Check Out These Kentucky Wineries Near our B&B

Though the Bourbon industry certainly dominates the minds of many in Bardstown, Kentucky has long been an essential part of the wine industry. In the rolling hills of Bluegrass Country, you’ll find plenty of beautiful Kentucky wineries and vineyards tucked away. In fact, Kentucky was home to the first US commercial vineyard and winery; at …

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Kentucky Wineries, photo of a coupe wine tasting near our Bardstown B&B

Though the Bourbon industry certainly dominates the minds of many in Bardstown, Kentucky has long been an essential part of the wine industry. In the rolling hills of Bluegrass Country, you’ll find plenty of beautiful Kentucky wineries and vineyards tucked away. In fact, Kentucky was home to the first US commercial vineyard and winery; at one point, it produced over half of the nation’s grapes. Wineries in Kentucky are a wonderful mix of history, heritage, and modern industry. A visit to Kentucky wineries is a romantic experience perfect for the avid wine enthusiast, featuring wine tastings, festivals and events, and tours.

The Bluegrass State has more than 60 wineries, and the majority focus on growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. Our state is also the largest wine producer in the American South. While checking out the distilleries in Bardstown is a must, taking a break to savor the gentle notes of a great glass of vino is such a lovely addition to any romantic getaway, couple’s trip, or friend’s vacation. Thankfully, a handful of the best Kentucky wineries are near our Bardstown B&B.

Our historic Bardstown Bed and Breakfast is in the heart of our charming small town, nestled between old-growth trees and rolling green lawns. Inside the manor and the adjacent guest cottage, you’ll find beautifully designed shared spaces to relax and ten spirit-themed guest suites for your getaway. We’re all about Southern hospitality and making each getaway the most enjoyable it can be. That starts each morning with a homemade breakfast served in our dining room and often wraps up over a bourbon cocktail in the evenings. We can’t wait to host you; book your room today! 

Kentucky wineries are gorgeous out in the rolling hills of Bluegrass country

Sip & Swirl at these Kentucky Wineries

If you’re interested in tasting at the best wineries in Kentucky near Bardstown, you’re in luck when you stay at the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast. Additionally, when you explore out of city limits, you’ll find even more of these local wineries creating beautiful wines and fantastic atmospheres for spending an afternoon. Most grapes grown in our great state of Kentucky are Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Cab Franc—these hearty varietals soak up the heat, creating complex and beautiful wines.

Here are our five favorite wineries in Kentucky near our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast:

  1. Buillet’s Winery and Bistro: This is one of the best Kentucky wineries for refreshing fruity wine paired with classic Italian dishes, including gourmet pizzas. Additionally, it’s only a matter of minutes from our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast in the heart of downtown.
  2. Forest Edge Winery: A few miles down the road from the newly remodeled Jim Beam Distillery and the Bernheim Arboretum, head here for the award-winning fruity blends and hop-infused white wine. Every second Saturday of the month, they have live music, with more events in the summer months.
  3. Jester’s Winery and Cafe: Add this winery and cafe to your itinerary for lunch and a glass of wine on the outdoor patio with impressive views. The menu features flatbreads, burgers, and salads perfectly paired with Black Jester, a bold red blend. This is one of the best Kentucky wineries near the Maker’s Mark Distillery, one of the most popular stops for a bourbon tasting.
  4. McIntyre’s Winery and Berries: Down on a scenic country road, this is one of the best wineries in Kentucky for a fully immersive experience and to try some sweet berry wine. A stop out here includes touring the farm, wine tasting, berry picking, and overall, just a lovely day out in the countryside. Be sure to grab a bottle of the Persimmon Sweet wine; it’s a unique treat you won’t find anywhere.
  5. Wight Meyer Vineyard and Winery: Known as Buillet County’s first commercial vineyard, this 16-acre winery grows only the best Kentucky grapes, including big reds, crisp whites, and floral roses. For the tasting flight, you’ll enjoy six of their award-winning wines for only five dollars, and the beautiful country vineyard is the perfect place for a picnic!

