It’s Not Just Bourbon: Kentucky Has Vineyards
Kentucky is known for its Bourbon. Surely the Northern Kentucky payroll folks wouldn’t mind making a slug. What few people know is that wineries abound in Kentucky. Certainly Northern Kentucky tax planning folks wouldn’t mind drinking Maggie Adams Blush, or Colonel’s Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, or maybe a good Elk Creek Merlot or Elk Creek Petite Syrah. Or maybe a good wine from La Ferme du Cerf? Kentucky was home to the first American commercial winery. Wineries and vineyards flourished in the hills. The ban was the ruin of the business, forcing many winegrowers to change crops or leave. The last ten years have seen a renaissance in winemaking. Kentucky has many interesting wineries and some award-winning wines. Many of the wineries are a pleasant place to spend time.
Acres of Land Winery is located on Barnes Mill Road near Richmond Kentucky. Once a full-time tobacco farm, it now houses vineyards and a restaurant. Produces a variety of wines. Chamborcine and Vignoles Vinerifa are some of the regional wines grown on the estate. The river region has the River Valley Winery in Carrollton. Some of their award-winning wines include Vidal Blanc, a crisp German-style dry white wine, Medovina, a mead wine with a slight clean taste, or Cynthia, a multiple award-winning dry red table wine. These are just a few of River Valley Winery’s wines. They have a tasting room and all of their wines are 100% Kentucky grown grapes.
The Stonebrook Winery is 20 minutes south of Cincinnati, located in Camp Springs, Kentucky. They have an award-winning Vidal Blanc wine and use the Vidal grape in their estate wine. They have another label called Kentucky Orchard. The Stonebrook winery produces peach, pear, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and Cabernet Sauvignon wine. They hold special events and once a month they dine in their tasting room. The Elk Creek Winery is located in Owenton Kentucky, about an hour’s drive from Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. It is the largest commercial vineyard in Kentucky and is a popular destination winery. In addition to having a long list of award-winning wines, the vineyard features a bed and breakfast, spa services, an art gallery, cooking classes and live entertainment on weekends at the winery, and a series of open-air concerts. during the summer. Some of the award-winning wines include; Reserve Syrah, Cabernet, Bone Dry Red, Pinot Grigio, Vidal Blanc and Ghostly White. Elk Creek offers a variety of accommodations and many things to do during a visit.
Chrisman Mill Vineyards is located in Nicholasville Kentucky. It has been producing and bottling wine since 1999. All of its grapes come from Kentucky. Which makes it a more American vineyard than one that produces reds and whites in bluegrass country. Some of their award-winning wines include Ensemble 2006, the first vineyard reserve of 2005, Sweet Jessamine Rose 2007, and the classic Vidal Blanc, a regularly awarded wine.
Next time you’re in Kentucky, enjoy the hills and the bourbon, but don’t miss out on the wonderful vineyards and award-winning wines.