Description
Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery originated in 1991 when the founders, Steven Jennings and Kay Bloom, hand-planted the first plants on one acre in Salina, Kan. In 2009, the family-owned business became the largest grape producing farm winery in the state of Kansas. The new Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery came about when the second generation, Norm and Jen Jennings, contacted fellow wine-enthusiast and vineyard owner, George Plante, to see if he would be interested in taking over the beloved business so they could pursue their passion in ministries. Having fallen in love with wine since first tasting River Valley Red, George knew this was an opportunity he could not pass up - to further embark on his passion of winemaking. George has owned and operated his own vineyard, White Cross Vineyard in Lindsborg, Kan., since 2004. Ironically, Brock Ebert, George’s son-in-law, has always had an interest in winemaking and worked at Fields of Fair Winery in Paxico, Kan., as a teenager. The Jennings passed on the well-established craft to the new family artisans in November 2012. The new Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery currently farms not only eight acres at the Smoky Hill Estate Vineyard and three acres at White Cross Vineyard, but also six acres at Long Vineyard in Salina, Kan. George and his wife, Jeanna, along with his daughter, Nicki, and her husband, Brock, are dedicated to carrying on the Smoky Hill mission and philosophy: “To produce world-class wines indicative of our region of central Kansas” and “To honor God in all that we do. To provide products and services that exceed the expectations of all.” After attending college, pursuing their careers and establishing their own family, Brock and Nicki relocated to Lindsborg, Kan., to become co-owners/operators of the winery. They want to maintain the local family-owned and operated tradition that was established by the founders so many years ago.