About Us

Deer Springs Winery is the culmination of the dream of Jim Partington, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and strike fighter pilot, to become a “Gentleman Farmer” as well as preserve his family heritage. After retiring from the Navy and returning to Lincoln, Jim and his wife, Barbara, built a house on the family homestead property northeast of Lincoln. Jim was interested in planting alternative crops, so explored a number of options, finally settling on wine grapes. He anticipated that the Nebraska wine and grape growing industry would continue to experience significant growth and success.

Instead of selling the grape crop to area wineries, Jim and Barbara, daughter Kathleen Hennagir, daughter Jennifer and her husband Jon Reeder, made a collective decision to build a winery and produce and sell the wine. Deer Springs Winery was born!

In 2006 and 2007, the family carefully remodeled the family farmhouse which was built in 1876 to serve as the Deer Springs Tasting Room. The land and buildings of the winery are part of the family homestead and the homestead certification, signed by Ulysses S. Grant on August 15, 1874, is on display at the winery. The certificate names ancestor Patrick O’Halloran as “owner” of the property.

Each family member shares responsibility for the winery. Jennifer serves as wine maker and Winery Manager. Jon and Jim are responsible for managing and maintaining the surrounding property, and everybody helps in the vineyards.

Daughter Kathleen serves as Tasting Room hostess and Barbara, Jim’s wife, is the Retail Manager and Bookkeeper. Grandsons John and Ryan help with grounds keeping (as well as anything else that is asked of them!) and granddaughter Aislinn assists in the Tasting Room and Gift Shop. The Partington’s daughter, Betsy, and her children, Madeline and James, live in California so keep the Deer Springs staff up on wine news from their part of the country. They’re always willing to help when they’re in town!

Owning a winery was an unexpected and successful result of a dream to be a “Gentleman Farmer” and a determination to build and preserve a family legacy. Now, each member of the family is committed to that legacy, and to providing excellent wines and a great experience to each guest of Deer Springs Winery.

We hope that you will enjoy our history, our wines, our winery, and your time at Deer Springs Winery. We invite you to visit us soon!

You must be 21 years old to taste and purchase wine. Please, no alcohol allowed on the premises other than wine purchased at Deer Springs Winery.