When you step in the lobby off Main Street, you are welcomed by a fantastic display of a glass of bourbon overflowing from a bottle that appears from outside as though it stands several floors tall. There you can find some historical information about the company along with a display of various test bourbons from the past.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience has a curated selection of five tours; from a historic presentation, to tailored tastings, to distilling methods exploration and a bootcamp where you work alongside the distillery team in producing that day’s barrel. For this visit I chose the Evan Williams Traditional Tour & Bourbon Tasting. Bill was our group’s “host”. He explained that the difference between a “host” and “guide” is that the “host” can partake in the tasting. Bill was extremely knowledgeable, entertaining, and a terrific host.

The Evan Williams Traditional Tour & Bourbon Tasting is a mixture of displays of 18th century, barrel storage, and the actual on-site production facility, along with large video screens that include a step back in time to 1783 when Evan Williams opened Kentucky’s first commercial distillery there beside the Ohio River. The plot of land was called Square 6 (and at that time across the street). The videos recreate a meeting between Williams and the city council, which appointed him as Wharfmaster. Louisville was located at the Falls of the Ohio River, which was a major port for river traffic. Boats were unloaded above the Falls and the freight had to be carried over land, where it was then reloaded on boats below the Falls to be shipped to New Orleans. Louisville harbor was small, so as Wharfmaster, Williams provided oversite to avoid overcrowding. This included ensuring that boats complied with a regulation stipulating that all boats had to be unloaded and moved out of the harbor within forty-eight hours after arrival.

The tour includes a large media wall that shows the distilling process from start to finish. From there the tour moves on to a wall of windows for viewing the small batch distillery in production there.

The tour also covers the effects of Prohibition using a small mock up of the city’s nearly deserted Main Street.

The tour ends with a bourbon tasting in one of the various tasting rooms. Ours took place in a replica of a The Phil Hollenbach Company bar from the 1920s.

The tasting included four selected bourbons, listed here with the producers notes.

Evan Williams Single Barrel – Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon is handcrafted and specially selected by our Master Distillers. A five-time winner of “Whiskey of the Year,” it’s our most premium and decorated Bourbon that measures up to exacting standards. Finish: Long, graceful, and relaxed Proof: 86.6 Proof Color: Delicate amber gold Nose: Dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood Taste: Lush and spicy. Oak with honey, apple, and orange notes

Evan Williams 12-year-old – Distilled from a time-honored formula originated in 1783, Evan Williams is produced in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon country. This Bourbon is aged 12 years for a smoother, more complex flavor, world-renowned by Bourbon lovers. Available at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and select Kentucky retailers. Finish: Brown Sugar, Smoky Oak; Long and Vanilla-Like Proof: 101 Proof Color: Burnished Copper Nose: Honeyed Almond, Mint, and Fruitcake notes Taste: Boldly spicy, with Rye notes and a hint of Licorice

Evan Williams Master Blend – A masterful blend of various expressions, these well-crafted Bourbons have been married together to form a rare and unique bottling of Bourbon. The expressions from the Evan Williams family include: 23-year-old, Single Barrel, 1783, Bottled-In-Bond & Signature Black. Finish: Long and Delicate Proof: 90 Proof Color: Golden Amber Nose: Caramel, Citrus, Vanilla, Floral Taste: Soft and Sweet, Honey, Citrus, and Butterscotch

Square 6 Wheated Bourbon – Handcrafted at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, KY by Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau, Square 6 by Evan Williams pays homage to the plot of land that housed Kentucky’s first commercial distillery, founded by Evan Williams in 1783. Square 6 Wheated Bourbon is comprised of two distinct Wheated Bourbon mashbills which were carefully blended post-aging. The first mashbill consists of 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, and 10% Malted Barley, and the second mashbill consists of 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, and 12% Malted Barley. This product is unique to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and select Kentucky retailers. Proof: 105 Proof Color: Brilliant Dark Amber Nose: Caramel, Vanilla, Figs, Bing Cherries, and Oak, Taste: Sweet Confectioners Sugar, Walnuts Finish: Walnuts, Oak Tannins, Baking Spice, Cinnamon, and Cola

I enjoyed all of the selections, but my purchase for the day included the Master Blend and Square 6 Wheated. These are both Kentucky Exclusives, meaning that they are only available in Kentucky and select locations.

