It was about 4:30 when the black clouds started rolling in.  The weather in Owenton had been calling for a 60% chance of thunderstorms for Saturday most of the week.  But thankfully after only about 45 minutes of rain, the clouds parted, the sky turned blue and the sun started shining.  The evening’s weather was absolutely perfect as the bands took to the stage.

It was another “high five” performance from the staff at Elk Creek too!  As usual everything went smoothly even during the rain.  The food was delicious, from the salmon and bourbon bread pudding on the VIP winery deck to the booths filled with funnel cakes and cotton candy.  Of course the main dish was the wine itself!  The Sangiovese with its blend of 84% Sangiovese and 16% Merlot was being released that night and thankfully we got a couple bottles because it was spectacular.  Along with the Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon there wasn’t a wine connoisseur out there that wasn’t intrigued.  

Next Saturday for the Fourth of July Independence weekend, Elk Creek Vineyard is doing it again with the sounds of Motown Review and the famous Rozzi Fireworks.  This is a show you don’t want to miss!   Take your family, friends, neighbors and anybody else you can grab on to and head on over to the Elk Creek Vineyards this Saturday night, July 5th for a music and fireworks show you won’t soon forget! 

Oh … and I almost forgot, my husband was able to get The Rippington’s autograph on their latest CD.  Very cool!

We started off the night having a glass of wine (or two) and a nice dinner on the Winery deck overlooking the amphitheater.  Elk Creek was introducing their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and believe me it didn’t disappoint.  A local favorite, The Sonny Moorman Group started off the night with a great mix of blues and rock.  Then it was on to Roomful of Blues that showed they had what it takes to play the blues.  After dinner we walked down to the outdoor amphitheater where 1,500 people were also gathering awaiting the amazing “Buddy Guy”!  I know I use the word amazing a lot, but it actually doesn’t even do him justice.  I had never seen him perform before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Being a five time Grammy winner and having the praise of being a “legend” to just about every rock/blues artist out there, I knew he would be good.  But watching him up on stage was like watching a force of nature.  He had everyone in the audience singing, dancing and clapping along with him!  I’ve never heard anyone play the guitar like that!  He would come down off the stage and walk through the audience so that everyone could see him up close.  He truly is a great performer!

This was the first time Elk Creek Vineyards hosted a Blues Festival, but I can tell you it won’t be the last!  They really outdid themselves!  If you didn’t get to make it Saturday night, don’t worry there are plenty of other upcoming events on the outdoor stage just in time for summer.  Saturday, June 28 is the 2008 Jazz Festival that will be a lot of fun.  If you work in an office all week then you look forward to spending time outdoors on the weekend.  I know I do!   What better way to do that than being with a group of your friends, drinking wonderful wine and listening to great music - all while enjoying the warm sunshine outside.

Come visit us at Elk Creek Vineyards and see for yourself what all the talk is about!! 

Maybe you have an anniversary or birthday coming up and would love to spend some quality time with your loved one?  Well, the Winery is the perfect spot.  With the warm southern hospitality, wonderful wine and cozy atmosphere it’s the ideal place to take someone special.  All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy each other’s company. 

My husband and I went with a group of friends last Friday night and had a wonderful time.  It’s such a nice change of pace and everyone really enjoyed themselves.  The worst part of the whole night was trying to decide on which award winning wine I liked the best!  Now, that’s a problem anyone would love to have!

For Mother’s Day, most mother’s just want a day off - from cleaning, cooking, working, being a chauffeur and referee and the dozens of other things moms do.  A day of pampering is the perfect “thank you” to any mom and Elk Creek Vineyards is just the spot!  We have the perfect way to give your mom the recognition she deserves.  This year show her how much she means to you by giving her a week-end of pampering.  Quiet dinners, soothing massage and wonderful wine in a down home southern atmosphere - what more could a mother ask for?  It’s the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

If a weekend trip isn’t in your schedule then don’t worry, Elk Creek Vineyard’s Mother’s Day Dinner on Sunday May 11th at 6:30pm is just for you.   Chef Matt Falcone of Bayou Bluegrass Catering will be offering an amazing four course dinner with a different wine served with each course.  Now what mother wouldn’t love that?

This Mother’s Day make Mama happy by taking her to Elk Creek Vineyards - remember, “If Mama’s Happy, Everybody’s Happy” - and believe me, she’ll be happy!

