The Thomas Family Winery

After several days of being on the road and traveling from one place to another, Chad and I were ready to settle into somewhere for a couple days.  When we saw three wineries in historic Madison, IN, and saw that it was right on the water, Chad and I knew we had found the place we wanted to stay.

What we learned when we got there was that a large part of Madison shuts down on Mondays and part of the town stays shut down until Wednesday... well, since we were only going to be there Monday and Tuesday, that meant our options were a little more limited but also gave us a reason to return in the future. Of course this idea of being closed was quite popular and meant that two of the three wineries were also closed through our visit.

Lucky for us, The Thomas Family Winery was open and happy to have our business.  Steve, a third-generation wine maker and owner of this establishment greeted Chad and I with a smile.  He was wonderful, knowledgable, and willing to talk about his wines.  Though this might sound silly, it was rare to find someone on our trip who really knew about the wine they were serving.  You could tell that Steve and his wife Elizabeth really love the wine they make.  Walking into the winery I felt comfortable and at home.  The atmosphere was inviting.  It looked like they had maintained a lot of the woodwork from the stable and worked with it to creating a homey place to sit and have a great glass of wine while getting to know the people at the table across from you!  This also looks like a great venue to visit on the weekends to hear some traditional music playing!

The Wine

When we visited the winery they only had 4 wines and one cider available but were getting to release 4 more very soon!  All  wines were either dry or semi-dry.  Steve led us through every step of the way, crafting a story about each of the wines and setting up every tasting before a drop hit our lips.

Gale's Hard Cider - Old timer apples fermented like an ale-- tangy, strong and dry - drink it like an ale!!!!  Name for Gale Thomas!  Wonderful with curries, spicy foods.    I could see this pairing with so many different meals.  It is unique and wonderful.  I was so happy to find a dry cider that wasn't too fruity.  A lot of Cider's taste too carbonated or fruity.  This had a fantastic balance that I adored.

Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - Outstanding nose of peaches, olives, figs, and currants, bursting palate of tree fruits, sweet pepper, pineapple, melon -long finish f minerals, citrus peel, herbs, spice -try with southwestern foods, grilled poultry and seafood.


Rio Red 2010 - Lots of cheery, black raspberry fruit with pepper, mint and briar  in the nose; cedary berries, lots of briar, mint, pepper and a bit of smoke- young tannins will soften - loves pizza, pasta, and grilled chops.   This is a wine that pairs well with every day food.  You don't have to make anything fancy to create a great pairing.  This wine spent 5 months in oak barrels.  You can certainly taste the cherry and black raspberry.  We had to bring a bottle of this home!


We will most definitely go back to Thomas Family Winery whenever we visit Madison, IN.  We loved everything about it and cannot wait to try their new wines!

For more information please visit their website:

www.thomasfamilywinery.us

Blue Heron Vineyards & Winery - Cannelton (Rocky Point), IN

After a day filled with driving backroads and exploring a little bit of the beautiful scenery in Southern Indiana, was saw the sign for Blue Herron Winery.  Upon turning off the main road, following a long and winding road up a large hill, turning off onto a skinny pathway up to a larger clearing with a house, we were finally there!  If you drive this way, do not doubt yourself, just follow the signs.

All of the carvings and much of the artwork was created by Greg Harris, a self-taught sculptor.
 You will find more about him at the Celtic Cross in our next post. 

The winery was located near the top of a hill over looking the Ohio river.  Outside, there were several sitting areas nestled along the hillside, the perfect spot to sit and take in the sunset with a glass of wine... or two.

Gary and Lynn Dauby own Blue Heron and were pleased to invite us in and show us around.  We spent a majority of our time talking with Gary as Lynn was showing two couples around the grounds and leading them through a wine tasting.  These couples were staying at the Bed & Breakfast associated with the winery.  Oh yes, on top of having their winery, Gary and Lynn host concerts and events and have a bed & breakfast.

Gary was incredibly friendly and easy to talk to.  He led us around the grounds, showed us where the magic happens, and even let us sample some of the wines that have not been bottled yet.  Let me tell you, you are in for a treat with a couple of their new products.   Chad and I tasted all of the wines on their list and below are a few descriptions.

The Wine 

Twin Towers Red - A Chambourcin wine with beautiful color.  You can taste the oak in this one 

23 degrees - An earthy Foch, great balance of sweet and sour with a hint of cherry.  I loved just breathing in this wine. 

