at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in 
2018, silver at the Jefferson Cup Invitational in 2018, and gold at the 
Mid-American Wine Competition in 2017. In June 2023, the Fireside 
Winery's Marengo sparkling wine made history when it was chosen to 
christen the USS Iowa SSN 797 nuclear submarine. The christening was 
held in Groton, CT, and Fireside Winery was represented by operations 
manager Bill and Rona's daughter Cassie Bott and her husband, winemaker 
Zach Bott.
  Fireside Winery is actively involved in the Marengo community, 
hosting the Wine Run 5K. Rona Wyant serves on the board of Iowa County 
100+ Who Care, an organization that supports local Iowa County 
charitable causes like the Hope For All Foundation, a cancer support 
group. Bill and Rona Wyant are members of the Wine Growers Association 
and the Iowa Wine Growers Association.
  Fireside Winery's commitment to providing quality wines in Iowa is 
clear. I want to congratulate Bill and Rona Wyant and the entire team 
at Fireside Winery for their continued dedication to the Iowa wine and 
agriculture industry. I look forward to seeing their continued growth 
and success in Iowa.

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