Thomas Family Winery in Madison, Indiana

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.

Location and Hours

Thomas Family Winery is in beautiful and historic Madison, Indiana, a few blocks from the Ohio River at 208 East Second Street. They are open 7 days a week, Monday-Thursday from 11am to 6:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 9pm and Sundays from 12pm to 5pm.

The Winery and Tasting Room

Thomas Family is located in a former carriage house, built in 1850. The tasting room is cozy, with exposed brick walls, tables and comfy seating areas. There are books lining the walls, board games and various musical instruments, too.

• 

• 

• 

Steve and Elizabeth Thomas opened the winery in 1995. Steve is a 3rd generation winemaker who wanted to open an old world style winery. Historic downtown Madison and the 19th century carriage house seemed like the perfect spot.

Thomas has some “rules” you should follow regarding wines, tastings and visits to his winery:

• Don’t come to the tasting bar while chewing gum, eating candy or drinking anything but water. The residual flavors in you mouth will ruin the taste of the wine.
• Treat wine like you would a puppy. This mostly means don’t leave your wine in a hot car in the summer.
• “God made Zinfandel to be red, and taste like barbed wire and pepper; humans made it pink and sweet.” ( I’m assuming from this that Thomas believes humans have ruined zinfandel wines, at least white zinfandels. But remember, the best wine is the wine you like best and if you like sweet wine, you should drink it.)

Bakery

Thomas Family makes more than wine; they are also a stone hearth bakery. They make delicious, rustic fresh bread with offerings that change frequently. Focaccia, Cuban Sandwich bread, sourdough and Italian semolina are just some of the types of bread you’ll find at the winery.

You can purchase the bread there, along with jams, oils, dips, etc. They also offer charcuterie boards with high quality meats and cheeses, nuts, relish and of course, their bread.

The Wine List

Thomas Family Winery focuses on traditional, European style wines. Since they view wine as food, their wines are crafted to be enjoyed with a meal. Each wine is meant to enhance and compliment the food it is paired with.

When I visited, they had 6 wines available and one hard cider for tasting. Their wine is all on the drier side and made using old world techniques. See their current wines here.

Wine tastings are complimentary and tips are appreciated. Some of the more memorable wines I tried were:

Dance Monkey Concord

Unlike most concord wines in this part of the country, this wine is semi-dry. There is only a small amount of added sugar so the wine doesn’t taste like grape juice, but more like, well, wine. It has flavors of cherry, grape and berries and is meant to be paired with chicken, fruit or cheese.

White Sangria is bright and tangy, with no sweetness. It reminded me of a flavored seltzer. It can be served over ice or just chilled. This is not your typical sangria.

Sack is perhaps the most unique wine on Thomas’ wine list. It is a sherry style wine but is drier and meant to be a mealtime drink, not an apertif like traditional sherries. This wine was popular in Colonial America and is nutty, with flavors of butterscotch and spice. It’s good served with rich soups, heavy hors d’oeuvres or turkey.

Gale’s Hard Cider

In addition to wine, Thomas Family also makes hard cider. Like their wine, it is traditional, old world style cider. It’s made from apples and fermented like ale. It’s tart, dry and strong and named after Steve’s grandfather, who made the illicit beverage during prohibition.

Patio, Music and Events

Thomas Family Winery has a quaint, covered patio with tables and gardens. There’s also a stage area for live music. You can book the patio for private events. There was a bridal shower planned for the day I visited.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

There is usually live music on the weekends and sometimes food served. They offer barbecues and other themed meals. Check their facebook page for a list of events. This past August, they hosted a Toga Party!

Thomas Family Winery is a must visit the next time you are near Madison, Indiana. It’s literally a Rand McNally “must see” location. The Thomas’ are warm and friendly proprietors who make their guests feel welcomed and appreciated.

Want to read about other wineries in Madison, Indiana? Click on the picture below.