While each of these wines is great on its own, the true magic happens when you mix the two.  There is an amazing balance you find when you do a 50/50 glass of each.  Just try it!  you'll know what I mean.

On Deck White - A Cayuga white.  This is great mixed with San Pelegrino Orange Soda. A suggestion made by Gary.

If you would like more information about the winery itself or about their B & B please contact them at: 

blueheron@psci.net 

or visit their website:

blueheronvines.com

Carousel Winery - Bedford, IN

The moment we walked into Carousel we could both smell the sweet scent of something fermenting.  This keen observation gained us a tour of behind the scenes at Carousel where we got to see the Concord grapes for their Red Tiger Red bubbling.  It was a beautifully delicious sight!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the winery.  We had the pleasure of meeting the winery owners Marion and Sue.  Marion is the wine maker and is currently training another young man to make the wines as well.  You can tell that they both love their products and have a passion for what they do.  It comes across in their eagerness to tell you about everything you are seeing and tasting.  Don and Donnie helped lead us through the first few wines we tasted, taking time to talk about each wine and what made it unique.  I love when people are informed about their products and willing to share their knowledge with you.  It makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Sue led us through the second half of the wines and told is a little about the winery, including that come August they will be celebrating 9 years in business.  The winery is settled on 9 acres and boasts 25 different wines using fruits from across the country. Not only was the atmosphere quite welcoming and the people wonderful, the wines were delicious!  They also boast the title of one of the top 10 wineries in the state of Indiana.  Congrats Carousel!

The Wine:

Cab Franc - New Release 2012 - The lightest of the Heavy Reds.  Rich and Full Bodied, yet sophisticate to the palate.  Cherry-berries dance across the tongue.  Best served with Friends.  The best way to described this wine is to say it tastes and smells like happiness.  You can taste the cherry but also get a hint of chocolate.  Delicious!


Reisling - Our finest example of what happens when magic takes places in the fermentation of fine winemaking.  One taste and you'll understand what is meant by 'perfect balance'.   This wine was incredibly crisp and clean.  It reminded me of daffodils.  It is easy drinking with just enough sweetness.  It is a well-balanced wine indeed.

Lady Luck - When the odds are against you and you are down to the line, you'll call on LADY LUCK.  Is she smiling on you today, or is it just a tease?  Ah, but her wine is divine.  This is one treat where there is no gamble.  This blush derived from Catawba grapes smells like spring and tastes even better.  This wine made both Chad and I feel quite lucky.  Look at the label and you will find a picture of Marion and Sue's daughter, Lady Luck.

Shadow Dog Port - Often the truest desserts in life are shared,  Whether it's a glass of fine port after a delicious meal, or the cherished moments we share with our best friends,  A  TOAST & TRIBUTES to our loyal and loving companions.  This wine has won numerous awards and for a good reason.  I loved sipping on this port style wine out of a chocolate cup.  This perfect combination warmed my throat and left me wanting more. This wine is also named after their previous pet.

Cay Dog Dessert Wine - Much like Chocolate, the Dark and the White are Nothing alike... Viva la difference!  This RARE WHITE Wine is made in the same traditional style as it's Brother, Shadow Dog Port, Smooth as silk.  Chad is a big fan of port style wines.  We have tried many ports, but rarely come across a white port.  Of the few white ports we have tried, this is by far Chad's favorite.  This is a smooth wine with hints of toffee and mocha (a few of my favorite things).  This wine is also named after a current pet of the owners.

I fully expect their cat, Bella, will have her own bottle at some point, too!

For more information visit their website: 
www.carouselwinery.com

Butler Winery & Vineyards - Bloomington, IN

While in the Bloomington area, we decided to stop by the tasting room for Butler Winery & Vineyards.  There we met Doug, the graduate student tuba player who led us through the selection Butler had to offer. Though the tasting room doesn't appear to be much from the outside, the winery offers a great selection of 19 different wines.  Doug was very friendly and was knowledgable about the wines, taking time to explain every tasting, balancing his time expertly while helping other costumers make purchases for their home or mirco-brewries.  This store not only hosts Butler's wine selection but also carries several books on wine, beer, and home brewing as well as brewing supplies and wine related products.  

This small space carries so many useful products!

The Wines

Chad and I enjoyed several of the wines at Butler and brought home a couple bottles to enjoy in the future!  Here are a couple we enjoyed:

Chardonel 2011 - New release!  Well-balanced and elegant, this is an ideal food-pairing wine.  A fabulous, sleeker alternative to classic California chardonnays. A signature grape from our vineyards.  Chad found this wine to be buttery with floral notes and a tangy finish.  A wine that easily pairs with many meals.

