Wine Country in the Great Plains
Traveling through Nebraska, one might not expect to stumble upon a wine region, but the Augusta Wine Region, located approximately 30 miles northwest of Lincoln, offers a unique blend of rolling hills, scenic vistas, and wine production. The Augusta Wine Region is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) and is one of the few wine regions in the Great Plains. This region is nestled in the southeastern part of the state, where the climate is characterized by warm summers and cold winters.
Established in 2005, the Augusta Wine Region was one of the first AVAs in the Great Plains, and it has been steadily growing in prominence since then. The region is situated in a glacial till plain, with fertile soils that support a variety of grape species, including Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and Frontenac. The region's distinct geography, combined with its unique climate, gives its wines a distinct terroir that sets them apart from other wine regions in the country. Pioneers like John and Merna Blume of James Arthur Vineyards, with their 1994 planting, have been pivotal in establishing this region as a serious player in American wine production.
Wines produced in the Augusta Wine Region showcase the unique aspects of the Great Plains terroir. The region's red wines tend to be rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit and spice. Chambourcin, in particular, is a popular varietal in this region, with its blend of dark fruit flavors, smooth tannins, and moderate acidity. Some notable producers in the region include Prairie Crossing Vineyard, which produces a distinctive Seyval Blanc, and Junto Wine, which produces a Frontenac that showcases the unique flavor profile of the Frontenac grape.
When visiting the Augusta Wine Region, travelers can experience the unique beauty of the Great Plains countryside while sampling some of the region's top wines. Many wineries offer wine tastings and tours of their vineyards and cellars, offering a glimpse into the winemaking process. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views of the rolling hills and vast prairies that characterize this part of Nebraska.
The Augusta Wine Region is also home to the annual Nebraska Wine and Jazz Festival, which celebrates the state's thriving wine industry. This event typically takes place in August and features live jazz music, wine tastings, and food vendors serving local cuisine. Visitors can also participate in the Nebraska Wine Passport Program, which offers a comprehensive tour of the state's wineries, including those in the Augusta Wine Region.
Nebraska's Augusta Wine Region is an important example of a region that blends agriculture, tourism, and economic development, in which this unlikely area would thrive. It is an inspiration to aspiring oenophiles who travel through Nebraska.
One notable positive outcome of the Nebraska Wine Industry has been the creation of an incredibly cooperative wine-making community. Resources, space, and even equipment and knowledge are often freely shared between wineries, of varying sizes. Wine has strengthened local ties in more ways than one.
Furthermore, a factor concerning local grape farmers is the growing and harvesting requirements of the grapes themselves and working within set expectations. Hardiness zones, and length of the growing season come into play here and this seems to shape options in this region.
Established in 2005, the Augusta Wine Region was one of the first AVAs in the Great Plains, and it has been steadily growing in prominence since then. The region is situated in a glacial till plain, with fertile soils that support a variety of grape species, including Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and Frontenac. The region's distinct geography, combined with its unique climate, gives its wines a distinct terroir that sets them apart from other wine regions in the country. Pioneers like John and Merna Blume of James Arthur Vineyards, with their 1994 planting, have been pivotal in establishing this region as a serious player in American wine production.
Wines produced in the Augusta Wine Region showcase the unique aspects of the Great Plains terroir. The region's red wines tend to be rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit and spice. Chambourcin, in particular, is a popular varietal in this region, with its blend of dark fruit flavors, smooth tannins, and moderate acidity. Some notable producers in the region include Prairie Crossing Vineyard, which produces a distinctive Seyval Blanc, and Junto Wine, which produces a Frontenac that showcases the unique flavor profile of the Frontenac grape.
When visiting the Augusta Wine Region, travelers can experience the unique beauty of the Great Plains countryside while sampling some of the region's top wines. Many wineries offer wine tastings and tours of their vineyards and cellars, offering a glimpse into the winemaking process. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views of the rolling hills and vast prairies that characterize this part of Nebraska.
The Augusta Wine Region is also home to the annual Nebraska Wine and Jazz Festival, which celebrates the state's thriving wine industry. This event typically takes place in August and features live jazz music, wine tastings, and food vendors serving local cuisine. Visitors can also participate in the Nebraska Wine Passport Program, which offers a comprehensive tour of the state's wineries, including those in the Augusta Wine Region.
Nebraska's Augusta Wine Region is an important example of a region that blends agriculture, tourism, and economic development, in which this unlikely area would thrive. It is an inspiration to aspiring oenophiles who travel through Nebraska.
One notable positive outcome of the Nebraska Wine Industry has been the creation of an incredibly cooperative wine-making community. Resources, space, and even equipment and knowledge are often freely shared between wineries, of varying sizes. Wine has strengthened local ties in more ways than one.
Furthermore, a factor concerning local grape farmers is the growing and harvesting requirements of the grapes themselves and working within set expectations. Hardiness zones, and length of the growing season come into play here and this seems to shape options in this region.
