Whether you’re an enotourist, or you just want to raise a toast with local vino this holiday season, Bowling Green is home to three lauded wineries worth exploring. So, to join in the festivities, these vintners shared their stories with us along with recommended pairings just in time for the jolliest of seasons. Cheers, Y’all!
Less than 30 minutes from downtown Bowling Green, this woman-owned winery can be found in Smith’s Grove, Kentucky just off I-65. Owner and wine-maker, Jessica Rogers says that winemaking was a hobby to share with family and friends. She soon realized her passion for making wine could be a full-fledged business. Though several iterations of her vision included a divorce along the way, sour grapes were never an option.
Jessica says that amid the handful of varietals suitable for the region, “It's not easy to grow grapes here in Kentucky.” From a labor perspective to terroir, she chooses to focus on the wine-making part of the business while sourcing her juices from various American producers. Even still, you will see a thriving vineyard of Concord grapes used to make Maddy which Jessica says is reminiscent of a grape lolly-pop.
Guests are welcome to stroll the vineyard and surrounding property which features a Tuscan-inspired Bed and Breakfast, a tasting room, and a meeting space that showcases events such as live music, and art classes throughout the year, and of course Kentucky-made wines.
Jessica’s best seller is her blackberry wine which she recommends pairing with a charcuterie board for those last-minute holiday party invites. And, for Christmas dinner? Go for her cabernet blend, Commonwealth, for red meats, and Pinot Grigio for chicken, pork, or fish. Yet, for a cozy holiday cocktails, Jessica suggests grabbing a bottle of her Apple Pie wine and ½ bottle of her Cranberry wine.
Bluegrass Vineyard's Famous Mulled Wine
1 bottle Apple Pie wine
1/4 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
If you multiply bottles, don't multiply spices at the same ratio, use less! Combine in a crockpot and let warm, don't let it boil. For a Christmasy spin, add half a bottle of our cranberry.
Rex and Diane Reid have been in the horse business for the entire 40 years of their marriage. And, to this day, they board horses on their 36-acre Avondale homestead complete with a flock of chickens, and a host of berries and other fruits. “We make all our money off this 36 acres out here,” Rex explains how the addition of the winery completed their vision in 2008.
Back in the day, Rex was a horseshoe blacksmith. But, as he puts it, “The body starts telling you that you're not gonna be able to do that anymore.” That’s when he started planting berries for a pick-your-own farmstead. But, after his county extension agent suggested selling to winemakers, a major light bulb moment happened, “I could do this myself.” After learning the art of winemaking, that’s exactly what he did.
First awarded by the Commissioner's Cup in 2013 for his black raspberry wine in, Reid’s Livery Winery continues to gain recognition. Reid’s Livery Winery boasts a portfolio of about 17 wines by which over half are sourced from his farm and the surrounding area. Even still, Rex vows that he’s not in the alcohol business, “I’m in the agritourism business.” Tourists from as far as France, Bolivia, and Belize come to visit the farm, “Just getting here for some people is an adventure.”
If you plan on an adventure in your kitchen for the holidays, Rex’s favorite is the Norton. But he says to not pass go without picking up a bottle of his Cranberry wine to pair with your turkey or ham. If you’re planning on The Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve, Diane recommends their Peach wine. But, she admits that her favorite is their Blueberry wine which would go great with peanut butter cookies for Santa.
When Deserea and Derrick Huff bought their century-old farmhouse in Rockfield, they were swooning over their wine cellar which holds up to 2,700 bottles of wine. But, they “quickly learned that that's a lot of bottles to try and purchase in a store,” Deserea explains how they got into hobby wine-making to complete their collection of wines that they had collected on their travels. But, the retired Marine from Warren County and his west-coast wife got bit by the bug and started planting their vineyard of Vignoles and Banco noir grapes in preparation to open their boutique winery in 2019.
What is now an onsite air-bnb started as their winery a short walk from the tasting room which used to be the couple’s dining room. Outside there is a performance stage where Traveler’s Cellar often host live bands during the warmer months. Across the driveway you’ll see their new-and-improved state-of-the-art winery where Derrick first helmed the wine making process. Deserea remembers thinking that she was no mathematician, “There’s a lot of math involved…we're using 60 gallon tanks and in my head I thought I'd struggle.” But, as Derrick became busy with another business venture, Deserea leaned into her imposter syndrome, “As a woman vintner, I wanted to see what I could do.” To say that she has filled their beloved cellar is an understatement.
The Traveler’s Cellar Winery portfolio features wine made with Kentucky-grown Norton grapes, along with other award-winners sourced from across several American Viticultural Areas. If you’re perfecting a standing rib roast for the holiday table, Deserea recommends her Cabernet – Botany Bay. If you’re leaning more toward a turkey, she says to go with her Vidal Blanc. Or, opt to inject a ham with the Tepaché – a sweet pineapple wine. Just leave room for dessert paired with a wine that’s sweeter than the dish because if you don’t “it will make your wine taste funny,” Deserea explains why her Sangria would be your best bet. Come New Years Eve, bust out something from Traveler’s Cellar sparkling selections made by wine-making students at the University of Kentucky – proceeds benefit the UK vintner programs. “It's important because if we don't buy their wine, the programs will go away,” she explains.
