May 3rdProdigy Vineyard and Winery

Those who have visited Prodigy are familiar with the lovely tasting room located next to the Paul Sawyier Gallery on Versailles Road just off I-64. The atmosphere, the wine, the appetizers, and the service make every visit an experience. Wine club members are used to Release Parties being held at the tasting room. But on April 28, members of Prodigy’s Wine Club were treated to a special Release Party to pick up their wine selections.  What made it special was the release party was the first held at the wine facility and vineyard, located about a mile farther down the road from the tasting room. Visitors drove through the gates, past the vineyard along a winding road, to a horse barn and the wine building. Outside the winery building, patio seating was available. Local musicians, Gene and Laura entertained the crowd with an eclectic choice of music, while visitors enjoyed wine and food. The setting was perfect for a winery get together.

For an added treat, visitors were able to do a tasting from the wine tank of a new wine that will be released within a couple of months.  The new wine is a Meritage (rhymes with heritage). Many wine drinkers are familiar with this blend; many wineries make this wine.  What is unique about Prodigy’s Meritage is the grape varieties used in the blend. The blended wine contains Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Lemburger. The Lemburger gives their Meritage an interesting taste.  I’m looking forward to the release.

The vineyard still showed the signs of early spring, with few leaves and no grapes, but the rows of vines give the promise of whats to come. Prodigy vineyards contains about seven acres of both red and white grape varietals. The winery purchases grapes from vineyards nearby to supplement their supply to create their wines. Touring the winery facility, visitors were given a peek at how their favorite wines are made.

It was obvious that all who attended were having a really good time.

Apr 22ndChrisman Mill’s Tuscan Dinner

Friday, April 20, was the first Tuscan dinner of the year at Chrisman Mill Vineyard and Winery. We attended and enjoyed a delicious meal, wonderful wine, and a relaxing evening. Each month, usually the third Friday, during the spring, summer, and autumn months, the vineyard is the site of an eight course Tuscan dinner. The chef, Denise Nelson, plans the menus around a theme. Friday’s theme was garlic. Garlic, a cousin of the lily, was featured in the crostini appetiser, the salad dressing, the sauces on the pastas and the meats. Each selection was delicious, especially for a garlic lover. While not expecting garlic to complement a dessert, the surprising dish of the night was a garlic infused gelato which turned out to be quite a satisfying way to end the meal. Three wines were paired with the courses, Sweet Jessamine Rose, First Vineyard Reserve, and Veneto; but diners may also choose to order a bottle of their own choosing. We chose our personal favorite, Norton Reserve.

Spring seems to be coming early to Kentucky this year, but the vines were still just beginning to develop. The vineyard offers a glimpse of what’s to come. Chrisman Mill, one of Kentucky’s oldest wineries, has continued to make changes and additions keeping the grounds lovely. They’ve created a spot that is a relaxing and enjoyable place to spend an evening. The next Tuscan Dinner is May 18. (a full schedule is on their website). The dinners are a unique experience, I recommend it completely. We’ve taken friends with us several times and everyone has always had a great evening.

Of course, the vineyard is also open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 to 5. Visitors can enjoy tastings, sharing a bottle, or being there for other special events. Their website gives their full schedule.

Mar 17thLovers Leap Vineyards and Winery

For those who have not already heard, Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery has changed hands. The new owners, the Sivinskis, are keeping the winery open, but have closed it temporarily to make some changes. Check the Lovers Leap website for updates about the opening.

I’ve spoken with Brian Sivinski, the winery manager and he’s very excited about reopening and continuing to make wines that Kentuckians will love.

Mar 17thKentucky Wineries

February is usually not the month that wine lovers choose to visit wineries. The vineyards are not all that beautiful and you can’t enjoy sitting outside sipping your wine. We did however take time from basketball games to make a few stops at four Bluegrass wineries. Elk Creek Vineyards and Winery have the Kentucky Proud store at the Lexington Center. Not only can you taste the wines, you can get a glass of wine before the ball games. Chrisman Mill Vineyard and Winery have a shop at Hamburg. It is just a short drive to Rupp Arena, so before or after the game, enjoying a glass of wine provides a good time. One Saturday in February we drove out and revisited Grimes Mill Winery, just off Old Richmond Road. The visit was fun. We were able to taste some of the future vintages from the barrel. At Kentucky’s last noon game, we were able to visit Prodigy Vineyards and Winery. The Winery is just off of I-64, and the trip was worth it.

With spring approaching, we’ll be out and about visiting wineries and tasting wines.  See you there!

Jan 17thGrimes Mill Winery

We had the pleasure of visiting this new Kentucky winery on New Year’s Eve. When I first heard about the winery, I had read they would be closed until spring. Happily, that information was wrong. The winery is operating under winter hours, from 1 to 5 on the weekends. I recommend a visit whenever you find the time.

Grimes Mill Winery is located just south of Lexington on Old Richmond Road. They opened in September and have been serving visitors and hosting groups since then. Philip and Lois DeSimone, the owners, previously grew tobacco on their small farm. In 2003, they began raising grapes. Their four-acre vineyard consists of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Petit Manseng, Moscato, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Visitors to Kentucky vineyards will note that some of these are unusual to the state. As a new vineyard, they have bought some juice for their wines.

Their wine list includes six wines currently. Guests are offered a taste of three wines for six dollars, with a souvenir wine glass. Additional wine tastings can be purchased. I chose to taste the three dry wines. The Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine, with a hint of citrus flavors. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry red, deep in color and fruity in flavor. My favorite was the Malbec; it has a strong berry flavor with a hint of chocolate in the finish. Other visitors, while we were there, were also delighted with the sweeter offerings.  As their Pinot Grigio grapes will not be ready until 2013, they had to buy the juice.  However, both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Malbec grapes came from their vineyard.

