The 15 Best Indiana Wineries to Visit in 2026

Published March 13, 2026

Indiana is home to more than 100 wineries, and the quality gap between the best and the rest is wider than you might think. Some Hoosier wineries rival anything in the Finger Lakes or Willamette Valley for sheer experience — gorgeous estates, award-winning wines, destination-worthy food, and that unmistakable Midwestern warmth that makes you feel like a guest, not a customer.

We visited dozens of Indiana wineries to build this list. The 15 below are not just popular — they are genuinely excellent. We grouped them into four categories to help you find the right fit: Best Overall for the state's essential destinations, Best for First-Timers for approachable and welcoming tasting rooms, Best Hidden Gems for under-the-radar finds worth the drive, and Best Near Indianapolis for wineries within easy reach of the capital.

Every winery on this list is a real, licensed Indiana venue with an active listing in our winery directory. Tap any name to see full details, hours, and directions.

How we chose these wineries

Our rankings weigh wine quality, tasting room experience, grounds and atmosphere, food and amenities, and visitor accessibility. We favor wineries that use Indiana-grown grapes, offer genuine hospitality, and provide a complete visit — not just a pour. Regional diversity matters too: we made sure every corner of the state is represented.

Best Overall

These four wineries define Indiana wine country. If you visit only a handful of wineries in the state, make sure these are on the list.

#1 Oliver Winery
Bloomington · Southern Indiana

Indiana's largest and most-visited winery has been crafting award-winning wines since 1972. The Bloomington hillside grounds are immaculate — think manicured gardens, shaded picnic lawns, and a tasting room consistently voted among the nation's best. Oliver produces everything from crisp Creekbend Chardonnay to the wildly popular Cherry Moscato, and they do it all without a tasting fee.

Visit tip: Tastings are free. Visit midweek to avoid weekend crowds. Bring a picnic — the gardens are made for lingering.

Free TastingKid-FriendlyFood Available
#2 Huber's Orchard, Winery & Vineyards
Borden · Southern Indiana

Farmed by the same family since 1843, Huber's is an agritourism powerhouse spanning over 700 acres. The estate-bottled winery shares the property with the award-winning Starlight Distillery, a farm market, bakery, cheese shop, ice cream barn, and seasonal u-pick orchards. It is a full-day destination — and one of the few places in Indiana where you can taste wine and bourbon without moving your car.

Visit tip: Combine your wine tasting with a Starlight Distillery tour. Fall weekends pack out — arrive when the doors open.

ToursLive MusicWedding Venue
#3 French Lick Winery
West Baden Springs · Southern Indiana

This southern Indiana destination winery produces over 30 wines from its Heaven's View Vineyard, where eight acres of Norton, Cabernet Franc, and Catawba overlook the White River Valley. The adjacent Spirits of French Lick distillery adds another dimension, and the Caribbean-inspired restaurant makes it a true day trip. Pair it with a stay at the historic French Lick Resort for a wine-country weekend.

Visit tip: Tasting fee is $6 for 8 wines — excellent value. Ask for the Norton; it is their signature red.

$6 TastingDistillery ToursRestaurant
#4 Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard
Laotto · Northern Indiana

Indiana's largest vineyard stretches across more than 100 acres on a sixth-generation family farm near Fort Wayne. Country Heritage produces award-winning estate wines alongside handcrafted spirits from their Backroads Distilling operation — all from farm-grown grapes and grains. The full event center, daily tastings, and weekend live music make it northern Indiana's premier wine destination.

Visit tip: This is one of the few top-tier wineries in northern Indiana. Worth the drive from Fort Wayne, South Bend, or anywhere in the region.

ToursLive MusicWine Club

Best for First-Timers

New to Indiana wine? These four wineries combine approachable tasting experiences, patient staff, and a range of styles broad enough to help you discover what you like. Several offer free tastings, so the barrier to entry is as low as it gets.

#5 Easley Winery
Indianapolis · Central Indiana

Indiana's oldest family-owned winery sits just six blocks from Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, making it the most accessible winery in the state for visitors without a car. Easley produces over 20 wines — from the iconic Reggae sweet line to well-made dry whites — and their tasting room has a relaxed, unpretentious vibe that puts newcomers at ease. The outdoor wine garden offers downtown skyline views.

Visit tip: Tasting fee is $8 for 7 wines with crackers. Minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium — ideal before or after a game.

$8 TastingOutdoor PatioWine Club
#6 Mallow Run Winery
Bargersville · Southern Indiana

Just 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis on a 600-acre family farm, Mallow Run is the easy day trip. Free tastings, 8 acres of estate vineyard, and a concert amphitheater that draws crowds all summer. Their Rhubarb Wine and Wildflower White are crowd-pleasers, and the staff is warm and patient with first-timers. If you are new to Indiana wine, this is one of the safest bets in the state.

