Originally aired on YPR’s Flavors Under the Big Sky
In Big Sky country, Mother Nature shares her deepest emotions. Those who work the land here face challenges not found in other parts of the country. When an individual makes the choice to grow grapes in Montana, the decision requires the need to embrace and tackle the whims of Mother and her nature. Her moods, unfortunately, are not completely conducive to grape growing. Subzero temperatures, early frost and late ripening are some of the challenges.
Yellowstone Cellars and Winery in Billings made the decision to buy grapes from Washington to make their wines while Tongue River Winery creates their ferments from fruit grown on their property and purchasing grapes when necessary. For the wines made at Willow Mountain Winery in Corvalis, the majority of grapes come from their own land, but they continue to have the need to supplement their own harvest…