EMPTY NEST WINERY
Empty Nest Winery opened its doors in 2011 with 8 different wines, mainly berry and fruit wines. We are located in rural northeast Iowa on our century family farm. Family-owned & operated, we produce handcrafted wines made in small batches from mainly locally grown handpicked berries. We ferment whole real fruit not just the juice & real sugar; this gives our unfiltered wine more flavor, color, and body for the best tasting ‘TRUE TO THE FRUIT’ wine.
We now offer over 50 varieties of wines, ports, ciders & sangrias.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
