Three Year Anniversary CelebrationWe would like to thank everyone who has stepped through our doors over the past three years! It has been an amazing journey so far... Our carefree days of living in Southern California—the venture back home—the long, yet satisfying days of construction and vineyard establishment—the constant love and support of family and friends—our own first full crop—the joys and challenges of being a farmer—the feeling I get seeing our customers- our family and our friends gather at the winery and enjoy each other, the atmosphere, conversation, and of course the wine ;) Thank you for choosing Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery and thank you for being a part of the journey! Cheers! Here's to another year! Thank you to the vendors that came out to help celebrate! {the music} Geoff Gunderson // Kyle Knutson // Jack Klatt // Elisabeth Hunstad {the goodies} Marketplace Grille // Valley Side Farm Cheese // Cheese World {the fun and vendors} Dakota Wind Tree Art // Irish Twins Soap Company // Kari's Kreations // Shady Grove Pottery // This Old Board
[the pairing]  Chef Jeni and Co. We have been looking forward to working with Chef Jeni and Company again since we got to have them for our Sparkle 2013 NYE Celebration. The menu was specifically paired to our wines! We got to visit with Chef Jeni at her space in Sioux Falls and got to sample parts of the menu and taste/discuss which wines would be the perfect pairing for each course... So much fun!!! [the details]  We had 85 guests out to celebrate their honey with us at Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery this past Valentine's Day! Chef Jeni and Co. served a seven course dinner paired to our wines and Elisabeth Hunstad and Matt Hastad were up on stage providing the perfect serenade for a romantic and fun evening... It was held in the tasting room with 17 tables for 2, 6 tables of 4, 1 table of 5, 1 table of 6 and 2 tables for 8... A rose was set on each table for each lovely couple and romantic "mad libs" were place for each couple to fill out for some fun... [the seven course spread] Chef Jeni and Company had each course plated and served at the tables we we poured the paired wines. [the moments] Our Perfect Pair Valentines Dinner was once again, my favorite event that we have hosted! Thank you to Chef Jeni and Company for the amazing food and staff... It has been so wonderful working with you guys! Elisabeth Hunstad and Matt Hastad for the beautiful music, Laura Marie Photography for grabbing some awesome images (the night always goes too quickly, so we are so thankful for images capturing the memories!) and for the sweethearts, friends, and family who attended. We hope you enjoyed the evening and look forward to seeing you again at the winery! <3 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS! STEP RIGHT THIS WAY TO BE A PART OF... MURDER UNDER THE BIG TOP! 
The Plot [[Desperate to bolster his circus from a dog-and-pony show to a spectacle that will rival Ringling, Harold Hargrove’s dire attempts to lure audiences and show-stopping attractions have created rivalries that extend beyond the center ring. As the pressure builds, a murder is committed that steals the show... and you are left to un- cover the culprit before the final act. Was it the raging ringmaster in an attempt to clean up the spectacle? The talented tight rope walker whose fall took them out of the limelight? A revolting roustabout with revenge in their veins? Or possibly a possessive performer whose death-defying demeanor went too far.]] Guests entered a world of fabulous freaks, exotic acts and mysterious management....  The winery was turned into the circus and guests arrived in character... Let the show begin!! Two envelopes were found at each plate... Envelope A was immediately opened and held information to get the evening started. C.J. Callaways started the meal out with sliced beef tenderloin which was paired to our Frontenac wine while everyone mingled and completed their initial objectives. A delicious spinach salad with lemon poppyseed dressing was served at the tables for the second course and paired with Traminette. The main course was an incredible pork osso bucco with potatoes and vegetables and paired with Deebo. Then to finish with dessert, a pecan delight was served with our Frontenac Gris. Then the moment we were all waiting for... The murder... ;) The investigation then took place as everyone put the evidence together to try to figure out, "who dunnit". Awards and bottles of wine were given out to those with extra sleuthing skills who figured out who the "murderer" was as well as the "dressed to kill" award, "drama queen" award, and the "Ms. Money Bags", award. Thank you to all who came out for the evening! We had a great time and look forward to our next event, "The Perfect Pair," to celebrate Valentines Day. The Feast
The Characters The Big Top Photo Booth Video                                                          RINGING IN 2014  The NYE celebration keeps getting better and better year after year! We had a great turnout for Sparkle NYE 2013 with 83 tickets sold. The tasting room was filled with amazing friends and family all there to ring in the new year! The Cherry Cats, Unplugged were up on stage, while Chef Jeni & Co. served a four course meal created by the Chef and paired to Calico wines. Dining, dancing, live music, scrumptious sips, photobooth, ball drop, midnight kiss, light up the sky, noisemakers, and a late night snack and s'mores- a night to remember... The evening started off with a cocktail/wine hour and guests were offered the first course off of the amazing menu Chef Jeni and Company had in store for us. Paired to our 2012 Traminette, Chef Jeni & Co. offered three delicious passed appetizers. A pair, caramelized onion, and Gorgonzola crostini, a Thai peanut and grilled chicken cup, and bacon wrapped + almond stuffed dates. The second course took place after all were seated and ready for the salad! Our staff then poured Frontenac Gris. A fantastic pairing with the steakhouse wedge salad w/ green goddess dressing, candied pecans, sweet apple, crisp bacon, cherry tomatoes and homemade creamy herb dressing... Onto the third course! Herbed filet of beef tenderloin, pecorino romano whipped potatoes with a hint of roasted garlic was served along side roasted winter vegetables as our Deebo (dry, red blend), was poured. For dessert, a dark chocolate espresso pot de creme was fabulous with our Raspberry! An absolutely amazing meal, presented by a fantastic staff... 