This visit was truly an “experience”. I hope some day to visit Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, KY. Heaven Hills launched the Evan Williams Bourbon brand in 1957 and produces many other brands including Heaven Hill, Elijah Craig, Pikesville, Parkers, Henry McKenna, Bernheim, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Rittenhouse, and Mellow Corn. I can only imagine what the “experience” might provide there.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, 528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

Scott Morris

The post Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Louisville KY first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

Jessie, my server for the visit, started with a warm greeting and then continued to answer questions and offer suggestions, and discuss her own likings.

I decided to their unique Collaborative Series Flight that included the following that includes descriptions from the producer.

Goose Island Bourbon County – “Iconic trailblazers of craft brewing, Goose Island is a perfect partner for innovation. This bespoke blend of 6 and 7 year Kentucky bourbon has been aged an additional 12 months in Bourbon County stout barrels, then married with a beautiful 9 year Kentucky bourbon, creating an expression bursting with chocolate malt and dried cherry.” 100 Proof

Silver Oak – “For over fifty years, Silver Oak has created exquisite California cabernets aged exclusively in premium oak barrels, establishing themselves as a trailblazer in Napa, CA. Finding the perfect balance of fruit to barrel notes, this expression features a custom blend of 9 to 14 year-old bourbon, which was then finished in Silver Oak barrels for 17 months, creating a beautiful balance of ripe fruit, caramel, and roasted nuts.” 108 Proof

Amrut – “Bardstown Bourbon Co. continues to push boundaries through innovation, exploring new flavors in this collaborative release with the Amrut Distillery, trailblazers of authentic Indian single malt whisky. Showcasing imagination, creativity, and the power of global connection, this limited-edition whiskey earned Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition and the highest rated bourbon of 2024 in Whisky Advocate.” 110 Proof

West Virginia Great Barrel Co. – “Our first cooperage collaboration celebrates the forward-thinking West Virginia Great Barrel Company. Our synergy in modern production led to a custom blend aged in cherry wood barrels toasted with infrared technology. This truly unique flavor exemplifies the potential of two brands at the forefront of innovation.” 110 Proof

When asked, Jessie shared her favorite of their products, so I of course had to give it a try.

Wheated Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon – “Honoring tradition and authenticity, our Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond 6-year expression presents the best locally-sourced Kentucky corn and wheat grains. This expression features 20% wheat in the mash bill, creating a modern expression of beautifully balanced bourbon.” 100 Proof

I must say, this was my favorite of all that I tried.

The tasting room includes a beautiful retail shop with exclusive bottles and merchandise. Walking off the street in this historic downtown area and into a luxurious modern interior is an experience in itself. Interacting with the staff and others sitting at the bar while enjoying bourbon selections makes it even more memorable.

Bardstown Bourbon Company, 730 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

Scott Morris

The post Bardstown Bourbon Company, Louisville KY first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

Joe and Erica Krajkiewcz started their wine journey like many others; wine lovers having a dream of owning a winery, trying their hand at wine making, and then making the dream a reality. It started with the planting of their first grapes on family property around Freesoil, MI. Joe is not only an owner, but also the winemaker.

Freesoil is the location for their micro-orchard, where Joe’s father “planted a half dozen apple trees about 35 years ago. They started making hard cider from them a few years ago. When they planted the vineyard in 2016, they also planted about 40 cider-specific apple trees.”

In 2017 they planted the Fennville vineyard (currently a little over 3 acres) and in 2018 established Michigan Wine Company and built the tasting room. Between the two vineyards (Freesoil and Fennville) they grow Riesling, Traminette, Cayuga White, Frontenac Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Itasca. In addition, they have a few newer plantings of Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch.

K Vineyards (Fennville) is part of the Fennville AVA and Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verified. This is a verification process for farmers interested in managing the pollution concerns and its impact on the environment.

We enjoyed having the opportunity to meet Joe and finding out a bit about the vineyards and wine. It’s always a pleasure to speak to winery owners and staff, especially when they are enthusiastic about what they do. Betsy was our server for this visit, and she was amazing. She is both very friendly and knowledgeable and took care to make our visit rememberable. Sue also stepped in at times and was equally as superb.

