Norton Grape Harvest & Crush at Jowler Creek

Norton is one of the last grapes to be harvested in the Midwest. Below are pictures from today’s Norton grape harvest and crush at Jowler Creek Vineyard, near Platte City in Missouri. Winemaker Jason Gerke said it was a lighter yield than last year – but the fruit looked very good. Up close, the Norton grapes appeared very similar to blueberries and tasted very nice, but full of pips. The hard work coincided with the launch of Jowler’s 2010 Chambourcin vintage which was enjoyed by this Midwest Wine Press reporter and family at picnic tables near the tasting room. Jowler is one of the few vineyards in Missouri that is run according to sustainable practices – including using Babydoll sheep to trim the grass around the vines. Jason’s wife and co-winemaker, Colleen, was recently interviewed on Kansas City Public Television in a program focusing on Midwest wines and why they aren’t on more local restaurant wine lists.

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The morning’s harvest: Norton grapes on their way to the crusher

Jowler helpers fix the crate of Norton grapes to a tractor which will pour the grapes into the crusher visible at the entrance to the winery

Jowler Creek winemakers Jason and Colleen Gerke watches their Norton grapes unload into the crusher

The Norton crush