Indiana might not immediately come to mind when thinking about the top wines in the country. However the wineries in this state have been in operation for many years, and many produce some exciting award-winning wines. In fact, the country’s wine industry actually was first started in Indiana, so it has a really long history of working with grapes and producing high quality wines.
Many of the wineries form part of the Indiana Wine Trail, which take visitors to many of the historic wineries and small but quaint family wineries. The actual wineries vary in style and atmosphere, but in keeping with wine industry trends, many of them opt to focus on the family, with child-friendly venues and outdoor seating areas. Some are open to walk-in visits, while many of the more popular wineries do require a reservation in advance.
There are many wineries in Indiana to choose from, but the following are some worth highlighting. But first, let’s brush up on local wine knowledge a bit.
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How Many Wineries Are In Indiana?
There are many wineries in Indiana. On the official Indiana Wine Trail, 31 different wineries are listed and are open to visitors, but there are many other wineries outside of this official trail.
What Wine Is Indiana Known For?
The signature grapes in Indiana produce a range of white wines, including sweet, dry, and also sparkling wines. Many of the wineries all produce dessert wines, made from a variety of different fruits and berries.
The Best Wineries In Indiana
Buck Creek Winery
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The Buck Creek Winery began operation in 2006, starting operations in a basement. However, since then, their wines have gone on to win almost 150 awards, which is quite impressive for a winery of this size. Of the Indiana wineries, this one offers something different in the form of live music and other acts during the summer months. The tasting menu is also really worthwhile.
Urban Vines
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The Urban Vines Winery and Brewery is aimed at families, but also offers some great wine tasting for the connoisseur. This winery also puts on live music on certain weekends. The focus is on the pairing of wines with charcuterie and other foods. Paired with a brewery, parents can enjoy both a beer as well as a glass of wine, while their children are entertaining themselves on the playground equipment. Not many Indiana wineries offer this beer and wine combination. As such, it suits many people of different tastes.
Peace Water Winery
The tasting experience that one will discover at the Peace Water Winery, one of the top Indian wineries, is rather unique, and something that you are not likely to forget. The prices here are reasonable. The tasting experience is really interesting, but it is also worth popping in if all you have time for is buying a few bottles of wine. The atmosphere at the Peace Water Winery is relaxed and easy, opening itself up gently to anyone who feels like trying something new in terms of wine tasting.
Easley Winery
In operation for over 40 years, this winery has remained in the family now for a second generation of winemakers. Some of the wines produced by the Easley Winery have won close to 20 awards, certainly adding to the list of reasons why this winery should be visited. Sitting on the lawns at this winery, one is treated to some excellent views across the city. The wine tasting focuses on having a picnic on the grass and pairing some food with their amazing wines. It is close to the city, in easy driving distance on the weekend.
At The Barn Winery
Adding to the list of Indiana Wineries, the At The Barn Winery opened its doors in 2013, focusing on small volumes of high quality wine. What sets this winery apart other than the wines, is that it is child friendly and accessible, and also allows dogs onto the property. It offers a quiet, calm, and relaxing atmosphere, with tasting sessions run over the weekend. It’s definitely worth the escape out the city, close to Logan Township, in Lawrenceburg.
Belgian Horse Winery
Of the Indiana Wineries, the Belgian Horse Winery has an offering that will suit almost everyone. Serving tasty pizza and often having live music, along with some really good small-batch wines, and hooking into the craze of craft beers, this winery is a real hit. The venue is adults only. Their wines have a signature taste, focusing on fruity type flavours like apple, raspberry, and other fruit flavours. Certainly one of the most popular wineries in the area.
Oliver Winery
This particular Indiana winery has been in operation since the early 1970s. It has a reputation for producing and selling some of the best wine in the Indiana area. One of the highlights of this particular winery is the beautiful gardens it is surrounded by.
The walking tours offered by the winery take in some of the workings of the winery, as well as meandering among the incredible gardens. It is one of the most popular wineries in the district, partially because of the pretty gardens, but mostly because of the wonderful wines that are produced here.
Brown County Winery
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The Brown County Winery opened its doors in 1986, and now operates out of two locations. The focus of this winery is dry, sweet, and semi-sweet wines that have been produced from French hybrid grapes. They also produce wines from many fruits such as blackberries, plums, and cranberries, making for some excellent dessert wines. The modern look of the winery provides visitors with some great views out of their floor to ceiling huge glass windows at the Gnaw Bone site. Their wine, however, can be tasted at both locations.
Butler Winery
The Butler winery is the fourth oldest winery in Indiana. One of the highlights of this winery is the cellar tour on offer at the Bloomington vineyards location. This tour is open on weekends, and visitors can get a first hand viewing of the actual production process of wines, which is quite fascinating to see.
At the tasting rooms, visitors can try their red, white, sparkling, as well as their fruit or dessert wines. They have a number of different locations, but all have both indoor and outdoor seating, making them ideal for all seasons.
Wineries in Indiana offer something for everyone, so if you find yourself in the region, go and gra a glass (or a bottle!).
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.