TerraVox Vineyards Sees High Quality and Larger Yields in 2023
September 19th – (Kansas City, MO) — TerraVox Vineyards Winemaker Jean Louis Horvilleur and his crew of harvesters are nearly halfway through the 2023 grape harvest and already it appears to Horvilleur that the 2023 vintage will be both higher quality and larger than in 2022…assuming the weather holds. The winery located just outside Kansas City is currently 40% finished harvesting its 14 acres of native North American grapes that will be used to produce its Flagship Norton as well as a number of other wines.
Although the late spring and early summer brought both wet and hot temperatures to the vineyards, TerraVox welcomed a drier than normal August that helped ripen up grapes that were two to four weeks late in ripening. He expects TerraVox to finish up the 2023 harvest by mid-October.
The TerraVox vineyards are unique in that they grow almost entirely all native North American grape varieties. While 15% of their vineyard is planted to the Norton grape, most is planted to grapes such as Albania, Cloeta, Hidalgo, Munch, Starks’s Star, Wetumka, and numerous other grape varieties advancing its mission to uncover the native North American grapes best suited to form the foundation of an indigenous United States wine culture.
“Because we grow so many different types of grapes here at TerraVox, our picking schedule can be hectic and unpredictable,” notes Horvilieur. “When you combine the 40 or so different types of grapes that all ripen on their own schedule along with the unpredictability of Mother Nature, this time of year can be a chaotic stop and start race to the finish.”
Most recently, TerraVox’s efforts were rewarded with a Best of Class Award for its 2021 Lot 3 Norton at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the third time its Norton was awarded this designation in four years. Additionally, TerraVox’s unique selection of indigenous American grapes has been spotlighted in the recent documentary “Vitis Prohibita” as well as by WineBusiness, The Independent, best-selling wine writer Karen MacNeil as well as in a number of articles and podcast episodes.
“Between now and the end of October visitors to the winery will be able to stand on the balcony of the winery and likely watch a crew of harvesters carefully pick grapes from the vines,” says Horvilieur. “Harvest is busy for any winery, but it’s the best time of the year to visit because you can see the magic happening from vineyard to winemaking.”
ABOUT TERRAVOX
TerraVox Vineyards is located about 30 minutes northwest of Kansas City. Founded in 1996 by Missouri native Jerry Eisterhold, the winery’s mission is to produce delicious and unique Missouri wines that showcase the world-class wines that can be produced from heirloom grapes native to North America. To learn more about TerraVox or book an appointment at the winery visit: https://terravox.wine.
