From the Road: Journal Entries from the Campaign Trail

Last Chance Winery Proves Critics Wrong
2006-03-31

Last Chance Winery Manager Michael Black got his start making wine out in California. So we he decided to open a world-class winery in Western, Nebraska, some of his old friends from the wine business were quick to tell him it couldn’t be done. But Black knew better. And today, as he serves up tasting portions in the Crawford-based winery, he gets a kick out of telling visitors just how wrong his critics were.

"We’re making wine out of the grapes that the wine snobs say you can’t make good wine out of," a grinning Black said during a recent visit.

But the path to success wasn’t without its bumps. To begin with, there are few USDA supports to encourage grape growers in Nebraska. But Black teamed up with agriculture innovators Deb and Don Cox, who were among the first to successfully cultivate grapes in the Sandhills region. Today, Last Chance Winery wines are made with 100 percent Nebraska-grown grapes. Black said this has proved to be one of his greatest marketing advantages.

"People are really loyal to Nebraska," Black said, pointing out that his Crawford wine shop also sells other Nebraska made products -- like jams and honeys -- and even displays the work of local Nebraska artists.

Black expects the winery to post its first profit this year. Annual production increased from 2,500 gallons in 2004 to 4,000 gallons in 2005. It should hit 6,000 gallons this year. Black, who sells his wine to small town grocers across the district, plans to open a second wine shop and tasting room in Chadron soon.

To learn more about Last Chance Winery, go to: http://www.thelastchancewinery.com/

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