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Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery
Jim Wight started making wine as a hobby and as an amateur created many wines that were enjoyed by his friends. His success led him to give professional winemaking a try. Early in the 2000s, he planted a vineyard and in 2007 opened a winery in Bullitt County. As they say, the rest is history. Jim is one of Kentucky’s best winemakers. Not only has he won many awards for his wines, but has also been a guide for some of the state’s other wineries.
Recently, Jim has created wines from some unusual hybrids. He is making a delightful white wine from a new grape called Cabernet Doré, a hybrid of Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon. What? A white? It is thought to have developed as a white grape due to a recessive white gene, likely from Sauvignon Blanc, a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wight’s Cabernet Doré is a smooth dry white. His other new wine is a Rosé made with the Zinthiania grape, a hybrid of Norton and Zinfandel. With notes of dried strawberries and cranberries, the wine is delicious.
A visit to Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery will be a treat for all wine lovers. No matter what your tastes are in wine, you will find something there you will love.
Brianza Gardens and Winery
Saturday was a chilly fall day, but that didn’t stop the wine lovers that visited the festival at Brianza Gardens and Winery. There were many visitors enjoying the vendors, Browning’s Ham food truck, the music of Holly Spears, and, of course, the wonderful wine.
Festivities began early in the day, but we arrived in the late afternoon and the vendors were closing down. It was easy to tell that visitors had been enjoying themselves for hours. We were there several hours and had a great time as we always do. We chose Saturday to stop by for the food and the music that was scheduled.
We have been fans of Browning’s Ham and have visited the farm for several years, but this year he has added a food truck and brings his food to fairs, festivals, and events around the state. We had ham sliders that were delicious. We also tasted his ribs and just had to bring some home for later. If you see his big red food truck, be sure to give it a try. The food is really good!
Holly Spears is a well-known singer around Nashville, whose music includes folk, country, pop, and Christian. Her show is excellent. She has a lovely voice and performed some of our favorites, including covers of Chris Stapleton’s Traveller and Maren Morris’s My Church. Holly really puts on a good show and we are looking forward to seeing her again.
The wine is always worth a visit. The new release of Tony’s Cabernet Sauvignon is worth the trip. We also were treated to some birthday cake as Tony and Deb were celebrating Deb’s birthday. It was a really good time!
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An American Sagrantino
This summer, we were introduced to Sagrantino, an amazing new wine, from Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery. This wine is typically found in the province of Umbria, located in Italy just east of Tuscany, not at a North Carolina winery. Raffaldini specializes in Italian varietals and this is a wonderful addition to their line of wines that include Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Montepulciano.
Sagrantino grapes produce a dry, bold, deep rich red wine with flavors of black cherries and spice with earthy characteristics. Our introduction was a pleasant one. We look forward to having more of this wonderful wine. If you love big red wines, give this one a try if you get the chance. You will be glad you did.
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Kentucky Wine Festival
On September 9, Kentucky put its wine on display at the 6th Annual Kentucky Wine Festival. Visitors were treated to food, vendors, live music, and wine. Prodigy Vineyards and Winery, Forest Edge Winery, Purple Toad Winery, Rising Sons Home Farm Winery, Brooks Hill Winery, and Springhill Winery were just a few of the wineries that were pouring their wines. The highlight of the day was the VIP Experience.
Visitors who chose that special experience were given tastes of the states’ wines that had recently won awards at the state competition. Those pours were accompanied by food treats to enhance their flavors. While tasting, some of the best-known figures in the Kentucky wine world shared their knowledge about the wines.
Purple Toad Winery and their awards
Winemaker and owner at Purple Toad Winery, Allen Dossey, was named Winemaker of the Year this year at the Indy International Wine Competition. Purple Toad also brought home 16 medals for its wines, including four double gold medals. This is a prestigious award in the wine world because Indy had over 2000 entries from 40 states, as well as 11 different countries.
Purple Toad Winery is located in Paducah and has been open for eight years. Their vineyard has been around for 19 years. The winery sells over 30 varieties, specializing in sweet wines. Owners Allen and June Dossey have been very involved in the Kentucky wine industry in recent years, traveling to festivals all over the state.
If you get the chance, you’ll want to give their wines a try. You’ll be happy you did. Besides, they also have one of the neatest names and labels in the state.
