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Even though wineries are popping up all over the place lately, Indiana still seems like an unlikely place for them. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Indiana wine trail a few years ago and have been working my way through it one bottle at a time.
Some really nice wines aren’t the only surprises you’ll find on a trek through the Indiana Wine Trail. Your day could start by visiting an historic herb farm in Commiskey, then watching the lazy Ohio river roll on by in Vevay, exploring the art exhibits and gardens (and maybe several hundred Christmas trees, depending on the time of year) in Madison, discovering a country retreat in the middle of Indiana farmlands in New Alsace and finally, indulging in a fine dining experience in Batesville.
You can enjoy all these things and more just a short distance from Indianapolis, Cincinnati or Louisville, KY. The Indiana Wine Trail is made up of 5 family-owned wineries in southeastern Indiana. Each winery is unique and offers guests a varied experience.
Visiting all the wineries on the Indiana Wine Trail would make a memorable weekend getaway for couples or for a girls’ weekend.
**The wineries’ hours are current as of the publishing of this post. Due to potential Covid-19 changes, please check each winery’s website prior to visiting.
Ertel Cellars in Batesville, IN
The first winery on the trail I visited is Ertel Cellars Winery and Bistro. The road leading to the winery is a tree-lined, hilly, narrow country road that adds to the charm of the place.
The winery, tasting room and restaurant are housed inside a stone chateau-style building perched on a hill with grapevines stretching out around it.
Ertel’s began in 1999 as a vineyard only, growing grapes for other wineries on 200 acres of rolling Indiana farm land. Founder Tom Ertel bottled his own wines beginning in 2006, when he transformed Ertel’s from a vineyard to a winery, tasting room and full-service upscale restaurant.
18 Different Wines and Complimentary Wine Tastings
The vineyard produces 7 types of grapes: Marechal Foch, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Traminette, Steuben, Catawba and Chambourcin.
Winemaker Brian Ahaus bottles 18 different wines all together, and purchases grapes or juice for varieties that aren’t estate grown. With over 30 years’ experience as a vinter, Ahaus crafts award-winning full-bodied reds, light and crisp whites and sweet wines with lovely fruit flavors.
Ertel’s wine menu includes 5 dry wines- a chardonnay and 4 varieties of red. The Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon gets lots of praise from my friends who like cabernet. Its $12 per glass price scares some people off but everyone who’s ordered it, says it is worth the price.
They also produce another dry red from estate grown Chambourcin grapes and a Rosé from the same varietal of grapes.
The wines get sweeter from there, with 3 semi-sweet whites: Vidal Blanc, Vignoles and Traminette. I will confess that I’ve spent more than a few afternoons with a bottle of Traminette on my deck.
The remaining wines are sweeter and fruitier in flavors of strawberry, blueberry and cherry. Strawberry is their best-selling wine and frequently sells out.
You can find the complete wine list here.
Wine tastings are complimentary, which gives them tremendous bonus points. You can taste them all if you like, but make sure to tip your tasting-bar host.
Be careful at the tasting bar if you sample every type. They offer generous pours and you may need a designated driver when you’re done. Alas, Uber has not yet arrived in rural Indiana.
The Restaurant at Ertel Cellars
In addition to great wine, the bistro serves upscale American-style cuisine for lunch and dinner. The menu features freshly prepared appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts. They have several daily specials, and always feature a fresh catch of the day that can be prepared to your liking.
The dining room overlooks the winery and has great views of the vineyard. They’ve also got a beautiful patio with outdoor seating and a covered porch where you can sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the wine. On select nights, they have musical entertainment in the dining room or on the patio.
The dining room overlooks the winery and has great views of the vineyard. They’ve also got a beautiful patio with outdoor seating and a covered porch where you can sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the wine. On select nights, they have musical entertainment in the dining room or on the patio.
In case it’s not already obvious, I love everything about this winery.
The complimentary wine tastings, varied wine menu, excellent food and beautiful venue make Ertel Cellars a must visit and an easy day trip from Cincinnati, Louisville or Indianapolis.
Ertel Cellars Location and Hours Info:
Reservations by phone only: 812.933.1500
3794 East County Road, 1100 North
Batesville, IN 47006
Email: [email protected]
Hours of operation :
Wed & Thurs 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri & Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
First Friday of each month – Seafood Buffet 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Holtkamp Winery in Sunman, IN
The next stop on the wine trail is Holtkamp Winery on a back road in New Alsace, Indiana. Since I grew up in rural Ohio, I’m used to back roads. But rural Indiana is a different kind of rural.
