Chamber ribbon cutting: Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery

<b>Nicki Ebert, surrounded by friends and family, uses the ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon at the Friday event. </b>Photo courtesy Ector Diaz/Salina Area Chamber of Commerce — **Nicki Ebert, surrounded by friends and family, uses the ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon at the Friday event.** Photo courtesy Ector Diaz/Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

By SALINA POST

Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery in Salina held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday in partnership with the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.

The parking lot filled up quickly as members of the community gathered from 4:30-7 p.m. to celebrate the opening of its new wine sipping room and patio space. The family-owned business, which was founded in 1991 by Steve Jennings and Kay Bloom, has become the largest grape-producing farm winery in the state of Kansas. The Jennings passed on the well-established craft to George Plante along with his daughter, Nicki, and her husband, Brock, in November of 2012.

Brock and Nicki, were thrilled to showcase their wide variety of wines, at the event, providing guests with a taste of wine made from grapes grown in north-central Kansas.

"As far as the wines go, we have everything from sweet wines to dry wines, kind of anything that you may want to try out," Ebert said. "We have a wine called 'Sweet Lady' that's a sweet white wine that a lot of people enjoy. We have some Chardonnays which are on the drier side. So we have a very wide variety. And anytime of the year we could be between 15 and 20 different varieties that are available."

<b>The re-launch event took place at the wineries new sipping room located at 2771 Centennial Road.</b> — **The re-launch event took place at the wineries new sipping room located at 2771 Centennial Road.**

"Not a lot of people know that we're from the Salina area. So we've redecorated, remodeled the entire inside of the building, make it more inviting," Ebert said. "People want to come out, sit at the table, the bar, or our lounge. Or they could enjoy a glass of wine outside on the patio. So we're really hoping that people can come out and enjoy the wine with us."

Salina Area Chamber President and CEO Renee Duxler said she was thankful the weather cooperated to make the event a success.

"Whenever the weather is as beautiful as this, we like to say it's 'Chamber Weather'," Duxler said."We are just so glad to be celebrating this addition to the many wonderful amenities we have in Salina."

Duxler also said that she is confident that people from all parts of the state will be interested in stopping by the sipping room and supporting a family owned, and operated business.

The ceremony also featured live music from Taylor Kline and food from the Chapman Take Away Food Truck, making it a truly enjoyable experience for all who attended.

<b>Chapman Take Away Food Truck Owner, Sandy Chapman said the Eberts contacted her because they tasted one of the food truck's fan favorite items, barbecue pork and mac at the fall festival last year.</b> — **Chapman Take Away Food Truck Owner, Sandy Chapman said the Eberts contacted her because they tasted one of the food truck's fan favorite items, barbecue pork and mac at the fall festival last year.**

<b>Musical artist Taylor Kline performed in front of wine tanks on display at the sipping room. </b> — **Musical artist Taylor Kline performed in front of wine tanks on display at the sipping room.**

The winery is open for tastings from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

There is no vineyard on-site; however, you can view the winery and tanks from the tasting room.