Stephen and Kristin Graue - local winemakers

Stephen and Kristin Graue’s odyssey into the art of winemaking came about in part because of a horse.

When Stephen was looking into where to stable the horse he planned to buy for his daughter, his wife, Kristin, suggested they buy land instead. So the couple bought 32 acres in Louisburg, Kansas, an idyllic spot in which to build a house, let a horse run, and live happily ever after.

Kristin and Stephen Graue

But, Stephen’s daughter lost interest as soon as they bought the horse. The horse turned out to be claustrophobic and wouldn’t stay in the barn they built. Kristin designed a house for them to live in on the new property, but a microburst blew it down when it was half built. They tried growing pecan trees on the land but they all froze.

Such a beginning, while challenging, never beat them down. They eventually got their house built, the horse became the family pet, and the barn was used to store whatever needed to be stored.

They were still unsure what to do with their property, until the day Kristin discovered the remains of some old grape vines and a hedge-row trellis on the property. The prospect of vineyards intrigued them. “I always liked wine,” Stephen said, “so on a trip to St. Louis, we stopped at wineries and I asked questions about the business.”

They were interested enough that Stephen, a human resources director for construction companies, attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s winemaking school at Whisky Run Creek Winery. Kristin studied winemaking through the Viticulture, Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) program, and continues to work full time at a social services agency.

“It was kind of a gradual thing,” Kristin said. They spent the next years learning about the business, renovating the barn, buying equipment and making mistakes. “Our first harvest, the birds ate all of the grapes,” Kristin said. They learned to put netting up after that. Another harvest was killed by a deep hard freeze, something they can’t do a lot about.

Stephen and Kristin spent hours before and after work, and weekends, planting, harvesting, and experimenting with wine formulas. Stephen retired last year to devote more time to the winemaking business. “Now I do the same thing but don’t get as much done,” he said.

Graue Vineyards is comprised of two adjacent vineyards, growing Cayuga, Traminette, Norton, Vignoles, Chambourcin, St Pepin, Chardonel and Muscat grapes. The Graues supplement by buying additional grapes, as well as much of the fruit they use to make fruit and mead wines. They do their own harvesting, crushing and bottling.

Making wine is hard work, and time consuming. “It takes a couple of years for us to get comfortable with the taste,” Stephen said, referring to the process before they offer a wine for sale. They opened the winery to the public in October, 2010.

Peach wine is a favorite of their customers. “They love the peach wine,” Kristin said. “It was featured at the Kansas State Fair last year.” Their wines have won nine awards, including a silver medal at last year’s Mid-America Wine Competition.

“We offer a full range of wines from dry reds and whites to sweeter styles, something for all palates,” Kristin said. Fruit wines, depending on harvest and availability, include apple, peach and blackberry.

Middle Creek Wines

“We’re in a transitional period right now,” Stephen said. “It’s a small mom and pop operation, and we want to keep control of it. But the business is telling us we need more wine, more employees, because it’s growing.”

Part of that growth involves a new endeavor. The Graues bought an old general store in New Lancaster, Kansas, approximately 367^th Street west of Metcalf. It was built in 1874 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They have been renovating the building, and plan to open it in July. “It will feature Kansas-made products,” Kristin said. That includes cheeses and Middle Creek wine of course.

Middle Creek Winery and Graue Vineyards, 4353 W. 351^st St., is a member of the Somerset Wine trail, and is open to visitors from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. You can find more information by visiting www.middlecreekwinery.com or on Facebook.