This month, the Guttenberg Chamber spotlights PromiseLand Winery, which was opened in 2013 by Pat and Cindy Wachendorf. Pat has long been in the tool and die industry and owns and operates Precision Wire & Design in Farley, while Cindy retired in 2013 to focus on the winery after working for 25 years at Rockwell Collins.
Pat and Cindy got their start in wine making by taking classes online and shadowing at other wineries. They planted their first vine in 2006 and enjoyed the vineyard experience so much that they decided to take classes during the first year of Kirkwood Community College’s Viticulture and Wine Making Program. Pat and Cindy began making wine in 2011, and currently produce ten wines with plans to come out with several more.
Pat and Cindy got their start in wine making by taking classes online and shadowing at other wineries. They planted their first vine in 2006 and enjoyed the vineyard experience so much that they decided to take classes during the first year of Kirkwood Community College’s Viticulture and Wine Making Program. Pat and Cindy began making wine in 2011, and currently produce ten wines with plans to come out with several more.
PromiseLand Winery is located just outside of Guttenberg along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.
PromiseLand Winery features an event room, tasting room, five boutiques, a kitchen, and a courtyard, which allows the facility to host outdoor music on Sundays, painting classes, and murder mystery dinners. Customers have also enjoyed renting the event room for showers, anniversary and birthday parties, weddings, ceremonies, prom, and business meetings. In addition to their wine, PromiseLand sells pizza and snacks, and offers a unique shopping experience. The event room is made to look like an Italian street with streetlights and balconies, and boutiques each have their own storefront. The boutiques carry wine-related gifts, women’s clothing and accessories, clothing and products for babies and children, men’s items, and locally made art and crafts. “People may not realize that shopping for a new outfit, a baby gift, or a fun birthday present is just a few miles away from home,” says Cindy.
At present, the Wachendorfs are finishing a covered back courtyard that they hope to have completed by early summer. This area is larger than the front courtyard where outdoor music is currently held, and it has a permanent roof structure to shelter the area from rain and hot summer days. This covered courtyard will also expand the facility by serving as an additional seating area for functions held in the event room.
At present, the Wachendorfs are finishing a covered back courtyard that they hope to have completed by early summer. This area is larger than the front courtyard where outdoor music is currently held, and it has a permanent roof structure to shelter the area from rain and hot summer days. This covered courtyard will also expand the facility by serving as an additional seating area for functions held in the event room.
Pat and Cindy hope to expand the winery’s food options in the future and they plan to continue to grow their retail business. They currently sell wine in about 55 locations outside of the winery. “Our primary focus will always be making good wine and providing a great experience for our customers that come to the winery,” say Pat and Cindy, noting the importance of bringing new customers to the winery and continuing to provide good wine and a welcoming environment to existing customers. The Wachendorfs and the winery staff enjoy meeting their customers, who range from neighbors a mile down the road to travelers coming from states away. “It's also rewarding when you have customers that come back time and time again, bringing different friends each time to show them our place!” says Cindy, “We truly want each and every person who takes time out of their day to visit our facility and taste our wines to feel right at home and leave with a smile on their face!”
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