Glyn Mawr Winery – The Local opened in February of 2019 by mother-daughter duo, Anna Wilson and Brenda Broulik. In addition to offering Glyn Mawr wine, the Mt. Vernon locale has a retail component for selling their own branded merchandise and other Iowa-made goods, like candles, lip balms and an impressive selection of seasonal home décor perfect for gifts or to treat yourself.
When you first walk into the tasting room/retail shop, you are welcomed with an instant sense of small town charm with exposed brick walls, very tall ceilings, natural light, wooden floors and a local agriculture inspired mural from 1973 that was uncovered during the renovation in 2018. Magazine-worthy displayed retail items are at the front of the store, followed by the main-level bar and high-top tables. There is a lower level that is extra cozy with string lights, more exposed brick walls and a second bar. The real show-stopper at The Local is the three-tiered patio in the back that has seating for over 80 customers, topped off with cozy lights, umbrellas and greenery. The patio is a popular spot for monthly trivia and BINGO nights, music and food trucks. If exclusivity is your thing, Glyn Mawr Winery – The Local offers a perks program. It is free to join and provides members perks, like 10 percent off Glyn Mawr-branded retail, 15 percent off Glyn Mawr wine or local beer, a free birthday gift and invitations to club member-only events.
The Local has approximately a dozen Glyn Mawr wines to offer but if you wouldn’t consider yourself a oenophile, fear not because they also offer a wide selection of Iowa craft beer on tap. The more unique offerings on the menu include a wine flight, wine punch, wine slushies, wine cocktails and a kombucha shandy which is half beer, half kombucha. These offerings can also be super-sized with a beer or kombucha growler, a wine slushie bucket or a wine punch…by the gallon! They do not have a kitchen, so customers can bring in their own food or get takeout from neighboring Mt. Vernon restaurants. The word is in their name so it comes to no surprise that The Local supports local by selling chips, salsa and queso from La Casa and Dan and Debbie’s Creamery cheese and ice cream.
While the business opened in February of 2019, it had been a labor of love for Broulik, Wilson and their family for several years prior. In 2009, they planted two and a half acres of grape vines which they maintained for 11 years and, in 2015, received their commercial winery license. Their first collection of five varieties were ready to be showcased in the spring of 2016 when the duo traveled across Iowa to markets and tastings to spread the Glyn Mawr brand.
In 2020, Broulik and Wilson wanted to shift their focus to the brick-and-mortar and began a production partnership with Soldier Creek Winery out of Fort Dodge, which is also family owned. By closing the chapter on their Glyn Mawr vineyards in 2020 and the new relationship with Soldier Creek, the mother-daughter team was able to finish The Local’s two-year long renovation and dedicate their time to creating a space for people to create memories.
For more information about Glyn Mawr Winery – The Local, visit www.glynmawr.com.
103 1st St.
Mt. Vernon, IA