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Monday, April 13, 2009
**Article from the Herald Times in Bloomington, written by reporter Jessica Hullinger
Bill Oliver, owner of Oliver Winery, recently got a letter from Purdue University and the Monroe County Extension Board. He was surprised at what he read when he opened it.
"We were completely caught off guard," Oliver said. "I said 'Kathleen, you're never gonna believe this.'"
Bill, his wife, Kathleen, and their three sons had been named the 2009 Agricultural Family of the Year, based on the agricultural contributions their winery makes to the Monroe County community. They were recognized at the Monroe County agriculture dinner on March 25.
"They were chosen because they have worked to improve productivity of the land and improve the product and at the same time they have been very involved in the community," said Scott McDonald, who was on the board that chose the Olivers as winners this year.
William Oliver, Bill's father, opened the winery in 1972. Bill grew up helping make the winery what it is today - Indiana 's oldest and largest, with award-winning wines sold throughout 14 states.
"Some of my earliest solid memories are from me helping my dad make wine and stomping grapes," Oliver said. "Just the smells and coming out here and hanging out, runnin' around, being a kid."
The winery is off of Ind. 37, north of Bloomington, but many of the grapes are grown in the Creekbend Vineyard, which looks out over the Beanblossom Valley in Monroe County , north of Ellettsville. Currently, the Olivers have 35 acres and more than 24,000 vines in the Creekbend Vineyard. They hope to have 60 acres soon.
Oliver said the employment and the investment created by the winery is good for the community. The winery employs roughly 80 people and is one of the top three most visited attractions in Bloomington, behind Indiana University and Lake Monroe .
"As far as people contacting us and asking for information and what our attractions are, Oliver Winery is definitely one of the top two or three," said Mike McAfee, executive director of the Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Oliver said despite the recession, the winery continues to do well, speaking to its popularity.
"I think we're a part of the local culture, for sure," he said. "People come from out of state just to come to the winery. Wow, that's something else."
In the past, the Agricultural Family of the Year award has been given to traditional cattle farmers, soybean and corn farmers and even apple farmers.
While many might not think of the Olivers as traditional farmers, Bill said the award suggests the community wants to celebrate there still being family farms in the area.
"We live out here," Oliver said. He pointed out past the rows of vines rolling out over a hill. "Our house is just further down that way. They know we're farming, we just farm kind of an unusual thing."