Page 71 - washington state wine

The allure of Lexington has long been legendary

e felt ourselves as pas- that mindset, of course, is the bourbon
sengers through a wil- making… In a day, you can tour several
derness just arrived at bourbon distilleries and then get back
"Wa garden where there in town for a fine meal. You can’t do that
was no forbidden fruit,” wrote Daniel anywhere else.”
Boone’s companion, Felix Walker, when
they found Kentucky’s Bluegrass region We did several things here you can’t do
in the late 1700s. anywhere else. We also dined exception-
ally well, visited America’s first commer-
This area was the first to be settled in cial vineyard, and toured fascinating
Kentucky and was very early declared historic homes.
“The Athens of the West.” Transylvania
University, the first college west of the Two of those things you can’t do any-
Allegheny Mountains, was founded here where else center on that very special
in 1780. Today it is also home to the blue grass.
University of Kentucky.
The fertile soil of the legendary Blue-
Prominent leaders of the 18th and 19th grass Region lies on a massive limestone
centuries had connections to Lexington, shelf that has been the bedrock of two
including Abra- remarkable pur-
ham Lincoln, suits here: thor-
Henry Clay and oughbred horses
John C. Breckin- and bourbon.
ridge, at 36 the The limestone
youngest-ever adds calcium to
Vice President that gorgeous
of the U.S. under green grass to
James Buchanan. promote strong
bones in those
George Clooney horses, while
was born here. that same lime-
Johnny Depp, stone acts as a fil-
born nearby in Owensboro, bought a tration system to purify the water that
home for his mother in Lexington. And makes the best bourbon in the world.
Jon Carloftis, Kentucky native and
award-winning garden designer, recent- Lexington calls itself “The Horse Cap-
ly sold his homes in Manhattan and ital of the World.” Historic Keeneland
Bucks County, PA, to return to Lexing- Race Course, one of the most beautiful
ton where he and his partner, Dale Fish- race tracks in the world, hosts live race
er, have restored the 1851 home known meets every spring and fall. You can go
as Botherum in the historic Woodward there any morning, however, and watch
Heights neighborhood. those magnificent beauties train on the
dirt track; be sure to have breakfast at
“The Lexington area has such a rich his- the Keeneland Track Kitchen, a local
tory nestled amongst the modern city tradition. October 30- 31, 2015, will
that it has grown into; I think that’s find Keeneland hosting The Breeder’s
why it’s so appealing,” said Carloftis, Cup, “the richest two days in horse rac-
who graduated from UK in 1986. “It’s ing.” Keeneland’s annual sales auctions
the perfect mix of fast-paced lifestyle for thoroughbreds are the most presti-
and a slow and steady mindset. Part of gious in the world.

Wine Dine & Travel Summer/Fall 2015 71