Kinkead Ridge Vineyard Tour/2008 Red Wine Release

Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery in Ripley, which has produced internationally-recognized wines from their vineyard east of Cincinnati, will open on September 4 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the release of four 2008 red wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petit Verdot); and will host the annual vineyard tour.  Meet winegrower Ron in the vineyard and taste the grapes on the vine. Maps available to the vineyard at the winery, 904 Hamburg Street. The vineyard is located three miles away at 4288 Kinkead Road. Sorry no restrooms at the vineyard. Dogs on a leash please. Children welcome.

The winery will open on September 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; this is the last opening before the winery closes for harvest.

Make a day of it and visit your local southern Ohio wineries! For more information call 937-392-6077 or see www.KinkeadRidge.com

La Vigna Wine Release Memorial Day Weekend

La Vigna Estate Winery will be open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 29 from 11 to 6 and Monday, May 31  from 12 to 6 for the release of their 2009 Proprietary White Wine and 2008 Proprietary Red Wine.  A library tasting of the 2007 Proprietary Red Wine and 2008 Proprietary White Wine will be available.  Music May 29 by Jazz trombonist Sarah Morrow.   937-375-1104 for more information.

Kinkead Ridge Release of 2009 Whites May 29 & 31

Kinkead Ridge Winery will open on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday May 29 and Monday May 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the release of two 2009 white wines. From their announcement:

Mother Nature was not kind to us in 2009 and quantities are VERY limited: only 126 cases of Kinkead Ridge Viognier/Roussanne, and only 42 cases of River Village Cellars White Wine,(a blend of all our other grapes) were produced. There is no Riesling, white Revelation or Traminette from this vintage. To see a list of the 2010 releases, see

This may be your only chance to get these wines. After Memorial Day, whatever is left will be allocated to our wine store customers. Can't make it? We are accepting phone or email orders for these wines prior to May 29. The wines must be picked up the following Saturday June 5th.

Due to the shortage of white wine, Kinkead Ridge Winery will not be open this summer but will open in September for the red wine release.  

Email Nancy or call (937) 392-6077 to reserve the 2009 whites. 

Ohio/Michigan Wine Clash: Kinkead Ridge

The Ohio/Michigan Wine Clash is the brainchild of Andrew Hall as an adjunct to the Ohio/Michigan football rivalry and to encourage people to buy local rather than support the transportation of Nouveau Beaujolais across the big pond.

Kinkead Ridge 2007 Cabernet Franc rated top Ohio wine in the 2nd annual Wine Clash. It was the only Ohio wine in the top five, and the least expensive wine in the group at $17.95, besting the other retail prices of $60.00, $45.00, $40.00 and $35.00. Details of the 2nd Annual Wine Clash are here.

Kinkead Ridge 2008 Riesling was in the top 11, and was the least expensive wine on the list at $11.95.

Here's what Joel Goldberg, one of the Michigan judges, said about Kinkead Ridge's Cabernet Franc:

"The only repeat-winner winery in either state from last year’s Clash, Kinkead Ridge makes its home southeast of Cincinnati, near the Ohio River.

They scored this time with the lone under-$30 wine among the top five. It provides the yang to 2 Lads’ yin; instead of a hulking bottle to lay down for years, you’ll be hard-pressed to keep your hands off this, with a berry nose that jumps from the glass and silky, fruit-driven palate that seduces your taste buds with a serious “yum” factor.

Co-owner and winemaker Ron Barrett – who formerly owned a vineyard in Oregon – explains his pricing as “part of our philosophy. Our whole objective is to show we can be competitive in the marketplace. If we priced higher, we’d still sell out – but at the same time we’d turn off some people to our wine.”

Ohio River Valley Annual Barrel Tasting Tour November 28th

The following five Southern Ohio wineries will again team up for the third annual Ohio River Valley Barrel Tasting Tour on Saturday, November 28th.

Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery: Taste medal-winning wines and sample red releases directly from the barrel. Tasting fees $3 - $6. 10am - 6pm. 904 Hamburg Street, Ripley. Overflow parking at the large white building across the street. For more information, call 937.392.6077.

Harmony Hill Vineyards: Barrel sample 2009 Woodwind, 2009 Rubato, 2008 Rhapsody. Tasting fees $2 - $4. Noon - 6pm. 2534 Swings Corner-Point Isabel Rd, Bethel. For more information call 513.734.3548.

Burnet Ridge: Tasting fee $15. By appointment, noon - 5pm. 6721 Richard Ave, North College Hill. For more information or to make an appointment call 513.522.4203.

Henke Winery: Tasting fee: 5 wines for $10, includes cellar tour. Reservations required; noon - 6pm. Also offering brunch 11am - 2pm with a Brunch & Barrel Tasting Special. 3077 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati. For more information or to make an appointment call 513.662.9463.

Woodstone Creek: Tasting fees $1.50 - $3.50. 1 - 5pm. 361 Newton Ave, Cincinnati. For more information call 513.569.0300.

Here's a nice map of area wineries from Michelle over at My Wine Education.