An immersive afternoon at Rising Sons Winery in Lawrenceburg

The road out through Anderson County winds, carrying you through the heart of Kentucky’s rolling countryside. Behind you lies a downtown morning—a lunch at Lineage Kitchen & Bar and a quick stop at The Kentucky Bookstore for an author book signing. But as you turn onto Frankfort Road and climb the hill out of downtown, the pace of the world slows down. You turn into the driveway of Rising Sons Home Farm Winery, and instantly, you feel less like a customer arriving at a business and more like a friend pulling in to visit.

You step out of the car, and a country breeze greets you with the scent of oak barrels and sun-ripened grapes. All around you lies a 10-acre rolling farm, green beneath the Bluegrass sky. This is the dream of founders Francine and Joey Sloan. Every vine row planted across these hills tells the story of a family-owned vineyard built on hard work, love of community, and a cherished Italian heritage.

Opening the door to the tasting room, you are wrapped in the rich aromas of aging wine. There are no cold, formal tasting counters here—only broad smiles and genuine hospitality. As a glass is placed in your hand, you quickly realize that what truly sets a tasting apart here is the storytelling behind the labels. With every pour, you hear the history: stories from the Sloan’s ancestors who carried winemaking traditions across the Atlantic, family milestones preserved in cork and glass, and old-world techniques fused with native Kentucky soil.

You might start your tasting with a pour of Cataldo’s Salute, an award-winning dry red named in loving tribute to Joey’s grandfather, or Maria’s Dolce Rosata, a fragrant rosé honoring his grandmother. Sweeter palettes delight in the floral, fresh grape notes of Diamond Girl or the black cherry finish of Rose’ Lady, while dry wine lovers gravitate toward their oak-finished Chardones, crisp Vidal Blanc, or earthy, peppery Chambourcin. 

A culinary story here extends beyond a bottle of wine. In the kitchen, Francine turns their signature wines into jellies, each jar a sweet, spreadable testament to the season. For the fall, you will also find the velvety Pawpaw Bourbon Jam—a true local treasure crafted from the custard-like, tropical fruit of native Kentucky pawpaw trees and infused with the rich tastes of Kentucky bourbon. It is a jam like none other. As you linger, the staff invites you to slow down and savor these treats, offering samples and sharing secrets on how to cook with them, or suggesting a perfect wedge of cheese or a warm biscuit that unlocks their flavor. Whether you are learning to pair these handcrafted goodies or just enjoying a quiet moment on the patio, these flavors offer a way to bring a piece of the winery home with you.

As late afternoon settles over the ridge, acoustic guitar notes may begin to drift through the air. Live music occasionally fills the patio, echoing over the vineyard as the sun casts long shadows across the grass. You sit at a wooden table, sipping your wine, listening to the music, and watching the hills in the twilight. You aren’t just visiting a destination; you are living a moment—one where you arrive as a traveler but feel right at home.