Louisville, Kentucky is well-known for its Bourbon Trail and distillery tours. But wine lovers shouldn’t feel left out. The Ohio River Valley has a great climate for vineyards and there are many outstanding wine destinations to choose from on your next vacation. At the Inn at Woodhaven, we love sharing our recommendations for the best places to visit based on the length of your stay. Here are some of our favorites for wine lovers!
Kentucky as a Wine Destination
From wine bars, to wine tastings, to wine tours– Kentucky is home to it all. The Ohio River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), a designated wine grape growing region, is over 16 million acres and covers portions of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Many visitors are surprised to learn that it’s the second-largest wine appellation (geographical area for identifying a grape’s origin) in the United States.
More than bourbon
Kentucky’s mild climate and slight humidity make it an ideal home for vineyards. In fact, this region produces over two million gallons of wine each year. Kentucky has approximately 65 active wineries, with the oldest being First Vineyard Winery, which was founded in 1799. Additionally, there are over 113 grape producers in the state that sell their crops to area wineries that don’t have their own vineyards. The result is some truly fantastic wine collaborations with the true spirit of community we have here in Kentucky.
Louisville area wineries to visit
With so many winery options in the Louisville area, it can be a challenge to decide where to go. Here are a few of our favorites and ones that our guests at the Inn at Woodhaven have recommended to us.
Old 502 Winery
You can’t have a wine list in Louisville without mentioning one of the most well-known names in the business– Old 502 Winery. Many visitors enjoy the fact that Old 502 has preserved the charm of its historic, reclaimed downtown building while serving up funky and eclectic wine flavors in a bustling urban area. Their award-winning wines are available for sampling and purchase in their tasting room, which also offers a limited menu of foods to pair with your drinks.
If you’re coming to Louisville for a special event, consider the Old 502 Winery as a possible location. They were recognized as a “Best of Zola” vendor in 2024 for their wedding events. Overall, Old 502 Winery provides a great place to relax and enjoy the flavors of Kentucky. [Important to note: Old 502 Winery is temporarily closed and will reopen in January 2025]
Off the Rails Winery
One of the newer kids on the block is Off the Rails Winery, which is aptly named given its proximity to our local railway. This family-owned establishment sought to innovate by creating an establishment that serves exclusively Kentucky-made wines, beer, and bourbon all in one place. Crowd favorites include their Night Train malbec and their cabernet. They also offer craft beer from well-loved Kentucky breweries like Goodwood, Against the Grain, and Kentucky Brewing Company, and have Build Your Own Bourbon Flights.
Visitors can enjoy a wine tasting with a souvenir glass to remember the experience. Off the Rails Winery also sells its creations by the bottle for you to take home and enjoy in the future (or we’ll open it for you during your stay at the Inn at Woodhaven to enjoy while rocking on the porch or sitting next to the fireplace). There is a little something for everyone at Off the Rails Winery.
Best Vineyards near Louisville
If you’re looking for a scenic vineyard tour, there are plenty to find just outside of Louisville. Plan to make a day of it and we, at the Inn at Woodhaven, will even prepare you a to-go picnic lunch to enjoy on your drive. You don’t want to start drinking on an empty stomach, after all!
Huber Winery
Located just outside of Louisville in Borden, Indiana, Huber Winery is an area favorite with enough to keep you occupied for hours on their 700-acre property. Owned by the Huber family, boasting nearly 200 years of history, the Huber Winery is dedicated to creating both innovative and sustainable wine and spirits. They love to educate visitors through their various tour options, while also offering rotating activities by season, live music on certain days, and the Starlight Cafe to keep you fed while you drink.
One of our favorite experiences is their Farm To Glass Tour. For a little over an hour, you’ll get a tour of the Huber Winery barrel room, production facility, bottling line, and stillhouse. After learning about what goes into Huber’s traditional methods of producing wine, you’ll get to taste the results for yourself with a variety of their premium wine or spirits.
Equus Run Vineyards
Take a one-hour scenic drive and you’ll find yourself in both horse country and wine country, visiting a well-loved winery that captures the spirit of both. Equus Run Vineyards was founded in 1998 on a site that was originally a tobacco and cattle farm. The local limestone soil produces wines “of varietal character” for a truly unique sipping experience.
The Equus Run Vineyard offers 38 acres to explore while you sample their products. They also recently opened their Saddlestone Distillery, much to the joy of local brandy fans. Their facility tours are available to book starting at only $10 per person. If you have the time on your vacation, it’s definitely worth it to enjoy the high-quality libations that Equus Run Vineyards has to offer.
Our favorite bottle shop in Louisville
If the thought of committing to just one or two wineries or vineyards feels limiting, may we suggest that you head to the hip and fun neighborhood of NuLu to visit the Nouvelle Wine & Bottle Shop. It’s both a wine bar and a retail shop, featuring small bites to eat and an extensive wine, bourbon, and champagne menu (hilariously named the “Completely Irresponsible Champagne List”).
Residents and visitors alike love the Nouvelle Wine & Bottle Shop because of its mission to serve our community with excellent wine from unique producers. With over 100 bottles to drink in-house or to take home, you are guaranteed to find something you love. And if you really want something special, ask about their robust “Secret Stash” reserve cellar program that includes a world-class Champagne list.
Where to stay in Louisville’s wine country
We hope that you’ll choose the Inn at Woodhaven to host you on your next Louisville wine vacation. Just like the many family-owned businesses we’ve listed above, we too are committed to honoring the history and culture of the area, while also delivering a high standard of quality and attention to detail that our guests appreciate.
Like a diverse assortment of wines, we offer a variety of room types to fit your travel needs. Each room has been recently renovated and features its own private bathroom, complete with bathrobes for you and your guest to enjoy. We look forward to hosting you on your next Louisville wine vacation or staycation.