Chambourcin 2009 - Dry, medium bodied , with nice tannin structure.  Aged in French Oak.  Excellent companion for a meal with spicier dishes, or just crackers&sharp cheeses.  We think it's our best Chambourcin yet!  We could see this also pairing nicely with red meat or salmon.  It is very light and easy drinking for a Chambourcin.  You can definitely taste the Oak.

Traminette 2010 - 100% Indiana Uplands Traminette lends this wine its pleasant and refreshing floral aroma.  One taste & you'll see why Indiana's state grape has such a devoted following!  I thought this wine had a heavy floral nose with a light fruit taste reminiscent of pear and apple.  It had a very smooth finish.  Lovely wine to simply enjoy.

Terra Rossa - A lovely port style wine made from our own 2010 Chambourcin.  Rich, oak nose with chocolate & dark fruit.  Smooth, sweet lingering finish.   This was a spicy, warm and rich wine that made my lips tingle.  Deliciously creamy with a smokey finish.  Loved this port style wine!


I would love to visit Butler's other location and vineyard sometime in the near future! This was a lovely place to visit and we couldn't have asked for someone better to help us out!  Thanks Doug!

Also, we got to talking to one of the gentlemen buying supplies for his home brewing, Aaron.  He is hoping to open his own restaurant and micro-brewery sometime in the next year or so.  So in 2013, look for: All Good Brewing Co. 

for more information about Butler Winery and Vineyard 

visit their website:

www.butlerwinery.com

or give them a call at 812.339.7233

Oliver Winery - Bloomington, IN

No better time to write about Oliver Winery than when I am drinking the Strawberry Cider from Oliver.

Might I say, it is delicious.

Because I cannot drink beer, hard cider is often my substitute.  Like beer, each cider has it's own unique taste.  I have tried the blueberry and strawberry cider and have thoroughly enjoyed them both.  They are light, fizzy, delicious ciders that remind me of summer.  This is something I would love to sip on while sitting on river on a hot day!


While at Oliver, Chad and I had the opportunity to taste several of their wines, walk around their grounds,  and  take a short tour of where their wines are made.  The ground themselves are beautiful and we did noat get to explore nearly enough of them due to rain.  On our tour, Tiffany, our guide, was incredibly informative and willing to answer all of our questions along the way.   Tiffany told us about Oliver's history as well.



The winery began with Mr. Oliver, a former professor, making wine as a hobby in his basement.  The winery itself opened in 1972, with only 5 acres of land.  The vineyard now has 54 acres, boasts 35 wines, and distributes to 20 different states.  Mr. Oliver's son Bill is now the head of the company and the wine maker.  You can tell that even though the company has grown significantly, they still care about making great products that their consumers will love.

The Wine 

Because Oliver's wine list is so long, there was no way we could try them all!  We tried to stick to the wines produced with grapes locally grown at the Creekbend Vineyard as well as the popular items recommended by Kathy Bodle-Perez, our guide for the day.

Some of the wines we particularly enjoyed include the following:

Creekbend Traminette 2011 - Indiana's signature wine!  Floral, fruity, inviting, this grape loves our Indiana climate.  This was a very light and lively wine.  It reminded us of honeysuckle in spring. A great picnic wine.

Creekbend Vavlin Muscat 2011- Aromatic and exotic, this dry wine is the perfect match for cream or cheese based dishes of poultry.  Amazing color, like champagne without the bubbles.  An excellent citrus finish.  For a dry wine, it was very light.


Maximum Port 2007 - Soft rich flavors in a classic ruby port made from petite sirah.  Chad noted that the nose was quite oaky and earthy.  Not too sweet but left a rather sweet finish.  Nicely balanced, a good winter wine.


 If you are ever in the Bloomington area, or find Oliver Winery products near you, we recommend you give them a try.  They have something for everyone, no matter your taste!

For more information please visit their 

website:

http://www.oliverwinery.com/

or like them on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oliver-Winery/109230619094694

Tallon Winery – Shelbyville, KY

Tallon Winery – Shelbyville, KY

This is the first winery in Kentucky that we have had the opportunity to visit.  It is located right off of highway 64 between Frankfort and Louisville.  It was really easy to find with signs from the highway all the way to the winery.  What a beautiful property.  Even though it is near the highway, the property makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.  This beautifully restored home sits on a small pond with a large sitting area inside and spacious deck out back.  The site is one of the two owned by Tallon Winery, with the primary vineyard and tasting room being in Lexington, KY.    The tasting room has an incredible barrel ceiling that reminded Chad of a Frank Llyod Wright we have visited in Springfield, IL. 

