Post by Jessika Hane, HR Director

On Wednesday, a few of us gathered in the lab to commence what has become an annual pre-holiday tradition: tasting wines for our “library release.”

Every year, we pull a few (okay, a bunch) of wines from our library and evaluate them to determine which ones are ready for a re-release. We are looking for wines that have aged gracefully and taste great. Wines that you can share with loved ones at your holiday table or tuck into your cellar for next year.

And, it’s a lot of fun! Take a look at some pictures from this year’s tasting.

Our winemaking team (Bill, John and Dennis) begin the tasting.

Lots of bottles of wine to taste!

Amber, Drew, Pam, Melanie, Bill and John carefully consider our choices.

Kathleen Oliver enjoys her taste of 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. (I'm busy in the background taking my job a little too seriously)

This is towards the end of the tasting. We were having a really good time!

We picked some excellent library wines this year and they go on sale today!

Here is just a peak, more info about the wines can be found on our website.
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon: $40
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon: $40
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon: $60
Creekbend Pinot Grigio 2007: $30
Creekbend Chambourcin 2008: $30
Shiraz Reserve 2003: $35

Starting this weekend, we will also be offering a tasting flight of three of these wines (Shiraz Reserve, Chambourcin and the ’02 Cabernet) for a small fee.

I hope you can stop by soon to stock up on these special wines!

Post by Marian Keith, Landscape Supervisor

Making sure our gardens remain colorful and showy throughout the autumn season takes lots of thought and careful planning which for me, starts as much as a year in advance.  I always like to give the landscape a fresh, seasonal appearance by using lots of the vibrant, nursery-grown chrysanthemums that are so traditional at this time of year.

Colorful chrysanthemums light up the autumn landscape

These are displayed in large, colorful sweeps, and are also useful for filling in gaps where tired or spent annuals have been removed.  Most of these mums are treated as seasonal annuals, but I’ve found that many are reliably hardy in our zone, so plan to relocate some to strategic spots around the landscape for bloom the following year.

Hardy chrysanthemum ‘Rhumba’ is a warm presence in the garden

There are also several excellent varieties of perennial chrysanthemum in our gardens that are quite different from the potted specimens available now.  Most are drought-tolerant and tough as nails, with lush, green foliage that looks great throughout the heat of summer.  I especially love the fantastic ‘Emperor of China’, with large, double, cool pink flowers held atop extra tall stems that are perfect for cutting.  My favorite, ‘Sheffield Pink’, forms large, billowing mounds of single, warm pink daisies that start opening in mid-October and often last well into November, long after most other plants have called it quits.  On warmer, sunny days, myriads of small bees and other pollinating insects hum busily among the blossoms, taking advantage of some of the last nectar of the year.  This is always a happy sight at a time when color and life seem to be diminishing.

Aster laevis ‘Kurt’ mingles beautifully with ‘Tiger Eyes’ staghorn sumac

Asters are another indispensible component of a vibrant autumn garden, and we have numerous varieties planted here that bloom at various times from late summer to late fall.  One of the best, ‘Coombe Fishacre’, adds a cool softness to the garden with clouds of small, lavender, burgundy-centered daisies that open in late September.  The flowers are complemented by small, deep green foliage that covers the stems and remains unblemished all summer.  Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’ is another great performer, and one of the very latest to bloom for us.  It forms large hemispheres topped with brilliant blue daisies starting in mid- to late October, and is both sturdy and drought-tolerant.  New for us this year is Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’, an extremely low-growing form of heath aster.  It forms prostrate mats of tiny green leaves, and is blanketed with thousands of tiny, pure white daisies throughout much of October.  I plan to use it next year as an eye-catching groundcover in the tough spots between some of our evergreen shrubs.

