Jun 27thBrianza Winery and Vom Fass

Wine lovers in Northern Kentucky are in luck. Brianza wines are available for tasting and purchase at Vom Fass at Crestview Towne Center and you’ll find some olive oils and balsamic vinegar selections from Vom Foss at the winery in southern Boone County.

Brianza Gardens and Winery have been welcoming wine lovers for over two years. They are open six days a week and host many special events. Their wines range from the dry full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon to the lighter Sweet Bottom White. There’s something for all tastes and they are all well made by winemaker, Tony Parnigoni.

For those who have not discovered Vom Fass, the shop is located in Crestview Towne Center on the corner just across from Dillards. They offer an interesting selection of oils and vinegars, as well as wines and spirits. Tastings are offered of all of their offerings. Shoppers can enjoy tasting limoncello, brandies, wines, olive oils, and balsamic vinegars all at the same place. Check out their website to learn about the shop and their special events.

Look in my links to check out both websites. You’ll be glad you did!

Jun 27thVerona’s Vines and Wines Tour

Just a few short years ago, Verona wine would bring thoughts of Italy and centuries of grapevines and vino; but believe it or not Verona, Kentucky has become a wine destination. In mid-June wine lovers spent the afternoon touring the offerings of one vineyard and three wineries located just minutes from each other in southern Boone County. The county is something of a dichotomy with Florence Mall and all of the stores located on Mall Road and Houston Road, and the southern part of the county being mostly rolling farm land with cattle, and fields of hay and tobacco. In recent years, vineyards started popping up on some of those southern Boone County farms. Wine lovers seem to be pleased.

The oldest of these vineyards is Verona Vineyards, started in 2011. Dan and Peggy Montgomery have developed quite a following both at the winery and vineyards at the Verona farm and the tasting room at Rabbit Hash.

Brianza Gardens and Winery was opened in 2015 and in a short time developed loyal fans who enjoy the wine, the events, and the gorgeous setting. Tony Parnigoni, the owner and winemaker, offers a wide variety of wines to appeal the all wine lovers.

Schoolyard winery opened their doors in 2016. The winery occupies the building, built in 1914, that once held the town’s school. Gary Younts, winemaker and veteran developed his love for wine in Germany and now greets visitors that want to try his wine and tour the old school building.

The grapes at Verona Landing Vineyards, grown by Greg Palmer, are sold to Verona Vineyards. The vineyard is not open to the public usually but welcomed visitors for this event. Wine lovers were able to taste the wines made from their grapes, tour the vineyard, and see the planes that are the reason for the name.

Wine lovers and visitors were able to learn about the grapes and enjoy a beautiful day with wine and music at these southern Boone County destinations.

Apr 25thFirst Vineyard

In 2007 vines were planted to reestablish the vineyards at the site of the first commercial vineyard in the United States, near Nicholasville, Kentucky. First Vineyard Winery soon followed. Today, wine lovers can visit the winery that one can imagine resembles what one might have found in 1799. But of course, the current winery contains all the modern conveniences.

According to Kentucky wine history, Jean Jacques Dufour, sold stocks to the directors and the Society for Promoting and Cultivation of the Vine in Lexington, Kentucky, and established the first commercial vineyard in First Vineyard, Kentucky, in November 1798. The vineyard was located in Jessamine County, overlooking the Kentucky River. The vineyard produced wine that was enjoyed by the directors in Lexington. After a killing freeze in 1809, Dufour and his family relocated to Vevay, Indiana, where he developed Second Vineyard.

First Vineyard welcomes visitors from 1 to 7, Fridays through Sunday. They offer a variety of wines for all tastes. From a unique dry white, Cabernet Doré, to a Kenkoolas, a peachy wine slushy, visitors can choose a drink and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the porch of the tasting room imagining themselves in the same spot in the early 1800s sipping a new Kentucky wine.

They also have lodging at the Sugar Creek Resort. Check my link to their website.

Apr 25thHamon Haven Winery

Wine lovers in the Bluegrass had a new winery to visit in 2014. Just off I 64, near Winchester, Hamon Haven Winery opened its doors. Visitors are welcomed into a lovely, cozy tasting room from Monday to Saturday, on a flexible schedule. It’s best to call ahead. They have some nice wine gifts as well as a great selection of Kentucky wine.

Native grapes, such as, Catawba, Concord, and Niagara, can be found side by side with Chardonnay and Merlot. A unique wine offered at Hamon Haven is a Zinthiana. Yes, the spelling is correct. A grape breeding program to combine Vinifera grapes with the native Norton resulted in this hybrid. Zinthiana is a red hybrid, more hardy for the cold temperatures in Kentucky than a Zinfandel, the grape produces a high quality, robust, red wine with jammy flavors. The grape has become available to vineyards and I think you’ll be seeing more of this hybrid in Kentucky.

We visited Hamon Haven Winery during the McConnell Springs barrel tasting and certainly enjoyed meeting the winemaker and trying this new wine.