An Eastern Iowa Winery Won Big at the 2026 Iowa Wine Awards

Congratulations to Lubben Vineyards & Wines in Anamosa! Last month, wineries from all over the state of Iowa gathered at the Oscar Carl Vineyard in Sioux City for the annual Iowa Wine Growers Association Conference. During the two-day conference, the winners of the 2026 Iowa Wine Awards were announced, and Lubben Vineyards took home not one, but TWO big awards!

Winemaker of the Year/Marketer Excellence Award

The 2026 Winemaker of the Year is Dalton Lubben, one of the forces behind Lubben Vineyards & Wines in Anamosa! Here's what the Iowa Wine Growers Association had to say about Dalton:

"Crafting beautiful wines in Anamosa, Dalton combines a deep respect for the Iowa terroir with a commitment to producing high-quality, memorable wines. His hard work in the cellar and passion for sharing his craft make him a standout leader and a true asset to the Iowa wine community."

But, Dalton isn't the only member of the Lubben family to be honored in 2026! Judy Lubben took home the Marketer Excellence Award for her work as the "creative force" behind the marketing at the winery. The IWGA writes:

"...Judy has done an incredible job building the brand's presence and connecting with audiences. Her work goes beyond just selling wine—she is building a community, drawing visitors to Anamosa, and elevating the entire Iowa wine tourism experience."

Lubben Vineyards offers different variations of red, white, and sweet wines, with all of the grapes sourced from vineyards here in Eastern Iowa. You can try their wines at their tasting room in Anamosa, which opened in September of 2024, or at one of these Eastern Iowa retailers:

• Cultivate Hope Corner Store, Cedar Rapids
• Local Craft Cellar, Cedar Rapids
• New Pioneer Food Co-op, Cedar Rapids
• Marion Chocolate Shop, Marion
• Iowa Popcorn Company, Marion
• Blooms Garden Center, Marion
• Thou Art Gallery, Anamosa
• Boondocks, Anamosa
• The Wijn House, Pella

Lubben Winery is open Thursday & Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can check out all of their upcoming events HERE.

Other Winners

There were a total of five awards given out at the 2026 Iowa Wine Awards. The other three award winners are:

• Vineyard of the Year - Bill Wyant, Wilrona, LLC in Marengo
• Outstanding Industry Partner - Terry Bockenstedt, Nutrien Ag Solutions in Dyersville
• Retail Partner of the Year - Rene' & Richard White, The Wijn House in Pella

Read more about all of this year's award recipients HERE.

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