In the country, outside of Lawrence, Kansas, is a winery. I drove out to visit it today, because I love the countryside and I love a Midwest winery. Who better to grow grapes than generational farmers? They know how to care for and enhance the land.
I met the owner of Irvine’s Just Beyond Paradise Winery — Ed. He grew up on a farm. It is in his blood, as they say. His family purchased this historic farm land in 2017, and they have accomplished an impressive amount of planting, reaping, and building in such a short time. Ed and his wife, Cindy, plan and execute their vision. Their 3 adult sons are perfect for their roles: George and Austin are in IT and run the social media platforms, while Ed Jr. is a molecular biologist and crafts the wines! My Dad and Mom started a family business 50 years ago, and we were well-synchronized in our individual responsibilities. I was so taken with this family, that we naturally launched into a robust conversation. We chatted about the history of the farm, their own ancestral history, and finally the topic that fascinates me endlessly: the history hidden beneath them.
You see, whenever I drive through the Midwest and see the land of old farms, I wonder what lies under the soil. As Quantrill, Jesse James, and the Civil War passed through these regions, what could have been left behind? Or what coins may have fallen through a hole in a farmer’s pocket 150 years ago? How valuable would those coins be today?! Plus back then, when banks were privately-owned, a lot of folks didn’t trust the banker, and so they would bury their savings in their yard. Or the ground could house a favorite tradition from a bygone era — a time capsule!
There is a Facebook group that is fascinating to follow. The members of “Kansas History Geeks” post incredible antique photos. So, if your ancestors are from Kansas, definitely join this group. But my favorite pictures and stories are from the members (like Brian Stewart) who have metal detectors and discover amazing finds in the soil of fields. They post pictures of coins, jewelry, Civil War bullets, and much more. If I owned acreage, I would have so much fun buying or renting a metal detector and scouring my property.
After my rich conversation with Ed’s family, I went back out into their vineyard, where they have planted 1,000 blackberry bushes, 1,000 grape vines, and several hundred fruit trees. I walked around and absorbed the serenity of the farmland. And then I ended the day in their patio area where they have constructed a stage for local bands. There is very little in life more enjoyable than sipping a succulent glass of wine in the country while listening to live music.