The Oliver Winery is a locally owned and operated winery in Bloomington. Here is a history of the winery, and for more information, you can visit it at Oliver Winery.

Here is a short history!
1960s
Like many businesses, Oliver Winery began as a hobby. In 1959 William Oliver moved his family to Bloomington, Indiana where he began teaching law at Indiana University. He soon began to make wine in the basement of his home. Grapes that he purchased from an Ohio vineyard were often stomped by the bare feet of his children, Barbara and Bill. Professor Oliver purchased land just outside of Bloomington and by 1970 had planted over thirty acres of vineyards.
1970s
Professor Oliver wrote the Indiana Small Winery Act allowing small wineries to produce up to 100,000 gallons of wine each year, operate a tasting room, sell wine both retail and wholesale, and sell wine on Sundays. Oliver Winery opened to the public in the spring of 1972.

Professor Oliver purchases the formula and rights to produce Camelot Mead, a semi-sweet wine made from honey. Camelot Mead became Oliver Winery’s biggest selling wine, eventually achieving distribution in eleven states. By 1978, total winery production peaked at 38,000 gallons, the majority of which was Camelot Mead.

The first tasting room was built in 1973 and
was staffed by Professor Oliver’s wife, Mary and a handful of part-time employees.

1980s
Bill Oliver, Professor Oliver’s son,
took charge of the organization’s
operation in 1983.
A new direction for the winery began in 1988 with the purchase of grapes from outside Indiana. Working closely with grape producers in California, Oregon, Washington and Michigan, Bill Oliver ensures that the fruit meets the high standards for winemaking.
During the mid and late 1980’s numerous enhancements to the winery grounds were made including the construction of a pond and limestone sculpture using local quarry blocks.

1990s
In 1991 Bill Oliver meets his future wife Kathleen at Indiana University where they both earn their MBA’s. Soon after graduation they marry and Kathleen joins the winery as General Manager, allowing Bill to focus on winemaking and vineyard management.

Creekbend Vineyard is established in 1994, consisting of three acres of grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a interspecific-hybrid called Chardonel). By 2000, it expands to 35 acres and more varieties are planted such as Chambourcin, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Vignoles.

In 1997 a new tasting room is built using Indiana oak and traditional post and beam joinery. A full-time landscaper joins the winery with the goal of creating a world class garden on the winery grounds.

Production at the winery realized dramatic growth. Since the early 90s, production grew from 38,000 gallons to more than 100,000 gallons by the end of the decade.

2000s
An additional production facility was completed in 2003, which includes a high-speed bottling line and additional stainless steel tank capacity of 130,000 gallons.  In 2007, the winery expects to produce over 500,000 gallons, exporting wholesale out-of-state an

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.