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456 Wineries Open House Set for October 5 in Wamego
published September 20, 2019The Highland Community College viticulture and enology program has a new home at 456-Wineries in Wamego, Kansas. The winery, the latest addition to the program near the Wamego campus, will serve not only as the home of Highland Vineyards and Winery, LLC, but it will also serve as an incubator space for new vintners. An open house for 456-Wineries is scheduled on October 5, 2019 from noon to 6 p.m. that day. Customers can sample wine varieties, tour the facility, learn about the program, and receive a 25% discount on apparel.
Scott Kohl, Director of the V&E program at Highland said, “this space will allow up-and-coming winemakers in Kansas a place to start in the booming wine business without the high cost of start-up. Equipment, advice, and resources will be shared between the Highland and the incubator tenants. It is our goal to help wineries begin operations, build clientele and inventory, and then eventually move on to become stand-alone wineries, making room for new entrepreneurs to move in and get started.”
“We hope to not only facilitate student growth but also the opportunity for new business in the region,” said Deborah Fox, President of Highland Community College.
456-Wineries will not only feature incubator space but a tasting room as well. Each winery will have wines available to sample and sell.
“Guests will be able to not only sample Highland wine but every tenant in the incubator. Plus, this is the first time that our wine will be available to the public for purchase,” Kohl said of the set-up.
Tenants currently include Highland Vineyards & Winery and Bodine Wine Company out of Osage County Kansas.
Brothers Bob and Joe Bodine noted, “eight years ago, we decided to combine our interest in wine and winemaking with our desire to diversify our farm. We planted a small vineyard and pursued viticulture and enology education through Highland Community College. The fantastic opportunity to open a small winery in 456-Wineries was too good to miss.”
Highland Community College began offering Associate of Science and Technical Certificate programs available in both Viticulture and Enology in Fall 2010. Students and faculty have developed 7 vintages of wine with more to come in the new space.
To learn more about the incubator and tasting room visit www.456wineries.com or www.highlandcc.edu/pages/grapes.
