Our history starts in 1798

John James (née Jean Jaçques) Dufour, winemaker for the Marquis de LaFayette, founded The Kentucky Vineyard Society in 1798. The original shareholders in the KVS shared a vision to grow grapes along the
Kentucky River.

Our original shareholders included many prominent names both in Kentucky and in our country at that time.

1860

Kentucky was the site of the first commercial vineyard in the United States, and by 1860 Kentucky was the third largest grape producing state.

The War Between the States intervened, halting grape production, and during the Prohibition era grapevines were ripped from the ground.

1980

In 1980 owners of the Colcord Winery in Paris, Kentucky re-established the KVS as a not-for-profit educational organization to promote grape growing and winery establishment in Kentucky.

1990

The 1990 legislation set up a Grape Industry Advisory Committee (GIAC). Through the efforts of the GIAC, a Kentucky Farm Winery Law was enacted with favorable provisions for establishing wineries. As a result, four wineries were initiated that year. In the 1992, 1994, and 1996 sessions of the Kentucky legislature, further modifications to Kentucky laws were enacted to encourage viticulture.

1998

In the 1998 Legislative session, Kentucky set aside a half-million dollars for promotion of viticulture within the Commonwealth. This two-year grant provided for a viticulturist at Murray State University. In addition, a matching grant program was established to encourage new vineyards. Growers could apply for reimbursement for half of vineyard establishment costs, up to $1,500 per acre with a limitation of 10 acres.

2000

The 2000 Kentucky General Assembly changed changed winery statutes dramatically. Kentucky wineries were defined as value-added agricultural operations. Wineries located in dry counties may have a precinct election to grant permission for an on-premise tasting room.

Today, Kentucky has numerous wineries. There are currently over 250 members in the Kentucky Vineyard Society.

List of Kentucky Vineyard Society Officers and Board Members

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