We also offer a wine tasting add-on package to your lodging for a limo tour with stops along the KY Wine Trail. Call or book online at least one week in advance to add this package to your room, and you’ll arrive in style at the nearby Kentucky wineries. 

After exploring the nearby Kentucky wineries our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast will be a welcome reprieve.

The Most Romantic Bardstown Bed and Breakfast

After exploring the nearby Kentucky wineries, our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast will be a welcome reprieve. From the moment you arrive, you’ll see that we’ve perfectly combined a sense of history with beautiful decor and modern amenities. This year marks the 200th anniversary of our historic Manor House, and each year, we love welcoming back familiar faces, first-time guests, and newcomers to bed-and-breakfast-style lodging. There’s nothing impersonal about a visit to the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast. 

Area hotels can’t compete with our Bardstown Bed and Breakfast’s inviting ambiance, extensive amenities, full country breakfast, on-site spa services, bourbon bar (new lounge coming soon!), gift shop, and fine southern hospitality! Each spacious, non-smoking guestroom has antique furnishings, modern amenities, a fireplace, luxurious beds with designer linens and triple-sheeting, and a private bath with Turkish towels and Terry robes. Most king guest rooms feature a jetted tub and walk-in shower. Unlike hotels, we offer many complementary services that hotels typically charge, including parking, coffee and tea service, bottled water, and so much more. 

Exploring the nearby Kentucky wineries is just the beginning of amazing things to do in Bardstown—especially if you have romance in mind. Spend the day tasting and shopping around town, plan for a delectable dinner in Bardstown or the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train ride, and know that our historic Bardstown Bed and Breakfast awaits your return. Check out our upcoming availability and book your lodging today! 

Sipp’n Corn Tasting Notes: Bluegrass Distillers Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon.

Earlier this fall, Bluegrass Distillers in Lexington (www.bluegrassdistillers.com), released the first ever Kentucky Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon.  Bluegrass Distillers is the only Kentucky distillery that produces a wheated bourbon with 100% blue corn, a non-GMO corn grown locally in Central Kentucky.  Distilling a mash…

Earlier this fall, Bluegrass Distillers in Lexington (www.bluegrassdistillers.com), released the first ever Kentucky Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon.  Bluegrass Distillers is the only Kentucky distillery that produces a wheated bourbon with 100% blue corn, a non-GMO corn grown locally in Central Kentucky.  Distilling a mash of blue corn can result in a sweeter, nuttier distillate.

This Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon release is comprised of just four 53 gallon barrels, aged 4½ years.  Bluegrass previously released a younger blue corn bourbon in 2017, and a Bottled-in-Bond release with yellow corn, but this is the first Bottled-in-Bond release using blue corn. 

Bluegrass is banking on more blue corn because this past season it grew 25 acres of blue corn in Woodford County, which will one day go into roughly 500 barrels.  To help accommodate that growth, Bluegrass is expanding at the Historic Elkwood Farm in Midway, Kentucky, where it will ultimately relocate in 2022.

Bluegrass Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon Tasting Notes

Bourbon:        Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 001
Distillery:       Bluegrass Distillers
Age:                4½ years
Mash Bill:      75% blue corn; 21% wheat; 4% malted barley
ABV:              50% (100 proof)
Cost:               $60.00

Appearance:
Amber gold.

Nose:
Sharp cedar, corn mash, spring grass, honeysuckle, and brown sugar.  There’s also some light fruit similar to a non-peated Scotch.

Taste:
Soft wheat behind youthful pepper, pecan nuttiness, and subtle earthiness.

Finish:
Medium finish with lingering herbal and cedar notes, and a bit smokey.

Bottom Line
Wheat can be tough under six years but this doesn’t have the hallmarks of a young wheater.  While I still give younger bourbons plenty of air, this Bluegrass Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond is unlike any other wheated bourbon that I’ve had.  The earthy, nutty notes are unique and they play well with the brighter fruit and pepper flavors.  Maybe it’s the blue corn, but it’s extremely promising for Bluegrass Distillers and I’m excited for future bottlings.  Definitely check out Bluegrass Distillers!

Disclaimer: The brand managers kindly
sent me a bottle for this review,
without any strings attached. 
Thank you.