First fruits

Right on schedule, Harold Davidson (left) and Ivan Schmid are picking the first grapes from the new vineyard on Ravenswood Road on the southeast edge of McCook. "We have picked about 60 pounds of Seyval Blanc white grapes," said Davidson, who made the first plantings three years ago. With the help of Schmid and Don Harpst, Davidson has since made two more annual plantings, and another is scheduled next year. When complete, the vineyard will have 1,100 plants, which will yield red and white grapes for the production of "Bison Red" and "Bison White" wines.