Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery Fine Kansas & American Wine, Wine Accessories, Gifts and Wine Maker Dinners

A little Bit of History

Just a few years ago, the rolling slopes below the horse stables was land barren of the lush, fruit-laden vines that exist here today. In 1991, friends and business partners Steve Jennings and Kay Bloom invested in the abandoned stable and eighty acres of rich, Kansas soil. The men had a vision of what was to become known as Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery. The men believed they could capture a bit of the past and cultivate a dream for the future.

	Prior to Prohibition, Kansas was one of the top grape producing states in the Nation. As the first state to write into its Constitution a prohibition on alcohol, Kansas growers were forced to abandon or destroy their vineyards. Tales of Kansas’ hatchet-yielding Carrie Nation may leave the impression some 100+ years later, that Kansas lacks the culture typically associated with the production of fine wine, but we invite you to discover that the only legacy of those days exists only in rigorous legislation governing the production, marketing and sales of Kansas wine.

In true pioneer spirit, Steve Jennings and Kay Bloom hand-planted about an acre of vines in 1991. There were just four other wineries in Kansas at the time. Their initial goal was to keep it a small, retirement project and produce a few hundred gallons of wine each year. The first Smoky Hill Wine was sold in 1995. Nearly fourteen years later, there are over 5000 vines producing ten varieties of grapes. In vintage year 2003 Smoky Hill Winery produced 80,000 bottles of wine.

In 1999, the first outlet store, Smoky Hill Winery Tasting Room was opened in Wilson, Kansas along Interstate I-70W. In 2000, a second outlet was opened in Wichita, and in 2002, Under The Cork was re-located to the New Market Square in West Wichita, at 21st and Maize Roads. The two outlets are the maximum allowed by Kansas law.

Beginning as a hobby over 30 years ago, it is obviously no longer a retirement project, but has grown to be a family business. Kay and Steve both remain active in the business, in different capacities. Steve is the Winemaker of Smoky Hill Wine. Norm Jennings, son of Steve and Hanne, returned to Salina in 2001 from a corporate career to become the General Manager, but unleashes his true passion as the gourmet chef for the Winemaker Dinners.

So come inside, look around... learn about our Kansas wines. We will introduce you to family and staff, give you the opportunity to learn about grape growing and wine making, and when you come to visit, you will feel like a welcome friend stopping by, just to sample a taste of unexpected excellence... Smoky Hill Wine.

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