One big advantage of visiting a winery with friends is that all can take part in the tasting, make their own selections, and then share so everyone can try more. We tried twelve of the twenty three wines on their menu, along with one of the seven ciders.

Here are my personal favorites, with some of the winemaker notes , as well as my own.

• 2022 CAB XL – It is a dry “Bordeaux styled blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Pearl where the sum is greater than the parts.” Aged in French oak for 21 months. This was my absolute favorite. I am a big fan of both Cabs, and any Bordeaux style wine.
• 2023 Trilogy – “A blend of three red grape varieties from two different vineyards in Hudsonville, MI. Marquette, Frontenac Noir, and Petite Pearl all bring something unique to this blend.” All three grape varieties were developed at the University of Minnesota as hybrids to withstand the colder midwest climate. The softer tannins from the latter two help balance those of the Marquette, enhancing the dark fruit profiles for this medium-bodied wine.
• 2022 Regency – “A blend of six red grape varieties. 52% Regent, 23% Petite Pearl, 15% Marquette, 6% Noiret, 3% Frontenac, 1% Cabernet Franc.” It was barrel aged and is medium-bodied. Regent is a hybrid developed in Germany in 1996 to be disease resistant and cold-hardy, making it well-suited for the midwest. It along with the other midwest varieties with a touch of the Cab Franc, make this an interesting and very good wine.
• Itaska – “Crisp with melon/grapefruit. Like Cabernet Sauvignon meets Chardonnay.” I liked this because it was less citric and the fruit flavors really come through. Itaska is a “newer American hybrid variety with highly touted winemaking potential. Released to nurseries by the University of Minnesota in 2017. Our Itasca was planted in 2019 and we will be expanding our block in 2020.”
• 2022 Riesling – “Semi-Dry, 2% RS, Estate grown at K Vineyards. Our Fennville vineyard is built around our love of Riesling. This is our third vintage! Crisp, clean, and mouthwatering.” I really enjoyed this Riesling. The low residual sugar makes it less sweet and crisp.
• Perry – This cider is made from 100% pears. Bartlett, Bosc, & D’anjou. One of the best ciders I have ever had. No doubt with the full flavor of pears. Easy drinking for sure.

More can be found about the varieties available on their website.

The winery has a regular schedule of food trucks on site, and other events. They also provide group private tours and tastings. There is ample outdoor seating on the covered patio and picnic tables out back near the vineyard. A great place to relax and enjoy a tasting, a glass or bottle, and the outdoors.

I’d like to thank Joe, Betsy, and Sue for their engaging hospitality. We will definitely return for another visit when again in the area.

Michigan Wine Co, 6781 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408

Scott Morris

The post Michigan Wine Co., Fennville MI first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

The vineyard is also primarily the largest grape grower in the country, with over 630 hectares (1,556 acres). They grow approximately 30 varieties, and produce over 170 different wines.

Tours and tastings are available in the Castle Cellar A.D. 1430 under the Valtice Castle. The unique Castle cellar is from 1430 and one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the Czech Republic. Wines can be purchased in the Wine Barn vinoteque (“Vinařská stodola”) and Wine Emergency (“Vinařská pohotovost) shop in the winery area.

I was not able to take a tour, but did visit the tasting room at the winery. The server spoke English well, which helped me a great deal, but when it comes to tasting wine, that would not have mattered.

The tasting room has a beautiful rustic wood and brick interior.

A selection of twelve wines were available to taste on the day of my visit. Of those I chose the following:

• 2022 Rulandské Šedé, Oranžové víno (Pinot Gris, Orange Wine) – This is considered a semi-dry wine, but I found it very refreshing for my typically dry preference. The wine is considered “orange” because of the color obtained from the additional time that the skins remain on the grapes during fermentation. This also provides a bit more tannins and for me an even better flavor than a fully white Pinot Gris.
• 2022 Neuburské Pozdní Sběr (Neuburger, Late Harvest) – This was my first time trying the Neuburger variety, which originated out of Austria. This is a full-bodied white wine, with notes of topical fruit and some minerality. It’s very refreshing and one that I could sip on anytime.
• 2023 Sylvánské zelené, Premium Collection (Sylvanian Greens) – This wine has won several awards, including a gold medal at the renowned international wine competition Berliner Wine Trophy. It is a dry wine, a bit higher acidity, but well balanced. It is an easy drinking variety, also new to me.
• 2022 Merlot, Premium Collection – This Merlot is one of the best I have had in a while. It’s medium-bodied, a bit higher in acidity than expected with nice tannins. Flavors of dark fruit and chocolate.

