Sage Hill

Confession:  we may be addicted to buying Groupons and the like.  

One of said Groupons was for an overnight stay, wine tasting, kayak rental, and a meal (which we did not get, but it didn't matter...I'll tell you why) at Sage Hill Vineyard and Winery in Parks, Nebraska.  

Parks?  Yup Parks, like almost to Kansas and/or Colorado. 

"I've never heard of Parks" you say...but yes you have, it's where that Amtrak train derailed.

 Ok, but to be honest, it is also in the middle of nowhere in the BEST possible way.    We left Lincoln for a long weekend and headed west.  We left the boys at the cabin with mom & dad and hit the road past Benkleman...off the highway and onto a gravel road... you go through/past Parks, and eventually you turn off the gravel road, cross the cattle guard and enter a well worn path in the pasture. (insert comment by Jess about being embarrassed that we are driving the Prius in a pasture).  

As you enter the pasture you look to your right and see a vineyard and a couple buildings at the end of your path.  It is breathtaking.

I've not been to "big sky country" in Texas, but this is what I imagine it feeling like.  Finally I was somewhere that I could look and there were no power lines, no fence lines, and no trees; I was able to imagine what it was like to be a pioneer (a pioneer in a Prius, might I remind you). 

 

The view of Rock Creek.

When we got to the vineyard, we were greeted by Carol and sat down in the tasting room.  They had friends and some family visiting as well and we were welcomed as if we too were long time friends.  Carol began our tasting, which would last into the evening.  It was perfect weather for September and we were able to sit out on the patio for the evening with the Walkers and their friends.  

 

Sunset over the vineyard

We were also able to tour the vineyard and the winery with Hal and Carol.  Hal took us through the different varieties of grapes that they grow (I'll get to them soon) and described how the vineyard has grown over the years.  We then headed inside and they showed us where they make the wine. 

We even got to help make the wine.  Hal and Carol taught us how to "punch the cap".  This is the process of pushing down the fruit that has been lifted to the surface by the release of CO₂.  This is something that is done multiple times per day.  It is also hard work because there is tremendous gas pressure under the grapes that you are trying to release and I'm a WIMP.    

The Walkers spent the evening telling us about their decision to start growing grapes, and the evolution of Sage Hill.  We also discussed fish hatching as they live on the state fish hatchery.  I was happy to be able to bring back some fish news to Dad.

As I previously mentioned, our stay was to include dinner, but that was part of the kayak rental portion of the groupon and because we were using ours in September, "Kayak Jack" was not doing the dinner portion of the deal.  That did not matter because we were treated to some summer sausage from the Wurst-Haus in Eustus.  Sage Hill is beginning to partner with the guys from Eustus and that was part of our conversation that evening.

We had a fantastic evening before retiring to the Winemaker's Loft.  Hal told us part of the decision to build the loft was as an incentive to get a power line run to the winery...remember, no other power-lines in the view.  I'll come back to the loft, because as great as it was, I want to move onto the grapes.     

When we were up and going the next morning Jess and I went out and walked the vineyard again...this time in full daylight.  Jess had hoped to see a turkey to shoot while we were walking and we had heard some that morning, but we never saw any to shoot at the vineyard.  Hal said he'd be happy to have Jess shoot a turkey there, but if he was going to he was supposed to shoot ten. 

They grow five varieties of grapes and purchase grapes from other vineyards in the state (and neighboring states) to produce their wines. 

 

Makes the Seyval Blanc, by far my favorite white. It was a real treat to taste as they are sold out until Feb. 2012!

"Little Red"

The only one with grapes still on the vine. 

We were able to taste the Chambourcin both as grapes and as last year's wine.  We brought it and several other bottles home.    

I also learned that morning that cats are far more difficult to photograph than children... if you can photograph a cat: quit your day job, buy a new camera, you have a future as a photographer!

I also learned what wild sage looks like.  Unsurprisingly, the hills around the vineyard are covered in sage. 

Everything at the winery is beautiful and the planters were so full of color.  Not what you may expect considering that the place is in the arid corner of the state. 

 

 ...Oh yeah, the loft.  I told you I'd get to it!

As I mentioned before, they put a potential residence above the winery in order to help bring power to the winery, so you have your own apartment while you are there. 

Hal and Carol did all of the work themselves, including the quilting (Carol's handywork, not Hal's). 

We anticipated cooking supper in that evening... but as I mentioned before wine and sausage was our supper so we just made late night snacks and breakfast in our kitchen.   It is a fully functional kitchen and really equipped for most anything you want to cook.  I noticed canning supplies and a pack of sure-jel even!

 We just continued to be amazed by one thing after another on our visit.  All of the labels for the bottles are original watercolors by people that Hal and Carol know.  Several of them are done by Hal's mother.  I was really taken with the painting as you enter the loft. 

The view from the kitchen window.  

Like I mentioned before, we had kayak rentals included in our groupon.  We headed out to Rock Creek SRA that morning "the best bass lake in the state" (without any fishing gear) and paddled around.  Jess finally saw his turkey, but we were floating in the middle of the lake.  It was a fun addition to our time there, but the company, beautiful views, and outstanding wine were the highlights of our stay there.  We are anxious to go back and encourage you to check it out on a free weekend or on your way to Colorado, or wherever you may be headed out west!

If you missed the links above, here is the info again:

http://www.sagehillvineyard.com/Index.html

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This place is not to be missed!  I'm also writing about our stay with more details for Rural Nebraska Living.  I'll link when that is available.