Visit tip: Tastings are free. Check the summer concert calendar — but visit midweek if you want a quiet, focused tasting.

Free TastingLive MusicWedding Venue
#7 Brown County Winery
Nashville · Southern Indiana

Nashville's original winery has been pouring since 1985, and their two Brown County tasting rooms remain a staple of any Nashville day trip. The lineup spans dry reds to sweet fruit wines and fortified dessert wines, so there is something for every palate. The $5 tasting fee is among the lowest in the state, and the kid-friendly atmosphere makes it accessible for families.

Visit tip: Tasting fee is just $5 for 6 wines. Combine with a walk through Nashville's shops — the tasting room is right in town.

$5 TastingKid-FriendlyTwo Locations
#8 Urban Vines Winery & Brewery
Westfield · Central Indiana

Urban Vines breaks the mold: it is a winery, brewery, and family hangout all at once. The Westfield property includes a vineyard, playground, pond, igloos for winter sipping, and a spacious outdoor meadow. Artisan pizzas and charcuterie pair with live music four days a week. If your group includes people who do not drink wine, Urban Vines has craft beer for them too.

Visit tip: Great for groups with mixed preferences. Live music Thursday through Sunday. The igloos fill up fast in winter — reserve early.

Live MusicKid-FriendlyBrewery On-Site

Best Hidden Gems

These three wineries do not have the name recognition of Oliver or Huber's, but they deliver experiences that are every bit as memorable — and often more intimate. If you have already hit the big names, these are your next stops.

#9 Winzerwald Winery
Bristow · Southern Indiana

Tucked into 85 acres of rolling Hoosier National Forest land in Perry County, Winzerwald — German for "vintner of the forest" — is one of Indiana's most distinctive wineries. The German heritage shines through in wines like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Gruner Veltliner alongside a seasonal Cranberry Gluhwein that draws visitors every winter. Weekend concerts overlooking the vineyard valley are unforgettable.

Visit tip: Worth the winding drive into Perry County. Try the Maiwein — you will not find it anywhere else in Indiana.

German-Style WinesLive MusicTours
#10 Stream Cliff Farm Winery
Commiskey · Southern Indiana

A six-generation family farm dating to the 1820s, Stream Cliff is part winery, part living history. The small-batch wines share the spotlight with a tearoom restaurant, expansive herb gardens, and greenhouses filled with quilt-patterned display plantings and water features. It is one of Indiana's oldest herb farms — a genuinely unique pairing with handcrafted wine.

Visit tip: Come hungry. The tearoom lunch is excellent and pairs naturally with their wines. Spring and fall are the most beautiful seasons on the farm.

Tearoom RestaurantToursHerb Gardens
#11 Patoka Lake Winery
Birdseye · Southern Indiana

Indiana's first winery with lodging, Patoka Lake offers something no other winery in the state can: converted silo suites with king beds, Jacuzzi tubs, and fireplaces. Perched near the south shore of Patoka Lake, the property doubles as a premier wedding and event venue. It is remote, romantic, and worth the journey into Crawford County.

Visit tip: Book a silo suite for an overnight wine-country getaway. The winery is dog-friendly — a rarity on this list.

LodgingDog-FriendlyWedding Venue

Explore by region

Indiana's wine scene is concentrated in the south, but every region has standouts. Browse our regional guides for Southern Indiana, Central Indiana, and Northern Indiana to find wineries near your next trip.

Best Near Indianapolis

You do not need to drive two hours into the hills to find great Indiana wine. These four wineries are all within an hour of downtown Indianapolis — some within minutes.

#12 Daniel's Vineyard
McCordsville · Central Indiana

Inspired by the Tuscan countryside, Daniel's Vineyard cultivates over 14,000 grape vines across rolling farmland just east of Indianapolis. The estate produces 15 wines — all from grapes grown on the property — and the elegant tasting room and event space feel more Tuscany than Indiana. The members-only Cellar Club adds exclusivity for serious wine enthusiasts.

Visit tip: One of the closest estate vineyards to downtown Indy. Live music on weekends. The Cellar Club is worth joining if you visit regularly.

Estate WinesLive MusicWine Club
#13 Peace Water Winery
Carmel · Central Indiana

Indiana's most unique winery concept: Peace Water handcrafts its wines in Napa Valley and serves them in a casual, eclectic tasting room in downtown Carmel's Arts and Design District. Fifty percent of net profits go to eight charities chosen by the owners' children. The wines are Napa-quality — Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and red blends — with an Indiana heart.

Visit tip: Walk-in friendly in downtown Carmel. Combine with a stroll through the Arts and Design District.