Country roads in Indiana make sharp ziz-zags for miles and miles around cornfields. It seems like there’s nothing but corn and just when you think you might be in a Steven King movie, you’ll happen upon a winery, literally in the middle of nowhere.
Location and Hours
Holtkamp Winery is like an oasis in the middle of farms off of Woliung Road in Sunman, Indiana. It sits just off the road with grapevines stretching out behind it. The tasting room is open Wednesdays through Sundays at noon, but closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Address: 10868 Woliung Road, Sunman, Indiana 47041. Phone# 513-602-5580
Daily Hours:
Weds-Friday, 12pm to 5pm
Saturdays- 12pm to 8pm
Sundays- 12pm to 5pm
Other hours by appointment.
The Winery
Doug Holtkamp had a passion for making wine and enjoying it with his friends and family. In 2013, he officially opened the Winery and Tasting room.
Holtkamp partnered with Greg McCann, an experienced wine maker and grape producer and began creating wines from estate grown grapes and also from grapes purchased elsewhere.
Today, they grow 16 varietals of wine and bring in 7 varieties from California to produce an array of handcrafted wines ranging from dry reds to dessert wines.
They have two, 3 acre vineyards, one on the property named the Avery Vineyard after their daughter, and another nearby named the Juls Vineyard. The varietals they grow include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dornfelder, Noiret, Cayuga, Marquette, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Steuben, Concord, Niagara, and Petite Amie.
Awards
Holtkamp’s wines have been well received at the Indy International Wine Competition and have one several awards.
-Named the 2018 Indiana Farm Winery of the Year at the Indy International Wine Competition, an award for wineries that produce less than 50,000 gallons per year.
Other awards from the Indy International Wine Competition:
-Double Gold – Watermelon
Gold – 2013 Syrah
Gold – Late Harvest
Silver – 2012 Red Reserve
Silver – Arborrea
Silver – Sangrie Marie
Silver – 2013 Indiana Cabernet Sauvignon
The Wine List
Holtkamp’s wine offering features award-wining wines for every palate. You can see the entire wine list here.
Some of their notable wines are:
Robert Reserve– Holtkamp considers this their signature dry red- a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and merlot, oak-barrel aged for 14 months from grapes grown in the Sierra Nevada region of California.
Cabernet Syrah– This full bodied red blend is produced with Eldorado, CA cabernet and syrah grapes and has notes of black pepper and tobacco.
Chardonnay– Produced from estate grown grapes and aged in stainless steel, this Chardonnay is crisp with melon, pear and apple flavors.
Holtkamp Vidal Blanc– this semi-dry wine is made with locally-grown grapes and has fresh and lively citrus and melon flavors.
Avery White– Holtkamp’s signature white, estate grown and semi-dry with crisp, floral notes.
Golden Harvest– One of Holtkamp’s most popular wines. This sweet wine is made with Indiana Grapes and has bold peach and lemon accents.
Tasting Room and Outdoor Patio
Holtkamp’s Tasting room can be described as an industrial, rustic barn. I don’t know if that’s a thing, but that’s what comes to mind for me. The seats are metal backless bar stools but the tasting bar is made of polished wood. Wine barrels line the walls and some are used as tables. Galvanized, corrugated metal panels line the other walls, adding to the rustic-industrial theme.
The tasting bar is one of the largest on the Indiana Wine Trail, accommodating at least 20 people at one time. The atmosphere in the tasting room is usually upbeat and jovial, thanks to the friendly, outgoing owners and staff.
Tasting Fees
Tastings are $1.50 each or 5 for $7.00 and $1.00 for each additional tasting. Glass prices range from $5.00 to $9.00 and bottle prices start at $10.00
The tasting room is surrounded by an outdoor patio with plenty of tables where you can enjoy a glass of wine. The patio has beautiful views of the vineyards and grounds.
Holtkamp’s Pond and Outdoor Seating
Adding to the scenic vineyard views, is a pond and deck with plenty of picnic tables surrounding it. The grounds are large enough for special events and have ample seating. Feel free to bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy the views, including the landscaping surrounding the tasting room and the flagstone pathways.
Brick Oven Pizza
On certain days, you can enjoy your wine along with a hot, fresh, brick oven pizza. Most wineries on the Indiana Wine Trail don’t serve food so having pizza right on site makes Holtkamp an even more enjoyable place. The pizza is made to order on the premises, usually on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to check the website for dates and times.
