The Underrated Wine Region In Nebraska You'll Want To Visit Again And Again
By Delana Lefevers|Published August 10, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
People seem to think that you’ve got to live in France or Napa Valley to find the perfect growing conditions for wine grapes. But Nebraska is full of great surprises, and our vineyards and wineries churn out some of the greatest wines in the Great Plains. One region that even many Nebraskans don’t think of as ideal for growing wine grapes is the Sandhills.
The Sandhills cover a large portion of the state, and although the borders are a little fuzzy (because, hey, sand goes where it wants to), this map lays out the basic location.
You might be wondering how anything can grow out here. After all, the Sandhills region was once called the "Great American Desert" and deemed completely unusable for farming. It's true that you'll find more ranches than farms out this way, but several smart grape growers have learned to tame the inhospitable conditions. Their hard work has paid off, because Sandhills wine is unlike anything else you've ever tried.
1. 17 Ranch Winery, Lewellen
17 Ranch Winery
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This vineyard and winery is actually located on a working cattle ranch. They planted their first grapes in 1999 and began making their own wine in 2006. 17 Ranch produces 3,000 gallons of delicious wines every year, and in the off season they also produce mead with honey from local beekeepers. Learn more on their website or Facebook page.
The Niobrara Valley is well known for its exceptional scenery, but did you ever imagine you could grow wine grapes there? This vineyard has been doing so since 2002, and their award-winning wines really speak for themselves. Like 17 Ranch, NVV is located on a working ranch. The land is an original homestead that's been in the family for generations. Find out more on their website or Facebook page.
We might get a little pushback on this one since not everyone considers North Platte part of the Sandhills. (Technically it's in the Loess Hills, but it is definitely on the edge of the Sandhills.) One thing that we can all agree on is that this vineyard is super scenic and produces some of Nebraska's tastiest wines on their 37 acres. Learn more on their website or Facebook page.
The Sandhills certainly seems like the unlikeliest of places to produce delicious, memorable wines, but these dedicated winemakers have made it work. The wines that come from this area are definitely unique and a must-try for any connoisseur. Did we miss any Sandhills vineyards? Let us know in the comments!
Southeastern Nebraska is the region most often associated with winemaking. If you’d like to tour a few of the many wineries there, consider taking the Southeast Nebraska Winery Trail.
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