Photo provided A view of last year’s Indiana Wine Fair.
Raise a glass this summer to one of Story Inn’s most celebrated events. The Indiana Wine Fair will be returning May 31, celebrating the wine industry of Indiana with over a dozen Hoosier wineries to choose from.
According to Story Inn volunteer Claire Becraft, the wine fair began over 20 years ago by the late Story Inn owner Rick Hofstetter, who she said was very passionate about wine. Seeing Story Inn’s beautiful setting and knowing many others in the industry, he felt a wine fair would be a great opportunity for the inn to collaborate with and promote Indiana wineries, she said.
Becraft said she began helping with the wine fair two years ago. She said she has been in the wine business for 25 years, so when the opportunity presented itself for her to help with the fair, she thought it would be right up her alley.
This year’s fair will feature over 15 wine vendors from across the state. From Huber’s Orchard, Wine & Vineyards in the southern town of Borden, to Rejoicing Winery in Indianapolis, to the more local Oliver Winery in Bloomington, guests will certainly have a wide variety of wines to try. They are welcome to one-ounce pours from each vendor, Becraft said.
“Every winery that’s here are Indiana wineries, we do not do wineries from any other state other than Indiana,” Becraft said. “So… that’s why we’ve coined it the Indiana Wine Fair and this is our 21st year, so we’ve been promoting Indiana wines for 21 years now.”
They have also expanded their food options from just one food truck last year to three gourmet food trucks and two dessert vendors. While they have had some non-winery vendors in previous years, Becraft said they never really had a theme to them. This year, they decided to hone in on an art theme and added 13 local Brown County artists into the festivities who will be showcasing their art.
“We also have music on our stage playing that day too, so it’s a great opportunity to walk around, taste some wine, listen to some music, have some great food, look at some great art…,” Becraft said.
According to Becraft, music will be provided by Bob Feddersen from noon to 2:45 p.m. and then Zion Crossroads from 3:15 to 6 p.m. A comedy show will follow the wine fair at 8:30 p.m., headlined by Bob and Tom Show star Rich Ragains, in addition to Brian Smiley and David Brooks.
Becraft said she hopes people come to experience these wines, potentially find some new favorites and leave having taken away some education on Indiana’s wine industry. What’s unique about the Indiana Wine Fair to her, she said, is the wide range of people they cater to, from foodies to cowboys.
“… it’s a very eclectic, versatile group of people that all come together and enjoy each other’s company and time,” Becraft said. “So I think it’s a very inclusive event and people feel very welcome here, and the scenery is so fabulous, so I just can’t express what a wonderful afternoon it is. People dance out in the center of the area and just really have a great time.”
Pre-sale tickets for the Indiana Wine Fair cost $30. They can be purchased at indianawinefair.com or at the door.
