Everyone from the young to the old, and from stay-at-home moms to CEOs, like Victor Hogstrom of KCPT, enjoys the harvest.
Wine
Pluck, Quaff and Mingle
Somerset Ridge Winery hosts dedicated volunteers for its tri-annual harvest.
BY
Gloria Gale
PHOTOGRAPHY
James Maidhof

Just off the beaten path, settled into a slice of Miami County, lies an unexpected delight. For a moment you might think you’re in Napa or Sonoma. Surprisingly, the vista is strangely similar: rolling green hillsides; vines heavy with fruit; even the sky, a coastal blue.

But no rocky shores are remotely close to these hills — you’re in the middle of Kansas, surrounded by 100 or so like-minded souls who have come for the harvest at Somerset Ridge Winery.

Fortunate volunteers, many who sign up a year in advance, anticipate picking the annual bounty. Some are veterans returning yearly while others are new, delighted to participate in what hardly seems like work.

Somerset Ridge Winery
Five thousand grape vines spread across more than eight acres.

Eight fertile acres brimming with approximately 5,000 organically maintained grapevines are the pride of Dennis and Cindy Reynolds, award-winning vintners of this Louisburg, Kan.-based winery. “We were always visiting vineyards here and abroad. Little by little, we educated ourselves, ordered a few vines, and now making wine has become our passion. We are amazed that from the spring of l998 this venture has grown into a full-time family business,” Cindy says.

Others recognize the ‘can-do’ attitude the couple conveys during the harvest, evidenced by the crowd of old and young alike, all with busy hands, harvesting and hauling. “We have seen this business grow from the beginning, lending a hand when our family’s kids were small,” says Karen and John Yungmeyer, neighborhood friends of the Reynoldses. “It’s truly a life-stream event now and we are delighted to see how it’s evolved.”

Not only are the Reynoldses dedicated to sustainable farming methods tending and pruning their vineyard ecologically, they are garnering a bevy of awards showcasing their delicious hand-picked bounty.

wine pouring at Somerset Ridge Winery
Cindy pours a glass of wine and
explains its character to participants.
The Reynoldses proudly acknowledge their hard work is starting to be recognized. Last December they were honored to compete in the Sixth Annual Jefferson Cup Invitational as one of a select number of American wines invited to what is known as the Olympics of Wine. Of the fifty-eight wines invited, their Ruby Red was awarded as the Jefferson Cup Honoree and their Ruby Port collected tribute as the “American Example of Greatness.”

Once the vines are bare and the buckets collected, the Reynoldses show their appreciation by serving up some gourmet creations by Cindy’s mom, Kay Tucker. Congenial company, hearty food, and heavenly tasting of the winery’s eight varieties pay respect to all attendees.

“We always toast our dedicated group of volunteers who make our job so much easier,” Dennis says.

The harvest is in the vats with the 2006 pride about to age. “Ce Ce Carlson of Orrick, Mo. expresses her sentiments: “What a great way to spend a Saturday. Though this was my first time, it’s hopefully not the last. My high school buddies and I will surely be back.”

Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery, 29725 Somerset Road Somerset, Kan., 913/491-0038, somersetridge.com.