A family tradition

Village Winery owner Don Krauss is proud to continue the winemaking tradition for which the Amana Colonies are known. "Our wines aren't the traditional dinner wines many people think of," he says. "They're more for after dinner -- sweeter and fuller-bodied."

And he's proud to continue the family business, producing time-tested recipes handed down from his grandparents, who made wine in a "wine cave" below the basement.

Back then, the grapes were grown on trellises attached to the walls of homes throughout the Amanas. The trellises are still there, but most of the grapevines are gone.

Don never acquired a taste for drinking wine. As a winemaker, though, he knows what tastes right and what doesn't.

1973

Year Don and Eunice Krauss opened Village Winery in Amana, producing just two kinds of wine. Back then, son Don worked for them; now, he says, they work for him. Eunice helps handle the sales side of the operation while Don Sr. helps with production. Don Jr.'s son, Doug, also helps out during breaks from college classes.

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Varieties the winery now produces from family formulas developed over the last three decades.

$8-$9

Prices per bottle for Village Winery wines.

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Lines of collectibles sold in the Village Winery gift shop. The gift shop also sells a variety of Amana jams, jellies, mustards and other food items.

TASTINGS

Open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Free tasting. Tours not available.