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31st Annual Kentucky Book Fair
The thirty-first Kentucky Book Fair will be held on November 10th, in Frankfort, at the Convention Center. Over 195 authors will be available to sign their books. Authors from many genres will be there. The event is open to the public.
A book fair is a great way for readers to meet and talk to their favorite authors, and purchase a signed copy of their books. The fair opens at 9 AM and most authors will be there until 5 PM. Avid readers will want to attend.
I will be there signing copies of A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky and would love to see you there.
by adminKentucky Wines
For those who come to my blog for news and information, I apologize for the time since my last post. I’ve had a lingering illness that has lessened my energy and my cognitive skills. I have lots of news I’ll be posting in the next two days.
I would like to share news about new releases of two of my favorite wines. Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery released a new vintage (2010) of Cabernet Sauvignon, which I strongly recommend. This elegant wine has a deep garnet color, with flavors of black cherries or currants and a vanilla finish. Lovers Leap’s Cabs have always been very good; this one is excellent.
Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery has released the new vintage of Norton Reserve. While every vintage of Norton Reserve has been superior, this one has a smooth finish while still giving the full big red taste and truly is fabulous.
If you love “big reds”, you’ll want to try these as soon as you can.
by adminNorthern Kentucky Wine Festival Review
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 adminNorthern Kentucky Wine Festival – Update
Wine 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
MillaNova Winery
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.
Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery
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.
Joseph Beth Booksellers Crestview Hills
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 adminJoseph 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 adminNorthern 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 adminKenton 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