Customer Reviews

Along the Grapevine Trail: Vineyards and Wineries in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska

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Starley Talbott's Along the Grapevine Trail is a delightful and informative book. As a northern California transplant now living in northern Colorado, I had no idea that there were vineyards and wineries in the Northern Great Plains. How is this possible? This is a very harsh climate. I learned that the most popular cold-weather grape, the Frontenac, was introduced in 1996 and it is hardy to -30° Fahrenheit!

No less than twenty-five vineyards and wineries are profiled. Each profile includes unique information about the operation. Talbott has certainly done her homework. In addition to viticultural and vinicultural details, readers are treated to local history, geography, and even geology. There is a lot of history because many of the locations fall along the Pony Express, Oregon, California, and Mormon trails. The author provides lovely color photographs for each location.

Along the Grapevine Trail includes maps, an appendix that lists contact information for 85 vineyards and wineries in the three states, a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and a very helpful index. The book is printed on coated paper and the photographs are in color. It will easily fit in the glove compartment of your car.

All in all, this book provides a fascinating perspective on a new wine region. The Napa Valley has its Silverado Trial, the Spey Valley in Scotland has its Whisky Trail, now the Northern Plains has its Grapevine Trail. I look forward to exploring the Grapevine Trail with this book in hand.

We have given this book as a gift. It is thorough as well as fun for us novices. The book is as true and pure as Starley.

This book brought to mind the tongue in cheek motto of what I believe is the upper midwest's oldest vineyard, Alexis Bailly Vineyards in Hastings, MN: "where the grapes can suffer."

But you have to admire the pioneering spirit of the 85 growers and vintners profiled in this excellent little guide book. A highly unlikely region, though rich in history, producing some very interesting and drinkable wines.

The pioneering spirit extends to the grapes used. Unusual and old world varietals such as Marechal Foch, and new world varietals developed to withstand the harsh climate, such as Frontenac (developed by scientists at the University of Minnesota).

The book contains a wealth of information not only on the profiled vintners, but also the viticulture and viniculture, along with welcome tangents into the regions history, geography, and geology. A useful travel guide for the region and its unlikely wineries.