In European countries like France and Italy, wine has been consumed, made, and collected for centuries. In America, states like California, and Washington, have endless vineyards that dot the landscape. Indiana is usually known for cornfields. However, Indiana has over 25 wineries and 14 in southern Indiana alone. The process of making wine is generic. In spite of this, every winery is different because of the passion, and personality that goes into making every bottle of wine.
Oliver Winery, in Bloomington Indiana, is the biggest winery in the state. Bill Oliver, and Jack Easley, of Easley Winery, were daytime lawyers with a passion for winemaking. They were able to use their background to right the law that allowed the wine industry to get underway. A winery was able to produce 50,000 gallons of wine to be sold to the public. This law has since been modified to 500,000 gallons.
Today, the wine culture lives in the many festivals that take place in Indiana. Every year the Indiana Wine and Grape Council sponsors Vintage Indiana in downtown Indianapolis. This is the highlight of the year. 20 wineries from all over the state participate and various art galleries and food venues fill up Military Park. Jim Pfeiffer of Turtle Run Winery says, "It’s a great way to put our wines out there. Hopefully it will only continue to grow."
Peerman '09 is from Boonville, Indiana.