The launch of Rosewood Services Inc.’s latest social entrepreneurial venture blew in with the wind. Rosewood Winery was christened by way of an open house during a day of gale force winds. That didn’t prevent dozens of people from traveling to the country setting, located nine miles west of Great Bend, to participate in the evening event.
“Despite the inclement weather, we had a good turnout of people for our winery opening,” said Rosewood Services executive director Tammy Hammond. “We appreciate everyone who braved the elements to come out and support our effort, which will put people with developmental disabilities to work, and supply our community with quality consumable products.”
Hammond said that the Winery was built for the same purpose that Rosewood Services operates a furniture store, a ranch, a greenhouse, and will soon open a winery outlet store and a ceramic arts studio.
“It’s an opportunity for our clients to find their passion in nurturing environments where they are able to develop skills and self-worth in pursuit of the same American Dream that you and I aspire to achieve,” she explained.
It was announced during the evening that Rosewood will also launch its winery outlet store in about a month. Located on the corner of Lakin and Kansas in Great Bend, Rosewood Wine Cellar will sell its wines, along with other Rosewood products – honey, jellies and jams, coffee, soaps, rubs, tomatoes and horse hair pottery.
Although there are hundreds of wineries in the nation, and a couple dozen of them in Kansas, Hammond pointed out that Rosewood Winery is the first in the nation devoted to providing employment opportunities to people with developmental disabilities.
The Winery sells 13 kinds of wine, all of them named after horses that have been a part of Rosewood Ranch, over the years. The variety of wines produced by Rosewood Winery are: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Blackberry Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Green Apple Riesling, Mezza Luna Blanc, Peach Apricot Chardonnay, Exotic Fruits Zinfandel, Zinfandel, and Strawberry White Merlot.
Currently, Rosewood Winery is open to the public for tours and tastings from 1-5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For tour or tasting questions contact Rosewood Winery at 620-982-4487. The Winery is located at Rosewood Ranch, 1171 SW 20 RD, Pawnee Rock. Detailed driving directions from Great Bend are provided at rosewood.com.