Feb 18thGrimes 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.

Jan 27thProdigy Vineyards and Winery

Basketball season is in full swing and once again we are in the Lexington area on game days. We were able to take some time after a late afternoon ballgame to visit Prodigy’s Tasting Room just off I-64, in Frankfort.

Prodigy Vineyard and Winery is becoming known for some of Kentucky’s best wines. I’ve written before about the excellent red wines at Prodigy, especially the Lemberger. This weekend I enjoyed a white that is exceptional. Chad Peach is making a dry Traminette, with a spicy, fruity taste and aromas of oranges and grapefruit.

As a white wine drinker, I am quite choosy about the wines I enjoy. One of my favorites has always been a dry Gewurztraminer, but that grape has been difficult to grow in climates similar to Kentucky’s. Vintners are finding that a hybrid called Traminette does grow well here. The grape produces a wine similar in aromas and flavors to its famous parent – Gewurztraminer. Most Traminettes are off-dry or even semi-sweet.  Prodigy has an off-dry Traminette that has been quite popular with most visitors, but I have to say this new addition of a dry Traminette to the wine list is likely to become a favorite for me.

Our visit was, as always, enjoyable. Christmas gifts are being replaced with a wide variety of lovely items in the gift shop following Lenée’s recent buying trip. A visit to Prodigy is a great way to finish an enjoyable afternoon at the ballgame.

Jan 25thValentine Events at Kentucky Wineries

People in love looking for a romantic evening think of candles, music, chocolate, and wine. Wine and romance seem to go hand in hand, and the wineries in Kentucky are observing the day with special events and dinners. Wine lovers looking for a romantic wine-filled evening can find them in many regions of the state, here’s a sampling of events.

Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery are hosting a Leap into Love and Laughter Valentine Dinner on February 14th.

From the 13th to the 17th of February, Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery, at Hamburg, are offering dessert and wine pairings.

Elk Creek Vineyards and Winery are hosting a Valentine’s Dinner on both the 9th and 16th of February.

Acres of Land Vineyard and Winery has a special dinner at their restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

Jean Farris Winery and Bistro offer special Valentine’s Dinners from February 14 to February 17.

MillaNova Vineyard and Winery’s special event is a Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, on February 16.

On February 9th, Wildside Vineyard and Winery will host a Valentine’s Dinner.

Equus Run Vineyard and Winery welcomes visitors to their Kisses and Calories Annual Event, on February 9th.

Jan 21stAtwood Hill Winery’s Farmstead Dinner

Located less than a mile off Madison Pike in southern Kenton County, Atwood Hill Winery has been welcoming visitors for the last few years. The winery is open each weekend offering tastings and a place to relax with a glass of wine. Events draw many wine lovers from the surrounding community, as well as visitors from all over the tri-state. In the summer months, there are outdoor concerts and dinners. This time of year, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Farmstead located next door to the winery for a monthly dinner.

This weekend, we had the pleasure of sharing an evening out with close friends at Atwood Hill Winery’s Farmstead Dinner. Guests are greeted and invited to taste and choose a wine to go with their dinners. Our table chose Cabernet Sauvignon, Harvest White and Vidal Blanc. The winery offers a wide variety of wines from dry to sweet, along with some fruit wines.

Home cooked food, furnished by caterer, Linda Padgett, included herb rubbed roast beef, pork tenderloin, butter parsley red skinned potatoes, green beans, tossed salad, yeast rolls, and desserts. Entertainment was provided by Lynn Holland Payne, who played the acoustic guitar player and sang an eclectic selection of songs.

Their next dinner will be in February. Those interested can check their event calendar for the date and menu. Reservations are required.

Anyone wanting a fun night out in the country will enjoy the food, the wine, the music and the lovely, homey atmosphere of the Farmstead at Atwood Hill Winery.

Jan 14thHappy New Wine Year

A new year has started (Does anyone else have a hard time believing it’s 2013?) and vintners are beginning the process of creating new wines and getting the old well-loved ones ready. Unfortunately for wine lovers like us, many of the wineries are closed until spring and those that remain open have adopted winter hours. If you are planning a trip, be sure to check the new hours. Wineries that have wine shops are generally open, but their hours may differ.

Many wineries have special events for Valentine’s Day, for anyone wanting a special day. Spring hours will resume in March for most of those wineries that are currently closed.

Some wineries, such as Atwood Hill Winery, in Northern Kentucky, have special events in the winter months. We have reservations for a Homestead Dinner in January at Atwood Hill and are looking forward to an evening out.

Dec 21stMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays

                   After the halls are decked, the tree is trimmed, the presents are wrapped and the dinners are ready, relax with a glass of your favorite wine. I’ll be enjoying a glass of Cabernet Franc, a saved bottle from a limited production by Chrisman Mill in 2004. 

                 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our home to yours. Enjoy the season with your family and friends.

Dec 9thNashville Indiana Wineries

Nashville is a small town in Brown County Indiana, known for its artists and unique shops. We visit each year at Thanksgiving. I love to browse through the shops such as the Totem Post, Kiss the Cook, Peg Ann’s, and the Nashville General Store. Those deep-fried biscuits and apple butter at the Nashville House are also a must do. But no trip to Nashville is complete for a wine lover without stops at Chateau Thomas Winery’s tasting room and Brown County Winery.

Chateau Thomas Winery is actually in Indianapolis but welcomes Nashville visitors at a lovely tasting room that offers entertainment, welcoming patio seating and a gift shop. It is a perfect spot to sit and relax from all the shopping. The wines at Chateau Thomas are excellently made and offer something for all tastes, from dry to sweet. My personal favorite is the dark red, spicy Teroldego, known as Dragon’s Blood after an old legend. I would also recommend their Vintage Port.

Brown County Winery has two locations in Nashville; the winery, which is just east of Nashville on Indiana 46, and a tasting room amid the downtown shops. Both locations offer a wide variety of wine gift items, from wine racks to decorative wine bottle stoppers. Tastings are also poured at both tasting bars. This year I was pleased to find a dry Traminette, which is a spicy white wine that is somewhat like a Gewurtstraminer. We also enjoyed their Old Barrel Port. Brown County’s Black Raspberry Encore is a fortified dessert wine that is wonderful.

If you love to shop, but get tired of the same old stores, Nashville offers unique shops in a small town atmosphere. There are a number of lovely places to stay, such as the Hidden Valley Inn where we stayed this year and many nice places to eat. It is a great place for a weekend getaway. Wine lovers won’t be disappointed.

Nov 6thKentucky 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.

Oct 11thMillaNova 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.

Oct 11thWight-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.