Tallon Winery grows a great deal of the grapes used in their wine including their Traminette, Chambourcin, and Chardonel.  The Shelbyville location has 17 acres which they hope to use for vineyards in the near future. 

The Wine

I was not terribly impressed with the white wines.  Though they each offer something a little different, they really weren’t my style.  The finish on the Traminette and Sweet Evening Breeze had an alcohol tasting finish to them that kind of tingled the tongue… not my style, but worth a taste. 

The Moondance may have been my favorite white.  A Pinot Gris wine with a grapefruit and other tropical citrus nose combined with a hint of mineral.  A great patio wine.  I thought it was an easy drinking wine that definitely had a citrus feel to it. 

Chad liked the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve best of all.  Premium Full-bodied, dry red.  Kentucky oak barrel aged.  Favors of black cherry, currant and nuances of chocolate and vanilla.   Chad thought it had a very earthy, oaky nose, almost reminiscent of a bourbon barrel.  It had a heavy black cherry taste while the chocolate and vanilla were quite light by comparison.  It would be a great wine to serve with any red meat with a sweeter marinade. 

I personally enjoyed the Afterglow.  A semi-sweet blend of Cayuga and Catawba with a robust grape flavor.  This is a crisp, light, flavorful wine.  It reminds me a little of drinking Welch’s White Grape Juice with the fruity, grapy flavor, but much lighter.  It was a beautiful color as well!  It almost looked the color of watermelon with a hint of orange. 

If your would like more information on this winery please visit their website:

 http://www.talonwine.com/

Coal Creek Cellars

On our way to Indiana we attempted to stop by Coal Creek Cellars.  Their property is beautiful and we hear they are a fairly new winery.  Unfortunately, they were not available during their posted hours.  We found an empty parking lot and locked doors though their sign said they should have been open.
We tried calling, but to no avail.

These things do happen.

If you are looking for more information, their Facebook page is posted bellow.  It is several miles off the highway, so if you are looking for convenience you may not find it here.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coal-Creek-Cellars/163619473691314

Sleepy Creek Vineyards

Sleepy Creek Vineyards – Fairmount, IL

We have been wanting to visit Sleepy Creek Vineyards for a couple years now.  One of our favorite bands has played there twice and will be appearing again in August.  Hopefully, we can make it out to see them this time! 

Sleepy Creek starting growing their vines in 2002 and will be celebrating it’s fifth year of business on May 17^th.  This beautiful establishment feels quiet and secluded, sitting on a pond surrounded by trees and vines, but is easy to find and not too far off the highway. 

During our visit Joe Taylor expertly led us through the wines.  Joe and his wife are the owners of the winery and are both incredibly knowledgable about their products as well as other wines.   Joe told us that he may be the only person to go into wine making because he wanted to design the labels.  Joe is graphic designer and created all of the unique animal themed wine labels.  The label for their Sour Puss wine is even fashioned after one of the cats you may see at the winery.  One an interesting note, the Scapegoat label is designed to look like William Taft with a goat head. 

The Wine 

We had the opportunity to try all of the wines and wine products at Sleepy Creek . 

Here are the descriptions and our thoughts on a couple of our favorites.  (Sleepy Creek’s descriptions in italics)

Sour Puss – An aromatic, citrusy semi-sweet white wine made from Sleepy Creek’s LaCrescent grapes.  Serve chilled.  This is an intense, flavorful wine that leaves your tongue tingling and your mouth watering.  Not as sour as the name might sound as it has that sweetness to it as well… much like their cat.

Bull Headed – An unfiltered dry red wine, made from Chambourcin, it’s our only barrel aged wine.  Try with a hearty meal.  Great for grilling!  Best served at room temperature.  We could really see this wine being paired with some red meats like steak, lamb, and pot roast. This wine really stood out for Chad.  He isn’t usually a fan of Chambourcin wines, but found this one to be quite delectable.   We won’t share the secrets to the success of this wine, but you can certainly ask the owners. 

Little Woody – A semi-dry wine aged with oak, made from Sleepy Creek’s Leon Millot and Marcheal Foch grapes.   We had the pleasure of being the first people to try the new release of this wine.  It has been missing from their wine list for about a year.  Though not completely mellowed yet, Little Woody already stands out as a superb wine.  At first taste it seems rather simple but as it sits on the pallet, it’s complex layers appear, making it a wine you will not soon forget.  We were the first to buy a bottle of this delicious wine and cannot wait for it to be ready. 

