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Visitors to the crossroads of central Kansas are accustomed to thousands of acres of waving wheat, sturdy corn stalks and bushes of soybeans pushing through the earth. Fields vibrant with the vivid yellow bursts of our native sunflowers are a treat to behold. But Kansas yields another precious commodity, nestled on gently rolling slopes, and tucked away near rich, fertile Kansas riverbeds. The revival of grapes as a Kansas commodity is spurring grape-growers statewide. Grapevines are the commodity enjoying a revival in Kansas fields-turned-vineyards. Not yet considered an official Kansas “crop”, grape-growers receive no federal subsidies.

Nurtured by rich soil, our Estate vines flourish in the abundant sunshine required to produce world-class wine. The blending of old world traditions and innovative viticulture results in the luscious fruit that will become Smoky Hill Wine.

	Our six acres of vineyards in north Salina produce ten varieties of grapes. The Vineyard’s 5000+ vines have the capacity to serve approximately 20% of our Winery’s Vintage 2003 needs. Smoky Hill Vineyard & Winery relies on contract growers to supplement our Estate vines. Every effort is made to duplicate the viticulture practices and growing conditions of Smoky Hill Vineyards. The State of Kansas will allow a maximum 40% grapes to be imported from outside the State of Kansas in the event our growers cannot meet the Winery’s needs.

To preserve and enhance the character of the grapes, the vines are carefully pruned in late winter. Early in the growing season the fruit clusters are gently positioned to capture the full benefit of the Kansas sun. The grapes are finally harvested by hand in the late summer or early fall when the flavors reach their peak.

Our Estate vines producing white grapes include: SEYVAL BLANC, CHARDONNEL, VIGNOLE, TRAMMINETTE and VENTURA.

CABERNET FRANC, CYNTHIANA, CHAMBOURCIN, FRONTENAC and ST. VINCENT are the red grape varieties grown at the Salina Vineyard used to produce Smoky Hill Wines.

Smoky Hill Vineyard staff were exceptionally busy this spring of 2004. Over 5000 vines were hand-pruned, a new drip irrigation system was installed and the vines have been gently tied back to insure proper exposure of the tender young fruit to help guarantee just the right amount of exposure from the late spring and early summer sun.

In 2004, Smoky Hill continued to upgrade and expand both the North and South vineyards. This year we planted approximately 1000 plants. A portion of those new plants will increase the production of CABERNET FRANC and CHAMBOURCIN. We forecast planting 9000 additional vines in 2005, representing 15 total acres, a combination of expansion with existing contract growers, new growers and the growth of our own Smoky Hill Estate Vineyards.

The planting of these vines and what we will expect from the vines in the next few years is further explained, below. While grapevines are actually quite hardy, like many new plants, the initial growing in phase is critical to successful grape production.

When new grapevines are received from the nursery, they are trimmed for planting. Roots are trimmed and side roots are removed. Only a portion of the buds are left on the wood at the top. The newly trimmed plant is placed in the ground with the "head" approximately 3 inches above the soil surface.

In 2005, these newest vines will once again be trimmed back. A stake will be set next to the plant so it can start to climb vertically. The first trellis wire (about three feet above the soil) is used to help secure these vertical stakes.

These new vines should reach the top wire, approximately five feet above the soil in 2006. Then, most of the growth is trimmed away, except for one vine, which will become the main "trunk" of the plant. The trunk will then be secured to the top trellis wire. To maintain a straight trunk, growing trunks are tied to vertical stakes.

When shoots from the trunk are 12-24” long, they begin to demand too much from the root system, so many of the shoots will be removed, with the exception of the top 3-4 shoots. Remaining shoots will be loosely tied to the top trellis wire as they grow. These are the valuable part of the vine that will become the permanent fruit-bearing part of the plant.

With clearly established trunks at the beginning of the vines’ fourth year, fruit will be allowed to develop for the first time. The canes from the first trunk will grow along the top trellis, then trimmed back with about a dozen or so buds remaining.

The fifth year of growth should demonstrate well established trunks, growing in diameter. If properly maintained, these grapevines will grow and produce fruit for decades to come.

All of this...and much more...is just a very small part of the an ages old art... cultivating the fruit to yield fine wine.

You are always welcome to visit us at our Vineyards. Stroll among our lush vines and relax on our deck overlooking the vineyards and enjoy the tranquility, sights and gentle sounds of a Kansas vineyard.

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