Not only will there be kites flying but some great live bands will be playing on our outdoor Amphitheater as well.  There will be music for everyone’s taste:

• Owen County High School Band 
• Wiley McDermott and the Roadrunners playing rock-n-roll
• Garrick Howell AND Highway 330 Band playing country
• Bowling Middle School chorus

With all that entertainment you can’t go wrong!  Plus if you don’t want to fly just any kite but love the idea of making your own, you can do just that!  For only $10 you can design and make your own kite to fly and it all benefits The American Cancer Society, Relay for Life.   Believe me your kids will love making their own kite and you’ll love knowing you’ve helped a great cause!

So grab your calendars and on the date Saturday, May 10th write “Go fly a kite at Elk Creek“!  Oh, and by the way … you can also sample the Elk Creek Kentucky Wine too.

What better way to spend a Saturday night than getting together with old friends, eating a wonderful meal and toasting the release of a magnificient bottle of Sangiovese that by the way, won the silver at the Kentucky Derby Festival.  Come see for yourself what all the talk is about!

Of course you can’t have a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show without a little “Cheeseburger in Paradise” Carribean dinner to go along with it.  The A1A Band jamming, cheeseburgers grilling, Fins to the left, Fins to the right - what more could you ask for?  And at our Outdoor Amphitheater, there is no such thing as a “bad” seat.  Whether you’re relaxing on our winery deck, situated under one of our rental tents or just stretched out on blankets you’ll have the best seat in the house! And don’t forget there will be plenty of Kentucky wine available too.

 See you in Margaritaville!

Ok, so let’s take a moment and say that maybe “blues” isn’t really your thing?  Then that’s the perfect reason for you to head to Elk Creek and give this Festival a try.  Believe me when I tell you that by the time this Festival is over, you will not be able to get to your Ipod fast enough to start downloading the Blues!

Buddy Guy -  ”The best guitar player alive,” Eric Clapton;  “Without Buddy Guy there would be no Stevie Ray Vaughan” Stevie Ray Vaughan; “Heaven is lying at Buddy Guy’s feet while listening to him play guitar” Jimi Hendrix.    Need I say more?

Roomful of Blues - Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card as does their ability to fill the dance floor.  “This is a band on top of its game, sliding easily from big band jazz-blues to guitar drenched urban-blues…let the party begin”, Chicago Sun Times

Sonny Moorman Group - “Pounding, high-volume blues/rock that opens the throttle”, Living Blues Magazine.  They recently won the 2006 Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Blues.  This is one band that you don’t want to miss!

So what are you waiting for?  Grab some friends and head on down to the Elk Creek Vineyards 2008 Blues Festival on May 31st!  Amazing music, great food and good friends - what more could you ask for?…Oh yea, wine - lots of Kentucky wine!  

Our wines at Elk Creek continue to win wine competitions around the country.  Just recently we are happy to announce that eight of our wines placed at The Kentucky Derby Festival.  This is just one of the many exciting events that takes place in Louisville, Kentucky in the weeks preceeding the historic running of the Kentucky Derby in May.  I think everyone has heard of a little horse race called the Kentucky Derby, also known as the “Run for the Roses”?  The Kentucky Derby Wine Festival takes place this year on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, but the actual competition and judging of the wines took place just recently.  Congratulations to Elk Creek Vineyards for winning eight awards!

• Gold medal - Syrah 2006
• Silver medal - Vidal Blanc 2006
• Silver medal - Pinot Grigio 2006
• Silver medal - Petite Syrah 2005
• Silver medal - Sangiovese 2005
• Silver medal - Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
• Bronze medal - Concord 2007

If you’re going to be in the Louisville area partaking in all the Derby fun, you don’t want to miss stopping by the Derby Festival WineFest.  Once there not only will you get to see the distinguished medals displayed on the Elk Creek Vinyeard wines that won, but more importantly you’ll be able to taste the winning wines as well. 

In addition to the Kentucky Derby Wine Festival, Elk Creek won four medals in the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and five medals in the Florida State Fair International 2008.  To see a listing of these and all of our award winning wines, click on the link “wine awards” from our homepage.

Remember, don’t take our word for it - let our awards do all the talking for us!! 

But first, let me take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Lexie and I will be your very own “Elk Creek Connoisseur”.  I’ll talk about everything we have to offer from our award winning wines to the many wonderful services that will suit your every need.  My husband, John and I have spent many a night sitting under the stars listening to some great bands at the amazing outdoor amphitheater and enjoyed real southern hospitality at it’s best while spending an evening at Elk Creek Lodge. 

There are so many fun and exciting things going on here at Elk Creek Vineyards and I’m looking forward to sharing all of it with you!  So raise your glass for a toast;

“Here’s to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship and the gate of pleasant folly” - W.E.P. French