Niobrara Family Vineyards was one of those places that reminded us that a winery is about much more than just the wine--it's about the entire experience, and they absolutely nailed it. We visited for a tasting and also stayed in their campground, which made for a relaxing getaway. The winery sits on a beautiful hilltop overlooking the vineyards, and it's a wonderful setting to spend an afternoon. They also have an attractive event center that would make a great venue for weddings or other gatherings. The tasting room was already bustling shortly after opening, creating a fun, social atmosphere. The staff was exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, taking the time to explain each wine without ever making us feel rushed. One of the owners was also visiting with guests, sharing the history of the property and how the family originally grew grapes for a nearby vinegar producer before eventually transitioning into winemaking. Those personal conversations are the kinds of touches that make a visit memorable. We also ordered a charcuterie board, which paired nicely with the tasting and was a great addition to the experience. As for the wine, I think it's important to keep expectations in perspective. We've visited wineries in Napa Valley, Lodi, and other well-known wine regions, and it simply isn't fair to compare Nebraska wines to areas with entirely different climates and centuries of winemaking history. The better question is: how good is this winery for Nebraska? In my opinion, very good. We especially enjoyed the Marquette and ended up taking a couple of bottles home. Producing a quality dry red in Nebraska isn't easy, but they did an excellent job with it. It was well-made, enjoyable, and something I'd gladly drink again. If you're exploring the Niobrara area for the waterfalls, tubing, or just a scenic weekend drive, this winery is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Between the beautiful setting, warm hospitality, enjoyable wines, and overall atmosphere, Niobrara Family Vineyards delivers a five-star experience and is a place we'd happily visit again. read more

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Nice people selling forgettable wine that isn't worth the drive. In fairness to Niobarara's vintners, the goal they set for themselves was always going to be impossible to achieve. Their wines - specifically, the reds - didn't taste bad; they tasted incomplete, as though the Earth ran out of flavor before the grapes had fully grown. Niobarara's wines - like all of the Nebraska wines I've tasted - serve to remind us of this immutable truth: The fact that you CAN do a thing, doesn't necessarily mean that you should. read more

Amazing place!! They have a wonderful tasting room that's open Wednesday thru Sunday 2-6 pm MT. Sitting atop a grass covered knoll overlooking the vineyard, cattle pastures and irrigated fields, is their new facility. It has a breathtaking view of the Sandhills and the spectacular sunsets common to the area. Just down the hill to the North nestled away, is their new Dark Sky RV Park, the perfect place for a quiet, retreat, offering amazing star gazing, beautiful vistas, and clean facilities. The local wildlife are frequent visitors to the park as well. The area is a sportsman's paradise, with many places to fish, kayak, canoe, hike and hunt. Their various wines are carefully crafted using several grape varietals grown on site. They have meat and cheese platters to accompany their award winning wines, and weekends offer dinner specials with Friday being pizza night and Saturdays are grill nights from 4-8 PM MT. This is a family run vineyard with deep roots in the area and their aim is to make any visitor whether a local or a traveler from distant lands feel special and welcome! read more

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This vineyard and tasting room far exceeded expectations. If you are familiar with Nebraska wines, you probably don't have your hopes set too highly when visiting any local vineyard. This is one of two (maybe three) vineyards in the state that, in my opinion, are producing very good wines. Just incredible considering their location. The outdoor seating was varied and eclectic, and our small food plate was delicious and complemented the wines very nicely. read more

We visited this winery as it's a stop on the Nebraska Passport. As a red drinker, I feel Nebraska wine is not very impressive. This place was great. Yes, in the middle of nowhere, but TASTY. Friendly and family owned. Would go back again and again if I didn't live 300 miles away. read more