Best 12 Wineries in Kansas: Top Picks for Wine Lovers
Kansas may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about wine, but it is home to a growing number of wineries and vineyards that offer some of the best wine in the country. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or just looking for a fun weekend activity, Kansas has something for everyone. From award-winning wineries to scenic vineyards, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Bourgmont Winery, located in Bucyrus, is one of the top wineries in Kansas. They locally plant and source their wines with great care and attention, providing visitors with a unique and high-quality experience. Oz Winery, located in Wamego, is another popular winery that offers a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, and fruit wines. They also have a tasting room and gift shop for visitors to enjoy.
Kansas is also home to several scenic vineyards that offer stunning views and delicious wine. Jefferson Hill Vineyard & Guest House, located in McLouth, is a popular destination for weddings and events. They offer a wide variety of wines and a beautiful setting for visitors to enjoy. Overall, Kansas is a great destination for wine lovers looking for a unique and memorable experience.
Kansas Wine History
Kansas has a long and interesting history of winemaking. The state’s nickname, the “Sunflower State,” reflects its long-standing agricultural heritage, which includes viticulture. Prior to Prohibition, Kansas was one of the top grape-growing areas in the country. However, Prohibition and decades of strict restrictions on alcohol hampered the Kansas wine industry’s rebound.
The Kansas wine industry began to revive in the 1980s when the state government passed a law allowing wineries to operate. Since then, the industry has grown steadily, with more than 40 wineries currently operating in the state.
Kansas wineries produce a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, and rosés. Many wineries specialize in producing wines from grapes that are well-suited to the state’s climate and soil, such as Chambourcin, Norton, and Vignoles.
In recent years, the Kansas wine industry has gained recognition for its high-quality wines. In 2019, a Kansas winery won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in the world.
Kansas Wine Regions
Kansas is home to several wine regions, each with its unique characteristics and wine varietals. In this section, we will explore the three main wine regions in Kansas: Western Kansas, Northeast Kansas, and Northwest Kansas.
Western Kansas
Western Kansas is known for its rolling hills that provide excellent soil for growing grapes. The region is characterized by its hot, dry summers and cold winters, making it ideal for growing hardy grape varietals such as Norton and Chambourcin. Some of the wineries in Western Kansas include Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery, Oz Winery, and Grace Hill Winery.
Northeast Kansas
Northeast Kansas is characterized by its lush forests and fertile soil, making it suitable for growing a wide variety of grape varietals. The region is home to several wineries, including BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery, and Glaciers Edge Winery. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, and other events at these wineries.
Northwest Kansas
Northwest Kansas is known for its vast open spaces and unique climate, making it an ideal location for growing grapes. The region is home to several wineries, including Prairie Fire Winery, Shiloh Vineyard & Winery, and Wild Horse Winery. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of wine tastings and events at these wineries.
In addition to these three main wine regions, Kansas is also home to several cities with vibrant wine scenes, including Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence. Visitors can explore the city’s wineries, attend wine festivals, and enjoy a range of wine-related activities.
Famous Kansas Wineries
Kansas has a thriving wine industry, with many wineries producing award-winning wines. Here are some of the most famous Kansas wineries that are worth a visit.
Grace Hill Winery
Located in Whitewater, Grace Hill Winery is a family-owned winery that produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2018. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, tours, and live music events at the winery.
Website: http://gracehillwinery.com/
Address: 6310 S Grace Hill Rd, Whitewater, KS 67154, United States
Shiloh Vineyard
Shiloh Vineyard is a boutique winery located in WaKeeney that specializes in producing small batches of high-quality wines. The winery offers a variety of wines, including red, white, and dessert wines. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery.
Website: http://www.shilohvineyard.com/
Address: 16079 M Road, WaKeeney, KS 67672, United States
Stone Pillar
Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery is located in Olathe and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2017. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://stonepillarvineyard.com/
Address: 11000 S Woodland St, Olathe, KS 66061, United States
Rosewood Winery
Rosewood Winery is located in Paola and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2015. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://rosewoodcreations.com/winery
Address: 1171 SW 20 Rd, Pawnee Rock, KS 67567, United States
Crooked Post Winery
Crooked Post Winery is located in Ozawkie and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2016. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://www.crookedpostwinery.com/
Address: 7397 K, KS-92, Ozawkie, KS 66070, United States
Oz Winery
Oz Winery is located in Wamego and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2014. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://www.ozwinerykansas.com/
Address: 417 Lincoln Ave, Wamego, KS 66547, United States
Liquid Art Winery
Liquid Art Winery is located in Manhattan and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2019. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: https://www.liquidartwinery.com/
Address: 1745 Wildcat Creek Rd, Manhattan, KS 66503, United States
White Tail Run Winery
White Tail Run Winery is located in Edgerton and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2013. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://www.whitetailrunwinery.com/
Address: 2327 N 400 Rd, Edgerton, KS 66021, United States
Prairie Fire Winery
Prairie Fire Winery is located in Paxico and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2012. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://www.prairiefirewinery.com/
Address: 20250 Hudson Ranch Rd, Paxico, KS 66526, United States
Bluejacket Crossing Vineyard
Bluejacket Crossing Vineyard is located in Eudora and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2011. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: https://bluejacketwinery.com/
Address: 1969 N 1250th Rd, Eudora, KS 66025, United States
Isinglass Estate
Isinglass Estate is located in Leavenworth and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including the Governor’s Cup for Best Kansas Wine in 2020. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://www.isinglass-estate.com/
Address: 16241 381th St, Lacygne, KS 66040, United States
Bourgmont Winery
Bourgmont Winery is located in Bucyrus and produces a variety of wines, including red, white, and fruit wines. The winery has won numerous awards for its wines, including a Gold Medal at the Mid-American Wine Competition. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and events at the winery, including live music and food pairings.
