Hermitage Farm

Hermitage Farm in Oldham County is everything we love about Kentucky: heritage, bourbon, horses, history, bluegrass beauty and good food. Dating back to the early 19th century, the farm and its lovely pre-Civil War main house and smokehouse, which are both available for overnight stays, is the old South reimagined by Laura Lee Brown and her husband Steve Wilson, two avid historic preservationists. 

Conserving the heritage of this nearly 700-acre farm was the impetus for the pair to step in and prevent it from becoming a subdivision. The couple, known for their extensive art collection, were leaders in reviving Whiskey Row in Louisville by creating 21c Museum Hotel where their artwork is on display. Art is a recurring theme in their endeavors and here at Hermitage Farm, various pieces from their collections can be seen at the Main House. They’ve taken it one step further by creating ArtWalk, a nighttime outdoor installation that synchronizes videos and sounds along a 1,500-foot-long boardwalk that runs parallel to Little Sinking Creek.

The farm’s Bourbon Experience offers options such as learning about the classic Kentucky spirit from seed to sip, guided bourbon tastings and classes at Barn6 that teach the craft of making your own Manhattan. There’s a bourbon for every taste and pocketbook. Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year and WhistlePig Boss Hog 1.5-ounce pours go for $200 each, but you can sip Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond for $8. The ever-changing seasonal and locally sourced menu at Barn8 is creative and innovative, incorporating a variety of global and regional flavors. Think of it as Southern cookery gone rogue.

Hermitage Farm has a long history of breeding thoroughbreds that went on to win the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Breeders’ Cup and more. On even years, the farm hosts the three-day Kentucky Classic Combined Driving Event competition. 

There are tours for every aspect of the farm. Partake and dig deep or just relax and enjoy the tranquil peace of its history. 10500 U.S. Route 42, Goshen, Kentucky 40026, 502/398-9289, hermitagefarm.com