Springhill Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Springhill Winery is located on property that was previously a plantation. Next to the winery is the Springhill Plantation Bed & Breakfast. This is the site of an infamous incident during the Civil War. Enjoy tasting wines produced from onsite and local vineyards.
The location of Springhill Winery is property that at one time was a plantation. John R. Jones built the manor house in 1857. The house is just a few feet from the wine tasting room. At one time there were 1,000 acres of cotton and tobacco on the plantation. In 1864, Confederate soldiers mistook the house for a friendly house that would provide saddles for their horses. Jones refused to allow the Confederates to take the saddles and shot the Confederate officer. The soldiers withdrew, regrouped and returned to shoot Jones. When the Union heard what happened they brought a Confederate prisoner of war to the plantation to kill in revenge. Forty years later the house was used as a doctor’s office.
Today Eddie and Carolyn O’Daniel own the winery and bed and breakfast. Eddie’s interest in wine is based on living in Napa for several years and while in the service was in the Mediterranean region where he had the opportunity to visit wine areas. He began making wine as a hobby in 1985 and by 1992 had turned the hobby into a business making it Kentucky’s oldest small winery. Eddie commented, “Once you start a winery, it takes on a life of its own – kind of like a runaway freight train.” In 2000, he purchased the house and moved the winery operations here. It was on Easter Sunday in 2000 that he planted the vineyard.
Today the vineyard has three acres of grapevines. These include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc. Additional grapes are purchased from local farmers. The winery produces about 3,000 cases of wine.
White Wines
Chardonnay Plantation White is the best selling wine. The wine produced from a blend of French hybrids has a light floral aroma. The sweet taste has floral nuances. The finish has floral notes as well. Eddie suggested pairing Fig Newtons with Chardonnay. Riesling 2006 was a light straw color with a light aroma of apple and peaches. The taste was sweet and fruity. The fruit nuances lingered on the finish.
Red Wines
Trappist Red had a ruby translucent color with an aroma of dark fruit and earthy notes. The taste was of dark fruit with cherry nuances. The crisp finish had cherry notes and mild tannins. Beaujolais was a ruby color. The aroma and taste offered dark fruit and earthy nuances. The finish was crisp with earthy notes and tannins. Federal Hill was a blend of Chambourcin, Marechal Foch and De Chaunac. It was a red translucent color. The aroma and taste were fruity with raspberry nuances. The crisp finish had a fruity sweetness that dried on the finish. Russell Red was a blend of four red wines. The color was a light reddish-orange. This wine was a sweet red wine that could be used as a dessert wine. Russell Red was named for Eddie's father who shares his interest in the vineyards and winery.
Events
With a bed and breakfast onsite, Springhill Winery is a great place to have a small wedding. Other events include Murder Mystery Dinners and Dramas. Rooms at the bed and breakfast range from $115 to $145 per night.
While visiting Springhill Winery be sure to browse the array of gifts available in the tasting room. Many of these items are the work of local Kentucky artists and artisans.
Springhill Winery
3205 Springfield Road
Bloomfield, KY 40008
GPS: N37º 52.163’ W85º 18.066’