All of the wines were wonderful. I wish I had more time to try many more of them. Unfortunately, these wines are not available in the United States.

With so many different varieties and wines being produced, the tasting room shop area has a unique way of displaying the wines. Each one is displayed along with many details about the wine, including the ventage, sugar, acidity, alcohol, village, tract,, awards, and a map showing the growing region.

Château Valtice holds many types of events, engages in various wine related outreach opportunities, and has a venue available for hosting private parties and events. Given more time, I’d definitely take a full tour and try as many wines as possible.

Château Valtice, Vinařská 407, 69 142, Valtice, Czech Republic

Scott Morris

The post Château Valtice; Valtice, Czech Republic first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

Z Alexander Brown is named for its owner, Zac Brown. Most people know Zac as an internationally known singer, songwriter and musician but are unaware of his connection to wine. In 2016 he joined the Delicato Family in producing these rich, bold, and full-bodied wines all sourced from family-owned vineyards located in California’s North Coast. Zac creates the Uncaged wines alongside Winemaker John Killebrew, who has been with the Delicato Family for many years.

The Uncaged wine series label stands out with its beautiful image of an owl. According to the producer, “The owl is a guardian of the vine, and myths say it is present when the spirit is set free.”  They have specially designed owl nesting boxes in the vineyards to help with rodent control, allowing them to eliminate unnatural methods of protecting the vines and fruit.

The Uncaged series includes six wines. In addition to the three that I’m highlighting here there are three others including Chardonnay, Whiskey barrel aged Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

Recently I purchased the following wines together, so I could share some of the wonderful qualities of each.

2023 Sauvignon Blanc (91 points, Wine Enthusiast) – This wine has citrus and grassy flavors found in most Sauvignon Blancs, but they are more subdued and allow more tropical fruit, apple, and floral flavors to shine through.

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (90 points, Wine Enthusiast) – This wine has everything I love in a Cab. It is bold, full-bodied, with lush flavors of dark fruit, coffee, and a dusty undertone. It has a solid structure of firm tannins and higher acidity, making it easy to drink and want more.

2021 Proprietary Red Blend (90 points, Wine Enthusiast) – This blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah delivers a rich combination of dark fruit flavors, including black cherry, which I love, along with some tobacco and oak.

I appreciate the passion that Zac Brown has for wine and bringing it together with people and food. Speaking of food, you can find some alluring recipes on the website.

Scott Morris

The post Z. Alexander Brown, Bold and Beautiful Wines first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

We arrived on a weekday in the fall when it was slow, so we were fortunate to spend much time visiting with Susan. As she guided me through a tasting of a fight of 5 wines, she discussed the vineyard and their family’s history in winemaking.

Jim started working at Oliver Winery in 1976 in the lab and cellar, and a year later became their winemaker, where he stayed until 1982. He left there to start his own winery in 1983. In addition to operating his own winery, Jim and his son, John, wrote a book entitled Indiana Wine: A History (Published by Indiana University Press, 2001).  One of Jim’s most outstanding achievements has been his petition to the Federal government in 2006 to designate the unglaciated portion of South Central Indiana as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) called the “Indiana Uplands”. That petition was approved in 2013. One of the benefits of the AVA is that wineries using grapes grown in the Indiana Uplands can use the term “Estate Bottled” on the label.

Susan told us that, only by chance, they found that Butler Winery was referenced in the book Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, including their Origins and Flavours (Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, José Vouillamoz, by Allen Lane (Penguin) in the UK and Ecco (Harper Collins) in the US in October 2012). In that book, Butler Winery is mentioned as a US grower of Chambourcin and Chardonel grape varieties. The Butlers would not have known about this had it not been that a customer brought it to their attention.

The vineyard is a little over 5 acres, where they grow Chardonel, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Chambourcin, and Norton. Susan mentioned that they have previously had two plantings of Cabernet Franc but lost both to the cold. In addition, they have neighbors Rodney and Nancy Anderson at Foggy Ridge Vineyard who grow Marquette and Traminette  for them.

