Our Story
2011
The Beginning
In 2011, Ed and Cindy Irvine developed a passion for winemaking and began crafting wines from an array of fruits and vegetables – from homegrown grapes to local pears, peaches, and even tomatoes. What started as a hobby inspired by Ed's grandfather, who made wine during Prohibition, quickly blossomed into a labor of love shared between the couple.
2012
From Hobby to Business
The decision to start a commercial winery seemed like a natural progression after many years of producing wines and honing their craft. Ed had an entrepreneurial spirit, having started numerous businesses over the years in agriculture, solar lighting, and candle manufacturing. However, to take winemaking to the next level, they knew they needed additional expertise from the next generation.
2013
The Next Generation
Enter their son Ed Jr. and his friend Scott Schlageck, both avid home brewers. Scott's family planted a small vineyard, which provided some of his first practical experience in growing grapes, in addition to taking a viticulture course at Highland Community College, 2008. Their skills complemented the elder Irvines' perfectly.
A pivotal moment came when they produced beer and wine for Scott's sister's wedding, bringing the family together to collaborate on a larger scale. The celebratory beverages they crafted were a resounding success, solidifying their shared dream of starting a winery.
2015
Education & Expertise
Over the next few years, Ed Jr. immersed himself in the study of molecular biology at the University of Kansas. The sciences are fundamental to understanding the fermentation processes that transform grape sugars into wine. Meanwhile, Scott diligently worked towards earning his winemaker's certificate through the enology program at the University of California, Davis, one of the top wine education institutions. Obtaining these vital credentials in winemaking and fermentation science was crucial for taking their operation to a commercial level with strict quality standards.
2017
Finding Our Home
Meanwhile, Ed and Cindy began construction on the winery site. In 2017, they purchased a 40-acre property in the picturesque Kaw River Valley, northeast of Lawrence, Kansas. The Kaw River, known for its meandering course through limestone and shale formations, has a rich geological history dating back millions of years. Its valley, formed by glacial meltwater drainage, provides an ideal setting for viticulture. Construction of the winery began in April 2018, with the planting of fruit trees, berries, and grapes following soon after.
2018
A Family Venture
In establishing the business, Ed and Cindy wanted to ensure the whole family was involved. They brought on their other two sons, George and Austin, as resident technology experts handling the website, security, and IT needs. However, George and Austin contributed far beyond just tech – they were part-time helping hands, assisting with planting vines, harvesting, grape processing, serving in the tasting room, bottling, and helping wherever needed in order to keep operations running smoothly.
2020
Opening & Growth
The first Irvine's Just Beyond Paradise wines – Apple, Pear, Blackberry, and Tomato – were vinted in the summer through fall of 2019. Although the intended grand opening of spring 2020 was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the family persevered by selling online, offering curbside pickup, and distributing to local liquor stores.
It wasn't until June 19, 2021, that the family felt it was the right time to have a grand opening celebration. Since it coincided with their first anniversary, they dubbed it their "Grandiversary," a celebration that also marked their survival through the pandemic. The event was a resounding success, and hosting a big party in June has become an annual tradition. In June 2023, the winery expanded their offerings further by launching an on-site winery kitchen featuring brick oven Neapolitan-style pizzas to pair perfectly with their wines.
2023
Food Meets Wine
For years, we had talked about serving food at the winery in some capacity, knowing it would enhance our guests' experience. Ed Jr.'s culinary passion for pizza-making began during his college years and developed further while working at a local brewery, where he honed his skills crafting pizzas for patrons. Having pursued the perfect pizza for quite some time, he was eager to bring this expertise to the winery.
In 2022, we made the decision to add pizza to our offerings, recognizing it as the perfect complement to our wines. In 2023, we opened our brick oven pizza kitchen for business, bringing Ed Jr.'s years of pizza-making expertise to fruition. We now serve Neapolitan-style pizzas at our weekly "KanZa Pizza Nights" on Fridays, creating an ideal pairing with our wines that gives our guests even more reason to visit and linger at the winery.
2024
An Unexpected Call from Pizza Hut™
Early 2024 brought an unexpected surprise—a call from Pizza Hut™. They had discovered our tomato wine and were excited about the possibility of partnering with a Kansas winery, as Pizza Hut™ was also founded in the Sunflower State. We developed a unique wine based on our existing Pomodoro tomato wine, infusing it with basil, oregano, and garlic to replicate the flavors of pizza in liquid form. The November launch exceeded all expectations, selling out completely within 24 hours with orders from across the country, from the mainland to Hawaii. The collaboration generated international media coverage from Food Network to CNN International in London, Vice News, and the New York Post. This collaboration brought our family winery to audiences we never imagined reaching, all while allowing us to stay true to our Kansas roots.
