Renewing the Rhine of America in Historic Camp Springs
Posted December 17, 2004
The quiet rural area known as Camp Springs is again on the verge of reclaiming its title as the “Rhine of America”. Although much has changed since the mid 1800s the area and the land remain much as it was. Its ability to grow perfect grapes that produce world-class wines still remains in the soils. Our ancestors recognized the ability of the Camp Springs’s soils to produce fruit that sustained their families. It is our time to again use these soils to sustain our community as our ancestors created it.
The establishment of several vineyards in the Camp Springs area has created much interest not only locally, but also at state levels as to the possible positive economic effects to small farms. The Northern KY Vintners and Grape Growers Association recognizes the tremendous potential of the Camp Springs Area to be an important grape producing area in the state of Kentucky. Besides the soils and climate the area is located in close proximity to one of the largest population bases in the United States. Instead of a liability this can be viewed as an asset, because in this population base are the people who enjoy locally grown and produced quality wines. They also enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of suburban life to a quiet area that exudes old world charm, Camp Springs. The association sees the area as a place where visitors can taste the wines of Kentucky and sample Kentucky arts, crafts, produce and view the rich history of the area.
What this means is “you” the Camp Springs landowner has much to gain by the success of this concept. Landowners willing to establish vineyards in the area will be reviving the lost legacy of Camp Spring’s early settlers. More Importantly the land values of this region will increase dramatically as the small hillside farms regain agricultural viability. With increased values of agriculture land, comes increased protection from development. The land is more valuable as agricultural land than as development land. Also are the opportunities to develop the areas arts and crafts. Several Kentucky wineries are willing to lease property for tasting rooms. The citizens of the Camp Springs Area have an opportunity to take an active part in preserving the rural beauty of the community and allowing the land to be fruitful again by rediscovering their lost heritage. Thus, this is a call to Camp Springs that it is time to step up and be counted, become members of the association and to get involved. This is going to take a community effort to work; a few folks alone cannot make it happen for you.
About the Association:
The association currently has 25 associate, allied and commercial members and 75 student members to date. Only two are from the Camp Springs Region. The mission of the group is to build a wine/grape industry once again where one flourished in the past. By working in cooperation with the University if KY College of Agriculture Extension Service and acting as a commodity group that will educate and market/advertise growers, wine makers, retailers, restaurants and consumers on growing and vinting quality fruit and wine.
NKYVGGA has laid the groundwork for the region by encouraging the Campbell County Fiscal Court for Sunday liquor sales in the entire county. This will open the door for winery tasting rooms to have increased sales for the entire two days of the weekend. We are working closely with the University of KY College of Agriculture Extension Service to put together a series of short courses in January –March 2005 on vineyard management, wine grape site and variety selection education.
The association has formed a “Wine Recommendation Panel”, which is a seven member quality assurance board comprised of two retailers, two restaurant owners, two newspaper wine/food columnists and an American Wine Society (AWS) certified judge as the panel chairman. Their mission is to taste test all wines produced by the winery members of the association for critical feedback. When the wine is scrutinized and passes the panel a “seal of approval” will be certified and issued for that wineries vintage and the gold seal will appear on each bottle. The seal will signify that the wine passes the taste test of likely Northern Kentucky Consumers. If the wine fails the panels constructive feedback will go back to the winery for improvement to the vintage.
By creating a “Winery Row” for the Ag Tourism Concept and by focusing in the Camp Springs Region, our intent is to group numerous wineries in a small geographical area to make NKY a winery destination point for tourists. This concept benefits the wineries with increased sales and consumers with geographical convenience and competition for improved quality.
We will be meeting with the “ House Ag Committee” in January 2005 for increased funding for grower/winery grants and low interest loans; simultaneously getting the attention of the Kentucky Tourism Council for the promotion of Kentucky wines.
Primarily we are acting as a grower/winery assistance service to NKYVGGA members. Where commercial members can contact the organization for proven grape growing and wine making advice and answers. The group “think tank” will work in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Extension Service Agents to aid members in avoiding costly mistakes and improve quality.
The association will be having their first membership meeting on January 18, 2005 at the Highland Heights, KY Agricultural Extension Office at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will formally introduce the members and perspective members to the interim board of directors, pass out by-laws and organizational structure, review short-term and long-term goals. For contact information you can contact the Campbell County Extension Service at 859-572-2600 or contact the association at 859-635-2949.