This month, we're spotlighting recently-retired NFL champion and former Hawkeye Dallas Clark! We don't do sports stories here at MusicArtLife, and this isn't one--Dallas and his family are owners of Train Wreck Winery, located in the historic Chicago North Western Railroad station in Algona, Iowa. The vineyard is on the Clark Century Farm, south of Livermore, Iowa, adjacent to the site of a famous train wreck on the old Minneapolis-St. Louis Rail Line, for which the winery is named.
For more than 100 years, Dallas Clark’s family has farmed the land that now includes the vineyard; a century or so later, Dallas purchased the rundown train depot, and spent five years renovating the building, which now includes a tasting room and 40-person banquet room. The wines are made and bottled in a nearby building, with wines ranging from sweet to dry. The Clark family plants Marquette and Brianna grapes, and Train Wreck also purchases Iowa-and-Minnesota-grown Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Edelweiss, Niagara and St. Vincent. Since opening its doors in Dec. 2011, Train Wreck Winery has earned awards at the World Wine Championships and gained recognition at other regional, national and international competitions. Bottles can now be found on the shelves at many locations throughout Iowa, and can be ordered online via the website: www.trainwreckwinery.com.
“There are a lot of great wineries in Iowa,” Clark has said. “We’re trying to build a niche in a competitive industry and get our name out there. The ultimate goal is to be a part of people’s experiences and celebrations by making quality wine that can be enjoyed with friends and family.” Indeed, family plays a central role at Train Wreck. Steve Larson, Clark’s father-in-law, serves as head winemaker and manager, and the former Hawkeye’s brother-in-law is a distributor of the wine in Central Iowa. “Dallas has a good sense for marketing,” according to Larson.
“I have a lot of pride in where I came from,” Clark says. “Representing Iowa has made my entire journey and this business that much more enjoyable. I’m excited to get back to Iowa and be more involved in the community and with the winery.”