Solidago ‘Golden Fleece’, pineapple lily ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ and Coreopsis ‘Red Shift’ make a pleasing late-season combination

A richly layered fall planting scheme doesn’t stop with asters and mums, however.  There are many other wonderful plants that I rely upon heavily to give the garden late season pizzazz.  These include ornamental grasses, evergreens, shrubs and perennials with colorful fall foliage, and late-flowering perennials such as Lespedeza ‘Pink Fountain’, Agastache ‘Ava’ and Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eillers’, to name just a few.  Tender plants such as dahlias, pineapple sage and geraniums continue to bloom gorgeously until finally nipped back by hard frost, and some will even withstand numerous frosts before finally fading.

New England aster ‘Alma Potschke’ fountain grass ‘Hameln’ and a Cinderella pumpkin are colorful companions

There’s still time to enjoy the splendor of autumn at Oliver Winery.  Spread a blanket beneath the trees and enjoy a relaxing picnic amid the swirling autumn leaves, or sip a glass of delicious Oliver wine on our comfortable heated patio or porch.  Remember, it won’t be long before winter sets in.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Post by Bill Oliver, Director of Winemaking

Our winemaking philosophy is to create wines that reflect the flavor of perfectly ripe wine grapes. The goal is to make soft, rich, and inviting wines that cry out for another sip and another glass. Fundamentally these flavors are born in the vineyard. We believe that wine is more about the grape grower and less about the winemaker.

Borra Vineyards in Lodi California is one of those growers.  We met Steve Borra years ago.  Wearing cowboy boots and driving an old pickup he gave us a tour of the “ranch.”  Not a steer to be seen on this ranch – just acres of beautifully tended vines. Steve’s passion for grapes is obvious and tasting the wines from his own small winery confirmed his commitment to quality.  We have been buying his grapes ever since.

Steve on the "ranch".

Borra specializes in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz.  These grapes thrive in Lodi’s very warm summers and reach perfect ripeness even in unusually cool summers – 2011 being one of those.  When we talk about wines exhibiting true varietal character, about exhibiting fresh off the vine flavor, few growers deliver better fruit than Steve Borra.

Our vineyard manager, Bernie Parker, runs Steve's zinfandel grapes through the destemmer/crusher.

Don’t those grapes look delicious? If this photo has your craving Zinfandel, stop by our Tasting Room this weekend. We are pouring tastes and selling the 2009 Zinfandel. Yum!

Post by Pam Bonin, Marketing Manager

Celebrate Columbus Day and discover a new world of Oliver wines.  We are all guilty of finding that favorite wine and sticking with it.  The trust that is built with that wine is kind of like that “go-to” recipe or the hairdresser that never lets you down.  As much as we encourage you to rely on your favorites, we thought it would be fun to make some recommendations for those creatures of habit.  It’s time to step out of your comfort zone a bit.

We picked a few of our most popular wines and made some suggestions for you to taste next time you visit us.

Riesling Enthusiasts – Our Riesling has a touch of sweetness with hints of apple, pear and melon.  Delicious!  A real crowd-pleaser.  Other wines that you might enjoy include:
Gewurztraminer – Riesling’s partner in crime has exotic fruit tones, a touch of sweetness and a spicy finish.  Perfect when you are looking for a little spice in your life.
Creekbend Vidal Blanc – This Creekbend wine is very Reisling-esque with subtle hints of apple and pear with a light sweetness.
Creekbend Vignoles – Another Creekbend wine that is sure to please.  This wine is a bit more sweet than Riesling with rich flavors of melon and honey.

Merlot Maniacs – While our Merlot has a rich, smooth mouthfeel and bright berry flavors, you may also find that you enjoy:
Creekbend Chambourcin – Known for its bright fruit character and soft tannins, this Creekbend wine is an easy-drinking dry red with a lot of character.
Cabernet Sauvignon – With a richer mouthfeel and deeper flavors, this Cabernet is drinking beautifully right now.  It will age nicely.

Soft Red Fanatics – There is nothing better than the luscious, sweet & refreshing taste of freshly squeezed Concord grapes.  Soft Red is irresistible – we know!  But we think you will also enjoy:
Sangria Classic – Festive, sweet & refreshing.  Pour this Sangria into a glass pitcher, garnish with citrus slices and throw a fiesta!
Creekbend Catawba – This wine will be released this winter.  So keep an eye out on this special sweet wine from Creekbend.