The wines produced by Butler Winery include a good selection of dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines (both white and red), along with selections of fruit and fortified wines. Many of the wines use 100% estate grown grapes or include them in a blend, while some of the fruit used is sources externally, largely from New York. One of the near-term goals is to expand use of local fruit sources, and increase sustainability practices.

Jim and Susan’s son, Andy Butler and his wife Mabel Ojeda are the winemakers for Butler Winery. They met while living and working in Napa Valley. Andy’s background is in winemaking in different climates including Indiana and California, while Mabel has experience working with a variety of harvests from around the world in locations such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, France, Switzerland, and of course California. They also have a side project of their own called Found Wine Company through which they produce small batches of Mission (a South American variety) and Reisling.

I recently watched an episode of No Dishes Podcast (S5 E8) in which Andy and Mabel discussed Butler Winery, their own background and history, along with wine varieties and production. It is very entertaining and educational.

For my tasting on this visit I sampled the following wines, for which I’ve included their descriptions and a few of (my notes). Check out all of their wines on their website.

• White Select – Crisp & awesome. Great with fish & chicken dishes. A dry, white wine made with Cayuga grapes and aged in stainless steel.
• Seyval Blanc – Fruit forward dry white wine. Notes of pears in the aroma.
• Variant – A dry red wine aged in French oak barrels. A blend of Chambourcin and Marquette. Lingering cherry aftertaste.  (This was one of my purchases.)
• 2023 Fusion – A dry red blend of Norton, Marquette, and carbonic macerated Dechaunac. Light yet firm tannin, with earthy texture reminiscent of river stones, and notes of strawberry and raspberry. (This was one of my purchases.)
• Solera [5] – This multi-year blend of estate-grown Chambourcin is barrel aged in French Oak Barrels. A dry and luscious wine that will be the perfect complement to any evening. (This was a blend of 5 vintages.)

As we were preparing to leave, Jim came into the tasting room. After speaking to him for a few minutes, he invited us to see the operations. He took us to the production and storage room, where they also have a small lab.

Jim also showed us their rustic style barrel storage room, which is used for private tastings.

The winery has a patio and covered pavilion that is available for use and used for events. In addition, visitors are welcome to walk among the vineyards and around the pond.

One of the great things about Butler Winery is that they are open during the seasonal months Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 12:00-6pm. This made it possible for us to visit due to our travel schedule. Many small wineries are closed several days during the week.

I am very appreciative of the hospitality shown by Jim and Susan. They are truly knowledgeable, engaging, and charming hosts.

Butler Winery; 6200 E. Robinson Rd., Bloomington, IN 47408

Scott Morris

The post Butler Winery, Bloomington IN first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

From the moment you enter the drive, you are greeted by a beautiful stone sign and a tree lined lane. The main visitors’ area has a large rustic building that houses the main tasting room and shop, timber frame tasting room, and three-season pergola. The exterior is beautiful with lush gardens, a hillside picnic area, and patio.

Oliver Winery is the oldest and largest winery in Indiana, one of the top 30 largest wineries in the U.S., and was voted #3 tasting room in the U.S. by Newsweek Readers’ Choice in September 2024.

Over 50 years ago, Professor William Oliver’s interest led him to start a vineyard in the Indiana Uplands AVA. He was instrumental in passing the Indiana Small Winery Act that passed in 1971, allowing for the creation of small wineries in Indiana. Oliver Winery opened in 1972. 

The winery has evolved as needed over the decades to grow yet continue to produce the magnificent wines for which it is known. This may involve anything from removing vines not producing well to the recent $12.6 million expansion to meet increasing demand as they now distribute to 42 states nationwide.

In addition to its own vineyard, the winery also sources fruit from California, Oregon, Washington State, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. This includes such fruit as blackberries, apples, cherry juice, and orange blossom honey, but also includes classic vinifera (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reisling, Gewürztraminer, etc.).

Creekbend Vineyard, located nearby, is where they grow their own grape varieties, including Catawba, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Chambourcin, and a few table grapes. Some of these vines date back to 2001.

