Mar 21stMcConnell Spring’s 2018 Barrel Tasting

Kentucky wine lovers who have been looking forward to the McConnell Spring’s annual spring barrel tasting can start counting down the days. In just 10 days, wineries in the Bluegrass will welcome visitors for a special event – the chance to taste your favorite wines while they are still in the barrels. Winemakers will be there to answer your questions and wine will be available for enjoying at the winery and for taking home.

This day is somewhat unique. Each of the 18 wineries are within an hour’s drive of Lexington and wine lovers can start at any of the wineries and visit whichever ones they choose. For $20, visitors can pick up their entry bracelet, their commemorative wine glass and a map of the participating wineries. This is a major fundraiser for the preservation of McConnell Springs, so your participation will help preserve a part of Kentucky history. Not to mention enjoying a day tasting some excellent Kentucky wines.

The following wineries will be ready to welcome visitors: Harkness Edwards Vineyards, Three Horses Vineyard & Winery, Black Barn Winery, Chrisman Mills Vineyards, Chuckleberry Farm & Winery, Equus Run Vineyards, First Vineyard Winery, Grimes Mill Winery, Hamon Haven Winery, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards & Winery, Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, Lovers Leap Vineyards & Winery, McIntyre’s Winery and Berries, Prodigy Vineyards & Winery, Rising Sons Winery, Springhill Winery, Talon Winery & Vineyards, and Wildside Winery & Vineyard. 

After a long winter, join other wine lovers for a fun day of spring in the Bluegrass. Driving from winery to winery through the gorgeous countryside, visiting wineries, meeting the winemakers, and trying out some really good wines – what a way to spend a day!

We are looking forward to it. We’ve participated in the past and have always had a great time. Maybe we’ll see you there!

Mar 17thHappy St. Patrick’s Day

Wine lovers can celebrate St. Patrick with their favorite wine and still be honoring his traditions. St. Patrick was a citizen of the Roman Empire, and they were well-known wine drinkers. So pour a glass of your favorite wine of choice, and say “Cheers to Ireland and St. Patrick!”

Feb 18thNational Drink Wine Day

A special holiday for those of us who love our grapes in a glass, February 18th is National Drink Wine Day. Get ready wine lovers, find your favorite bottle, pour a glass, and toast the day. As a wine lover, it’s your duty to support the holiday!

Feb 4thMcConnell Spring’s 11th Wine Barrel Tasting

For the 11th year, wine lovers of Kentucky have the opportunity to support the state’s history and taste some really good wine at the “Wine Barrel Tasting for the Springs.” Eighteen of Central Kentucky’s wineries will be giving tastes of a wine that is still aging in the barrel.

McConnell Springs, a National Historic Site, is the location where William McConnell and a group of explorers camped in 1775. While there, news reached them of a victory at Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. They named that future settlement Lexington. Today, visitors can visit the site with its natural landscape and historical remains of that early settlement. Proceeds from the Barrel Tasting will help fund improvements at McConnell Springs.

Each spring many wineries of the state that are within an hour’s drive of Lexington participate in this event. This year the event takes place on March 31, 2018. For $20, a person can travel around the Bluegrass at their own pace and in their own vehicle visiting their choice of participating wineries, and receive a commemorative glass.

Many wine lovers are familiar with barrel tastings and have enjoyed experiencing the stages of aging of their favorite wines. If you are new to the wine world and have never tried wine from the barrel, it is really a treat. Wine makers, while sharing facts about the wine, will draw wine directly from the barrel with some sort of wine thief and pour it directly into the taster’s glass. Wines change as they age and wine makers try the wine at different stages to be sure that it has reached the taste they want. A barrel tasting is an opportunity for wine lovers to be a part of this process.

Check my links page for more information on McConnell Springs.

We have enjoyed the “Wine Barrel Tasting for the Springs” many times in the past and look forward to the event this year. What a good way to celebrate the beginning of spring!

Jan 27thBrianza in 2018

Last week, when the weather was still cold and terrible, we decided it would boost our spirits to visit our favorite local winery. We spent a couple of hours visiting Brianza Gardens and Winery. Not only did we have some wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon, but we also got to talk with Tony about wine, upcoming events, and his recent remodel of the tasting room.

From  a beautiful antique swinging door to the lovely mural on the back wall, the additional space in the tasting room is fantastic. It adds seating room and gives the winery a much roomier, welcoming space. The room also connects to the party and event space and when there is music, visitors will be able to hear the music while still visiting with friends. If you haven’t been able to visit Brianza for a while, you’re in for a treat. An afternoon there will brighten even the dreariest of dreary winter days.