'Shining Star Vineyard' takes root in Buffalo

John Noles waters the vineyard. John and Karen Noles may be some of the newest residents of Buffalo, but there is no doubt that they plan to put down roots here in Leon County. As a matter of fact, they have already started to do so. The couple spent several months this winter planting grapevines for their new endeavor, Shining Star Vineyard.

The Noles have recently retired and moved here from the Corpus Christi area where Karen grew up. After graduating from Ray High School she attended Southwest Texas State University, then became a teacher and part-time administrator in the Corpus Christi ISD. She has taught at the elementary level as well as middle school art and computer art.

John Noles was raised in the Houston area, graduated from Angleton High School and then earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M in '66. He worked in the oil industry, first for Mobil Oil Corporation and most recently for eighteen years as a project manager with Valero Refinery in Corpus Christi.

Asked "What brought you to Buffalo?", the Noles could easily have answered 'a ruler'. John's three daughters are currently residing in Houston, Round Rock and Flower Mound. Connect the points, and Buffalo falls an equal distance from each, so a few years ago Karen and John decided to start looking for property in this area. During a visit this past summer they were driving up Highway 79 and decided to get serious about their search. A call to Allen Real Estate connected them with Teresa Nix, and they set up an appointment to look at some land. On that day, a sixteen-acre property deep in the Weedon Addition had just become available. One look was enough -- the Noles had found just what they were looking for with beautiful land, rolling hills and a pond. The property also had a double-wide which will be home until they sell their house in Corpus Christi, and then they plan to build.

John and Karen Noles The Noles got right into country livin', and bought a mower and a tractor. As he started cleaning up their property, John recognized that the sandy loam and rolling hills had great potential for a vineyard. Roughly eight acres were already ideal to be put under vine, and more land could be used if the pond were re-established. It was not a long-held dream, but rather "a bolt out of the blue", he recalls, but once the idea had germinated John and Karen were hooked.

With an engineer's systematic approach, Noles first talked with A&M extension agent Fritz Westover, for recommendations for vines which would be hardy in this part of the country. John and Karen also visited more than a dozen vineyards in the Hill Country, both large and small, to get an idea of what they wanted to do. They also applied for and registered the vineyard's name. Artist Karen found inspiration for "Shining Star Vineyard", in part, from van Gogh's painting "The Starry Night".

John charted out a timeline for the work to get the plants in the ground at the most opportune time. In the fall, the work began, using local contractors whenever possible. The Noles first put up a deer fence to protect the site, put in their trellises, and this winter they purchased 330 Black Spanish grapevines from Bobo's Nursery and planted their first 1/2 acre plot in late January. The grape, also called "Lenoir", will produce a red juice which will be suitable for a couple of good wines, including a blush and a port.

From their research, the Noles have learned that grapevines take three years to get established. John explains, "The first year is devoted to the root system, the second to the vine, and the third or fourth year they will be producing grapes. Within four years we could be making our own wine here." Messina Hof Winery in Bryan has expressed interest in buying their grapes, so that is an option the Noles can consider, but they really hope to start their own winery.

The rookies are certainly devoting themselves to their new project. Earlier this week they attended a seminar in Houston covering herbidices and pesticides, since they recognize the importantance of keeping their plants in good health. Next week they will be installing a system of drip irrigation in anticipation of the long hot summers ahead. In the meantime, John noted, "This rain was a blessing. It couldn't have come at a better time!"

Karen is using her artistic talents to design Shining Star's logo and labels, and is responsible for their website.

The Noles are also getting actively involved in their new community. They have found a church home at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, and can usually be found at the get-togethers at The Horse's Mouth. Judging by the grins on their faces, they have no regrets about their move and the prospects of their new endeavor. "We're still learning what we're getting into, but so far it's been worth every minute!"