Prairie Hawk Vineyards & Winery

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 08, 2011

Favorite Wine: Cynthiana

Please be aware I gave the wine only 3 stars because I want to leave room for the future improvements I anticipate from these winemakers. Now to the review: Oh this winery is going to be fun. It is very much in its infancy. The future looks bright though based on the enthusiasm, ambitious goals and good tasting initial offerings. Yes, the wines have a way to go and no wines are oaked here yet. But for a first run and all being non-oaked, we can see where these winemakers are headed. Their first offerings are just that. But they're much better than first offerings we've had at other local Nebraska and Iowa wineries. Of the whites I liked the sweet (but not too sweet, had some acidic balance to it) Smith and Jones Special. Of the reds we liked the Cynthiana best. (My wife commented that it was the best Cynthiana she has tasted.) It was a little sweeter than I would usually go for but it was definitely good. For me its nose was just wonderful. None of the reds were oaked yet as the winery is just trying to get going. Yet they showed unusual promise. I liked the Norton as an unusual one for me being unoaked. I liked the blend Old Number 9. The winemaker liked the organic Geneva Red 7. Upon first sip, I was like ooh that is different and not in a good way. However, it grew on me. I like the adventuresomeness the winemakers here are showing and they have obvious skills to be further honed. They have a St. Croix apparently to be released soon that was quite promising. The variety is new to us and we have been a little slow to become accustomed to it. But Prairie Hawk's St. Croix is the best we've tried so far. The location handy and the potential to develop a nice outdoor patio are to be much anticipated. The tasting room is done very tastefully (pun intended). I plan to visit this winery more and revel in its development. I anticipate my ratings will have to be revised upward as time goes on. ADDENDUM: At home a couple months later we opened the Chambourcin. Very nice. Definitely a 3 star.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 07, 2011

Favorite Wine: Old Number 9, Prairie Song, Smith and Jones.....

My favorite winery! The owner is personable and fun.