In a steady downpour, with the smell of wood fired smoke and pizzas emerging from the copper oven, last Friday night the Des Moines Farmers Market Endowment Fund held its first wine tasting fundraiser at Corky Cellars in Des Moines. The market introduced its new wines for the upcoming season – a new white this year, a Select Riesling – which was the hit of the evening. The evening was also a way for the city to celebrate and say goodbye to the owners, Ric and Dianne Jacobson, of Corky Cellars. After 12 years in business, they will start to enjoy a long-deserved retirement. The City of Des Moines issued a proclamation thanking them for all their service to the city. It was presented by Mayor Dave Kaplan in an emotional ceremony. Market Board President Wayne Corey presented the Jacobsons with a large photo, by Carmen Scott, of the farmers market at the marina with signatures of all the market board members and volunteers to say thank you all their support in helping the market become a great success. Carmen also gave them a framed photo of their business when they first started. John Jackson, market board member said “the tasting event was attended by more than a 100 supporters and well-wishers and was very successful, having brought in over $2,100 in wine sales and donations.” The Endowment was established two years ago as way for the market to maintain stability for years to come. The wine sales at the market during the season will go entirely to this fund. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Market’s Endowment Fund, please download the application here (PDF file). The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market would like to thank all the market volunteers for staging this event and special thanks go to Ric & Diane Jacobson of Corky Cellars, Marshall Hansen & Walter Smith from Roving Pizzaioli and Bob and Crista (Claar) Whitelatch of Claar Cellars of the Columbia River valley for their support of the market and this endeavor. Here are photos from the event, courtesy Wayne Corey (click images to see larger versions/slideshow): Proclamation-presentation-4X6 People-scene-1-4X6 Dianne-&-people-making-purchases-4X6 Ric-&-Wayne-&-Market-Wines-Vertical-4X5 Susan-Corey-&-Pizza-4X6 Wall-of-signatures-2-Cropped-5X5 See everyone on Opening Day on the waterfront at the Des Moines Marina on June 1, 2013. Sign up for the markets weekly e-newsletter to keep up on the happenings.]]>

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