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Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery
Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery, in Willisburg, will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day Lamb dinner on March 16 and 17.
The Jester of Horseshoe Bend will share his namesake wine with guests at the McConnel Springs Barrel Tasting and continue to celebrate from April 1st to the 6th with desserts to compliment the Jester.
by admin
6th Annual Wine Barrel Tasting for McConnell Springs
Wine lovers who can’t wait for a taste of the new vintages of their favorite wines have the chance to taste those wines at the wineries, on March 30th. Seventeen of Central Kentucky’s wineries will welcome visitors for a barrel tasting at the 6th annual event to benefit McConnell Springs, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
McConnel Springs is the site where William McConnell and other explorers, in 1775, camped near a spring in the Kentucky territory of Virginia. After hearing about the recently fought first battle in the American Revolution, their settlement was named Lexington. The location was home to many businesses until the 1990s, when a group of citizens decided to raise money to develop the historical site for future Kentuckians.
For a $20 per person admission, visitors can travel on their own to any or all of the participating wineries and have a one ounce taste of wine before it’s in the bottle: Springhill Winery & Plantation, Lovers Leap Vineyards & Winery, Horseshoe Bend Vineyard & Winery, Wildside Winery & Vineyard, Chrisman Mill Vineyards, Talon Winery & Vineyards, Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, Black Barn Winery, Equus Run Vineyards, Acres of Land Winery, Harkness Edwards Vineyards, Prodigy Vineyards & Winery, Elk Creek Vineyards, Chuckleberry Farm & Winery, McIntyre’s Winery & Berries, Grimes Mill Winery, and First Vineyard Winery.
The day offers something for wine lovers wanting to experience wine from the barrel, for someone wanting an opportunity to tour some of Kentucky’s lovely vineyards, or for friends of McConnell Springs who want to help. It will be a great way to spend a spring afternoon in Kentucky.
by admin
Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery
For those who, like me, love Cabernet Franc wines, I have some great news. Soon, Lovers Leap, in Lawrenceburg, will be releasing an exceptional vintage of their new Cabernet Franc. While visiting the winery Saturday afternoon, we were treated to an early taste of the wine. Like other great Cabernet Francs, this wine has a clear garnet color, with flavors and aromas of ripe berries, and a long finish. Lovers Leap plans to share this wine during the McConnell Springs Barrel Tasting on March 30, and will be releasing it soon after. I can’t wait to bring home a bottle (or more). 
The Cabernet Franc grape has a dark skin and likes the growing conditions in Kentucky. It is the parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon. Many wineries overlook the potential of this grape, and use it for blending. Wineries, who offer Cabernet Franc as a varietal, are pleased with the finished product. Visitors become fans of the wine. Brian Sivinski, the owner of Lovers Leap, shared this photo of his Cabernet Franc grapes at harvest.
by adminKentucky Crafted: The Market
Kentucky crafts on display this weekend were exceptional. Booths displayed hand-crafted jewelry, beautiful pottery, woven fabric, specially designed wood items and many other fine arts and crafts created by Kentucky artists.
Speciality foods such as Grandma Carolyn’s Ketchup, turtle candy covered apples from the Sweet Shoppe, and Browning’s ham and bacon, along with many others, were available to sample and buy.
Only one winery offered speciality foods. Chrisman Mill has packaged Denise Nelson’s famous bread pudding so that you can purchase it to enjoy at home. They also offered a wine infused popcorn that drew many to their booth.
Kentucky authors were there to sign their books. Other Kentucky books were available as well from University of Kentucky Press, Jesse Stuart Foundation, Butler Books, and others.
I have to say I enjoyed The Market as a visitor, as well as experiencing it as an author. I met many wonderful people who wanted to discuss my book. Another Butler Books author, Bobbie Smith Bryant was also signing her exceptional book Passions of the Black Patch, Cooking and Quilting in Western Kentucky.
Start looking for the date of next year’s event. If you missed this years, save the date for next year. I recommend it.
by adminKentucky Crafted: The Market
If you are still looking for something to do this weekend, remember the Kentucky Crafted Market in Lexington.
I’ll be there on Sunday from 10 to 1, signing A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky. I’d love to see you there.
by adminBarboursville Vineyard
As readers of my blog or my book know, Barboursville Vineyard and Winery in Virginia holds a special place in this wine lover’s heart. I wanted to share with you a bit of news from Virginia.
The 2009 Octagon, 12th Edition, won the Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup. This is one of the nation’s premier competitions and this year marks the fourth time Barboursville has won this award for one of their wines.
The wine was already awarded 90 points at Wine Enthusiast, the Gold Medal of the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago and the Platinum Medal of the Sommelier Challenge, in California.
Barboursville’s Octagon is a Meritage-style blend of the best Bordeaux varietals from the winery, made only in top vintage years. The 2009 vintage is comprised of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
We will be visiting this summer and I am looking forward to tasting this award-winning wine. Previous vintages have been amazing.
by adminKentucky Crafted: The Market
Kentucky puts on an excellent show of the state’s crafts. On March 2 and 3, at the Lexington Convention Center, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Kentucky’s fine art, crafts, books, and speciality foods. Over 200 exhibitors will share their handcrafted items with all those interested. The Kentucky Arts Council has lined up more than 30 musicians and musical acts to perform during the two days of the market.
The hours are from 9 to 6 on Saturday, and from 10 to 5 on Sunday. The Market is open to wholesale buyers on Friday March 1. Parking is readily available in the lots at the Convention Center.
Butler Books will be located in Booth (#407), near the other booths featuring books. I will be available to sign A Wine Lover’s Odyssey Across Kentucky, from 10 to 1 (or 2), on Sunday.
I hope to see you there.
by adminSpringhill Winery & Plantation Bed’n Breakfast
Spring is coming at the Springhill Winery, on March 15, at 6:30 PM, with a dinner of five courses paired with four wines. Choose from Stuffed Kentucky Bass Filet or Spring Lamb Medallions with an Herbal Wine Sauce for your entree. Call for reservations for their “Wine & Dine” Spring Dinner.
Springhill Winery, Bloomfield, is one of the state’s oldest wineries with a wide selection of excellent wines. Their “Wine & Dine” sounds like a lot of fun.
by adminGrimes Mill Winery
On a baskeball trip to Lexington, we were able to stop at Grimes Mill Winery, in Lexington, to try their new dry white. As a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, I was excited to find that Philip DeSimone had released a new wine featuring Sauvignon Blanc. Wines made with the Sauvignon Blanc grape are straw colored and have a crisp flavor. Sauvignon Blancs have the aromas of tropical fruits, herbs, and freshly mown hay and exhibit flavors of peach and melon. Grimes Mill’s new wine is an excellent addition to their selection of wines.
A visit to Grimes Mill is always enjoyable. The tasting room is in a lovely, easy to reach location, just off I-75. I recommend a visit if you have time when you’re visiting Lexington.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Whether you are going to a winery event, out to dinner, or staying home with your love, have a wonderful day with your favorite someone and your favorite wine.
We’ll be having a special dinner and enjoying a wonderful bottle of Octagon, from Barboursville Vineyard and Winery, in Virginia.
by admin