Though the winery is relatively new, the wines are superbly made. The explanation might be the Italian heritage of Philip DeSimone (his grandfather made wine in the basement of his Brooklyn home), his profession as an oncologist (many winemakers are physicians), or the time they lived in Italy developing a taste for good wine in the city of Milan.

The tasting room and the wine-making facilities are in a renovated barn that once housed tobacco and horses. You might find that hard to believe when you walk through the door. The decor is delightful. From the inviting wine bar to the sofa by the fireplace, visitors will feel at home and want to stay awhile.  I recommending looking up.  The ceiling is one of the most beautiful  I’ve seen.

Philip and Lois were both there greeting guests and making them feel at home. We were given a tour of the winery with an explanation of the winemaking process. Their winery uses both a French barrel and barrels from the cooperage in East Bernstadt, Kentucky. Both owners enjoy the winery and sharing their wines with visitors.  As I have found in my travels to other Kentucky’s wineries, the owners are extremely interesting. Philip, originally from New York, teaches and spends time working at the Markey Cancer Center.  Lois, though from Newfoundland, went to school at Berea and really enjoys the opportunity to meet the visitors to the winery.

Grimes Mill Winery is an excellent destination for those who want a chance to taste good wine and relax in a rural Fayette County setting.

Dec 21stHappy Holidays

No, I haven’t given up on talking about wine. Christmas shopping, giving and grading finals, and going to basketball games has taken up most of my spare time this month. Of course, I have had some very good wine. A glass of wine (or more) is always relaxing after shopping and grading; and the Elk Creek Kentucky Proud Store next to Rupp Arena and Chrisman Mill Winery at Hamburg offer a chance to combine two of my loves on game days.

There are a couple of wines I’ve enjoyed this month that I would recommend, especially for those of you who love the big reds in cold weather. Prodigy’s Lemberger is a dark, dry wine with a plummy taste. Chrisman Mill’s Norton is garnet colored dry wine that has a spicy taste.

Enjoy the season and have a happy holiday with family, friends, and wine.

Oct 31stProdigy Vineyards and Winery

When you visit a winery fifteen minutes before closing, you might think you wouldn’t be welcomed. But the people at Prodigy couldn’t have been more hospitable. We were driving across the state on our way home and as we were nearing Frankfort, we decided to see if they were still open. They were and we had a lovely visit.

On Friday evenings until 9PM, Prodigy serves food and has live entertainment. Even though they were about to close when we arrived, we were offered a menu of grilled food or appetizers and a chance to taste the wine. We chose to have a glass of wine and listen to the music. The musical artist was Thomas Hood playing guitar.

We did taste a couple of new wines, the barrel fermented Chardonel and a new Zinfandel. We chose Lemberger, our favorite, to drink. While there, we were invited to join their new wine club.  Members get three bottles of wine four times a year, either of your choice or the winemakers, as well as discounts and special members only events.

Our choice to stop was definitely a good one. We had an enjoyable time. Chad Peach, the owner and winemaker, is doing a great job.

Oct 30thElk Creek Vineyards

If you are ever near Owenton during the day, I really recommend a stop at Elk Creek Vineyards. They offer lunch and wine tastings in some of the most beautiful surroundings you’ll find in northcentral Kentucky. Located just an hour from Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati, the vineyards are worth the visit. I had a friend visiting from Florida and took her to lunch at the Elk Creek Café. Even though the weather was damp and gloomy, the view was still spectacular.  Inside the beautiful tasting room a fire was burning in the fireplace to warm us and make for a cozy lunch.

After a drive through country roads, first-time visitors arriving at Elk Creek Vineyards are impressed by the vineyards on the rolling hills of Owen County, the winery set on a hill in a wooden and rock building, with a view of the Lodge across the vineyards on another hilltop. Once inside, the beauty of the tasting room, the impressive gallery filled with the art of local artists, and the hospitality of the employees will make anyone want to come back.

We were offered tastings of two new wines, made by the winemaker, Brandon O’Daniel, which features the art of Carey Chen on the label. I purchased the Cabernet Sauvignon, a very good red wine. After lunch, we walked around outside a bit, but not for long, as it was cold. We went inside and toured the gallery where my friend purchased a pottery dish.

Though I have been a fan of Elk Creek for quite some time (love their Gewurztraminer), my friend was quite impressed that Kentucky could offer visitors such a destination.

Sep 17thRecent Visit to Chrisman Mill

If you haven’t visited Chrisman Mill’s new tasting room, you are missing a good time. While still in Hamburg, they are now located just across from the theatre. For those accustomed to the old tasting room, the new one will not disappoint. There is still great wine, a good selection of gifts, and a relaxing atmosphere. The decor is reminiscent of Venice, with an amazing mural decorating one entire wall. Visitors will find a larger space with more seating at the tasting bar, snack trays available, a big screen television (that just might feature a UK game), crafted beer to provide a tasting choice, and outdoor seating. Events, such as Wild Women of Wine Wednesdays, are sure to provide a mid-week break.

For Chrisman Mill regulars who have just been too busy since July to take time to visit, you will find everything to like and nothing to mind about the winery’s move to a new tasting room. Those who have not had the chance to visit Chrisman Mill’s Winery at Hamburg in Lexington, take time to visit. My husband and I spent a relaxing afternoon there this summer and plan to visit again soon.