As a wine lover, we have visited most of Kentucky’s wineries. As a life-long Kentuckian, we have visited several of the state’s bourbon distilleries. But last weekend was a new experience for us. We visited Castle and Key Distillery just outside of Frankfort. Located on the grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery built in 1887, with its original castle and grounds restored, Castle and Key offers visitors several different spirits. Castle and Key distills three styles of gin and a vodka.
While tours have been stopped during the pandemic, you can still visit, taste, and enjoy the grounds. After tasting the spirits, either straight or in cocktails, visitors can buy the products or gift items in their gift shop. The historic buildings with outdoor tastings at Counter 17, the grounds with the Springhouse and Botanical Trail are very impressive. Castle and Key Distillery is an excellent place to visit. We enjoyed our visit and look forward to returning when tours resume. It is great way to spend an afternoon visiting a piece of Kentucky history. And they serve gin.
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In this disturbing year, finding a safe place to relax and enjoy an afternoon break is a great find. Our place is Brianza Gardens and Winery. On bad days, on good days, or just Wednesdays, stopping at Brianza and sharing a great Cabernet Sauvignon makes it all better. We’ve shared picnic lunches, ran into friends, and just visited with Tony and talked about wine.
Fall in the vineyard has been beautiful. Kentucky wine lovers would enjoy a visit. Try a tasting flight and choose the wine you love most. Enjoy!
If you’re missing the Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery, Hummingbird Ridge Distillery, and Fuego Grill, you might be interested in the pop-up sales from their newly opened Hummingbird Bakery Company.
Denise Nelson has created custom design sugar cookies. She uses only natural ingredients – Potassium Bromate free flour and 100% natural Madagascar vanilla. They are not only delicious but also a work of art.
Check out their Facebook page.
by adminThe last Saturday in September, we enjoyed a wonderful meal and amazing wine on the patio at Fuego Grill. The Grill, the Chrisman Mill Winery, and Hummingbird Ridge Distillery are closed until spring. They will be missed!
It was a beautiful night and the winery was looking its best.
The owners, Chris and Denise Nelson, are to be congratulated and thanked for providing their visitors with a safe and responsible way to have quality meals and drinks during the Covid 19 pandemic. From delivery and carry out to VIP safe-distanced dining on the patio, they have been a welcome respite from the worry of contagions.
by adminA few years ago residents and visitors spotted the beginnings of vineyards just outside the town of Rabbit Hash. Wine lovers know that it takes three years for grapes to produce wine. That time has passed, and this summer visitors were able to stop by and enjoy that wine at the Gunpowder Creek Vineyards in downtown Rabbit Hash. In a rustic, homey tasting room on a hill overlooking the General Store and the Ohio River, tastes, glasses, and bottles are available to visitors.
Long-time farmers in Boone County, Gina and Jeff Ogden are the owners and operators of the vineyards and the winery. While caring for the vineyards themselves they brought in a regional winemaker, Alex Sena, to create their wines. From sweet wines to dry wines, they produce a variety of wines to appeal to any wine drinker. Most of the wines are produced from grapes grown in their vineyards, such as Stueben, Catawba, Arandell, and Norton. They also produce a Malbec from Argentinian grapes. For those who enjoy the taste of wines aged in Bourbon barrels, wine lovers can try a Blackberry and and Arandell.
Rabbit Hash attracts many visitors and is a gathering spot for locals. After suffering a devastating fire a few years ago, the General Store was rebuilt and once again charms visitors with its quaint offerings. If you visit this fall, you will be enthralled by the local election. Rabbit Hash has gained notoriety for many years of electing a dog for mayor. The town is covered with posters of the candidates including the poster of Diezel hanging on the door of the Gunpowder Creek Vineyards.
A visit to the well-known river town just across from Rising Sun is a fun way to spend an afternoon.
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