Will Overland Park be the Home of a Winery?

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. —  Experts say the soil is rich and Kansas is a great place to grow grapes. An Overland Park couple has the time and money and now, the approval of the planning commissioners.

In a few years, Overland Park could be the home of the city’s first winery. On Monday afternoon, the commission unanimously approved Chris and Holly Combest’s request. Now, it’s on to the city council. The Combest’s asked their architect to talk about the project in fear of jinxing the process.

“The owners have a passion to bring in some growing capacity for the State of Kansas,” said Wolfgang Trost a family spokesperson.

The Sunflower State is making a push in in the wine department. Stores like MDL Wine and Spirits already stock a good selection of homegrown wines. Despite the approval for the Combests’s, don’t expect to see their wine on the shelf anytime soon.

“It takes about four years before you can do a really great harvest or start harvesting,” Trost said.

The piece of land the family is interested in could one day be ripe with potential. It’s a perfect place for creativity and the results could one day prove fruitful.

“Based on blends of grapes you put together types of grapes you choose to grow there will be some experimentation, some blending from other wineries in State of Kansas and they will be able to create reds and whites you name it,” he said.

The Combest’s say they can wait two to four years. The family hopes the city council will give them the go ahead in March.