2012 September

Sep 28thJoseph Beth Booksellers in Lexington

On October 3, I will be signing and discussing A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky, at the Lexington Joseph Beth. There will be a Kentucky wine tasting and cheese event in the Bronte Bistro at 6 PM, followed by the signing at 7 PM.

I am especially excited about the signing because this has been a favorite store of mine since it opened twenty-five years ago. I’ve planned shopping trips so that I could visit Joseph Beth. When we stay in Lexington, we’ve often chosen the Hilton at Lexington Green because you can walk to the bookstore. I went to two signings at Joseph Beth over the years that were exceptional experiences. I was able to meet John Ed Pearce and talk to him about his book, The Feuds of Eastern Kentucky, and was also able to meet Jimmy Carter when he signed The Hornet’s Nest.

I would love to see you there.

by admin

Sep 25thNorthern Kentucky Wine Festival

On Saturday, October 20th, from 3 to 10, wine lovers will have the opportunity to taste wines from seventeen of Kentucky’s wineries. Party Town will sponsor the Seventh Annual Northern Kentucky Wine Festival at the MainStrasse Village in Covington. For a $10 admission, visitors can sample four wines and enjoy live entertainment. Extra tickets for tastings and glasses of wine can be purchased separately. Artisans and local food vendors will be there to add to the enjoyment of the day.

Visitors can taste wines from Northern Kentucky wineries: Elk Creek Vineyards, Stonebrook Winery, Atwood Hill, Generation Hill Winery, Baker- Bird Winery, Seven Wells Vineyard & Winery, Redman’s Farm Winery, Rose Hill Farm Winery, and Serendipity Winery will have booths. Chrisman Mill Vineyards, Lovers Leap Vineyards Winery, and Black Barn Winery from the Bluegrass Region; Horseshoe Bend Vineyards, WhiteMoon Winery, and Old 502 Winery from the Derby Region; Purple Toad Winery from the Western Region; and Cedar Creek Vineyards from the Southeastern Region of the state will also offer wines for tasting and buying.

The MainStrasse Village and the Northern Kentucky Vintner & Grape Growers Association have joined together to give visitors an experience that has grown into one of the best wine festivals in the state. The location on the Sixth Street Promenade at the Goose Girl Fountain provides a historic ambiance for wine lovers to wile away the late afternoon and evening while enjoying Kentucky wines.

I will be signing and selling copies of A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky at the festival. I hope to see you there.

by admin

Sep 8thKenton County Farm Harvest Tour

Kenton County is putting its agricultural heritage on tour on September 15, from 9 to 5. The tour has among its stops beef and dairy cattle, horses, and pumpkins, but wine lovers also have a chance to taste wines produced in the county.

Visitors can visit Atwood Hill Winery on Spillman Road and Redman’s Farm and Winery on Decoursey Pike.

Atwood Hill is offering wagon rides through the vineyard and views from the patio along with a glass of wine.

Redmans is offering hayrides and the chance to learn about grapes from the vine to wine.

Visitors can pick up their maps at the Kenton County Extension Outdoor Education Center, on Marshall Road, and spend the day touring farms in Kenton County.

by admin

Sep 7thLavender Hills of Kentucky

Last Sunday when we visited Baker-Bird in Augusta, we decided to drive over to Brooksville to visit a farm business owned by friends of ours. Unlike many farms in Kentucky where one finds horses, cows, or even vineyards, at this farm you also find Lavender. Lavender Hills of Kentucky has been in business for several years. They grow several types of lavender, from edible to the plants grown mostly for the scented flowers. Even though the lavender had been harvested for the year, we were given a tour and received explanations about the lavender. I thought all lavender was purple, after all it is called lavender. However, at the Bracken County farm, they grow many varieties including purple, pink, yellow, and one that looks like a honeycomb. Next year, I’d like to visit when the lavender is in bloom.

We also visited their gift shop. Items scented with lavender from sachets to bath salts and soap are available for purchase. Edible lavender is available with some recipes on how to use it in the kitchen or you could buy some items from the kitchen made for you.

It was a lovely place and a delightful visit.

by admin

Sep 7thRecent Winery Visits

Getting my book out to the wineries has given me the opportunity to visit many wineries that I haven’t been to in a while. The end of summer is a beautiful time to visit a winery. The vineyards are at their peak ready for harvest. Many of the grape growers are covering the vines to keep the birds from getting to the grapes before they do. Go to my Winery Photos Page to take a look at the beautiful late summer views inside and out. Hope you enjoy the photos from many of my recent visits.

by admin

Sep 7thA book signing at Springhill Winery

On Friday, September 14th, I’ll be at Springhill Winery in Bloomfield, Kentucky. The winery is located just off the Bluegrass Parkway. Many visitors will be traveling that highway next weekend to attend the Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. For those who want to try another of Kentucky’s award winning beverages, stop by at Springhill Winery. I’d love to meet you and share my book with you.

by admin

Sep 7thOctober Signings

October is going to be an interesting and busy month. I’m looking forward to five events. I would love to meet wine lovers. answer questions, and sign a book for you.

I will be at Joseph Beth Book Booksellers at Lexington Green in Lexington, on October 3rd at 7 PM. Visitors can enjoy a talk about the book and a wine tasting.

On October 9, I will be talking about my book and signing copies at the Joseph Beth Booksellers in Northern Kentucky, at the Crestview Hills Town Center at 7 PM.

A close friend is hosting a book signing party at her business, Cabin Arts in Burlington, on October 12th at 6:30. Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery have been invited to provide wine for the evening.

The Northern Kentucky Wine Festival is on October 20th, from 3 to 10, at Main Strasse in Covington. I will have a table at the festival. When the wineries attending are available, I will post an announcement.

The Kentucky Proud Incredible Food Show, this year is on October 27, from 9 AM to 6 PM, at the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena. Joseph Beth will have a booth and I will be there. As more news is available, I will update you. I have attended this event almost every year and it is a good time. Visitors are able to get a taste of so many of Kentucky’s products in the Marketplace and see shows featuring food presentations. This year’s featured chef is Tyler Florence from the Food Network.

by admin

Sep 7thBaker-Bird Winery

We were able to return to the Baker-Bird Winery for the first time in two years. I was impressed with the changes and renovations that Dinah Bird has been able to accomplish. Baker-Bird Winery is unique among the wineries of the state because it is located in the same building that held the winery owned by the Baker family in the 1800’s. When I visited in December of 2010 to interview Dinah, we went on the first weekend the winery was open to the public. Dinah was enthusastic about the winery, its history, and her plans for the future. Most of those plans have come to fruition.

Three German craftsmen, in the early 1850s, constructed a 40 by 100 foot stone building to house a winery for Abraham Baker, Jr. Baker and his son constructed a wine cellar. In 1860, when the census reported that Kentucky was the third-largest producers of grapes in the country, Abraham Baker’s wine cellar was well-known as one of the finest in the nation. Visitors can tour the cellar, as well as hold a special event there. The winery building was a commerical winery as well as being the Baker home. In the winery building, visitors can taste wines created for the winery by other vintners in the state.

The historical ambiance that greets visitors is appealing. With my lifelong interest in history, the visit was a treat.