While it is true that Kentucky is a state known for its bourbon, its wine is just as commendable. The history of wine in Kentucky dates back to the year 1798, when the Marquis de Lafayette’s winemaker, Jean-Jacques Dufour, set out to find land fit for grape-growing. When he came across the state of Kentucky, Dufour formed the Kentucky Vineyard Society and bought 600 acres on the Kentucky River, at which point he planted what he referred to as the “First Vineyard.” Today, Kentucky’s wine industry is both growing and prospering, and the state has numerous local, national, and international awards to its name.