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Touring the Wineries of Madison Visiting the historic homes, browsing the antique shops and strolling along the Ohio River are all part of any visit to beautiful Madison, Indiana, but did you know that there are three award winning wineries in the area, two downtown and the third only a few minutes north of Main Street? Each offers a different variety wines for tasting, and each has its own unique personality. The Thomas Family Winery is located downtown at 208 E. Second St., just about a block south and west of the Court House. The winery’s pub-style decor evokes a feeling of the past in this rehabilitated stable and carriage house (circa 1855) . Steve and Elizabeth Thomas will tour the cellar with you, then pour more than a half dozen wines to taste free. The dry white wines deliver bright fruit flavors. The Rio Red has berry and herb qualities. Balancing the wine list are semi-dry wines including Indiana’s first Welsh-style cider, Gale’s Hard Cider. The winery is open daily, including Sunday. (Yes, Indiana’s Small Winery Act allows Indiana wineries to sell carry-out wine on Sundays!)
Lanthier Winery
is also
located downtown, a few block west of the Court House at 123 Mill Street, only
a block up from the river. If walls could talk in this old 17th
Century fort, they would whisper tales of early trappers and settlers who
built the original 24 inch thick stone walls. The old fort and depot became
home to such endeavors as a local market, offices for a canning factory, a
saloon, a brothel and a scrap materials recycling site. Chris Lanthier and
Tami Hagemier purchased the property in 1990, which had fallen into serious
disrepair. Lanthier Winery was
founded in September of 1994 after four years of renovation on the property.
This year the winery celebrated 11 years of continued success. Lanthier Winery
suffered one set back in March 1997 when the building flooded and was under 10
feet of water. The winery reopened in September of that year.
Today, Lanthier Winery boasts 15 award winning wines as well as 3 holiday wines. Step in and experience the winery’s European ambiance or stroll the French Country gardens surrounding the building. There are monthly wine sales and lots of exciting events year round. Be sure to stop in; get away without going out of your way. Lanthier Winery, “A far way feeling…close enough to taste.” The Ohio River Valley has a long history of grape growing. In 1802 a group of Swiss immigrants established the first commercial winery in the united States in what became Vevay, Indiana, just 20 miles east of Madison. By the middle of the 19th century thousands of acres of grapes were being grown along the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Louisville, an area which was then know as "The Rhineland of America". Vine diseases, the economic pressure of new agricultural products, and prohibition combined to destroy those vineyards. At Madison Vineyards we are committed to the revitalization of that lost heritage. Our small, family owned and operated vineyard and winery is dedicated to producing world-class table wines at reasonable prices. James Busby wrote: "A man who could sit under the shade of his own vine with his wife and his children about him and the ripe clusters hanging within their reach in such a climate as this and not feel the highest enjoyment is incapable of happiness." There is something "basic" about growing your own grapes for your own wine, something "primal", something mysterious and satisfying. Madison Vineyards, our little winery, is located just five miles north of the Ohio River, and one and a third miles east of Hwy 421 on CR 400N. With our first plantings in 1994 my wife Sandy, son Michael and I began phase one of our grape growing plan. In a few years we intend to produce 100% estate wines (meaning that every drop of wine in our bottle was made from grapes grown in our vineyard). Currently we produce white, red and blush wines in dry and off-dry styles. Plans are in the works for a couple of sparkling wines, a slightly sweet bubbly based on our Country Blush, and a dry Blanc de Blancs made in a classic Champagne-style. Our winery/tasting room nests among 9 acres of vines. A large deck offers our guests a sweeping view of the grassy picnic area, outdoor stage, surrounding hills, and amazing sunsets. Along with a free tasting of our award-winning wines and tours of the vineyard and winery we offer a variety of wine related gift items. We’re open Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday from 12N until 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 11am until Sunset. For a free guide to Indiana’s other 16 wineries featuring maps, phone numbers, winery descriptions and wine tasting tips, call (800) 832-WINE or, better yet, stop by one of Madison’s wineries for a copy Lanthier Winery 123 Mill Street 273-2409 Hours W-Sun 11a-5p We believe the best wine is the wine you like! Madison Vineyards 1456 E. 400N 273-6500 or 1-800-473-6500 Hours Su,M,Th,F, 12p-5p Sa 11a-sunset. Small Family operated winery offering award winning wines. The Thomas Family Winery 208 E. Second Street 273-3755 or 1-800-948-8466 Hours M-Th 11a-6p F-Sa 11a-9p, Su 12p-5p Offering traditional wines and ciders/old world breads and cheeses in a pub style setting. Call for live entertainment schedule, [More Info]
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