Kentucky Vineyard Society
For questions on starting a vineyard, contact David Loney, president of the Kentucky Vineyard Society, at:

Kentucky Vineyard Society Inc.
P. O. Box 99
Mays Lick, KY 41055
(606) 763-6120
e-mail: daveloney@medscape.com

Loney is a member of the Grape Industry Advisory Committee (GIAC) and the Kentucky Horticulture Council.

Kentucky Vineyards & Wineries: A Touring Guide
Barker's Blackberry Hill Winery
Jimmy Barker's winery was the first established commercial winery in the state of Kentucky, in business since 1990. Mr. Barker does not, however, grow grapes. He makes most of his wine from blackberries, offering people a unique alternative to other Kentucky wines. He also makes a very unusual honey wine. Please call for an appointment or for more information, (606) 428-0377.

Bravard Vineyards & Winery
Located 17 miles northeast of downtown Hopkinsville, Bravard Vineyards & Winery has been a licensed commercial winery since 1992. This vineyard offers a variety of activities throughout the year, explain owners Jim and Janet Bravard.
Harvest Celebration takes place each year in mid-October when the leaves in north Christian County are at their peak of brilliance. The event hosts two live bluegrass bands with plenty of dancing, picnicking, and a variety of events for every age. Poetry reading is conducted in the upper vineyard with its peaceful backdrop, where visitors are invited to bring their poetry to read. As is the case with every special event at the vineyard, free wine tastings and tours are offered to guests.
The Christmas Open House celebrates the vineyard's anniversary each year (this year is its 10th). Highlights include a free bottle of wine to every 10th customer and a drawing for a gift basket of Jim's homemade bread along with meat, cheese, fruit, candy, and a bottle of wine of the winner's choice.
For birthdays, anniversaries, or other special events, the Bravards offer a unique opportunity to picnic on the grounds with someone special. For $50 per couple, guests are seated at a candlelit table for two in a secluded and quaint location of the vineyard. They provide a picnic basket full of cheeses, fresh bread, fruit, sausages, crackers, desserts, sweets, and a select bottle of wine. They also offer the unusual experience of dinner in the vineyard, priced individually, for groups of up to 20 people, complete with a table set with candles or cozy kerosene lanterns. Guests may bring their own food or have it catered.

Chrisman Mill Vineyards
Unique in its décor and location, the tasting room for Chrisman Mill Vineyards and Winery is located in the Victorian Square in downtown Lexington. The original rock foundation, which dates back to the early 1800s, gives visitors the feel of an old wine cellar as they meander through arched doorways and old iron-gated entrances. Wine tasting is free of charge to the public, as well as viewing the adjacent fine-art gallery. The beautiful tasting room and atrium is available to the public for special events.
Although Chris and Denise Nelson do grow their own grapes in Nicholasville, they also contract with other various growers in the surrounding area in an effort to keep the harvesting of their five varieties of premium grapes local to the area. Chris has been interested in and making wine for approximately 15 years, and he and his wife, Denise, have been working together in the industry for the last 10 years. Although they are a small family-run business, they strive for excellence in every way with their grape growing and wine making. That excellence has earned them some 17 international wine awards-putting them on the map with wine makers all over the world.
Getting a bottle of wine from Chrisman Mill Vineyards may prove challenging as they tend to sell quickly once bottled. Chrisman Mill Vineyards also provides a variety of services such as gift baskets, beginning at $30, personalized labels (for birthdays, businesses, anniversaries, and other promotions), and classes open to the public in Wine Tasting, Wine Making, and Food and Wine. Free parking is available in the Festival Market.

Lovers Leap Vineyard & Winery
Just off Highway 127 in Lawrenceburg lie 25 beautifully manicured acres of grapes located at Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery-a must-see for any wine enthusiast. Always fascinated with vineyards and wineries, owners Jerry and Ann Holder planted their first crop in 1994. After spending time with vineyard owners in Pennsylvania and Ontario, Jerry brought back to Kentucky a new specialized method of planting vineyards. He now shares his knowledge with others seeking help in the area of establishing vineyards.
Jerry and Ann invite guests to relax and unwind on their deck surrounding their spacious tasting room and adjacent gift shop, which offers a variety of crafts, cheeses, candies, and gift baskets. Beginning in May of this year, Lovers Leap will host a monthly music/art festival.

New Canaan Vineyard
New Canaan Vineyard, located in Bowling Green, planted its first vines in 1968 and is one of many Kentucky vineyards operating a small winery for personal use. Although not a licensed commercial winery, David House and his wife, Betty, make several different types of wines. They are also wholesale distributors to some of the larger wineries in the state as well as distributors of table grapes to local vendors.

Springhill Vineyards
Eddie O'Daniel established Springhill Vineyards as a commercial winery in 1993. He represents the third generation of grape growers in his family. O'Daniel first became interested in wines while living in Napa Valley, and learned his skill of winemaking from an Italian winemaker. Among his awards for winemaking, O'Daniel has earned two consecutive "Best of Show" awards at state fair competitions and bronze and silver medals in commercial, international wine competition for 1995, 1996, and 1997.
Many of the Springhill wines are named after historic Kentucky homes such as Federal Hill, which may have inspired Stephen Foster's My Old Kentucky Home. Springhill wines are made with no water addition and are aged in French and Kentucky oak barrels for six to nine months for white wines and nine to 12 months for red wines. Although previously located at General Butler State Park, Springhill has now relocated their winery to an 1858 plantation estate in Nelson County. They have completed renovation on one of the buildings on site, which was replicated to an 1860s winery. They offer tours, tastings, a historical exhibit, and a gift shop. They also host a variety of special activities throughout the year such as music festivals, craft fairs, and art fairs.

Vineyards as an Alternate Crop
As the demand for grapes in Kentucky begins to outweigh the current supply, more experienced farmers are beginning to consider a vineyard as a profitable addition to their current farmland. The approximate startup cost per acre is $3,634 according to the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Kentucky. They also estimate the maintenance for each following year to be approximately $1,566 per acre with profits in the third year yielding $1,200-$1,600 and $2,400-$3,200 during the fourth and following years.
Some individuals may prefer to have their vineyard installed by a professional. Whether it is one trellis with a few vines or several acres, Jerry Holder of Lovers Leap Vineyard & Winery in Lawrenceburg is one of the few installers of vineyards in the state of Kentucky. He can be contacted at (502) 839-1299.
A new incentive program is available for those interested in establishing vineyards in Kentucky as a means of income. This 50/50 cost-share program is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Grape Industry Advisory Committee, and Murray State University. Reimbursement is available for up to $1,500 per acre of grapes planted. For more information on this program or to obtain an application, contact:
Murray State University
Department of Agriculture
Vineyard Assistance Program
P. O. Box 9
Murray, KY 42071
(502) 762-4329
e-mail: garth.vinson@murraystate.edu

Kentucky's Vineyards & Wineries
* denotes a licensed winery