Grape and Wine

Kansas continues to emerge as one of the most exciting wine-producing regions in the country. There currently are 22 licensed wineries producing more than 50,000 gallons of wine and providing a popular agritourism adventure for Kansans and out-of-state visitors alike. Kansas vintners have received more than 300 international awards for their wines in recent years, often drawing comparisons to the celebrated wines of California's Napa Valley and the Finger Lakes region in New York. Their wines are made with Kansas grapes, fruits and other products.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Commerce work together to support this growing industry by developing workshops and promotional events like the popular wine judging at the Kansas State Fair. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints a Grape and Wine Industry Council to advise the him and other state agencies on the industry's initiatives, problems and needs. Dennis Reynolds of Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery in Paola is the current chair of that group.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture also maintains a website where growers of sensitive crops such as grapes, cotton and organic crops can register their location in an effort to avoid damage caused by some commonly used pesticides. The department works with industry to educate others about sensitive crops and avoid chemical drift. To learn more, visit our Sensitive Crops page. 

For those interested in starting and operating a winery in Kansas, we have developed a Farm Winery Licensing fact sheet that addresses frequently asked questions.

Kansas Wineries