A New Vineyard in Eureka
Mike and Teresa Dechart had a dream. They had lived in Eureka, Montana since 1985 working different sorts of jobs the way one does in this part of the world. Now the climate in Eureka might not be considered comparable to the Loire Valley or Napa, California by most people. One might think of those long, cold winter and short, dry summers that we get around here. But Mike and Teresa thought of growing grapes. And six years ago they planted a vineyard. Today they have over five hundred vines that produce certified organic French American hybrid (cold-hardy) grapes. When asked for more details, they explain that they grow Marquette and Petite Pearl varieties which are used in red wines. As their vineyard started to produce, the Decharts began trading their grapes to a local wine maker. They aren’t selling their own wine yet as they wait for more consistent and larger harvests. Although there aren’t plans currently to begin a winery, they are investigating other markets for their harvest. They are currently part of the Montana Organic Association with their grapes and with the hops that they grow on their land. Contact information for the Decharts is on that web site under Shooting Star Vineyard.
About the Author: Rita Collins. I am a believer in the power of community and for now I call the Tobacco Valley home. I have lived in nine states and three counties and this community here amazes me - how people reach out to neighbors and even travelers. I've never lived in a place that demonstrates people caring for each other so well. And I've never lived in a place that has such a high percentage of talented musicians and artists. I work with the the Sunburst Community Service Foundation, a nonprofit that began in Eureka twenty years ago and now serves numerous communities in western Montana. And I just started a new business, St. Rita's Amazing Traveling Bookstore and Textual Apothecary. I never could have imagined life being this exciting in my sixth decade.