Making Great Wine In The Great Plains

By Steve Kraske,

Luke X. Martin

Published August 25, 2017 at 3:00 PM CDT

Holy-Field includes about 17 acres of wine grapes, co-owner Michelle Meyer tells Steve Kraske. "Most of the vineyards in Missouri and Kansas are growing French hybrids because [of] their cold hardiness and they're conducive to our climate."

It's Friday and we're celebrating the end of the work week with a nice glass of wine and a live broadcast from Holy-Field Winery in Basehor, Kansas. Today, we speak with master sommelier Doug Frost and three vintners from Missouri and Kansas about what it takes to grow great grapes and make marvelous wine in the Midwest. It's not as easy as you might think!

L-R: Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery's Chambourcin, Late Harvest Vignoles, Valvin Muscat

The wine we sampled during the broadcast includes:

Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery — Chambourcin
Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery — Late Harvest Vignoles
Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery — Valvin Muscat

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

See stories by Luke X. Martin