Shakespeare Festival and Wine - A Visit to IG Winery in Cedar City, Utah

Our Southwest wine odyssey continued. The sting of our slow-motion, silent Nevada episode slowly faded into the background with each passing mile. St. George, Utah, had offered a welcome respite, and now, refreshed and reinvigorated, we set our sights on Cedar City, our second winery destination.

Arriving at midday, we were greeted by a charming town bathed in perfect summer weather. A refreshing change from the desert heat! Our destination, IG Winery, beckoned from the heart of downtown.

As we navigated the streets, our attention was drawn to the picturesque campus of Southern Utah University. Intrigued by its artistic sculptures, we decided to explore further, sensing a potential backdrop for our Utah episode intro.

Wandering through the campus grounds, we found ourselves immersed in a world of Shakespearean characters. Statues depicting iconic figures from Hamlet to Macbeth adorned the walkways. A nearby theater, grand and imposing, confirmed our suspicions: we had stumbled upon the renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival! I had no idea there was a world renowned Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah!

This unexpected discovery, a Tony Award-winning festival attracting international audiences, filled us with excitement. It was a testament to the hidden gems and enriching experiences that awaited us on this 50 State Wine Challenge.

After soaking in the Shakespearean atmosphere and capturing our intro amidst the artistic splendor, we made our way to IG Winery. The tasting room, a haven of elegance and comfort, showcased a selection of wines that proved well worth the journey.

Our "flight attendant" (our affectionate term for our wine guide) shared fascinating insights into the winery's history, the challenges of navigating Utah's unique wine industry, and the intriguing story behind the "IG" moniker. (Originally "Iron Gate" before a cease and desist letter forced a rebrand – a tale all too familiar in the competitive world of wine.) One interesting factoid here, the only state that you cant ship wine to from Utah, is Utah.

We savored each sip, engaging in lively conversation with our knowledgeable host. Her recent 50-stop whiskey adventure with her husband sparked a flicker of inspiration. Perhaps a new challenge awaited us after conquering the wine world?

With our tasting complete and our spirits high, we stepped back onto the sun-drenched street to film our closing scene. A quick check of the recordings confirmed a critical detail: we had sound! A wave of relief washed over us. This felt like our first truly complete episode, captured from beginning to end with (hopefully) minimal mishaps. State number 3 was in the can.

Leaving Cedar City with a sense of accomplishment, we embarked on the next leg of our adventure. Our route wound through scenic landscapes, leading us towards Colorado and a rendezvous with its burgeoning wine scene. But as we would soon discover, the road to wine discovery is rarely smooth...