My visit was on a Monday, so things were a bit slower, which made my bar-side wine tasting, guided by Caroline, very enjoyable. I appreciated her knowledge of the winery and wines, and it was nice to find that her enthusiasm with wine in general matches mine.

My tasting included the following, which includes the winery’s notes as well as a few of my own.

2022 Sauvignon Blanc – “Classic flavors of citrus, melon and tangy gooseberries highlight this crisp, dry white. The flavor and aromas are classic — citrus, melon and gooseberry. Crafted from fruit sourced from San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey, California.” One of my favorite white varieties. So refreshing. Was one of my purchases.

2023 Creekbend III – “A winemaker’s favorite, this wine shows off Creekbend Vineyard’s ability to grow grapes with full ripeness and flavor. Both stainless steel and barrel fermentation create an exotic blend of our best white varieties: barrel-fermented Vignoles and Chardonel, along with portions of stainless-steel fermented Vidal Blanc.” This blend is amazing. The combination of fruit flavors along with a hint of vanilla and oak make it truly enjoyable.

2022 Creekbend Chamboucin – “Chambourcin is one of Oliver Winery’s signature Creekbend wines, crafted from grapes grown at our Indiana vineyard. It’s an approachable favorite among dry-red wine lovers. Crop load, sun exposure, and patience are integral to growing great Chambourcin. In the cellar, minimalist winemaking and barrel aging create an elegant, balanced wine.”  Chambourcin is one of my favorite Midwest varieties, when the wine is well made. This is in probably the top three that I’ve ever tried. A masterpiece, and one of my purchases, of course.

Dry Red Blend – “We like blends because they allow us to show off our creative side. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah form the foundation of this classic, thoughtful blend.” 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah.

2022 Shiraz – ”Our Shiraz is inspired by the fruit-forward styles popularized by Australian winemakers. We like it on special occasions or “just because.” Serve at room temperature, and enjoy by the grill, around the fire, and anywhere in between.” Loved this one. Aged one year in new oak. This was one of my purchases.

2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – “An approachable Cab. Expect rich fruit, bright aromatics and big, yet soft tannins. This dry red will age nicely for 10 years. Using grapes sourced from Lodi and Paso Robles, California..” One of my favorite varieties. I’m always pleased to find Cabs made so well in the Midwest.

Colts Collection Red Blend – “This limited edition wine, the second vintage in our series of our Colts Collection wines, is a smooth and sippable dry red. Berry aromas, rich flavors of currant and spice, subtle tannins, and a lasting finish are hallmarks of this dry red. This limited-edition wine is the second vintage in our series of our Colts Collection wines.” 60% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2017 Creekbend Tawny – “Aromas of dates and vanilla lead to mature flavors of fig and walnut in our fourth vintage of this copper-colored dessert wine. Enjoy this 375ml Creekbend Vineyard delicacy with decadent desserts or for after-supper sipping. 50% Chambourcin, 50% Vignoles.” Although very sweet, the flavors are rich and the delivery is subtle, which you would not expect in a tawny. It’s aged for 2 years in small barrels for more intense flavors. This was one of my purchases.

The website contains many more details about the wines available than most wineries. I find this extremely helpful.

Even though this is my first experience with Oliver Winery, I can tell that as it continues to grow, it has not lost focus on producing great wines.

This visit to Oliver Winery was a wonderful experience. I’d like to thank Caroline for her hospitality. I look forward to making another trip there in the future.

Oliver Winery, 200 E Winery Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404

Scott Morris

The post Oliver Winery, Bloomington IN first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

This is a wonderful restaurant established in Fall of 2023 by Luis Valera, and operated by his first generation American family, who all seemed to have fun working together. They were delightful and the service was great.

Dos Mundos has a nice selection of wine, beers, and their own signature drinks. The dinner menu includes a variety of fusion items that I have never seen offered before.

We shared an order of Salmon Yakitori; skewers of salmon, bok choy, and scallions with a Passionfruit glaze. This was truly amazing, and I could have easily had many more orders!

My wife had the NY Strip Steak, made with a honey and lemongrass marinade and Viet style Chimichurri. One of her sides included an order of four corn ribs, which are fried corn strips with Kewpie mayo, fried shallots, and scallions.

