• Article Photo. Dave and Mary Paustian.42° North Winery and Dan and Maureen Boddicker of Red Cedar Wines
    Dave and Mary Paustian.42° North Winery and Dan and Maureen Boddicker of Red Cedar Wines
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.


There is something special about watching a dream take root in a small town.

Over the years, area residents have had the privilege of watching two local couples pour countless hours, plenty of patience, and more than a little heart into building their wineries from the ground up. This August, that dedication will be celebrated on one of Iowa's biggest stages.

Dan and Maureen Boddicker of Red Cedar Wines and Dave and Mary Paustian of 42° North Winery have both earned the opportunity to showcase their wines at the Iowa State Fair, held August 13-23. While each winery has also entered wines in this year's Iowa Commercial Wine Competition, they'll have to wait until fair week to discover which ribbons they'll be bringing home.

Even before the judging is revealed, both couples already have reason to celebrate.

Six cases each of Red Cedar Wines' Rhuby Slippers, a rhubarb/strawberry wine, and Dog Days White have been selected to be featured at the historic Grandfather's Barn during the fair, giving thousands of visitors the opportunity to sample wines crafted right here in Vinton.

Perhaps what makes this story even sweeter is that these wineries aren't competitors in the traditional sense.

Instead, they've become friends.

The Boddickers and the Paustians have encouraged one another, shared ideas, celebrated successes, and lent a helping hand whenever they could. A recent example came when Dave Paustian offered Dan Boddicker grapevines that were being replaced at 42° North Winery. Although vineyard vines are often productive for around 30 years, these younger vines still have many fruitful years ahead of them and will continue growing at Red Cedar Wines for decades to come.

It's the kind of generosity that seems to come naturally in small-town Iowa.

While both wineries share a passion for creating exceptional wines, each has developed its own unique style.

At 42° North Winery, the focus is on traditional grape wines. Talking with Dave Paustian is like attending a fascinating science class that somehow never feels complicated. He enjoys explaining how every decision—from the yeast selected during fermentation to the level of toast of oak chips—can subtly shape the finished wine. Depending on those choices, a wine can develop hints of vanilla, caramel, or even a creamy finish. His enthusiasm is contagious, and before long, even someone who has never made a bottle of wine walks away understanding a little more about the craft.

Red Cedar Wines takes a different path.

Dan and Maureen specialize in fruit wines, using a steaming process to gently extract juices and flavors from their carefully selected fruits. Sometimes the fruit is heated more than once to draw out every bit of character it has to offer. Their award-winning Ruby Slippers highlights the bright flavor of the rhubarb and strawberries, but many of their wines begin with fruits gathered close to home.

Maureen smiled while recalling the annual harvest of wild black raspberries on their property. It's rewarding work, but not always glamorous. Thorny bushes, hot summer days, and even the occasional encounter with poison ivy are simply part of the process. Dan laughed explaining that when people wonder why handcrafted wine costs what it does, they rarely see the countless hours of harvesting, preparing, and nurturing every batch from fruit to bottle.

Both wineries also know that Mother Nature always has the final say.

This year's early hard frost damaged many blossoms before fruit had a chance to fully develop, reducing this season's harvest. It's another reminder that winemaking requires equal parts skill, patience, and faith.

Listening to both couples talk about their craft, it's easy to see that making great wine is both a science and an art. There are formulas to understand, chemistry to master, and techniques to perfect. But there is also creativity, intuition, and love poured into every bottle.

Maybe that's why both wineries have found success.

Their wines tell stories—not only of grapes, rhubarb and strawberries, but of family, friendship, perseverance, and the quiet determination that defines so many small businesses.

JUST IN! Both the Dog Days White and Rhuby Slippers received gold medals with Rhuby Slippers became a Best Of Show nominee. Two of Boddickers other wines received Bronze medals, while 42° North's other also received a Bronze.

Congratulations to Dan and Maureen Boddicker and Dave and Mary Paustian on this well-deserved recognition. Benton County will be proudly raising a glass to both couples at this year's Iowa State Fair.

Visitors hoping to sample these locally crafted wines will find them at Grandfather's Barn, one of the Iowa State Fairgrounds' most treasured historic buildings.

Built in 1865, Grandfather's Barn is the only remaining structure from the property's original farmstead. After the Iowa State Fair purchased the land in 1886, the barn remained a familiar landmark for generations before deteriorating and closing in 1989. Following extensive restoration, it reopened in 1994 and now serves as home to The Wine Experience, an educational exhibit celebrating Iowa's thriving wine industry.

Managed by the Iowa Wine Growers Association, the barn offers visitors a relaxing place to enjoy Iowa-made wines while overlooking the fairgrounds from one of the highest points on the property.

Guests can enjoy wine flights featuring dry, sweet, or award-winning selections, refreshing wine slushies, hard cider, or a glass of their favorite Iowa wine. The barn also showcases winners from the Iowa Commercial Wine Competition alongside exhibits highlighting top entries from the Iowa State Fair Homebrew Competition.

Grandfather's Barn is open daily during the fair from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors can follow the Iowa Wine Growers Association's Facebook page for the daily wine schedule and featured selections.

Congratulations to both the Paustians and Boddickers!