Events
The winery features live music on the weekends on the patio. They also have an annual wine festival with music, special wines and food trucks.
In addition, they participate in the Indiana Wine Trail events, like the Artisan Weekends and the Fall Haul in November. Last year, they hosted craft events, where attendees made wine cork crafts.
With the beautiful views, friendly staff, pizza and great wine, Holtkamp offers visitors an enjoyable way to spend a few hours sipping wine and relaxing.
Lanthier Winery in Madison, IN
Perched just off the Ohio River in historic downtown Madison, Indiana is Lanthier Winery. The winery building is believed to have been a fort in the mid-1700s. During the height of the steamboat and railroad days in the 19th century, the building was used as a storage depot and also a well-known brothel. Over the years, the sturdy stone building housed a stable, a market, a saloon, and eventually a scrap metal and recycling business. Located so close to the river and on the proverbial “wrong side of the tracks,” the property frequently flooded and fell into disrepair.
The Winery
Luckily for wine lovers, Chris Lanthier and his wife Tami purchased the property and worked for several years to restore the building and transform it into a winery. Today, Lanthier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madison. The winery produces 15 different wines and hosts events throughout the year.
Complimentary Tastings of 15 Different Wines
I happened upon Lanthier Winery almost by accident during a girls’ weekend trip to Madison. It was mid-November and after finding Thomas Family Wines in downtown Madison, we saw a brochure for Lanthier and made the short drive to the tasting room.
Like other wineries in Indiana, this one offered free tastings. We took our time with the varied offering and tasted several of the 15 different varieties.
Also like other wineries in Indiana, most of their wine is semi-sweet or sweet. They do offer a few dry wines, though: Rivertown White is similar to a Pinot Grigio, Chambourcin is a dry red and resembles a French Beaujolais and finally, Rivertown Red, an oaky Baco Noir.
The semi sweet-wines include a Traminette and an unusual wine (at least to me) called Chautauquablumchen, which means gathering of blossoms and is made from Catawba grapes.
Lanthier’s sweet wines include a blackberry flavored wine, one called “Strawberry Blush,” and a sweet after dinner wine named “Mill Street Red.”
Special Events- Christmas Trees, Art Exhibits and Flower Gardens
Lanthier hosts several events throughout the year, including art shows, garden exhibits and my favorite event- the “Festival of Trees,” which takes place every December.
Someone at this place has a serious Christmas obsession, which I support wholeheartedly. They fill the winery with hundreds of Christmas trees, each decorated differently from the next. In fact, you won’t see the same ornaments more often than once every three years!
The staff starts decorating trees at the beginning of October to have 350 trees by the day after Thanksgiving. The festival runs from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December 31st.
Along with the trees, the winery releases 3 holiday wines: St Nicholas Blush, Rudolph Red and Snowflake White. The festival is family friendly and Santa even makes an appearance or two.
Art and Gardens
In the warmer months, you can enjoy a glass of wine in the winery’s gardens. Co-owner Tami has a passion for gardening that is on display in the magnificent French country gardens that surround the winery. Tulips, lilies and daffodils by the thousands bloom in the spring and serve as the backdrop for the Tulip Days Festival and the Spring Celebration.
Tucked between blooms and along the garden paths, is art of all types and media, including sculptures, paintings and glass.
In addition to gardening, owner Tami is also a passionate animal rescue advocate. She has rescued more than 30 abused or abandoned cats over the years, one of whom, Gandalf, is now the official greeter in the tasting room.
The gardens also serve as a wild bird rehabilitation and release spot for injured birds. On any given day, you may see winery staff hand-feeding birds or bottle feeding a kitten.
If you’re passing through Madison, a stop at Lanthier is a must. The winery has a strict “no wine snobs allowed” policy and promotes the notion that the best wine is the wine that you like. This winery is a warm and friendly place, with welcoming staff, furry friends and lots of beautiful flowers and art to make your visit memorable.
Location and Hours
123 Mill Street
Madison, IN 47250
Hours:
Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit Lanthier’s website and like their Facebook page to learn about the frequent events and sales at the winery..
The Ridge Winery
Location and Hours
The Ridge Winery is open 7 days per week! This is rare for southeastern Indiana Wineries but a boon for area wine lovers. They are open Monday through Friday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm; Saturday from 10:00-6:00pm and Sunday from 11:00-6:00pm.
The winery is in Vevay, Indiana, off of Highway 156 in Vevay, Indiana. It’s also on the Ohio Scenic River Byway, so the trip there has some great views of the river.
