Bob and Denise Duncan traveled the world for 40 years working on pipeline projects, but seldom together on the same job, Denise told Iola Rotarians Thursday.
That changed a few years ago when they looked for a place to spend their retirement, other than their home base of Corpus Christi, Texas.
An advertisement for an old two-story brick building drew them to Fort Scott. They also purchased 15 acres of farm ground.
Thus, began the Duncans’ story: Pipeline to Wine.
In 2011 they planted 1,000 vines purchased from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., called Arandell, and went to work.
Within a year they were making wine, selling some from the downtown building, where they live in an upstairs apartment. They also have a small art gallery downstairs.
Denise mused that Kansas didn’t permit wineries before 1985 and now allowed only three outlets for wines their grapes are used to produce. Another state law requires 30 percent of grapes involved in processing to be grown in Kansas.
“I used to get up (for pipeline inspection work) and wonder, ‘Why am I doing this,’” she said. Denise has the same thoughts now but the reflection is more pleasant. “It’s fun and relaxing to work with the vines. I can be mowing between rows and not have a care in the world.”
The winery is called Vineda del Alamo — a concession to Corpus Christi not being far from San Antonio and the Alamo.
ROTARIANS GAVE Donna Houser a $500 boost in her project to upgrade football dressing rooms at Riverside Park. The Rotary contribution pushed Houser’s fund to nearly $28,000. Her target is $30,000, based on estimates she has received.
Previous Iola players, coaches and teachers have responded in a generous manner, as have many other local folks, she gushed.
