Stories

Remembering Nelle, Vice President of Vineyard Security

Remembering Nelle, Vice President of Vineyard Security
Old Folsom Vineyard and the Gould family are so very sad to report that Nelle, our loyal companion of the past 15 years, has made her exit from these earthly plains. Our hearts are broken that we will not get to greet her each morning or, together, drive the rabbits out of the vineyard. We have lost that good listener who never passed judgment on us. When I first broached the subject of planting a vineyard, she gladly joined me and never missed a work day, often shivering at my feet while I pruned on a cold wet spring day or basking in the 100 degree heat of August while we put up the bird...
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An Award-Winning Year for The 2017 American

An Award-Winning Year for The 2017 American
The 2017 vintage of Firehouse Wine Cellar's The American, made from 100% Old Folsom Vineyard Marquette grapes, was another award-winning year! The wine won gold medals from both the Denver International Wine Competition and the Indy International Wine Competition and a silver at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, making it the Firehouse's most awarded wine! The wine these grapes produce continues to make us proud. Sadly, Firehouse Wine Cellars quickly sold out of the 2017 vintage, but you can still taste our Marquette grapes in their port, aptly named Tradition.
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Marquette brings home more awards in 2018!

Marquette brings home more awards in 2018!
We're proud to share that The American, made by Firehouse Wine Cellars from our very own Marquette grapes, has won a gold medal and a rating of 91 points at the Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition. The Winemaker Challenge is one of only two U.S. wine competitions judged exclusively by professional winemakers. This exciting news comes hot on the tail of the equally impressive results from the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. With 58 judges tasting over 4,300 wines from more than 30 countries around the world, it's the largest wine competition in the U.S. and the ...
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In the News: SDPB visits Old Folsom Vineyard for Harvest

In the News: SDPB visits Old Folsom Vineyard for Harvest
photo by Chynna Lockett of SDPB SDPB Radio's Chynna Lockett paid a visit to Old Folsom Vineyard during the 2017 harvest and documented the process for your listening pleasure! Play the audio clip below or read the transcript at sdpb.org. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/sdpb/audio/2017/09/090917-Vineyard-Feature.mp3 A big shout out and heartfelt thank you to the many generous volunteers who lent a hand and helped us bring in the harvest this year!
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Hot Times in the Vineyard

Hot Times in the Vineyard
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 ...
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A Season of Killdeer

A Season of Killdeer
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...
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Off to the Races

Off to the Races
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...
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Marquette wins Silver in San Francisco

Marquette wins Silver in San Francisco
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 .
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Italy comes to Dakota

Italy comes to Dakota
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.
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