My order included Ceviche Nikkei. Diced yellowfin tuna, diced Asian pears, white miso leche tigre, microgreens with rice paper chips. What a flavorful and refreshing combination! Of course this was a perfect atch with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Dos Mundos is celebrating its one year anniversary with a special event on November 17, 2024. It will include two 4-course menus; one Peruvian and the other Vietnamese.

We have already discussed staying in the area again, just to visit Dos Mundos!

Dos Mundos, 7021 Shelbyville Rd, Simpsonville, KY 40067

Scott Morris

The post Dos Mundos, Simpsonville KY first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

Talon Winery has two locations. The winery was established by Harriett Allan and her late husband in 1999 on their 300 acre Fair View Farm in Lexington. There the “Homestead Tasting Room” is located in the original farmhouse built in 1790. Fair View Farm was originally a cattle and tobacco farm until its purchase. Talon’s “Ca”Barn”et Barrel Barn” was converted from a working tobacco barn to an elegant and wedding and event venue that hosts close to 100 weddings and events each year. My stop was not at the Lexington location, but I would like to stop there in the future for a visit.

The original winery is celebrating its 25 year Anniversary right now, while Shelbyville location is celebrating its 15th. Prior to its opening in 2009, the Shelbyville tasting house was a just a normal house. “The garage was converted into a unique, one-of-a-kind Barrel Vaulted ceiling tasting room where guests can enjoy Talon wines. The rest of the house was rehabilitated to create a gift shop, private event room and a large porch that overlooks a limestone rock quarry on acres of beautiful land.”

Upon arrival at the winery, we ere greeted by Sheila, who was extremely pleasant and a wonderful guide through the wines. She has been with the winery for 9 years, and was not only knowledgeable about the wines and winery, but also shared her preferences and favorites.

Because wine is for sharing, it’s always a pleasure to visit with others who are taking part with their own tasting. We were fortunate to have the chance to share our experience with Jose and his wife, who were traveling from Florida to Wisconsin.

The tasting room is designed with a barrel vaulted ceiling, as mentioned before, and the rest of the decor throughout the room and shop displays beautiful woodwork and features that are both elegant and cozy.

William Mullett has been with Talon since 2014, originally as an Assistant and then in 2017 became the Winemaker. He is originally from the area and He has studied Viticulture, Agriculture and wine-making since 2010. He also has research experience from the University of Kentucky and has judged many wine competitions. 

At Talon, six wines are included in a tasting. So, before you start counting the list of those I tried below, yes, I had two tastings! I’ve included the winery’s tasting notes along with my own:

• Chardonnay (dry) – Flavors of apple & pear, creamy vanilla & oak nose. Pairs with seafood & salad.
• Moondance (dry)- Pinot Gris, caramel & pear nose. Bright & citrusy with a crisp apple finish.
• Vidal Blanc (dry) – Estate Vidal Blanc. Bright & refreshing with tropical fruit tones. Sunshine in a glass. Pairs with spicy dishes & BBQ.
• Rogue (slightly off dry) – Estate Traminette aged in Bourbon Barrels. Smooth with notes of honey & caramel. Perfect to accompany a charcuterie board. Aging a white wine like Traminette in Bourbon Barrels is very interesting. This was my first, and it was very easy drinking. Smooth as described.
• ​Diamond (sweet) – Flamboyant, dazzlingly sweet. Pairs with a candlelit dinner & late night chats. I’m not big on sweet wines, but had to try the Diamond variety again. This one is the best I’ve had so far. This was one of my purchases.
• Merlot (dry) – KY Oak Barrel aged. Bright, earthy & oaky with hints of cherry. Enjoy with lean meats & veggies. This Merlot is truly medium-bodied, and although not as robust as I typically prefer, it was very good.
• Monarch (dry) – Cabernet Franc, a lively red aged in KY oak. Sweet berry nose with flavors of plum & tobacco. Enjoy with steak or roasted veggies. One of my favorites here. The oak was light (enhanced with oak chips and not barrels), with earthy notes and rich flavors. Excellent, and one of my purchases.
• Cabernet Sauvignon (dry) – Full-bodied, aged in KY Oak. Jammy, with flavors of preserved cherry & black currant. Best served with red meat. I enjoy a bold Cabernet Sauvegnon, and even though this was a bit lighter, it was very good. This was one of my purchases.
• Equestrian Series (dry) – The Equestrian Series is an artistic tribute to Kentucky’s equine culture. Oaky and smokey, a spice-lover’s dream. This 100% Malbec wine gives off aromas of spiced vanilla caramel with a berry & plum finish. Although a bit more oaky than some of the other reds, it did not overtake the wonderful flavors. This is a blend of Malbecs from various sources, and very good.
• Southern Rosé (dry) – Light & refreshing with a rose nose. Flavors of strawberry & cherry. Pairs with spicy food or as a sangria. This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Malbec. It is very light.
• Coyote Red (sweet) – Semi-sweet estate blend with a heavy black cherry profile. Bright, crisp & smooth – great by itself or mixed in with a fall flavored sangria. I purchased this one for a friend.
• Blueberry Port (sweet) – Port-style dessert wine aged in Bourbon Barrels. A burst of Blueberry with a warm Bourbon finish. Sometimes ports can be harsh due to the high alcohol content. This is the first fruit port I have had, and it was excellent. It is full of flavor, and even though it still has more alcohol, it would be very easy to consume more quickly than a sip at a time!

