Cincinnati Wine Festival. See www.winefestival.org
Kinkead Ridge has not yet participated in the Cincinnati Wine Festival in March, because our limited production precludes us from doing so. We are currently sold out of all of our wines except the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (the Cabernet bottling was 220 cases, more than double any of the other varietals.) Our production is increasing, so we hope to participate in future years. Unless you have a booth at the festival, you cannot enter the wine competition.  It is a wonderful international festival and we encourage everyone to take a look at their web site.

Upcoming releases:
Memorial Day weekend 2006: 2005 Kinkead Ridge Riesling, 2005 Kinkead Ridge Revelation Blanc, 2005 River Village Cellars Traminette (Meranda Vineyards).
July 4 weekend 2006: 2005 Kinkead Ridge Viognier/Roussanne
Labor Day weekend 2006: Annual vineyard tour and release of 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Cabernet Franc and 2004 Syrah
The marketing focus of Kinkead Ridge Estate has always been "exclusively vinifera". In the European mode, we have a second label, and this year we are happy to offer a Traminette (Missouri's signature grape) grown in the Ohio River Valley by Meranda Vineyards (soon to be Meranda-Nixon Estate Winery, www.merandavineyards.com) For customers who like an off-dry wine like our Riesling, we think you will find Traminette very interesting! One of its parents is Gewurztraminer.

Kinkead Ridge wines featured at Chef Jean-Robert's taping of "The Dish" in the state-of-the-art demo kitchen at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Chef and Meg Galvin prepared sauteed chicken stuffed with a farci of pureed chicken, mushroom, and asparagus, served with rice with carrot, onion, red pepper, parsley, and sauteed mushrooms with a red wine sauce. Chef Jean-Robert chose the 2003 Cabernet Franc for the dish. This show will air December 23, 9.30 a.m. The Viognier/Roussanne is sold out at the winery. The Cabernet Franc is in short supply. Call your local wine store for availability. Thanks to Matt Citriglia for suggesting the wines.  Special guest was Bootsy Collins aka bootzillalovegangster. He had some great boots on from Bloomingdales, NYC, and star shaped glasses.  Bootsy's web site is http://www.bootsycollins.com/

The Wine Buzz, Volume 3, Number 3, p. 24
Kinkead Ridge mentioned by Chef-Owner Alana (Alanas, Columbus) 
"The encyclopedic wine list runs several pages, and is probably best tackled under the tutelage of sommelier Kevin... The dozen or so glass offerings include a Viognier/Roussanne blend from Kinkead Ridge Winery in Ripley, Ohio."
                   and 
Chef-Owner Julie Frances (Aioli, Cincinnati)
"While wines like Chateau de la Greffiere, Macon La Roche-Vineuse find favor, local Kinkead Ridge wines are popular too. Their rich, aromatic Viognier/Roussanne makes a delicious pairing with the grilled whole Spanish bass with pancetta, winter squash puree, fennel salad and tapenade."

Quote from Tom Stevenson, editor, in the New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia, just published. Tom reviewed our Viognier/Roussanne in the 2006 Wine Report paperback. 
"Michigan is currently outclassing New York despite having only 90 wineries compared with the latter's 203, and nothing like its financial resources. The general consensus is that New York has the greatest potential of all northeastern states, but only a handful of its wineries are working hard to achieve that potential. Virginia promises to be the East Coast's Washington State, while Pennsylvania and Ohio are the dark horses."

The winery will re-open Memorial Day 2006 for the release of the 2005 Riesling, 2005 white Revelation, and 2005 second label Traminette from the first harvest of Meranda Family Vineyards (www.MerandaVineyards.com).

Kinkead Ridge winery (est. 2002) garnered 3 medals at the 2005 American Wine Society commercial competition in Las Vegas. Competition was stiff; this was the first AWS competition held west of the Mississippi River, and many California wines were entered. Many California wines are being fermented with oak chips so they are high in alcohol and "drink now" wines; ours are quite finessed, and will age beautifully, unlike some of these wines. We medalled with the 2003 Syrah, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2004 Viognier/Roussanne. Only one other Ohio winery (Ferrante, Geneva, est. 1937) won medals for vinifera wines. For all the results, click here.

Ron's 2005 Vintage Report
2005 in the vineyard was a vintage of extremes. Unlike 2004 where moisture, heat and humidity were well distributed, it seemed like the heat and humidity would never end. Rainfall came either not at all or in a deluge. Fortunately, harvest turned out mostly dry with only the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot caught by rain at the end of October. In the winery, most of the fruit came in low in acid and high in sugar. Adjustments were made and fermentations, though quirky, finished well. Overall, the wines show good promise, and for some, 2005 may prove to be the best vintage yet.

Tom Stevenson's 2006 Wine Report. Kinkead Ridge 2003 Viognier/Roussanne named one of the top 100 Exciting New Wines in the World. "Viognier/Roussanne 2003 Kinkead Ridge, Ohio (Atlantic Northeast, US $15). Sandra Silven, wine writer Detroit Daily News: Crisp, flinty, bone-dry, palate-coating tropical flavours. Starkly clean"
Tom:
"In complete contrast to Domaine du Clovallon, this Viognier has balls: 48 percent Roussanne balls, to be precise. Excellent structure and acidity. Cutting-edge Atlantic Northeast -- I really must pay a visit!"
This wine is

Here's the review of Domaine du Clovallon that we are compared to: "The best Viognier of the Midi -- ripe, unctuous mouth-feel, without being cloying or confected. Rounded with ripe apricot fruit and excellent varietal character." (Rosemary George MW). 
Tom says: Yes it is, but to be sexist for a moment, you have to be female or a bit of a girl's blouse to like most Viogniers, particularly one as soft and highly perfumed as this."

Kinkead Ridge Vineyard and Estate Winery one of two wineries mentioned in the Compass American Guide, Fodor's Ohio, First edition. This guide has "spectacular photography, evocative prose, and detailed four-color maps, plus tips and practical information to help you make the most of your trip." See www.fodors.com. Available at fine book stores and www.amazon.com.

If you have tasted our wines and would like to write a mini-review, e-mail them to NBentley@KinkeadRidge.com. Have you taken our wine on the road? Send us a photo! We'll publish your comments and photos on the Testimonials page. 

Brillat Savarin noted two features which distinguish man from beast:
1. Fear of the future.
2. Desire for fermented liquors.