Most people are surprised to know that the first commercial vineyard planted in the United States was located in Jessamine County, Kentucky. The vineyard, was planted in the Great Bend of the Kentucky River.

This first vineyard was established by John James Dufour from Switzerland, who was impressed with Jessamine County's climate and latitude in comparison to some to the best-known wine countries in the world. He was also drawn by the great availability of land. Dufour had been reading letters in the European press from members of the French army who were in America aiding the Revolution. In their letters, Dufour had noticed that the men often complained of the scarcity of wine available in the United States.

In 1799, five acres were planted with 35 different species of the best grapes.