Appreciate the colors, flavors and aromas of the wines of Oliver Winery amid the enchanting backdrop of a hilltop vineyard. One of the oldest and largest wineries in Indiana, Oliver grows its vines on a 54-acre (22-hectare) site in the Indiana Uplands.
Listen to the history of the vineyard and winery. Oliver Winery started in the 1960s as a hobby of Indiana University law professor William Oliver. When grape harvests produced more fruit than he needed, he turned his pastime into a business.
Pay a few dollars for a guided wine tasting, which includes up to eight of the vineyard's wines. Among the varieties you may get to sample are dry whites, dry reds, dessert and sparkling wines.
Learn more about how the wines are made by joining one of the free 25-minute walking tours. These are held every half hour on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include the cellar and winemaking areas.
Afterward, stroll through the large, lush gardens along tree-lined paths with colorful flowerbeds. Have a picnic on the patio or on the hillside circling the pond. Bring food with you or reserve a picnic basket in advance from the winery. During cooler weather, heat lamps are provided so you can dine outside among the gorgeous surroundings no matter the temperature.
The winery is open daily for tours and tastings. Enjoy events such as concerts, garden workshops, brunches and wine and food festivals too. If you arrive on a Saturday during the summer take your seat for a live musical performance on the patio.
To find out more about the year-round schedule of partying, dancing and other cultural activities, visit the winery’s official website.
Oliver Winery is located about 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of downtown Bloomington and 42 miles (68 kilometers) south of downtown Indianapolis. There are no public transportation routes to the attraction so arrive by taxi or drive and use the free on-site parking.
The winery is open for tasting tours every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
