Many people braved the cold and dreary day to spend some time at MainStrasse last night to taste Kentucky wines at the 7th annual wine festival. Wineries were pouring tastes and glasses of their wines and artisans were sharing their art. Visitors tasted and bought their favorite wines, savored the foods, purchased gifts, but most importantly enjoyed the evening with friends. Even though the weather was not the best for a fall day, everyone dressed warmly, had a good time, and enjoyed the festival.
For me it was a little different, I’m usually a visitor. Being a vendor instead of meandering around tasting the wines and admiring the work of the artisans, I was chatting about my book. I enjoyed myself, meeting other wine lovers, and talking about wine and Kentucky wineries.
A good time was had by all! Watch for next year’s date. You won’t want to miss it.
by adminWine lovers in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati will want to mark their calendars. The 7th annual Northern Kentucky Wine Festival will be October 20th at the Sixth Street Promenade at MainStrasse, in Covington.
With recent additions, there are 19 wineries attending. My wine book divides the state into five regions and each of those regions will be represented. From the Northern Kentucky Region: Elk Creek Vineyards, Stonebrook Winery, Atwood Hill Winery, Generation Hill Winery, Baker-Bird Winery, Seven Wells Vineyard & Winery, Redman’s Farm Winery, Rose Hill Farm Winery, Serendipity Winery, and Verona Vineyards will be there. Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery, Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery, Black Barn Winery, and Equus Run 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.
This has become one of Kentucky’s most popular wine festivals, with 3,000 in attendance last year. Hours for the festival are 3 PM to 10 PM.
I’ve attended the festival for years and recommend it as an enjoyable way to spend an October day. This year I’ll be signing books as well as tasting some of my favorite wines. Hope to see you there.
by admin
Mt. Washington, in Bullitt County, is the location of a winery owned by John and Donna Miller. Visitors can taste their wines and savor a appetizer tray. Local residents have made use of the lovely facilities for weddings, parties, and other events. They are open to the public seven days a week, and open until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The wines at MillaNova have won awards at the Indy International and the Kentucky State Fair competitions this year. Cabernet Sauvignon and Mafia Merlot received double gold medals and their Petite Sirah Royale was awarded a silver medal at Indianapolis, while Mint Julia, a special blend, won Gold at the Kentucky State Fair. At a recent visit, I was especially impressed with the Petite Sirah and the Pitite Sirah Royale. The difference in the two is in the aging and selection of grapes. Their Walnut Ridge dessert wine, one of Kentucky’s most unique wines, is excellent for sipping or for cooking. I love using it in my Kentucky Memories Cake.
In August of 2007, Jim and Sandy Wight opened Bullitt County’s first commercial winery. Since then they have been greeting visitors and serving their award winning wines seven days of the week. Wines there range from those made with Native American grapes, such as Diamond, Concord and Norton; to those made from vinifera grapes such as Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Jim has been winning awards for his wine making skills for many years, even as an amateur before the winery opened.
The winery is located just a few miles from I-65 at Shepherdsville, but the drive takes you away from the bustle of town to a lovely country setting. The vineyard is beautiful and the winery is charming. In my book, you’ll find a picture of their wine dogs Bear and Henry. They’ve lost Bear, but visitors will probably get to meet Henry who is still watching over the vineyard and winery.
On October 9th, at 7 PM, I will be signing and discussing A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky. Since this is my local bookstore, I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new wine lovers as well.
If you’ve not visited the Joseph Beth at the Crestview Hills Town Center since it opened at the new Borders location, you should really make a visit. The bookstore has continued the tradition of other Joseph Beth stores, being a great place to find a book, a magazine, or a gift item, relax, or meet friends.
Hope to see you at the signing.
by admin