Fireside Winery

What Fireside Winery does

Fireside Winery, operated by Wilrona, L.L.C., is a family-owned winery headquartered at 1755 P Avenue in Marengo, Iowa, with a second tasting room in the Amana Colonies tourist area. The company operates the Brickyard Hill estate vineyard, cultivating cold-hardy grape varieties — Frontenac, Marquette, Brianna, LaCrosse, LaCrescent, Vignoles, and Frontenac Gris — that are adapted to Iowa's climate, and produces a broad portfolio spanning reds, whites, sparkling wines, seasonal fruit wines, ciders, meads, and wine-based cocktails (Sparks). Technical winemaking includes 12-month French/American oak aging for premium reds (Chambourcin, Frontenac) and nearly two-year neutral-oak aging for the Marquette Reserve.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale model. DTC channels include the two tasting rooms with full food service, an online shop, a quarterly wine club with member pickup weekends and exclusive releases, an on-site Airbnb (The Retreat), ticketed events (PAIRINGS tastings at $35/person, live music at $20/person), and weekly presence at the Des Moines Farmers' Market. Wholesale distribution is handled by two dedicated Iowa sales representatives (Eastern Iowa: Brian Culp; Western Iowa: Susan Brenneman) supplying approximately 15+ retailers and restaurants including El Bait Shop, 30 Hop, Cooper's Central Table, Fresko, and 1850 Patio and Grill. Pricing is unit-based with bottles in the $14–$28 range, wholesale at 20% off retail with tiered volume discounts, and recurring wine club subscriptions.

The portfolio has earned sustained third-party validation across more than a decade of competition, including Best of Show at the 2021 and 2025 Iowa State Fair, the Governor's Cup at the Iowa Wine Growers Wine Competition, multiple Jefferson Cup honors, and Double Gold / Best of Class at the INDY International Wine Competition. The Blanc de Brickyard sparkling was selected to christen the USS Iowa submarine in June 2023. The company serves three primary customer segments: tourists visiting the Amana Colonies and Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, Iowa resident wine consumers and gift purchasers, and Iowa retailers/restaurants seeking distinctive regional wine offerings.

Name

Fireside Winery

Legal name

Wilrona, L.L.C.

Website

https://firesidewinery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fireside Winery is a family-owned Iowa winery (Wilrona, L.L.C.) operating an estate vineyard in Marengo and two tasting rooms (Marengo and Amana). It produces cold-hardy grape wines, meads, and ciders sold direct-to-consumer, through a wine club, and to 15+ Iowa retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Winery / Craft Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Wine Bars (CRANACAE), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

Keywords

• Estate wine production
• Cold climate viticulture
• Wine club subscription
• Tasting room operations
• Winery event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Marengo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales: On-site sales at tasting rooms and online shop. Bottles range from $14-$28. Wine cocktails and by-the-glass options available at the Marengo location.
2. Wine Club Membership: Subscription-style wine club with quarterly pickup weekends. Members receive curated wine selections with exclusive access to events including vineyard tours, live music, and beach parties.
3. Wholesale Distribution: 20% off retail pricing for wholesale buyers. Greater discounts available for orders of 5+ or 10+ cases. Active distribution network across Iowa.
4. Food Service: Appetizers, flatbreads, and wine cocktails served at the Marengo tasting room. Weekday appetizers until 4pm, weekend appetizers until 5:30pm on Friday/Saturday.
5. Event Hosting: Ticketed events including PAIRINGS tasting events ($35/person), live music performances ($20/person), and private venue rentals for weddings and corporate events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fireside Winery is a family-run Iowa winery that cultivates cold-hardy grape varieties at its Brickyard Hill Vineyard estate and produces a diverse portfolio of award-winning wines including reds, whites, sparkling, seasonal, fruit wines (meads), ciders, and wine cocktails. The winery sells its products through two company-owned tasting rooms (Marengo and Amana), an online shop, a quarterly wine club, a wholesale distribution program across Iowa, and hosts events including live music, vineyard tours, and pairing experiences.

