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Kenton County Farm Tour
Kenton County Cooperative Extension Services sponsored its first farm tour on September 17, 2011. Hundreds of visitors were welcomed at the farms and invited to look around and enjoy learning about the farm products, from pumpkins to shrimp to Angus and Simmental cattle. Two of the fourteen farms visited were wineries. Kenton County’s two wineries are Atwood Hill Winery and Redman’s Farm and Winery.
Atwood Hill Winery has been around for several years and is well-known to the community. The wines are good; the tasting room and grounds are lovely and provide visitors with a relaxing experience. During the tour, there were antique tractors, special foods, craft booths, and, of course, wine. Though the grapevines were covered to protect the harvest, no one seemed to mind. While we were there, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and partaking of all of the offerings.
Redman’s Farm and Winery is relatively new as a winery, but not as a family farm. The family took visitors on tours through the farm, provided food, and had flowers available for purchasing. Visitors could taste the apple and blackberry wines or purchase produce during their time at the farm.
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An easy dessert that always gets raves
A few years ago while visiting the winery at the Biltmore Estate, the young man pouring our wine made a cooking suggestion for a cake that sounded just too easy to believe. Of course, I had to give it a try. Not only was it one of the easiest desserts I’ve ever made, but it is also one of the most popular with my friends. I serve it at parties. You might want to give it a try.
Start with a devils food cake mix. (Duncan Hines is my choice, but any brand will do.) Follow the directions on the box for a bundt cake, with just one change. Instead of adding the water, add the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. When it’s baked, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve it to your friends. sit back, and wait for the compliments.
Other red wines work just as well. Last Christmas, I used Merlot and it was delicious. To make it a little festive, put a few grapes around the cake. You might even want to try a white cake with white wine. The wine makes the cake extremely moist and gives it a surprise flavor.
by admin with No CommentsRecent 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.
by admin with 1 CommentKentucky Wine on Display
The second annual Vintage KY Wine Festival was held over Labor Day Weekend at Ashland, the home of Kentucky’s Henry Clay. Visitors were treated to tastings from Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery, Elk Creek Vineyards and Winery, Purple Toad Winery, Generations Hill Winery, Prodigy Vineyards and Winery. and Horseshoe Bend Vineyards and Winery. Each winery brought selections from their wine lists, with wines ranging from Chrisman Mill’s dry, red, full-bodied Norton, to Elk Creek’s light-bodied, fruity Pinot Grigio, to Purple Toad’s Paducah Peach.
While the weather turned bad and kept the attendance lower than last year’s festival, around 250 people enjoyed the wine, food, and entertainment. The venue of the festival provides a beautiful setting for relaxing and enjoying Kentucky wine. Many visitors also enjoyed touring Ashland and the grounds.
I attended the festival both years and am already looking forward to next year’s. The food choices were excellent, the tour of the historic home and the grounds were well worth it, and the wine was great. What else would you need for a good time?
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