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Northern Kentucky Wine Festival
Wine lovers in Northern Kentucky should mark your calendars. Once again, MainStrasse will be the site of one of the state’s premier wine festivals. From 3 PM to 10 PM, on October 21, 2017, wineries from around the state will be offering tastes of their wines.
I’ll share details of the event when they are available. One thing for sure now, it will be a good time!
by admin with No Comments6th Annual Kentucky Wine Festival
Just a reminder for Kentucky wine lovers, the Sixth Annual Kentucky Wine Festival will be September 9, 2017, from Noon to 10 PM, at the Bullitt County Fairgrounds, sponsored by the Kentucky Wineries Association.
There will be Kentucky wineries, craft vendors, food vendors, and music to appeal to all visitors. For $20, get 12 wine tastings, a festival program and a souvenir glass.
Mark your calendars to enjoy a fun day of trying some of Kentucky’s finest wines.
by admin with No CommentsHonah Lee Vineyard
When we visit Virginia, we try to find new places to visit, especially wineries, but never expected to find “a land called Honah Lee”. We didn’t get to meet Puff the Magic Dragon, but we did get to meet Eric Hopwood, winemaker. He does create some magic with his wines. We had the opportunity to talk to the winemaker and taste some really great wines.
Just outside of Gordonsville, in Central Virginia, Honah Lee Vineyard is open every day for tastings of their wines as well as some from some other Virginia wineries. The tasting room is in a lovely, cozy, welcoming location. The building itself is small, but is surrounded by grounds that just seem to invite visitors to enjoy themselves with beautiful well-kept flowers and a delightful patio. Besides tastings, they also have events, such as catered dinners and hosted weddings.
The vineyard with 30 acres of grapes, has been in operation since 1992, and has been selling grapes to many Virginia wineries. A few years ago they began making their own wines. The decision was a good one. Of the wines we tasted, our favorite was a Malbec, poured by the winemaker. Malbec wines are robust, flavorful dry red wines, usually from South American wineries. This Virginia Malbec is excellent. The other wines we tasted were also very well made and very tasty.
They also operate Berrywood Crafters and have some delicious treats, such as jams and jellies on sale at the tasting room. While the name was intriguing, we were drawn to the Cran-Ghost Pepper Jelly, but did have to bring home the Basil Jelly and Onion-Pepper Jam. They were quite good.
The visit was great and we have already planned our visit for next summer. If you happen to be in Central Virginia, take time to visit this little “land called Honah Lee.” You’ll be glad you did!
Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery
Visitors to one of Kentucky’s oldest and most popular wineries are in for a surprise when they walk through the door of the vineyard tasting room. As you arrive, the vineyard still welcomes you as you drive up the hill to the parking area, the walk to the tasting room is the same, but then you notice the changes.
The new décor reflects a fresh, new look for the winery. Wine lovers will also want to look for a new wine release, with a new name and label – Dragonfly. While the vineyard is only open on special days, watch for those days. The visit is worth it!
The Winery of CM at Fayette Mall is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 9 PM and on Sundays, from 1 to 6 PM. Wine gifts, specialty foods, and of course, wine is available there for visitors. Come in, taste, or buy a glass and relax for a while. A visit to the Winery is an excellent break in a day of shopping!
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Norton Grapes in Kentucky
The Norton grape, also called Cynthiana, is one of the most widely grown grapes in Kentucky. One of the reasons for its popularity is its heartiness; Norton is able to withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees. The grape, a hybrid of a vitis labrusca and a vitis vinifera, was developed by Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton, at his vineyard in Virginia. The oldest “American” grape, it was available as a varietal in 1830. Norton was quickly recognized as the American grape that could produce a wine to compare with big European red wines. The Wild Vine: A Forgotten Grape and the Untold Story of American Wine, written by Todd Kliman, is a good read for those interested in the Norton grape.
In mid-summer, the Norton grape gives no hint of the deeply dark wine that is to come. Like with most grapes, the grapes begin green and later develop their color.
By harvest time, the grapes have ripened to the lush colors we lovers of the grape and the wine have come to expect. The deep, dark, almost inky color of the grapes give Norton wines that that deep garnet color.
A number of Kentucky wineries produce Norton wines, some as their selected reserves. For lovers of the big, bold red wines, this one is a favorite with its aromas of spice, and flavors of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Whether you discover a Norton or a Cynthiana, give it a try. The wines the grape produces are memorable.
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