So discover a new wine this Columbus Day.  You can find many of our wines at your local grocery or liquor store.  If you can’t find Oliver on the shelves, just ask a wine clerk to point you in the right direction.  You can also order online or just drop in to the tasting room for a visit.  We’d love to see you this fall.

Post by Pam Bonin, Marketing Manager

It’s a MUMderful Life!

It won’t be long before our gardens are transformed into a MUMderful wonderland!  300 mums will be in full bloom next week.  Stop in for a beautiful fall display of mums, heirloom pumpkins from Creekbend Vineyard and of course Oliver wines that are perfect for the chilly fall evenings that are ahead.

Our "mumderful" landscaping crew- Marian, Ralph and Sheila

Post by Jessika Hane, HR Director

It’s finally fall, my favorite time of year. Bright, crisp and sunny days mean it is time to harvest grapes! Things are looking great at Creekbend Vineyard. If you haven’t already, you should subscribe to our YouTube Channel and check out our vineyard video series-Creekbend In Bloom.

It really looks like fall here at the winery. Hundreds of pumpkins, squash and gourds are decorating our front porch. It is a sight to see!! We’ve got beautiful pumpkins for carving and baking, squash for roasting and so many cute little baby pumpkins and gourds.  Everything is grown at Creekbend Vineyard and available for sale (except for the “great pumpkin” standing guard by the front door).

Stop by and see us this weekend. Explore our grounds, have a picnic with the family and spend some time tasting wine with our staff. We will be glad to have you!

Post by Pam Bonin, Marketing Manager

Canadice, Jupiter, Lakemont, Marquis, Reliance….

No, these are not the top 5 baby names of 2011.  They are the names of the tasty table grapes from Creekbend Vineyard. This is the first year we have harvest these delicious grapes and they are now on sale in the tasting room.  These are the best table grapes I have ever tasted!  So fresh, so juicy and so flavorful.  They each have their own unique flavors and you can actually taste the difference.

These won’t last long!  We are expecting to have freshly-picked table grapes for sale on the weekends in the tasting room for the next few weeks.  Just ask a staff member to point you in the right direction!  Each variety is $3.50/lb.

If you are making a special trip out to the winery, just give us a call to make sure we still have some available for sale.

Guest post by Andrea N. Eagleman, running enthusiast and wine lover!

The air is becoming ever-so-slightly cool and crisp, the neighborhood kids are stocking up on back to school supplies, and the Indiana sweet corn is delectably perfect. This can only mean one thing – it’s almost time for the Second Annual Oliver Winery Vines, Pines, & Inclines Creekbend Vineyard Trail Run in Bloomington!

As someone who took part in the inaugural event last year, I can say that the Vines, Pines, & Inclines race is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my 17 years of running. The race is unique in that it takes place on Oliver Winery’s gorgeous 53-acre Creekbend Vineyard, full of Indiana’s finest wine grapes, rolling hills, and lush wooded areas, all of which runners and walkers traverse during the five-mile run, two-mile walk, and one-mile fun run for kids.

The five-mile course includes three main hills that become gradually more difficult, and are aptly named “Hill of Discomfort”, “Hill of Pain”, and “Hill of Death”. With a 120-foot climb and incline of 23 degrees, the “Hill of Death” is the steepest terrain I’ve ever encountered. For the record, I spoke with many participants after last year’s race and only know of one person who actually ran up that hill. The majority of us decided that walking was easier. If you participate in this year’s race, one thing is for sure – you won’t soon forget the “Hill of Death” and will look forward to your next chance to tackle it.

As a longtime Oliver Winery customer and frequent tasting room visitor, I appreciate the outstanding customer service provided to each and every person who walks through the door. The Vines, Pines, & Inclines race provides yet another example of the professionalism of the Oliver Winery staff. From the organized registration process to the adequate number of restrooms (a race “must” for most runners!) to the clearly marked race course, the race is an extension of the fine service Oliver Winery has provided its customers for years.

