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Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery

August 9 , 2005

Mastery, mystery theatre, music, mood, and marketing are the magic words for this month’s featured destination, the Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery in Basehor, Kansas. Owners Les Meyer and his daughter, Michelle Meyer, sell all of the wine they are able to produce, and it looks like – even though they work very hard at it – they are having a great time enjoying life.

Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery covers 30 acres, with a 14-acre vineyard planted with Native American and French Hybrid varieties. The Holy-Field name comes from the street in front of the property, which was known as Holy-Field Road until the name was changed to 158th Street.

The Meyers planted the first vines in 1986, primarily for personal enjoyment. They had not envisioned operating a vineyard and winery, but as the volume increased, and their friends encouraged them, they decided to go for it. They opened the Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery to the public in 1994. For the next four years, they each continued full time jobs in Kansas City while simultaneously running the winemaking business. Finally in 1998, both were able to leave their other employment to dedicate themselves full time to Holy-Field. They now hand craft 15 different wines, and bottle approximately 6,000 gallons of wine per year in the wine cellar beneath the tasting room.

“Our emphasis is placed on growing superior grapes from our own vineyard, and this same care and commitment is blended into each bottle,” said Michelle. A major part of the year, she and her father work branch by branch, row by row, pruning the plants to assure every grape the right balance of nutrients, sunlight, and moisture. Both Les and Michelle are well tanned, with sinewy arms and hands shaped from years of pruning. They work swiftly, their hands guided by experience, with a soft conversation between them as they work from opposite sides of the row.

They work just as precisely when it comes time to harvest the grapes by hand, and press them immediately. Great care is taken to ferment, age and bottle the wine, though Les quipped, “If you can cook without a recipe, you can make wine.”

“The truth is,” Les added, “You have got to taste what it needs.” This statement shows evidence of the true nature of wine making, and the Meyer’s skill in developing a variety of fine wines. The Wine Report 2004, by Tom Stevenson, awards Holy-Field Winery a first place in “New Up and Coming Producers”, “Best Value Producers”, and “Best Bargain”, awarded for the Holy-Field Seyval Blanc 2001.

The wines of Holy-Field Winery have been distinguished with numerous international winemaking awards and medals, including winning the 2004-2005 Jefferson Cup for the Holy-Field wine, Cynthiana. The Jefferson Cup Invitational is a prestigious competition that invites gold medal wines to compete in the equivalent of a “Wine Olympics.”

One suspects in talking with them that Les and Michelle sell wine and wine accessories to make a living; but they grow the grapes, make the wine, and provide the entertainment because they enjoy this very special, relaxed lifestyle with friends and friendly customers.

The Tasting Room & Gift Shop offers a relaxed atmosphere, with a variety of very unique wine-related gifts (including both Kansas University and K-State wine glasses and champagne flutes). The fun continues into the adjoining Vineyard Room, a glass-walled banquet room overlooking the deck and vineyard that serves a liberal dose of laughter and entertainment in the form of mystery theatre, music and fun-loving mood.

For the fifth straight year, entertainer Kevin O’Brien and his cast from Upstage Productions will perform five different Murder Mysteries during the year. There is no need for a stage, as the cast performs throughout the room, often involving the unsuspecting guest in their villainous plot! Guests make reservations in advance at $40 per-person, which includes the humorous mystery performance, and a catered dinner. Bottled wine is sold separately. Michelle says the shows regularly attract approximately 100 guests each performance.

Likewise, several nights of jazz and other varieties of music offer advance reservations to sell out crowds. The summer music series included songwriter Bill Ebeling, bassist Bryan Hicks, pianist/singer Candace Evans, Dan Bliss & Bluetonium, jazz aficionado David Basse, and the Mo City Jumpers. While the mystery theatre performances are for adults only, the summer music nights are $5 per person, with children 12 and under free, and sometimes attract more than 150 people. Weather permitting, these performances are held on the large wooden deck outside the Vineyard Room, and lawn chairs and blankets lend a family air to the relaxed evening.

The final “M” in the Holy-Field recipe for success has been a relaxed but effective marketing program. The Meyers have collected a database of loyal customers who receive periodic newsletters with the upcoming calendar of events. Their website, maintained by a regular customer, also provides times and events, news of awards and recognitions, and photos of the guests and pets more reminiscent of a family album than a business website.

“We also try to work with the community when we can,” said Michelle. “Charities frequently ask for contributions to support their cause, so when we can, we offer wine tasting parties for civic groups and clubs. This is a win-win situation for both the charity and us, as many of our regulars first came as guests to one of these charity events.”

Even though they have many planned functions as well as reservations for weddings and other private events, the Meyers do not have food services. Instead, they direct guests to local caterers, and enjoy this working relationship with the community.

Another fun marketing event: guests make reservations to come and help pick, gather, and press the grapes. “Most are fascinated by the whole experience, and many others return year after year. It’s a tradition,” Les said. “They’re family. The vines thrive on the attention.”

Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery is about 30 minutes from Overland Park, Kansas, and downtown Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. The Meyers invite you to “come and enjoy a true Kansas agricultural product, fine wine made from estate grown grapes.

For more about Holy-Field Vineyard and Winery, visit www.holyfieldwinery.com.