Black Oak Vineyard & Winery

Black Oak Vineyard & Winery
300 Martin Rd.
Princeton, Kentucky
USA 42445
Phone: (270) 365-9463
http://www.blackoakvineyard.com/

Contact: David Hall
Email: [email protected]

The vineyard was established in 2002 by two physicians – Dr. Jenny Franke and Dr. David Hall. The first planting was made on a north-facing hillside adjacent to an oak woodland on their 70 acre farm. Dr. Franke and Dr. Hall moved to the small community in western Kentucky in 2001 after leaving Nashville practices in urologic surgery and interventional cardiology respectively. The dream of a vineyard and winery first surfaced during the honeymoon when they visited Jenny’s relatives in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The pace of life centered around the vineyard in the small village seemed to offer a mesmerizing balance as families worked together in the vineyard and enjoyed the fruits of their labors during long informal meals. Beyond the culture associated with grape growing its appeal also lay in its fascinating combination of agriculture, science and art.

Planting of the first plot started on a cold wet March morning and the challenges of the endeavor were soon apparent. With a steep learning curve, 960 vines were planted that month and trellis erected. With little history of viticulture in the region, selecting the grape varieties was a challenge. Influenced by personal taste and a gamut of recommendations, nine varieties were planted – American, French-American hybrids, and vinifera (European wine grapes). Dr. Hall took courses in enology from the University of California, Davis and began winemaking in 2002 using grapes provided by the University of Kentucky Agriculture Experiment Station located in Princeton. By the time of the first commercial harvest approximately sixty batches of wine had been made, utilizing a variety of fruits from elderberries to experimental eastern European grapes. There have been four more plantings since the original with vineyard size now at about six acres or approximately 3000 vines. Experience has clearly, and painfully, established the fact that the local climate best supports French-American hybrids, though a Riesling patch occupies one hillside. Vinifera grapes or juice are purchased from Kentucky and California growers to supplement the seven varieties of grapes, blackberries and blueberries from Black Oak Vineyard. In January of 2005 an election was held in the Eddy Creek precinct of Caldwell County granting establishment of a farm winery. Otherwise a dry county, Black Oak offers tastings, sales, tours as well as a gift shop carrying a variety of wine-related products as well as a selection of gourmet Kentucky cheeses and teas and coffees. The tasting room sits next to a shaded picnic area adjacent to the vineyard and orchard. Friday evening “coffee-house” get-togethers with local artists and outdoor summer concerts and festivals are planned. The vineyard and tasting room have already hosted three weddings with a variety of options available to couples.

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