Both the lemon and grape wine slushies are incredibly tasty and would be wonderful on a hot summer day. 

Wapatulli, their version of Sangria, is made with their Plonk wine.  Plonk is Dutch for cheap wine. This is made to be a mixing wine and not generally served on it’s own.  We bought a bottle of this wine to mix with our wine smoothies we make at home out of frozen fruit and wine. 

Sleepy Creek hosts several events and concerts throughout the year including weekly events such as Wieners & Wine every Friday from 5-8 pm.  They also recently opened a beautiful B&W (BED & WINE) above their tasting room. It is a gorgeous 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen, living room, and deck, as well as a lofted area with two small beds.  You can find information about booking this suite on their website!

We highly recommend you visit this vineyard!

For more information please visit 

http://www.sleepycreekvineyards.com/

or follow them on Facebook at 

http://www.facebook.com/sleepycreek

(one of the cats you may find on your visit)

Alto Vineyards

Chad and I have hit the road for a week!   This isn't the first time we have hit the trail in search of wine, but this time we're taking the jeep for a spin, heading wherever the wind blows, and documenting our travels.  Along the way we are visiting some amazing wineries and vineyards, tasting some fantastic wines, and meeting a bunch of wonderful people.

Our first stop was...

Alto Vineyards in Champaign, IL

This was our second time tasting alto wines.   Our first visit was last summer on the Shawnee Wine Trail when we visited their vineyard in Alto Pass, Il.  Both locations carry the same delicious wines, are family owned, and have incredibly friendly and helpful individuals serving their wines.

This time, Ryan led us on the tour of alto wines.  Ryan took his time, carefully describing the unique characteristic of each wine, answering all of our questions, and letting his knowledge of wine truly shine through.  His English degree and love for the language were apparent with each incredibly descriptive phrase he used.   We appreciate all of the time Ryan spent guiding us through the grapes.

 - The Wine -

Alto Vineyards has been around for over 20 years.  They first planted their vines in 1982, selling their first bottles of wine in 1988.  Alto boasts a very large, well-rounded wine list.  There is a wine to meet anyones' tastes.  From dry to sweet, white to red, Alto seems to have it all.

What I have previously found, is that some wineries with a larger wine lists seem to sacrifice quality for quantity.  Alto, on the other hand, maintains a magnificent quality through all of their wines.  I would certainly recommend visiting either of their locations.

-Our Picks- 

(The description from the winery will be in italics and our comments will be in normal type)

Because of their vast list, we have not yet tried all of the Alto wines, but we have not been disappointed by anything we have tried. 

On our previous trip, Chad and I purchased all four of the Heartland wines and the Shawnee Gold.

Heartland White - semi-sweet - Medium-bodied with a nice balance of fruit, acid, & sweetness, with hints of green apple & grapefruit.  An excellent all-around table wine.

Heartland Blush - sweet - a fruity Concord blush reminiscent of fresh grape jelly.  Chad thought that this one had some hints of strawberry.  Wines like this are dangerous for me because they are so easy to drink.

Heartland Red - sweet - A medium-bodied Concord red with fruity aroma & hints of strawberry & cherry flavors with the natural grape flavor.   Great table wine, especially if you like the sweet stuff.  A little too sweet for us.

Heartland Port - sweet- Concord grapes produce a lighter-bodied, Midwestern-style  Port wine with loads of grape flavor.  A great after-dinner sipping wine.  Enjoy with some dark chocolate.

Shawnee Gold - sweet - a light, German-style wine with the apricot & peach aromas & flavors.  This wine is so smooth it is almost buttery. Excellent aroma

Wine we bought on this trip includes:

Villard Blanc - dry - light-bodied with hints of lemon & Granny Smith apple with a crisp finish.   I love this finish on this wine.  It is well balanced and sits on the pallet nicely.

Wiener Dog White - semi-sweet - a proprietor's blend of Vignoles, Villard Blanc & Chardonel grapes.  Marked by a soft melon aroma with light mango, melon, & pear flavors.  What can we say... we love the wiener.

A special thanks to Ryan for recommending and for allowing us the pleasure of buying their special, limited Chambourcin.  It is truly amazing!!!

For more information on Alto Vineyards, please visit their website:

http://altovineyards.net/

and like them on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AltoVineyardsChampaign

https://www.facebook.com/AltoVineyards