Dr. David Hall and his wife, Dr. Jenny Franke own and operate the Eddy Grove Vineyard at the intersection of Ky. 293 South and Martin Road and beyond. The first crop of the 2,500-plus vines was harvested in August and September 2004. A farm winery license was issued to the vineyard in October and voters in the Eddy Creek precinct subsequently approved legal sale of alcohol at the winery.
Wine that is eventually produced at Eddy Grove can be directly marketed to those who visit the site.
Hall and Franke bought their farm in 2001 and soon planted their first vines, about 960. The vineyard harvested two varieties of grapes this past season: Baco, a hybrid red grape, and Chardonnay, a classic European variety.
The vines take up 5 acres in all. One vine, when fully productive, will average between 8 and 12 pounds of grapes, enough for about five bottles of wine.
With Ky. 293 cutting the corner between the Western Kentucky Parkway and Interstate 24, and the highway’s proximity to Eddy Bay and the lakes, it could provide travelers with an enticing detour — “if we could ever provide a sufficient draw,” he said. “We need some more attractions to pull people here.”
And that is where Hall’s hopes lie: in a developed winery to complement the city’s other tourist-oriented businesses and attractions.
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