Make a stop at Russell's Diamond S Vineyard and Winery for a wine tasting trip
Special to The Hays Daily News
Looking for a wine to serve with Christmas dinner or perhaps to toast the New Year? Why not make your search a relaxing holiday event by mapping your own wine tasting trail across Kansas? Travel along Interstate 70 and sample fine Kansas wines at nearly a dozen locations, most of which also offer unique gifts so you can finish your Christmas shopping without fighting the holiday traffic at the mall.
Start in Russell at the Diamond S Vineyard and Winery, 502 S. Main. Sample the Reliance, a dry and full-bodied white wine made from a family recipe. Then travel east to the Wilson exit for the Smoky Hill Winery tasting room, or on to Salina where the Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery is located at 212 W. Golf Link Road. Plan your trip Nov. 28 for the Christmas Open House that includes the launching of the special semi-sweet Christmas Wine in a decorative etched bottle and samples of soups, cheese balls and deserts that are available in the gift shop. Or celebrate the holidays Dec. 11 to 12 by attending "A Morning Star Christmas" performed by a St. Louis acting troupe.
At the winery, more than two dozen wines are offered, some crafted using old-world European-style blending and others that are new world, showing the character of each vintage year. Perennial best-sellers are Sweet Lady and River Valley Red; these two, along with 2006 Norton, won Grand Harvest Awards, an international wine competition.
Plan ahead before traveling to Lawrence, as Kugler's Vineyard, 1235 N 1100 Road, is open only by appointment. The signature semi-dry red Cynthiana, which won a bronze medal in a national Norton competition, is perfect for a holiday dinner or party. Or sip the Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc or Concord.
You'll find two wineries in Eudora, just east of Lawrence. Warm up with the special hot mulled wine and holiday treats at Blue Jacket Crossing, 1969 North 1250 Road. Be sure to sample the Vignoles, Dry Reds and Fado port wine in the tasting room, then pick up Christmas gifts such as stained glass, jewelry and crafts by local artists.
At nearby Davenport Winery, 1394 E 1900 Road, ask about the wines aged in oak barrels such as Norton, Ruslan, and Cayuga White. If you prefer sweet fruit wines, try the Apple, Blackberry, Peche, Poire, Bonne Pomme or Rhubarb. Charlotte's Red, a sweet red wine, is their best-seller.
Some of the Davenport wines also are available at Matrot Castle, 6424 S.W. Huntoon, in Topeka. Enter the winery on the north side of the castle and follow the stairs into the wine cellar. A special Matrot wine bears a souvenir label featuring an artist's rendering of the castle.
Clustered within a 10-mile stretch are Basehor's Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery at 8807 158th St., and Kansas City's Wyldewood Cellars at 1843 Village West Parkway and the Wine Barn at 2850 North 119th St. At Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, sample Cynthiana wine, which won one of the winery's three prestigious Jefferson Cup Awards. Here, 10 grape varieties produce 15 distinct wines that have won numerous domestic and international awards and medals. Schedule your trip around one of the Murder Mystery Dinners in December.
Just minutes away is the Wine Barn that offers the Racing Adventure and Legendary Rose' wines honoring the neighboring Kansas Speedway and Legends Shopping Center. Customers also favor the Chocolate Raspberry wine which combines the fruity berry flavor of raspberry with velvety chocolate overtones. For a special holiday dinner, try the Holiday, St. Vincent, Norton or the signature wine, the international competition award winning Apple Pear.
Sampling the wine here is a unique experience; from two menus you select six wines that are poured into six regular wine glasses for you to leisurely enjoy in the tasting room. Be sure to also try the crackers and chips with the special dip made with wine, then pick up a bottle stopper or other item for your wine lover's Christmas gift.
The signature line at Wyldewood Cellars is Elderberry, from the sweet to the very dry. Be sure to taste the warmed Spiced Wine, a sweet Elderberry with cinnamon and clove that won the national competition to be the official wine of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. Traminette, a semi-dry white grape wine, and Prairie Sunshine, a semi-sweet wine with a blend of three grapes also are popular.
The winery that has won 500 international wine competitions is located in Mulvane. If you miss the retail store in Kansas City, there's another in Paxico if you're traveling west along interstate. Be sure to check out the store's jellies and syrups that taste just like grandma used to make.