Junto Vineyards
Grape Varieties Grown @ Junto
Chambourcin
Frontenac
Marquette
Petite Pearl
St. Croix
Cayuga
Edelweiss
Front. Blanc
Vignoles
Our vineyard
Our first acre was planted in 2011, followed by 3 more acres in 2012, and 4 additional acres planted in 2016. We now grow about eight acres of nine different cold-hardy hybrid grape varieties. Developed to handle cold climates, these grapes are not only tough, they are capable of producing unique world-class wines.
Seasons in the Vineyard
Pruning & Bottling
Season: January - April
Beginning early in the year, every vine grown at Junto is hand-pruned. This needs to be done before bud-break (usually by late April). This is also typically the time we bottle our wines from last seasons harvest.
Maintenance & training
Season: May - July
After bud break we spend our time managing the growth of our vines. We apply nutrients, prevent diseases and pests, and train the vines as they grow; all for the sake of maximizing fruit quality. By the end of July we cover our vineyard in bird netting to keep the birds from eating our grapes as they ripen.
Harvest
Season: August & September
Harvest begins in early August with our Edelweiss grapes. All grapes at Junto are harvested by hand. After harvest, the grapes are immediately crushed and the winemaking process begins. We harvest one or two varieties nearly every week from August through September (or early October).
fermentations & aging
Season: October - December
After harvest our focus shifts from the vineyard to the winery. We spend the winter finishing fermentations, blending wines (if desired), clarifying the wine, and preparing the wine for bottling. In January we start the cycle again, and the circle of life continues!
RED VARIETIES GROWN @ JUNTO
Chambourcin
Red wine grape variety
The Chambourcin grape is one of the oldest varieties still used in Nebraska red wines. The vines are a challenge to grow in our climate, but the grapes produce arguably some of the best Nebraska wines.
Harvest Time:
Mid September​
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Brix @ Harvest:
21 - 24
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Typically found in Junto Wines:
Amity, Polly S
WHITE varieties grown @ Junto
Cayuga
White wine grape variety
Cayuga is capable of producing world class wine. It's not as cold-hardy as many of our other varieties and therefore they're not nearly as widely planted in Nebraska. However, we've been fortunate and Cayuga has consistently been one of our biggest producers. These grapes make excellent lighter white wines.
Harvest Time:
Mid to Late August​
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Brix @ Harvest:
17 - 21
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Typically found in Junto Wines:
Cayuga (straight variety), C-Note, Whitehall
