FRANKFORT – No longer in its infancy, Kentucky’s wine industry is maturing and thriving, a state agriculture official told lawmakers during today’s meeting of the Licensing and Occupations Committee.

Kentucky wines earned 11 honors, including two gold medals, at the recent Indy International Wine Competition, one of the nation’s premier wine festivals, said Mac Stone, executive director of the Office of Agriculture’s marketing office. He also noted that the number of Kentucky wines entered in Kentucky State Fair competitions has doubled, from 100 to 200, within the past two years.

Kentucky wineries have expanded beyond the central part of the state to areas including Owensboro, Paducah, Morehead and southeast Kentucky, Stone said. In addition to making wine, 42 wineries have tasting rooms, five have restaurants, 21 host special dinners, and 28 host concerts or music.

“That shows that it’s not just selling wine,” Stone said.

GRANT'S LICK, KY (FOX19) - The Farmland Work Group is holding a picturesque dinner with a purpose on August 1st.

The invitation-only Campbell County Farm to Fork Dinner will celebrate family farmers and craft winemakers while connecting guests to the source of their food & wine.

CAMPBELL COUNTY, KY (FOX19) - Time is running out to sumbit an application for the 2011 Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour on Saturday, July 23 from 9:00am to 5:00pm rain or shine.

Each farm has so much to offer and many generations of farmers in Campbell County have continued to work their farms whether it is horses, vegetables, history or wine. These beautiful working farms are part of our Kentucky heritage and our future generations of farmers.  Put your farm on the tour by submitting an application. 

The application can be found on the Campbell County Conservation District web-site at http://www.home.fuse.net/campbellcd/  or paper copies are available at the conservation district office in Alexandria, KY. 

Applications are due Friday, March 25.

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