Learning about Elk Creek Winery.

It all started with a Groupon.

I bought a Groupon a few months ago when I thought I had a date with a woman from northern Kentucky. It was for a winery up there — Elk Creek Vineyards, to be more specific.

Anyway, that courtship fizzled out, as they all do these days, but I still had this Groupon to use before March. So my buddy Anna and I made the trek north yesterday and had a great time sipping, touring and getting lost along Kentucky’s long and winding backroads.

Not only did we do Elk Creek, but we also made our way to the Little Kentucky River Winery, which was sadly closed, and then finally Smith-Berry Winery, which had some delicious finds.

I didn’t realize the “Berry” in Smith-Berry was related to Wendell Berry (it’s his daughter, although she and the now-owner of the company are divorced), and it made me like the wine even more.

One of my favorites of the day was a Smith-Berry red called Brother John. Deep notes of cocoa permeated throughout. Yummm. (Also, Brother John is a tribute to Wendell’s brother.)

Did I mention there was cheese involved at both stops? Bonus!

I vow to make 2018 the year of the Kentucky Wine Trail! Two stops down, dozens and dozens more to go.