Kentucky Wineries

[surveyor]

My wife and I took the opportunity to make Saturday our Valentine's Day by taking a trip to Elk Creek Vinyards and Winery (http://www.elkcreekvineyards.com/) in Owenton, Ky. We've toured numerous other wineries and more often than not come away disappointed.
Most wineries cater to those who like sweet wines, offering very little in the way of good dry white and red wines. In some cases, it seems evident that they're just not experienced in creating palatable dry offerings, hence the scarcity of choices.
Elk Creek has some very good reds - a merlot, syrah and a petit syrah that's especially good. The 2006 Chardonnay and the 2004 Chardonnay - Artists Conservation Series are very good, too.
There's a lodge on site as well for those wishing to stay overnight and check nearby (and not too nearby) attractions.

Another of our favorites is Smith-Berry (http://www.smithberrywinery.net/index.htm) located in New Castle, Ky. They've got an excellent dry red, mostly syrah, called Brother John, which was released earlier this year. They've also an excellent American Oak Chardonnel. :thumbup:

Both offer various musical events during the summer. Smith-Berry also caters large events, thus they provide the food for all hosted events. Dinner for two on the grounds including the entertainment (varies from bluegrass, country, jazz) is usually $18 per person in advance - wine is additional $$.

[jwade]

My wife and I took the opportunity to make Saturday our Valentine's Day by taking a trip to Elk Creek Vinyards and Winery (http://www.elkcreekvineyards.com/) in Owenton, Ky. We've toured numerous other wineries and more often than not come away disappointed.
Most wineries cater to those who like sweet wines, offering very little in the way of good dry white and red wines. In some cases, it seems evident that they're just not experienced in creating palatable dry offerings, hence the scarcity of choices.
Elk Creek has some very good reds - a merlot, syrah and a petit syrah that's especially good. The 2006 Chardonnay and the 2004 Chardonnay - Artists Conservation Series are very good, too.
There's a lodge on site as well for those wishing to stay overnight and check nearby (and not too nearby) attractions.

Another of our favorites is Smith-Berry (http://www.smithberrywinery.net/index.htm) located in New Castle, Ky. They've got an excellent dry red, mostly syrah, called Brother John, which was released earlier this year. They've also an excellent American Oak Chardonnel. :thumbup:

Both offer various musical events during the summer. Smith-Berry also caters large events, thus they provide the food for all hosted events. Dinner for two on the grounds including the entertainment (varies from bluegrass, country, jazz) is usually $18 per person in advance - wine is additional $$.


Thanks for the info on Elk Creek, we haven't been there.

I, too, heartily recommend Smith-Berry. They have several fine selections. Haven't tried the Brother John yet, though.


Jim

[trublu]

What about the Hiney Winery in Waddy? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

BTW jwade, Miss Molly is beautiful.

[jwade]

I've also visited Sinking Valley Vineyard and Winery in Pulaski County. Tried a couple of their offerings. I wouldn't rate it as highly as Smith-Berry, but plan to stop again next time I'm by there and sample some more.


Jim

P.S., thanks Trublu. I've always thought she's very photogenic, but I admit to a slight bias. :icon_mrgreen:

[gerntz]

My wife and I took the opportunity to make Saturday our Valentine's Day by taking a trip to Elk Creek Vinyards and Winery (http://www.elkcreekvineyards.com/) in Owenton, Ky. We've toured numerous other wineries and more often than not come away disappointed.
Most wineries cater to those who like sweet wines, offering very little in the way of good dry white and red wines. In some cases, it seems evident that they're just not experienced in creating palatable dry offerings, hence the scarcity of choices.
Elk Creek has some very good reds - a merlot, syrah and a petit syrah that's especially good. The 2006 Chardonnay and the 2004 Chardonnay - Artists Conservation Series are very good, too.
There's a lodge on site as well for those wishing to stay overnight and check nearby (and not too nearby) attractions.

Another of our favorites is Smith-Berry (http://www.smithberrywinery.net/index.htm) located in New Castle, Ky. They've got an excellent dry red, mostly syrah, called Brother John, which was released earlier this year. They've also an excellent American Oak Chardonnel. :thumbup:

Both offer various musical events during the summer. Smith-Berry also caters large events, thus they provide the food for all hosted events. Dinner for two on the grounds including the entertainment (varies from bluegrass, country, jazz) is usually $18 per person in advance - wine is additional $$.

Have a bottle of S-B Two Dog White here now. Visited last August & this is only one of the six left. Nice place as you describe. Was talking with daughter of owners & she was describing what they went thru to gain community - Southern Baptist - support to go into a alcohol-containing business and to be able to sell in a dry county. It's a 1/2 hr wind around from I71 to get to the place.

I think the wines are decent/not bad for a place getting off the ground. The issue with sweet vs. dry wines I think has a lot to do with the type grapes our climate supports. The drys are made with imported (to KY from out west), not home grown, grapes to my understanding.

Perhaps a group of us could meet there sometime for the dinner & music.

My brother-in-law's brother is growing several acres of wine grapes (Vidal Blanc?) in Campbell County for 3-5 years now.