Another unique aspect to the race is that it has something to offer the entire family. Not only are there three race options to choose from, there is also grilled food for sale, a wine tent for those 21 and older, and live music for all to enjoy. With all of this alongside the backdrop of the acres upon acres of vineyards, one might stop and wonder if they’re actually in California rather than Indiana.

Stepping up to the starting line of the inaugural Vines, Pines, & Inclines race, I was nervous. Following 30+ minutes of running through rows of beautiful vines, on peaceful trails in the woods, and being cheered on by the Bloomington Blades youth hockey team, which the race benefits, I knew I had discovered a new annual tradition. I sat back, ate a snack, relaxed with friends, and enjoyed a glass of the finest Shiraz around. I’m definitely looking forward to another great experience at the 2011 Vines, Pines, & Inclines race on August 27!

You can find more information and register here.

Post by Pam Bonin, Marketing Manager and hand model!

You may have noticed that Beanblossom Hard Cider has been sold out since 2010.  You’re probably thinking, “it’s summer, it’s hot & I need that perfect picnic wine!”  Your tastebuds have been craving the crisp, refreshing, slightly sweet taste of fresh picked apples that pair perfectly with summer salads and turkey sandwiches.  Summer just hasn’t been the same without it!

Beanblossom Hard Cider fans – the wait is over!  The new Beanblossom Hard Cider and it’s entourage of flavors is now available in the tasting room.  This new collection of ciders boasts new packaging – 100% recyclable aluminum bottles.  Yes, aluminum bottles!  Perfect for all of your backyard get-togethers, outdoor recreational activities and any social encounter where adult beverages are part of the fun.

This is truly a hard cider from the heartland.  Crafted from the juice of fresh Midwestern apples, the Original Beanblossom Hard Cider is just how you remember it.  We added 3 naturally flavored hard ciders – Peach, Raspberry & Strawberry.  They are all crisp, refreshing and slightly sweet.  Just like a summer beverage should be.

Our staff got a preview of the hard ciders at our annual employee meeting on Wednesday and they very excited to share them with you!

Winemaker Dennis Dunham helps unpack the newly bottled ciders from their case boxes.

We are just so excited to share this new product with you.  Stop in for a visit this weekend.  Each delicious 500ml bottle sells for $4.00 plus tax. We are having an introductory case sale to celebrate the launch of the Beanblossom Hard Ciders.  You can pick up a mixed Beanblossom Fruit Crate Mixed Case for 25% off.  (Normally $48, you can enjoy a case of 12 for $36 plus tax) Instead of a “U-pick” case sale it’s a “We-pick” case sale.  It is a great deal and it will give you a chance to try all 4 fancy flavors!

Can’t make it to our Tasting Room in Bloomington? The Beanblossom Hard Ciders will soon be available for purchase through our website and will be coming soon to grocery and package stores near you. Visit our website for more updates.

Post by Pam Bonin, Marketing Manager

It was a packed patio at the inaugural Tunes on the Terrace concert last Friday night! Luckily the fierce storm that was heading our way from St. Louis dissipated as it approached Bloomington.  Maybe it was the tunes of the Beatles tribute band, The Rigby’s, as they sang Here Comes the Sun that kept Mother Nature in line.  Whatever the reason, it was an entertaining evening.  The wine was flowing, BBQ was sizzling and the crowd, both young and old, enjoyed the music of on a perfect Indiana summer night.

We have two more concerts lined up this summer.  We hope you’ll join us!  The first one was a sold out show, so gather your friends and family and buy your tickets!

Friday, July 22, 2011 - American Cheese 
One of Indy’s favorite bands brings you slices from all the great decades and the songs you hate to love!
Tickets: Upper Patio $25 ~ Lower Patio $20 ~ Lawn $15

Friday, August 19, 2011 - Jenn Cristy
A Bloomington favorite!  Piano-driven melodies influenced by popular rock and roll acts of the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s.
Tickets: Upper Patio $30 ~ Lower Patio $25 ~ Lawn $20

Click here to view other summer events!