Features

In its first year of production, Black Oak Vineyard has won two prestigious awards on the state level. Silver and Bronze medals were awarded to Black Oak Vineyard at the annual Kentucky Derby Festival Wine Competition. A panel of 17 experts from the American Wine Society judged wines from Kentucky and Indiana wineries in a two-week competition with the final decision delivered on March 24 in the Brown Hotel of Louisville. Black Oak Vineyard’s popular Blackberry Wine received the silver medal in the category of “Non-Grape” wine, while the Chambourcin received the bronze medal in the “French Hybrid Red” category. Wines were judged by the professional experts upon the criteria of appearance, bouquet, taste/texture, aftertaste, and overall impression. The production and bottling of Black Oak Vineyard’s award-winning wines takes place in southern Caldwell County, off of “the Old Eddyville Road.” The six acres of 3,000 vines are planted, grown, and primarily maintained by owner Dr. David Hall. For the past six years, Hall has been cultivating the grapes that would ultimately become the finished award-winning product that so many have come to love and enjoy. Fortunately, the winter ice storm of 2009 had no effect on the vines of Black Oak. “So far, we are past bud break, as we had little winter injury to the vines,” said Hall. Hall’s father, Dr. Pete Hall has played a critical role in the production of Black Oak’s wines. The father/son team work together to bottle, seal, and hand-label each of the bottles that will available for the consumers’ enjoyment. In addition to the five varietals that Black Oak Vineyard now offers will be several more for the next bottling. Vidal Blanc, Blush, Concord, Chardonel, Riesling, and Blueberry will be available in the coming months.

In Production

Derby Festival wine contest honors Black Oak entries

Dr. David Hall and his father, Dr. Pete Hall, are shown at work in the production room of Black Oak Vineyard on Ky. 293 South. Essentially every step in the wine making process is completed by owner Dr. David Hall with the help of his father. Here, the two are labeling and capsuling the wine bottles.

TIMES LEADER/Michala Pepper