The Purple Penguin

We got up, picked up Kathleen’s great aunt, and drove down Hwy 25 to some other smaller roads which were quite pleasant with waterfalls looking for the Acres of Land winery. The weather was quite poor, quite wet and windy so we decided to just go straight there and eat lunch and then in the afternoon go and do a bit of shopping.

We got to the winery eventually. It was very new, only been there since about 2000. (Kathleen: the vines were planted in 2000, the first vintage was there in December 2004 and the resturant opened in 2005; if I’m remembering what they said correctly.) The whole thing was done in modern barn style (Kathleen: rustic and nice) from the bare concrete floor to the rough unfinished pine walls and beams. The furnishings were white painted kitchen furniture. We sat down and were greeted. The lunch menu was quite large and we were also told we could try various samples of the wines. So we choose six samples to try (Kathleen: three each). Kathleen can fill you in on more detail. (Kathleen: see below if you’re really interested.) We ordered starters and a main. Kathleen and Cac having the Kentucky Hot Brown (there was nothing brown about it) (Kathleen: That’s cause it was developed in the Brown Hotel, or something like that, not because of the colour.) and I had the fried chicken; however, no one warned us the chicken starter was a whole meal in itself! We all struggled after that but it was good. Kathleen insisted on finishing with key lime pie (Kathleen: HA! I said ‘no thanks’ when asked if I wanted a pudding but noooo, Joe says ‘Key lime pie and two spoons please.’ so it was his fault.) Which was served with three forks. We managed to squeeze some coffee between the cracks and then left for Lexington.

We went to the mall where we had a look at clothes. Picked up some bits and pieces and Kathleen got a very nice jumper. And then back to Kathleen’s great aunt’s house for a sit and a chat. Still full from lunch. (Kathleen: dinner? we don’t need no stinkin’ dinner!)

Kathleen’s notes on wines at Acres of Land: Very sweet as they are still young wines. They didn’t have a chardonney for tasting but they did have the others. Joe went straight for the sweet wines while I dithered over the selection. In the end we tasted, Me: AI Vidal Blanc, Chennin Blanc, and Kentucky Chambourcin; Joe: Vignoles, Maggie Adams Blush, and Willie Mae’s Blackberry. Joe’s selection was very very sweet but the blackberry was nice. I don’t think I could manage to drink the other two. Mine were all nice, but the chennin was sweeter than I’m used to. I’d happily buy their wines as they are nice but I think Joe liked them better!