Easley Winery II

We enjoyed a beautiful Saturday afternoon recently at Easley Winery (205 College Avenue, Indianapolis). In case you haven't been to Easley lately, you will want to see the fabulous renovations and new format (including winery tour) that is now a part of the weekend lineup.  Every visit can be a new adventure.

In addition to seven wine tastings for five dollars, you'll be shown "backstage" to the production area and learn how Easley makes their award-winning wines.  Easley makes a dry Chambourcin and one of the best Traminette's you will encounter anywhere in the state.  But the lineup goes well beyond these two traditional Hoosier varietals.  Whether red or white, dry or sweet, you are certain to discover a wine you will enjoy.

And here's one of the best features--the staff.  Bring your wine questions, and don't be afraid to ask for additional information about the art or science of the craft. 

Thanks to the Easley family and staff for an afternoon of hospitality and support.

~Todd & Becky Outcalt 

Wine Thoughts

Recently was interviewed on this radio spot about Indiana Wineries.  I hope I was able to shed a little light on the growing Hoosier wine scene.  Thank you, WFYI--Indianapolis, for inviting me. 

http://www.wfyi.org/programs/the-art-of-the-matter/radio/wine-tastings-cat-videos-and-curious-artists


~Todd Outcalt

Easley Winery

This Saturday, November 14th, please join us at Easley Winery in Indianapolis from 2-5 p.m.  We will be signing copies of Indiana Wineries, but also taking home some of our favorite Easley wines at day's end.  (Address: 205 N College Avenue)

If you have not been to Easley, you will be treated to an excellent experience and some fantastic wines.  Easley recently garnered top-award (double gold--wine of the year) for their 2014 Traminette.  In addition to being Indiana's signature grape with dozens of variations among the Hoosier wineries, the Easley offering has a floral nose with hints of apricot and a semi-dry tone on the tongue and cheek.  Easley is also known for their Reggae labels and this winery has one of the largest selection of in-home wine-making supplies. 

The weekend looks to be a beautiful one and visitors will enjoy the knowledgeable staff.  And there are several excellent restaurants in the area as well.

Hope to see you soon.
And Happy Tastings!

~Todd & Becky   

A Day at Stream Cliff Farm

My day at Stream Cliff Farm & Winery in southern Indiana was delightful. In addition to some fine southern hospitality I was blessed by beautiful scenery and new friends. Thank you, Betty, for your kindness.

This past weekend represented the end of the fall season for the farm and garden area, but the Stream Cliff Winery remains open through most of the winter.

Any visit to Stream Cliff will be rewarded with some very nice wines.  In addition to the top flight fruit wines presented here, patrons will also find a Merlot that is fruity and soft and a very fine Cabernet Sauvignon (California) that is deep and balanced, dry and complex.  

The tasting room at Stream Cliff also offers an assortment of treats, including chocolate truffles that go well with a glass of wine.  

Check out the Stream Cliff website or subscribe to the newsletter for the most up-to-date information on upcoming events.  

Indiana Wineries Conversation

Special thanks to WISH-TV (8) for the interview segment on Indy Style. We enjoyed the opportunity to tell others in central Indiana about the Hoosier wineries and what they have to offer. We had fun, also, searching through our small wine cellar in search of Indiana wines we could display, and we tried to show samples from north, south and central areas.


http://wishtv.com/2015/10/13/indiana-wineries/

If you look closely at the segment you can see labels from Shady Creek (north), Easley, Mallow Run, Oliver, Butler, Chateau Thomas (central) as well as Huber and French Lick (south).  We enjoy all of these wineries very much--not just the wines, but the ambiance, owners, special events, and food pairings. 

If you've not yet visited a winery in your area, make this fall a first. Beautiful time of the year to enjoy the colors, the aura, and of course the wines!

Some of our upcoming appearances and books signings for this fall include:

Saturday, Oct 24, Stream Cliff Farm & Winery 10a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7, Barnes & Noble, Metropolis, Plainfield, 2-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14, Easley Winery, Indianapolis, 2-5 p.m.

Happy Tastings!

~Todd & Becky Outcalt

From Italy With Love

It's been a year since we traveled through Italy enjoying Tuscan wines and amazing cuisine. But our return to Indiana also landed us in good stead with Hoosier vintages. We still have a large trove of Indiana labels in our wine cellar and hope to enjoy the same this fall.

While the super Tuscans were amazing in their own right, and the house wines of Italy never disappointed, we are looking forward to enjoying some of the following in the coming weeks.

Oliver Winery--Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Briali--Bada Bing Cherry
Buck Creek Winery--Pinot Grigio
Brown County Winery--Blackberry
Butler Winery--Peach

Additionally, here is an interview we recently completed with Blue River Press.

http://www.brpressbooks.com/qa-indiana-wineries/


Happy Tastings
~Todd & Becky

Cherry-O

Last month we completed a weekend circuit of the wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan.  This stretch in the far north now has a dozen top notch wineries, all of which sported some of the most excellent cherry wines. But then, why not . . . as northern Michigan is known for their cherry crop. 

Still, one doesn't have to travel out of Indiana to find other top-flight cherry wines. Having traveled around the state, we have discovered some memorable cherry wines closer to home.

Mid-state, plan to visit Wildcat Creek Winery in Lafayette, Indiana. Their "Aunt Minnie's Cherry Tree" is a fine vintage, and it is one we enjoy, in particular, around the holidays. This cherry label could be considered a dessert wine but, chilled, might also be enjoyed in its own right on a temperate fall evening. Aunt Minnie's is sweet to semi-dry and holds a beautiful sparkle in the glass.

Further north--in the far northeast corner of the state near the Toll Road--look for Briali Vineyards in Fremont. Briali is one of the newer wineries in state, but is making an impression, in particular, with their cherry wines. Our bottle of Bada Bing (made from Bing Cherries) was superb. But for those who might enjoy a cherry wine that is more on the tart side, Briali also makes a wine for that taste also. The tart cherry holds firm on the tongue while also offering a bit of spice and cinnamon, making it a most delicious option that will compare well with any Michigan cherry label.

Other Indiana wineries are getting on board with cherry wines also--a fruit that lends itself well to various expressions and character. 

During this fall harvest, don't forget these wonderful fruit wines. 
Cherry-O.

~Todd & Becky