Another spectacular NYE celebration is in the books! Thank you to all who came out to help make it so special! No confetti popper spared and no champagne bottle left to pop, Calico Skies party goers, we know how to ring in the new year... 

We pray you have all had an amazing start to 2015! Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey and you being a part of ours... 

Some of the fabulous moments from our Sparkle 2015 Photo Booth!

We were contacted to put on a concert in dedication to the daughter of Jessica and Adam Weischedel, Edith Auburn of Sioux Falls, SD. On the morning of October 28, 2014, Jessica and Adam went into labor on her due date. An emergency c-section was needed and Jess awoke to her sweet daughter born asleep. The doctors weren't able to resuscitate her and she passed before she took her first breath. Edith Auburn was born 6 lbs 15 oz. 20 inches long with a head full of dark beautiful hair. 

Adam reached out to us to see if we would be available to host an intimate acoustic show in Edith's name as a benefit for the, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Organization. The NILMDTS organizations is committed to assisting parents and families experiencing early infant loss. NILMDTS connects families with voluteer photographers who donate the gift of infant remembrance photography.

We want to thank everyone who came out to the Acoustics for Angels concert! It was such a beautiful evening filled with so many talented musicians and amazing guests. We had a fantastic turnout at 146 guests and musicians who all helped raise $1,100 for the NILMDTS Org. We would also like to thank special guests, Dr. Moran (Director of Catholic Family Services as well as the Director and Founder of the Center for Grieving and Loss), Amy Daws (Author of Chasing Hope, a Mother's story of Loss, Heartbreak, and the miracle of Hope), and Emily Eggebraaten (Emily Eggebraaten Photography and representative of the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep organization), Chef Dominique's Catering and Banquet Facility for the amazing food and service, and Carolan Rental & N-Flatable Fun for donating the stage. So many inspiring people were involved in this event, thank you!
 

We 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 

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!!!

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...

Chef Jeni and Company had each course plated and served at the tables we we poured the paired wines.

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!

[[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 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.

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...

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