Website: http://bourgmont.com/
Address: 20299 Quivira Rd, Bucyrus, KS 66013, United States
Kansas Wine Varieties
Kansas is home to a variety of wine grapes that are well-suited to the state’s climate and soil. Some of the most popular varieties include reds, whites, Chambourcin, seyval blanc, Vignoles, chardonel, fruit wines, and dessert wines.
Reds
Kansas is known for producing rich, full-bodied red wines that are perfect for pairing with hearty meat dishes. Some of the most popular red wine grapes grown in the state include Norton, Chambourcin, and St. Vincent.
Whites
Kansas also produces a range of crisp, refreshing white wines that are perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. Some of the most popular white wine grapes grown in the state include Seyval Blanc, Vignoles, and Chardonel.
Chambourcin
Chambourcin is a red wine grape that is well-suited to Kansas’s climate and soil. This grape produces a medium-bodied wine with a deep, rich color and a complex flavor profile that includes notes of dark fruit, chocolate, and spice.
Seyval Blanc
Seyval Blanc is a white wine grape that is popular in Kansas due to its ability to thrive in cooler climates. This grape produces a light-bodied wine with a crisp, clean taste and a refreshing finish.
Vignoles
Vignoles is another popular white wine grape in Kansas. This grape produces a medium-bodied wine with a sweet, fruity flavor and a floral aroma.
Chardonel
Chardonel is a hybrid grape that is well-suited to Kansas’s climate and soil. This grape produces a full-bodied white wine with a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth finish.
Fruit Wines
In addition to traditional grape wines, Kansas is also known for its fruit wines. Some of the most popular fruit wines in the state include blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry.
Dessert Wines
Kansas is also home to a variety of dessert wines, which are perfect for pairing with a sweet treat. Some of the most popular dessert wines in the state include port-style wines, ice wines, and late-harvest wines.
Overall, Kansas is a great destination for wine lovers, with a wide variety of wine grapes and styles to explore.
Wine Tasting Experiences
Kansas is home to some of the best wineries in the country, offering unique wine-tasting experiences for visitors. Wine lovers can try and buy a variety of wines, enjoy picnics, and attend events at many of these wineries.
Visitors can take a stroll through the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process while sipping on some of the best wines in the region. Most wineries offer guided tours of the vineyards and winemaking facilities, providing a great opportunity to learn about the history of winemaking in Kansas.
Wine-tasting experiences in Kansas are not just limited to trying different wines. Visitors can also enjoy cheese and charcuterie plates that pair perfectly with the wines. Many wineries offer live music events, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind with friends and family.
For those who want to enjoy a light meal with their wine, several wineries offer paninis and other light bites. Visitors can also bring their own picnic baskets and enjoy a picnic in the vineyards with a bottle of their favorite wine.
Awards and Recognition
Kansas wineries have made a name for themselves on the national and international stage, winning numerous awards and accolades for their high-quality wines. These awards and recognitions are a testament to the skill and dedication of the state’s winemakers and the ideal climate and fertile soils that make Kansas an excellent place for growing grapes.
Many Kansas wineries have won national awards, including the prestigious Governor’s Cup, which is awarded to the best wine in the state. Some of the most notable winners of the Governor’s Cup include Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery, which won the award in 2020 for its 2018 Seyval Blanc, and Grace Hill Winery, which won the award in 2019 for its 2017 Chambourcin.
Kansas wineries have also received recognition on the international stage, winning awards at competitions such as the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Some of the most award-winning Kansas wines include the Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, Vignoles, and Chardonel.
In addition to these national and international awards, Kansas wineries have also won numerous regional and local awards, including awards from the Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association and the Kansas City International Wine Competition. These awards and recognitions help to showcase the diversity and quality of Kansas wines and highlight the state’s growing wine industry.
Overall, Kansas wineries have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the wine world, producing award-winning wines that are recognized both nationally and internationally. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a great bottle to enjoy with friends, Kansas wineries have something to offer everyone.