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2017 Harvest

August 24, 2017admin

Join us over Labor Day weekend at Old Folsom Vineyard for part 2 of our annual harvest: the red grapes! It's the most fun "work" of the year when we pick grapes the "old fashioned way," with your helping hands. What to Expect: We'll start on Saturday, Sept. 2, and go throughout the weekend until we've picked them all. Show up any time from 9 AM, onward. Whether it's an hour or a full day, your help will make a difference. No prior experience is needed (as Mike would say, "It's not rocket science..."), and all willing workers are welcome! (With any luck, we will have a bumper crop this y...

Firehouse Wine Cellars’ Party in the Vineyard: 2017

August 8, 2017August 9, 2017admin

Join us in the vineyard for an evening of great wine, great food and great friends. Dinner, unlimited beer and wine, live bluegrass music and transportation included. Our first departure from Firehouse Wine Cellars will be at 5:30 PM with following pick-ups until approximately 6PM. Transport back to the winery will begin at 8PM. You may bring up to two guests per membership. If you wish to drive your own vehicle to the vineyard the address is 7751 Old Folsom Rd. Rapid City, SD 57703. RSVP by Sunday, September 3, 2017 *Open to Firehouse Mug Club and Hook & Ladder Wine Club members...

Hot Times in the Vineyard

August 7, 2017August 9, 2017admin

At the beginning of July, the grapes were starting to plump up with about 30 days before veraison when the grapes begin to change color and about 60 days to harvest. Then followed a month of hot weather with highs in the 90s and 100s and little to no rain. The vines shut down at approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit and basically go into survival mode, so the excessive heat really isn’t of benefit. Luckily, August has brought some cooler temperatures and it's game on at Old Folsom Vineyard. The grapes are ripening and the sugars will increase while the acids back off. Great wine starts in ...

A Season of Killdeer

June 12, 2017July 17, 2022admin

We have had a "season" of killdeer at our vineyard this spring, and today, we had a "Tiananmen Square" moment. While Mike was mowing, a courageous killdeer stood its ground directly in front of his mower and forced him to stop the tractor. (This particular type of bird is known for an elaborate distraction dance choreographed to lead predators away from their eggs, often feigning a broken wing.) Directly behind this plover was a nest of four eggs, which the nesting mother saved from destruction. The eggs are well camouflaged, so we were happy to see them. Hard to imagine that the original dis...

Off to the Races

May 15, 2017August 9, 2017admin

May 4th found us pruning the newer vines in the westerly vineyard. This section of the vineyard on the south-west side of the hill produces intense, ripe fruit which we harvest last. On May 6th, Derby Day, the buds were starting to swell. Most likely we will see bud break as the temperatures hit the low 80s. Then, a week later, on the buds burst, a couple of leaves unfurl and the vines are off the the races! Side note: Check out the blue skies and the green grass. How can you not love this time of year?! Soft, pillowed clouds shepherded by springtime winds. Get yourself outsid...

Petite Pearl

January 18, 2017August 9, 2017admin

Petite Pearl is a cold-hardy, red wine, hybrid grape that was developed by Tom Plocher of Bevans Creek Vineyard and Nursery. It was first introduced in 2010, and Old Folsom Vineyard planted the grape for the first time in 2014, making us one of the earlier growers of this cultivar. Petite Pearl has survived after temperatures as low as -32° F. It is highly disease resistant to powdery mildew, downey mildew, black rot, and bunch rot. Its clusters are compact with small berries. Low acid levels make Petite Pearl ideal for a standalone red varietal wine or a valuable blending component. The...

Marquette wins Silver in San Francisco

January 18, 2017August 9, 2017admin

The 2014 vintage of The American, made by Firehouse Wine Cellars with 100% Old Folsom Vineyard-grown Marquette grapes, won a silver medal at the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! Seven thousand wines from 28 states across the country were entered in 2017, making it the largest competition of American wines in the world. This is the third award received by this particular Marquette vintage. It has also won a silver medal in the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and a bronze medal at the 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition .

Sweet Edie

January 18, 2017June 19, 2020admin

Sweet Edie is made from Old Folsom Vineyard's Frontenac grapes. It has been blended with a California Viognier to make for a pleasing intermingling of red raspberry and floral notes on the nose. Like the wine's namesake, this rosé is strong and bold with a hint of sweetness. Flavors include cherry blossoms with a fresh touch of sweet apple cider finish on the palate. This wine is a treasure to be enjoyed! The old saying, "behind every great man, stands a great woman," aptly describes Teddy Roosevelt's second wife, Edith. Mother of six, First Lady, and valued political confidante, Edith...

Italy comes to Dakota

September 22, 2016August 9, 2017admin

This fall, we were thrilled to host Mike's cousin, Giovanna, and her family from northern Italy as they visited the Black Hills. Though we harvested nearly all of our grapes earlier in the month, we left a few behind for Giovanna to pick. Marnie then made some jelly with these grapes so that Giovanna and her family could take home a little taste of Old Folsom Vineyard.

In the News: The Sweet Sommelier chronicles our 2016 Harvest

September 18, 2016August 9, 2017admin

Thanks to the 30+ generous volunteers who lent a hand and helped us bring in the harvest this year. We couldn't have done it without you! Check out The Sweet Sommelier's (aka, Kara Sweet) photo essay chronicling the harvest and Firehouse Wine Cellars' 2016 Party in the Vineyard at thesweetsommelier.com.