Product overview

Fireside Winery is a family-run Iowa winery offering a diverse portfolio of wines across multiple categories: Red wines (Frontenac, Chambourcin, Marquette Reserve, Hearthstone, Crownfire, Matchbox, Firefly, Sweetheart), White wines (Brianna, Iowa LaCrosse, Blu, Storyteller, Glow), Sparkling wines (Blanc de Brickyard, Sparkling Almond, Fizzy Firefly), Seasonal wines (Sunset Peach, Autumn Spice), and Fruit wines (Lavender Blackberry Mead). The winery operates two tasting rooms (Marengo and Amana), offers a full food menu including flatbreads and shared plates, wine cocktails, and craft beer. Additional offerings include a Wine Club membership with quarterly pickup events, event facilities for private rentals, The Retreat Airbnb accommodation, and a wholesale/distributor program. The winery also participates in farmers' markets and hosts live music events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Frontenac (2021) A dry red wine with big berry and fig flavors finishing with soft, smoky oak. Aged 12 months in oak barrels with soft tannins. 100% Estate Frontenac from Brickyard Hill Vineyard. Priced at $20.
• Chambourcin A dry red wine with dark, vibrant purple hue featuring cedar, toasted marshmallow, and baking spice on the nose, with black currants and tannic structure on the palate. Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. Priced at $20.
• Marquette Reserve (2023) A premium red wine with rich garnet hue and inviting aromas of cherry, cocoa powder, and hints of cigar box. Smooth and lush palate with velvety tannins, cherry and vanilla flavors. Aged almost 2 years in neutral oak barrels. Priced at $28.
• Hearthstone A light-bodied dry red wine made from Marquette with earthy, slightly sweet aromas, bright cherry flavor, and trace of oak on the finish. Blend of 75% 2021 barreled Marquette and 25% 2023 unoaked Marquette.
• Crownfire A dry red wine with aromas of cherry, black currants, coffee beans, and perique tobacco. Bold yet supple palate with soft tannins and jammy fruit. Aged 12 months in French/American oak. Priced at $23.
• Matchbox A semi-sweet red wine made from 100% Marquette with dark fruit opening and sweet spice finish. Best served with Italian fare, roasted poultry, and burgers. Priced at $16.
• Firefly A best-selling sweet red wine with light rose hue and soft aromas of strawberry, red raspberry, grapefruit, and pomegranate. Light yet rich palate with intense red berry and raspberry preserves. Priced at $15.
• Brianna A dry white wine exhibiting delicate notes of tropical fruits, pears, and magnolia flowers. Palate expresses bright acidity with fresh pears and citrus, finishing clean with minerality. Priced at $16.
• Iowa LaCrosse A dry white wine presenting with floral nose of pear and lemon. Delicate palate finishes with light acidity and hint of key lime. Priced at $18.
• Blu A semi-sweet white wine blend with notes of limoncello, honeysuckle, pear, lychee berries and soft minerality. Smooth and crisp palate with rich pear, stone fruit, honey, and Meyer lemon. Priced at $16.
• Storyteller A white wine starting with fruit-forward nose with hints of eucalyptus, bubble gum, and tulips. Palate presents fruit-forward with pear, meringue cookies, and shortbread. Lower acid level with clean crisp finish. Priced at $16. Awarded Best of Show at 2021 Iowa State Fair and 2021 Iowa Wine Growers Wine Competition.
• Glow A sweet white wine with apple, pear, and bubblegum on the nose. Complex palate with notes of gala apple, peach, and cotton candy, finishing long and sweet. Made from 100% Iowa Brianna. Priced at $16.
• Blanc de Brickyard A crisp, dry sparkling white wine with light aromas of buttered toast and stone fruit finish. Blend of St. Pippen, LaCrosse, and LaCrescent. Selected to christen the USS Iowa submarine on June 24, 2023. Priced at $18.
• Sparkling Almond A semi-sweet sparkling wine with rich almond notes and light bubbles coating the palate with a hint of peach. 100% Brianna. Priced at $18.
• Fizzy Firefly A sparkling version of Firefly that is bright and bubbly. Lightly sweet with hints of strawberry and tart cranberry. Blend of Catawba, MQRose, Front Gris, BHW, and Frontenac.
• Sweetheart A seasonal wine loaded with notes of Raspberry Tootsie-Pop, brambly fruit, and raspberry liquor. Features raspberry tartlet, chocolate cream pie, and black cherry notes. Enhanced with natural chocolate and raspberry flavorings. Priced at $15.
• Sunset Peach A seasonal wine with natural peach flavor from 100% Brianna. Slightly sweet yet wonderfully crisp. Can be served as an aperitif or with light desserts. Priced at $16.
• Autumn Spice A seasonal wine with light hints of spice and honey on the nose with flavors of pear, spice, and lemon honey. Can be served warm or cold. Priced at $15.
• Lavender Blackberry Mead A brand-new mead featuring lavender as the primary note on the nose with brambly fruit hints, and a palate accentuated by blackberry, provincial herbs, and ginger snap cookies. Sweet style, 8.9% alcohol, from Brickyard Hill Vineyard. Priced at $20.
• Ciders Craft cider offerings available at the winery, complementing the wine portfolio.
• Sparks (Wine Cocktails) Wine-based cocktail offerings including specialty mixed drinks and sparkling wine combinations.
• Wine Club Quarterly wine club membership program with pickup weekends featuring exclusive wines, live music, vineyard tours, and special events. Members receive curated wine selections and complimentary experiences.
• Tasting Rooms Two tasting room locations: Marengo (1755 P Ave, Marengo, IA 52301) and Amana (4406 220th Trail, Amana, IA 52203). Offer wine tastings, bottle sales, and food service.
• Event Facilities Private event venue rentals for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions at both Marengo and Amana locations.
• Marengo Tasting Room Food Menu Full food menu at the Marengo tasting room featuring shared plates (Charcuterie, Warm Brie Dip, Warm Pretzel, Spinach Artichoke Dip), flatbreads (Bacon Apple, Pesto & Brie, Pepperoni, BBQ Hawaiian, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Olive Oil and Rosemary), and wine cocktails (Bloody Vino, Concord Crush Mule, Matchbox Mojito, Crabby Cocktail, Wine-A-Rita, Wine-Tini, Mead Shandy).
• Wholesale Distribution Program Wholesale pricing program offering 20% off retail prices with greater discounts for orders of 5+ or 10+ cases. Includes sampling opportunities at retailers and distributor support. Managed by dedicated sales representatives for Eastern and Western Iowa.
• The Retreat (Airbnb) On-site vacation rental accommodation adjacent to the winery, available through Airbnb.

