Junto Wine on the edge of Seward is participating in a perfect blend of Nebraska agriculture: beef and wine.
“The word Junto was a club that established by Ben Franklin for mutual improvement and a meeting place,” John Siebert said. “That is what we are about here too, connecting and growing.”
Owner John Siebert said Junto is a member of the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association approached him to participate in this year’s Nebraska Reds, a digital partnership with the Nebraska Beef Council that helps grow both industries.
The program concludes on Dec. 31 and has been successful in educating guests on marrying two Nebraska staples. When visiting each stop, guests will also learn valuable information on how to best pair wine and beef. Information includes a guide to beef cut pairings, recipe pairings and a recipe.
The Ben Franklin-themed local winery is one of 20 wineries and tasting room stops to choose from in the Nebraska Reds program. Participants in Nebraska Reds receive a digital passport journey across Nebraska and are encouraged to visit each stop, collect points by obtaining digital “stamps” and redeem those points for prizes like a premium Nebraska-shaped cutting board or Nebraska wine bucks.
“There are various choices in today’s meat case and thousands of wines to choose from,” Alyssa Brodersen, executive director of Nebraska Wines’ said. “While the classic marriage of steak and a rich red wine still holds true, Nebraska wines make it simple.”
At Junto, Siebert also keeps it very simple.
“If you are serving a spicier meat, a sweeter wine may pair better to enhance the flavors of both,” Siebert said. “Here we believe that any kind of wine can go with any kind of food.”
Siebert has three top picks for the program.
His first is Reserve Red: an earthy, natural, big-body red. The grapes are hand-picked at Junto Wine and the wine is hand bottled.
“This particular wine takes a lot of work,” Siebert said. “But it is worth it. We have very minimal intervention in manipulating the flavors. It tastes the way the vineyard produces it.”
Siebert also recommended Amity, a medium-body, fruit-forward red.
“The sweet in Amity really pops,” Siebert said. “This wine has no sugar additives, making it better for you,and easier to drink. It was named after the treaty between France and England that Ben Franklin was influential in.”
Although not a red, Siebert also recommended Skeletons Orange, a flavorful option with a fall vibe.
“Skeletons ferment on the skins of the grapes so it tastes more like the skin than the fruit,” Siebert said. “It goes well with a meaty steak.”
The unique wine was named with intrigue to the skeletons excavated from underneath Ben Franklin’s house.
“This wine has a bit of intrigue,” Siebert said.
Junto Wine is excited to be able to showcase two aspects of agriculture that Nebraska does exceptionally well.
