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Sharon Alexander
Eddie O'Daniel is the founder and winemaker at Springhill Winery in
Bloomfield, Kentucky. The winery has been in three different locations
since it first opened for business 17 years ago, but has
settled in a permanent locale amid the rolling hills and tobacco
farms of central Kentucky. In a family of three generations of
winemakers, both Eddie's father and son lent a helping
hand in Springhill's early stages. This early family collaboration helped Eddie make
Springhill Winery one of the top 10 wine producers in Kentucky.
Springhill Winery first
opened its doors 17 years ago with a small tasting shop in the
historic town of Bardstown, Kentucky. An opportunity soon presented
itself and the winery was moved to a former ski resort in Carrolton.
Springhill sold their wine from this Carrolton location for three
years before moving to its current site in rural Bloomfield. The
winery now produces a wide variety of Kentucky wines and is open
year-round for tasting and sales.
Eddie O'Daniel's interest in
wine began when serving in the military. In the 1960's he was
stationed near Napa Valley and the surroundin g wineries and vineyards
piqued his interest in viticulture. Later, he learned his winemaking
skills from an Italian winemaker while stationed in Europe. Upon his
return to Kentucky, he started making wine as a hobby, but he soon
realized that this could easily become a lifelong career for
him.
Much of Springhill's
operation is located approximately 15 miles away from the tasting room
at their winemaking facility in Springfield, KY. Five of their eight
vineyard acres are located near this facility, and the remaining three
acres are located on the same property with their tasting room and bed
& breakfast. Some of their wines are stored and aged at their
tasting room location in rural Bloomfield.
The winery produces
approximately 2,000 cases of wine per year with 80 percent being sold
at the tasting room and the remainder in wholesale sales. Springhill's
best selling wines are Riesling, Springhill Bordeaux, Harvest Mead and
Pinot Gris.
As with
every wine growing region, the weather plays an important role in the
grape-growing process. Kentucky weather can be tricky, because
Kentucky is on the edge of the cold climate viticulture 
map. "Although
we have had some very mild winters in the past decade, we have had
some very cold late freezes and late frost in the spring" says
O'Daniel. "Our frost free date is May 15th so this affects the
varieties grown and pruning methods. The summers have been hot and dry
to give great color for the reds, and cool evenings near harvest for
the fullness of the whites" he adds. " I think the
terror combined with the limestone water makes the wines as notable
as the bourbons."
O'Daniel said operating a
winery in the heart of Kentucky Bourbon country has actually helped
his sales. There are plenty of tourists looking for a change of pace
from the Bourbon trail. Springhill offers area visitors a chance to
sample wine when they are looking for a break from visiting the
region's many bourbon distilleries.
In addition to operating a
winery, the O'Daniel's also offer an on-site bed and breakfast. Since
the winemaker and his wife are your hosts, a stay at the historic
B&B offers the total wine experience. You'll enjoy a hearty
country breakfast and be treated to chilling stories during your meal
about the haunted history of this old tobacco plantation. Being able
to chat with other traveling wine lovers over a glass of Beaujolais on
the patio is an added bonus.
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