In addition to these wines, they have a many more varieties and fruit wines available on their website shop.

In addition to the event venues at the Lexington location, both locations have other picnic areas, porches or indoor sitting areas where you can enjoy wine by a flight, glass, or bottle. They also have many live weekend music events, and the evening we were at the Shelbyville location it was Trivia Night.

I’d like to thank Sheila for her hospitality, and hope to get a chance to visit the Lexington location soon.

Talon Winery – Lexington, 7086 Tates Creek Road, Lexington KY 40515
Talon Winery – Shelbyville, 400 Gordon Ln, Shelbyville, KY 40065

Scott Morris

The post Talon Winery, Shelbyville KY first appeared on CU4Wine & More.

Matt Cunningham started the company in 2016 at the age of 22. While he was in college at the University of Arkansas, he became interested in the crafting of alcohol and after graduating, returned to his hometown of Clarksville where he spent all of his time, when not working as a firefighter, in developing the business.

Old Glory Distilling Co. is a small batch Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, moonshine, rum, and vodka distillery. What sets them apart from other producers is the use of sweet mash, instead of sour, and single use mash. This takes much more maintenance but provides better control over quality since they are starting each batch with new yeast instead of reusing the yeast, or backset, from a previous batch.

Izzy was our sever this day, She is a transplant to the area from California, and although only being there for several months conveyed much knowledge of the products and processes. She was also a delight in conversation.

My flight included:

• Tennessee Bourbon, Small Batch – 73% Corn, 19% Rye, 8% Malted Barley, 90 Proof
• Tennessee Whiskey, Small Batch – 73% Corn, 19% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley, 90 Proof
• Tennessee Bourbon, Bottled-In-Bond – 73% Corn, 19% Rye, 8% Malted Barley, 100 Proof
• Tennessee Whiskey, Bottled-In-Bond – 73% Corn, 19% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley, 100 Proof
• Tennessee Bourbon, Single Barrel – 73% Corn, 19% Rye, 8% Malted Barley, Barrel Proof

They have other products to try as well, such as Gin, Vodka, Blueberry Lemonade Shine, Strawberry Lemonade Shine, Spiced Lemonade Shine, and Apple Cide Moonshine.

My purchase on this visit was the Tennessee Bourbon, Bottled-In-Bond. I’m looking forward to sharing it with my family and friends.

A large area in the large brick building includes the tasting room connected to the shop that carries all of the bottled products along with merchandise.

Two months before our visit Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park was opened, serving lunch M-F, dinner every night, and brunch on the weekend. The meu includes a large variety of what they describe as “spirit-inspired American cuisine”.

I’d like to thank Andrea Van Ry for her kindness and hospitality. She joined us for a short visit, where we found that like Izzy, she had also come to Clarksville from California. Much like me, her experience was also with wine, but she is now very well acclimated to the bourbon and whiskey scene.

Old Glory Distilling Co., 451 Alfred Thun Rd, Clarksville, TN 37040

Scott Morris

The post Old Glory Distilling Co., Clarksville TN first appeared on CU4Wine & More.