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Like neighboring states Minnesota and Iowa, early settlers to Nebraska brought cuttings of their favorite fruit trees, vines and other crops with them.

Wild grapes also grew naturally in abundance along river valleys where they were traditionally collected for making jams, jellies, and wine.

By the end of the 19th century some 5,000 Nebraska acres were devoted to growing the grape. With Prohibition, a lid was put over the wine industry which only began to fully recover in the 1990's.

Check out today's vibrant wine scene in the Cornhusker State, with info on wine tastings, tours and events in Nebraska Wine Country. (Above, Mac's Creek Vineyard near Lexington, Nebraska.)

More information about Nebraska wineries around the Web:

Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association - The state organization provides a calendar of events, winery and tasting room information and other wine related information. Download and print out the State Map Brochure (PDF file) for a handy take along guide to all of the wineries and wine tasting rooms in Nebraska.

Nebraska wine - Wikipedia overview including background history, information on grape varieties, with related references and resources..

Vines & Wines of Nebraska - From the July/August 2003 issue of Nebraska Life comes an engaging story of the modern wine industry in the region. Interviews with leading wine makers tell the tale of struggling against experts and bankers who said wine couldn't grow in that climate. The experts and bankers are now drinking the wines at local festivals and enjoying the fact that they were wrong. Nebraska wineries can and do produce first class wines.