Belterra Casino Resort is only 4 miles away and the winery is only 15 minutes from I-71.
The Winery
The Ridge Winery, a passion project of Tom Demaree, opened in 1995. Switzerland County, where the winery is located, was the location of the first commercial winery in the United States. When Demaree opened his winery, Switzerland County was once again a wine producing region. The winery and tasting room are located in Demaree’s home, which sits on the banks of the Ohio River.
The Wine List
The Ridge Winery makes a variety of wines, including fruit wines, grape and fruit blends and bourbon barrel aged wines.
They currently have 17 different varietals on their tasting menu. Wine tastings are $1.00 each for a generous pour.
Their wines are produced from grapes, fruit and juice that they purchase from local and out of state vineyards.
Their most popular wine is called, “Black Jack.” This is Tom’s special blend of blackberry and apple wines and has won multiple awards at the Indy International Wine Competition.
The Swiss Wine Festival is a red grape wine made of syrah/shiraz grapes. It’s full bodied and dry with pepper and tobacco flavors. It’s also loaded with antioxidants so consider it healthy.
For sweet wine drinkers, Wild Cherry is a grape wine with cherry flavors. It’s bold and sweet and a beautiful wine to sip on almost any occasion.
For a complete list of wines, click here.
Tasting Room and Patio
The Ridge Winery is an extension of the owner’s home on the banks of the Ohio River. It’s a cozy, warm room with a large tasting bar and plenty of indoor seating. There is a large room off the main room, where private events like bridal showers are often held. This room has floor to ceiling windows so patrons can take in the gorgeous river view.
The Gift Shop
The tasting room is also part gift shop. In addition to the typical items you’d find for sale at a winery- wine charms, wine openers, t-shirts and signs, The Ridge Winery sells arts and crafts from local artisans. They also have cheeses, chocolates and other snacks to complement your wine.
While the indoor tasting room is quite nice, it’s the outdoor patio that makes the Ridge Winery worth visiting again and again. The patio and deck have ample seating to enjoy the beautiful river views. There is an upper level and lower level area and a grassy area where you can spread out a blanket, enjoy your wine and watch the river roll on by.
Don’t miss a chance a chance to visit The Ridge Winery in historic Vevay, Indiana. Do a wine tasting, browse the gift shop, settle on the patio and enjoy the views of the Ohio River.
Stream Cliff Winery in Commiskey, IN
Stream Cliff Winery is part of an historic farm in southern Indiana. They offer unique wines, a restaurant, greenhouse, gardens and more.
The History of Stream Cliff Farm
The original plot of land where Stream Cliff Farm began was one of thousands of land grants, given to a Revolutionary War soldiers in lieu of a salary. The Colonial Army could not afford to pay salaries and used the promise of land grants to keep men from deserting. In 1821, James Harmon came to Indiana from Pennsylvania to collect the land granted to his father for his war service.
Harmon cleared the lands and built the old farmhouse with bricks he made himself. In 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led his troupe of Confederate soldiers through Kentucky, Ohio and southern Indiana. It is rumored that Morgan spared the farm from burning when he realized James Harmon was a fellow member of the Freemasons.
True or not, the house is still standing today and has been the home to 6 generations of the current owner’s family.
James Harmon left the farm to the Methodist Church when he died in 1863 since he had no descendants. The property was purchased by the Manning Family, who have owned the farm for 7 generations.
The Winery
Until 2007, Streamcliff remained an herb and flower farm. They began selling handmade items, dried herbs and flowers in the late 70’s but it wasn’t until 2007 that they started selling wine.
They opened the winery when Mr. Manning’s doctor suggested he drink red wine for his heart health. Since Streamcliff doesn’t have it’s own vineyard, their wines are produced from grapes or juice they purchase from other vineyards. But the wine is bottled on-site by their winemaker.
The tasting room is named “General Morgan’s Tasting Room,” in a nod to the Confederate General who spared the farm. The building that houses the tasting room was once a blacksmith shop. It has a rustic covered porch with tables where you can enjoy a glass of wine and is flanked by rose bushes. To enter, you pass through a flower covered trellis.
Inside, there are many antiques, along with different items for sale, including books, chocolates and handmade crafts.
At the tasting counter, you can taste 4 of their wines for free. Additional tastings are $.50 after that.
