Verona Vineyards

Verona Vineyards
13815 Walton Verona Road
Verona
USA 41092
Phone: (859) 485.3544
http://www.veronavineyards.com/

Contact: Charlie Payne
Email: [email protected]

We have worked to create a place where people can visit and enjoy the farm and surrounding scenery. The property is home to the George-Vest house, built in 1842 and on the National Register of Historic places. The barn has been converted into a great wine facility and tasting room so our guests can see firsthand how we make our wines. You can see how inviting our place is in our Photo Gallery.

We are family owned and operated since we established the vineyard in 2004. The daily farm activities and odds and ends are cared for by Charlie Payne. Charlie had the vision to purchase the property years ago when it was in complete shambles and disrepair. Charlie has decades of experience in large project management, construction and old home restoration. His daughter, Peggy Payne Montgomery, and her husband, Dan Montgomery, bought the George-Vest house in 2003. The thinking was to use the house as a vacation home in the summers. The three set out to establish the vineyard in 2004 in addition to managing the complex restoration of the home. Both Peg and Dan have successful outside careers as their primary interests and, with Charlie, enjoy the vineyard and winery as an exciting side venture.

The vineyard layout took place in the fall of 2004 with the first vines being planted in the spring of 2005. The family came out and helped plant over 2,000 vines primarily Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. We selected these varietals based on their wine appeal and ability to grow in the hot humid Kentucky climate. We’ve since planted Dornfelder as an additional red wine grape and will have limited bottles available in 2012. We currently have about three and a half acres planted with the goal to plant additional vines in the coming few years. We do hope to have some Riesling planted in the spring of 2012 that should yield a small harvest by the fall of 2015.

Our original intent was to sell our grapes and we hadn’t thought much about producing wine. As things happened, we found ourselves with a “bunch” of grapes and no buyer. So, we decided to make wine and began diligent research. Our first harvest in 2008 yielded enough grapes to make about 400 bottles of wine.

We now have wines from our 2009 amd 2010 harvest and are excited fpr 2011. Our tasting room is a traditional setting that is inviting and different. We look forward to seeing you so please come enjoy a glass of wine and good company.

In addition to the vineyard and winery, the property is also home to the George-Vest house a Boone County historical landmark. The George-Vest house was built in 1842 and has all of the original floors and woodwork. We are in the process of restoring the home and are using it as our residence.

We are on target to finish the restoration in 2012 and look forward to celebrating its completion.

Update Winery information  Submit new wines to be posted  Wineries of America