Quantifiable outcome

• Storyteller won Best of Show - White Wine at 2021 Iowa State Fair and Best of Show (Governor's Cup) at Iowa Wine Growers Wine Competition
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery: Iowa-based producer of wines and spirits with a tasting room, vineyard, and retail distribution across the state. Most direct head-to-head competitor in the Iowa premium local-wine category, with overlapping DTC, wholesale, and tasting-room models.
• Tassel Ridge Winery: Iowa winery offering a broad wine portfolio with tasting room, wine club, and Iowa retail distribution. Directly comparable on cold-climate grape sourcing, regional DTC + wholesale mix, and Iowa-centric brand positioning.
• Carlos Creek Winery: Minnesota cold-climate winery with tasting room, wine club, live events, and on-site lodging. Closely comparable on cold-climate varietals, experience-driven tasting room model, and family-owned mid-scale operations.
• Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery: Wisconsin cold-climate winery producing wines from hybrid grape varieties with a tasting room and event programming. Comparable on cold-hardy grape focus, regional Midwest positioning, and DTC/wholesale mix.
• Wollersheim Winery: Family-owned Wisconsin winery on the historic Wollersheim estate with tasting room, wine club, and national distribution. Comparable on family heritage brand, estate vineyard story, and diversified experience revenue (tours, tastings, retail).
• Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery: Illinois winery with tasting room, wine club, and event hosting in the Galena tourism corridor. Comparable on Midwestern tourism-anchored tasting room, family ownership, and regional DTC model.
• Von Jakob Vineyard: Southern Illinois vineyard and winery with tasting room, restaurant, event hosting, and on-site lodging. Comparable on estate-grown Midwestern wine production and full experience-stack model (wine, food, lodging, events).

Broad incumbents

• Stone Hill Winery: One of the largest and oldest wineries in Missouri, with broad national distribution. Larger incumbent in the Midwest wine category; comparable product line and channel mix, but materially larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Emerging players

• August Hill Winery: Illinois boutique winery producing small-batch wines from Illinois-grown grapes with a tasting room. Comparable as a smaller, regional cold-climate producer focusing on local/estate positioning rather than scale.
• Blue Sky Vineyard: Southern Illinois vineyard and winery with tasting room and event programming in the Shawnee Hills wine trail. Comparable as a regional Midwest winery leveraging tourism and tasting-room experience revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/1473934689583395
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fireside-winery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fireside Winery