The Wine List
Stream Cliff produces 18-20 varietals of wine; most of which have a horse-themed name. The Mannings have owned many spotted horses over the years, and since General Morgan’s Raiders arrived on horseback, the equestrian theme is apropos.
Their wine list consists of 4 dry reds-
- Iron Hand- a complex Cabernet Sauvignon that is the winemaker’s favorite
- Running Horse Red- a bold Merlot
- Rawhide- a rich Pinot Noir
- Old Bo- a smooth, dry Chambourcin, named after the Manning’s favorite horse
The dry whites include:
- My Dolly- A slightly oaky Chardonnay. Dolly was a mule who belonged to the owner’s great grandfather and is pictured on the label
- Horsefeathers- a crisp Seval Blanc
- Spotted Horse- a semi sweet Riesling
The semi-sweet and sweet wines are:
- Grandpa’s Blackberry- a semi-sweet fruit wine
- Pink Pig- a sweet red with notes of raspberry
- Kentucky Stud- a sweet, full-bodied red
- Fancy Filly- a semi-sweet Traminette
- Daisy’s Delight- a fruity peach white
- The General’s Sippin’ Red- a sweet red with a bold concord grape taste
- The General’s Sippin’ White- a sweet Moscato-style white
- Captain Jack- a sweet white with apple flavors
- Sweet Blush- the only Blush wine on the menu, it’s pleasantly sweet and they use it to make a tasty punch that you can purchase by the glass.
Location and Winery Hours
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10-5 and Sundays 12-4.
Stream Cliff Farm Winery is located at 8225 S County Rd 90 W, Commiskey, IN
The Restaurant
Twigs and Sprigs Restaurant at Stream Cliff Farm serves fresh, unique menu items flavored with Stream Cliff’s herbs and wine and garnished with edible flowers and herbs.
The menu features fresh salads, homemade soups, sandwiches and appetizers. For dessert, the Hummingbird Cake and Bread pudding with bourbon sauce are local favorites. You can view the full menu here
In addition to daily specials, Stream Cliff offers special dinners throughout the year. They host several candlelight dinners in the winery dining room, a special Mother’s Day lunch and a Valentine’s Day Dinner.
Restaurant Hours
The normal restaurant hours are Weds-Sat from 11:00-4:00pm and 12:00-4:00pm on Sundays. From Oct to Dec, the restaurant moves to the winery and is open Weds to Sunday from 11-3:00. Based on seasonal changes and special events, it’s always best to check their Facebook page or website before visiting.
Herb Farm, Nursery and Gardens
Since the 19th century, Stream Cliff has grown culinary herbs, making it Indiana’s oldest herb farm. They also grow annual and perennial flowers, without pesticides, herbicides or chemicals.
The grounds of Stream Cliff Farm are filled with manicured gardens, designed to resemble the colors and patterns found in quilts. Feel free to stroll the gardens during your visit.
A Beautiful Wedding Venue
Stream Cliff offers several different options for a memorable wedding. There is a 150 year old Chapel on the property with seating for 50, with room to add a tent and large doors so more guests can be seated outside.
The Great Lawn in front of the historic Stream Cliff house is also available and provides a stunning backdrop. For larger gatherings and a more rustic touch, the barn can accommodate 150 guests and has a stage for a band or DJ.
Entertainment, Special Events and Group Programs
Stream Cliff’s Summer Music Series runs from June through Oct in the Winery Pavilion or in the Old Barn. Every Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00pm, relax with a glass of wine and enjoy local musicians playing a variety of music.
Stream Cliff also hosts an “Old Barn Market and Barbecue” in the summer. Vendors are on site selling arts, crafts and antiques. Stream Cliff sets up a smoker to serve BBQ dinners and features music, too.
If you are looking for an activity to do with your group or club, Stream Cliff has group classes and lectures. Lectures on herb gardening, container gardening and other topics are coupled with a private tour of the gardens. You can also book craft sessions where your group can learn to create a succulent terrarium or a hanging flower basket.
Crafts and lectures not your style? You can also book wine and cheese pairings or wine and chocolate pairings.
More than wine tastings and lunch
As you can see, Stream Cliff Farm offers so much more than a typical winery. A trip to southeastern Indiana is worth the drive to experience the history, food, wine, gardens, shops and entertainment.
“Either give me more wine or leave me alone.” — Rumi
Spend some time on the Indiana Wine Trail
As you can see, the Indiana Wine Trail has plenty to offer wine lovers and non-wine lovers alike. From fine dining to herb farms, you’ll find it all on the Indiana Wine Trail.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.