The Cherry Cats, Unplugged started up at 9:00 sharp playing a mix of good tunes. I think everyone got on the dance floor at some point during the evening and some were there all night long! The tables were outfitted with party hats, noisemakers, and party poppers to ring in the new year. Midnight came all to quick! Champagne glasses sparkled with sugar on their rims and were handed out to our guests for a midnight toast as our new, new year ball was lowered! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!! Auld Lang Syne was played and sung, confetti EVERYWHERE, and glasses clinked... HERE'S TO 2014! Every new year we also get to celebrate some very special people... A birthday and TWO wedding anniversaries! My brother-in-law's birthday as well as his anniversary with my sister, and the anniversary of an amazing couple that are friends of the family, Dana and Dave. A HUGE thank you to Chef Jeni and Company, the Cherry Cats, Unplugged, our staff, Chef April for the amazing superman birthday cake and all who celebrated the new year with us, and all reading this. 
A new chapter unfolds, A brighter year this festivity holds. We wish you all the best! Cheers to a life so blessed! HAPPY NEW YEAR 
Halloween 2013 // Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery 
We had an absolute blast at our Halloween party, (10.25)! The costumes were amazing as you can see from our photo booth, the food was festive and delish, and Billy Lurken's 50's band, THE CHERRY CATS, got everyone moving on the dance floor! I so enjoy planning and decorating for our events at the winery and it was so much fun seeing our guests enjoying the evening! Thanks to all who came out, and we are looking forward to our next event... Photo Booth 
Despite the sheets of rain that came down both Saturday and Sunday... We had a fantastic time! Thank you to our loyal customers, our family, and our friends. Also, thank you to the extremely talented musicians and local vendors displaying their beautiful handcrafted products and foods. Saturday was celebrated with music from 12-3PM with BILLY LURKEN and 04-7PM with THE RISKY BUSINESS BAND food + coffee... BELLA LUNA WOOD-FIRED PIZZA Black Sheep Coffee House vendors... Laura Marie Photography & Design + Gifts! FRASSY GIRL Inkan Designs with Yrene Parsons Usborne Books & More Sunday included music 12-3PM with Elisabeth Hunstad and 04-7PM with The Crabgrass Crew food + coffee BELLA LUNA WOOD-FIRED PIZZA {YUM!} Black Sheep Coffee House {coffee by the cup and/or stock up on delish coffee beans!} vendors... Laura Marie Photography & Design+ Gifts! FRASSY GIRL Irish Twins Soap Company Werner Wood Working Usborne Books & More saturday... sunday...  C.J. Callaway's Seven Course Spread
Sweethearts celebrated their love with a seven course dinner paired to our wines by the chefs at Callaway's. Live music by Elisabeth Hunstad and Chris Champion. Filled with perfect pairs, it was a perfect evening! Tables for two, eight, and twelve! Amazing food was perfectly paired to our wines by Callaway's. Elisabeth and Chris sang and played tunes throughout the evening. Thank you for all who attended, it was such a special evening! In the Making...   
 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The winery was sparkling this past New Years Eve! Glitter, confetti, candles---and a fantastic guest list... sure to make for an amazing way to ring in the new year. It was a night to remember! An evening of dining, dancing, live music, scrumptious sips, photo booth, ball drop (although not exactly on schedule), bubbly, and sparkles in the sky. The Risky Business Band was up on the stage, and a four course meal was served by Johnny Carino's, (Sioux Falls). The evening started with a butlered appetizer of grilled bruschetta paired with our Traminette. Guests were seated and the Italian wedge salad was served with our Frontenac Gris. Then, for the main course, the Italian Roast was served with our Marquette. Last, but not least, Carino's delicious chocolate tiramisu was served with our Raspberry! The band started up right on schedule and it was a party from there on out! The champagne glasses were passed and we were ready for the countdown but got lost in the music, and missed the actual midnight moment! It was made up for by the quick movements of William B. as he dropped the ball and hustled out for the next sparkling moment while, Auld Lang Syne, was merrily sung. We celebrated my brother-in-law's birthday, as well as my sister and his 7th anniversary! A late night snack of birthday and anniversary cake by Chef April/C.J. Callway's, s'mores, and Jimmy Johns was offered. Throughout the evening, the photo booth on fire! Thank you for an unforgettable New Years Eve-cheers to 2013! | ArchivesJuly 2014 CategoriesAll  |