Napa Valley WinesCharitable MissionWine Club
#14 Simmons Winery & Farm Market
Columbus · Southern Indiana

Established in 2000 on a 120-year-old family farm, Simmons produces over 25 wine varieties from its 12-acre vineyard of French-American hybrid grapes. The property also houses 450 North Brewing and a brick-oven pizza kitchen, making it a full-service destination about an hour south of Indianapolis. Summer concerts on the lawn are a local institution.

Visit tip: The brick-oven pizza is outstanding. Come for the wine, stay for the food and a 450 North craft beer.

Brick-Oven PizzaLive MusicWine Club
#15 Butler Winery
Bloomington · Southern Indiana

Indiana's fourth-oldest winery has produced award-winning wines exclusively from Indiana-grown grapes since 1983 — a commitment to local sourcing that few wineries can match. The 29-wine lineup includes standouts like Late Harvest Vignoles, Chambourcin, and a Brut Sparkling Wine. The tasting room and outdoor seating overlook the vineyard, and the pace is unhurried.

Visit tip: Pair with an Oliver Winery visit for a Bloomington double-header. Ask about the Brut Sparkling — it is a hidden gem within a hidden gem.

Indiana-Grown OnlyOutdoor SeatingSparkling Wine

Quick Reference: All 15 Wineries at a Glance

Rank Winery City Tasting Fee Food Outdoor Seating
1Oliver WineryBloomingtonFreeYesYes
2Huber's Orchard & WineryBordenVariesYesYes
3French Lick WineryWest Baden Springs$6YesYes
4Country HeritageLaottoVariesYesYes
5Easley WineryIndianapolis$8YesYes
6Mallow Run WineryBargersvilleFreeNoYes
7Brown County WineryNashville$5NoNo
8Urban VinesWestfieldVariesYesYes
9Winzerwald WineryBristowVariesYesYes
10Stream Cliff FarmCommiskeyVariesYesYes
11Patoka Lake WineryBirdseyeVariesYesYes
12Daniel's VineyardMcCordsvilleVariesNoYes
13Peace Water WineryCarmelVariesNoYes
14Simmons WineryColumbusVariesYesYes
15Butler WineryBloomingtonVariesNoYes

Planning Tips for Your Winery Tour

Designate a driver

This is non-negotiable if you plan to visit more than one winery. Ride-share coverage outside Indianapolis is limited, so arrange a designated driver or book a guided wine tour shuttle. Several companies run tours in the Bloomington and southern Indiana corridors.

Call ahead for groups

Most Indiana wineries welcome walk-ins, but groups of 8 or more should call ahead — especially on fall weekends when tasting rooms are busiest.

Bring a cooler

If you are buying bottles on a warm day, keep a cooler with ice packs in the car. Indiana summers regularly hit the 90s, and heat ruins wine fast. Most wineries sell insulated wine bags too.

Check event calendars

Many of these wineries host live music, seasonal festivals, and special release events. A concert weekend at Mallow Run or Urban Vines is a completely different experience from a quiet Tuesday tasting — both excellent, but worth choosing deliberately.

Before you go

Hours and tasting fees change seasonally. Always check the winery's website or call ahead before making a long drive, especially during winter months when some smaller wineries operate on reduced schedules. Our winery directory links to every venue's official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best wineries in Indiana?

The top wineries in Indiana include Oliver Winery in Bloomington, Huber's Orchard & Winery in Borden, French Lick Winery in West Baden Springs, Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville, and Easley Winery in downtown Indianapolis. Each offers a distinct experience, from sprawling vineyard estates to urban tasting rooms. See our full ranked list above for all 15 picks.

Are Indiana wineries free to visit?

Many Indiana wineries offer free tastings, including Oliver Winery, Mallow Run Winery, Lanthier Winery, and Thomas Family Winery. Others charge between $5 and $15 for a tasting flight of 5-8 wines, and some waive the fee with a bottle purchase. You never need to pay admission just to visit the grounds or browse the gift shop.

What is the best time to visit Indiana wineries?

Fall (September through November) is peak season with harvest festivals, special releases, and stunning foliage. Spring brings new vintages and wildflowers. Summer is ideal for outdoor concerts and patio evenings. Winter is the quietest season — perfect for unhurried tastings with personal attention from winemakers.

Are Indiana wineries kid-friendly?

Most Indiana wineries welcome families, especially those with outdoor grounds, farm activities, or restaurants. Huber's Orchard is particularly well-suited for children with its farm park, ice cream barn, and u-pick activities. Urban Vines in Westfield has a playground and pond. Children are welcome but cannot participate in wine tastings.

How many wineries are in Indiana?

Indiana is home to more than 100 licensed wineries, with the highest concentration in the southern part of the state around Brown County, Bloomington, and the Ohio River corridor. The number continues to grow as new boutique operations open each year. Browse our complete Indiana winery directory for the full list.

Start Planning Your Visit

Browse every licensed Indiana winery and distillery — with locations, amenities, and tasting details.

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