May 2008 Issue of Wines & Vines

Some of the same challenges Jamestown settlers encountered in 1609 as they attempted to cultivate imported grape varieties in what is now Virginia still confront South Dakota vintners like Eldon Nygaard, who pioneered his state's first vineyard, winery and winery legislation. Just as the Jamestown community discovered long ago, Nygaard found there can be great benefit in harvesting native grapes that abound on their own, without any coaxing.

"I read in Lewis and Clark's journals about the native grapes--vitis riparia--which they ate when they were traveling through this area in 1804," Nygaard said. "Soon after that, I found some of the vines growing right on the property where I built Valiant Vineyards Winery. It's possible the Corps of Discovery walked right through this same site. We started harvesting the wild grapes in 1996 and have worked at developing a unique and pleasing wine from the fruit since that time."

Valiant Vineyards: South Dakota's first winery finding international acclaim

By Loretta Sorensen, Prairie Business Magazine

Wine made from wild grapes found on western South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation is delighting wine connoisseurs from Vermillion to Paris, France. Wild Grape is the creation of Valiant Vineyards, South Dakota's first winery. Owners Eldon and Sherry Nygaard says their unique and popular wine offers a complex and distinctive flavor.

“It has more body than a Merlot, but not as much as an aged Cabernet Sauvignon,” Eldon explains.

“Soon after reading the journals, I found some of the vines growing right on the property where Valiant Vineyards is built,” Eldon remembers. “It's possible the Corps of Discovery walked right through this same site.”

The Nygaards found vitis riparia growing abundantly in the western part of the state and began harvesting there in 1996. They spent several years developing the unique flavor the wine now possesses. Creating Wild Grape was not Eldon's first winemaking experience.

“I did my winemaking in the stone 'cellar' of our Turner County home," he explains. “Our challenge has been to create a commercial wine as opposed to a homemade wine.”

The Nygaards were very pleased several years ago when they were able to provide Wild Grape at the White House. The now sought-after vintage is also available in Lavinia, Paris … France's wine superstore. Wild Grape 2003 was recognized in California's 2007 Long Beach Grand Cru wine competition with a Silver Medal because of its unique and pleasing flavor.

Reprinted by permission of Prairie Business.

America: Land of the Red, White and Rose (Time Magazine Online)