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Varieties >
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The vineyard in Salina is approximately six acres and has ten varieties of grapes.
This vineyard has the capacity to serve approximately 20% of Vintage
2004 needs. Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery relies on contract growers for our remaining needs. In the event these growers do not meet our needs, the state allows up to 40% of the fruit from other states.
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White/Other
Grapes
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Seyval Blanc
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One of the older hybrids being grown. It has withstood the test of time. When made into a dry wine, it exhibits a pleasant tropical fruit flavor, especially at higher alcohol levels. It is the principal component of our Luce d'
Bianco. We also use smaller amount of it in our Prairie Sunset.
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Chardonnel
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This hybrid grape is a cross between Chardonnay and
Seyval. The Chardonnay component yields the flavor and the Seyval component enables it to grow well in our Midwest climate (hot summers and cold winters). This grape is used exclusively as the main component of our premium Chablis.
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Vignoles
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This is a hybrid grape which consistently wins international competitions. The vines produce a very small crop, but the fruit lends itself to producing outstanding wines ranging from bone dry to the sweetest desert wines. We use small amounts of it in many of our wines to improve the complexity. It usually comprises 50-75% of our Icewein and similar proportions of our Premium
Auslese.
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Tramminette
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This grape was developed by the world finest breeders to grow well and handle the cold winters we experience. It is nearly identical in fruit character of the Gewritztrominer exhibiting more fruit and spice. We use up to 50% of this grape in both our Icewein and Premium
Auslese.
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Ventura
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This is a Canadian bred grape which is extremely winter hardy. The flavor of the grape is delicate but fragile. When blended, it tends to become submissive to other grapes or fruits. We often use it in our Christmas wine and as the major component in our Cherry Ventura.
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Red Grapes
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Cabernet
Franc
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This a cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon and has a similar character. It is not very winter hardy so it requires special handling to get through our Midwest winters. It has a little more fruitiness and a little less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is used in our Premium Claret.
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Cynthianna
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This a native American grape which produces an excellent wine. It has a nice dark color but lower levels of tannins which make it drinkable at a young age. We use this grape as the major component of our Heartland Red. It often shows black currant in its rose. We use smaller amounts of this grape in many of our reds to increase complexity.
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Chambourcin
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This grape is one of the more popular red varieties. It has excellent color and tannins. It grows well in our climate producing large clusters in abundance. It is the principal component of our Premium Claret, Heartland Red and is also found in the Simply Red.
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Frontenac
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This grape was bred in Minnesota especially to handle cold winters. It makes a light style wine with good bouquet and color. We use it to increase the complexity of our Heartland Red and as one of the many grapes in our Port.
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St. Vincent
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This grape grows in large, dark, red clusters. It increases the complexity of most red wines. It is a significant component of our Port and Spaghetti Red wines.
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