I visited Oliver Winery this past weekend with a group of friends on our way into Bloomington. This was my first trip, and I loved it! First, the location is beautiful. Both the actual winery, as well as the grounds it's on. We didn't explore much outside, because it was really cold when we visited, but I would love to go back and look around some more. The winery was so warm and inviting on that cold day, and the staff was friendly and helpful. We opted for a tasting, which was $5 and included 8 pours. The menu is extensive and includes something for everyone. I love sweet wines, and there is definitely no lack of them on the Oliver menu! They have plenty of moscatos and fruit wines to choose from! Plus, the bottles that the wines come in are so cool! Some of the wines come in bottles shaped similarly to a typical beer bottle, which I really enjoyed, and others had beautifully colorful labels. I came away with a few new favorites! And I'll definitely be back to Oliver Winery soon! read more

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The wife has been coming here since she went to college at IU. We now make an annual pilgrimage here during Lotus Festival to do a tasting and buy a ton of wine. If you buy 24 bottles, you get an awesome 20% discount. The wine here is so good that we have no problem reaching that level. The wine tasting staff is professional and helpful. They can answer any wine questions and are not pushy. The winery offers a tour, but we have not taken it yet. You can buy cheese or other snacks and drink a bottle of wine on the patio or on a picnic table on the lawn. We drink instead of tours. Some of the wines we like here are the dry red blend, Pinot Grigio, Blackberry, and Sauvignon blanc, but, obviously, the taste varies from year to year. read more

I loved this winery!! We went on a really hot day and it was such a nice location, it felt like we were in a secret garden. The tasting room had such a good variety of wines and I loved the cheese and snacks for purchase as well. We found a shady place on the patio with our dog and he hung out while we sipped on cherry moscato and ice wine. I liked how you can bring your own picnic supplies, if we hadn't had the dog, j could have spent all day there. This is a hidden gem off the highway and is dog friendly! read more

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Great wine with an awesome setting. Love that it's close to home. Service was good too!!

Oliver was the first winery I ever took my husband to. He was NOT a fan of wine but did a tasting here and we started lighter, sweeter and easier to drink wines. Now, he is a lover of all wines and will drink the boldest of bold reds, whites, etc. and it's all thanks to the lovely variety and selections Oliver offers. We wish it was closer but anytime we are in the area we have to stop in. read more

First time ever going to a Winery, and this was a great choice. I love that they had wine choices there that you could not buy in the store, such as the blackberry wine, which was my favorite out of all the tastings. $21 for a flight of 6. One thing I would say is I wish there were more options for food, like cafe items to enjoy read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Since a number of my friends have done excellent reviews already, let me simply say that I came in winter and found the grounds to still be beautiful. The business is undergoing some expansion on the main tasting rooms, so I took the tasting in the original room. The staff was very friendly and informative about each of the eight samples I got for my $5. I ended up picking out three bottles to take home: A Dry White Sauignon Blanc A Semi-Dry Riesling and A Semi-Sweet Cherry Cobbler that was a cider based wine that was sweet enough without being too sweet. I really enjoyed learning about the wines and what the winery was intending with each bottle. There are also hard cider and honey based offerings along with dry reds as well. If you like wine, especially at an affordable price, then treat yourself to a tasting here. I will wait for warmer weather to go on the tour. Review #2015 read more

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Oliver is... fine. The hillside is beautiful and it's a great place for a picnic. There are a lot of fruity and sweet wines for those so inclined. It's cool, cheap, and unlike much else in that part of the state. If you're actually into *good* wine, there is very little to be excited about. But there are a few decent options (the shiraz reserve would be my recommendation). It's a good place to take your mom. I was straight up OFFENDED, however, on my visit this weekend when they refused to provide us with wine glasses when I bought a bottle to take outside, and instead gave us plastic cups, as if I were a CHILD. Oliver, if you want to be a real winery, versus a college bar, treat your customers with more respect. Ditch the plastic cups. read more

We visited Oliver Winery as a part of our (hashtag) Yelp Lou INvasion - which was a wild success. You should not have missed it. Oliver offers wine tasting for five dollars a person, with eight samples per five dollars. They have a wide selection of wines across the spectrum and I was impressed with each of the employees and their level of knowledge. Their wine also wasn't bad. We were first helped by Megan, then Dan, at the tasting and they both did a great job. I tried the Creekbend III, the Creekbend Noir, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, their original cider, cherry Muscato, Camelot Mead, and Bubblecraft wine. I enjoyed all of them, I brought back the Camelot Mead for our Super Bowl Party and the Bubblecraft for the punch we made. The tour was okay as well, I had been on a more enthusiastic tour earlier in the day and thought the tour guide made some flat jokes that were sexist and/or grating. She wasn't terribly informed on the wine making process and failed to answer some of the basic questions asked by people on the tour because she didn't understand them. It was unfortunate and I appreciate that it was free but still: this is your business. read more

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Love this little winery! Had a great time tasting and choosing some bottles to bring home! The variety is awesome, doesn't matter what you like, they have it! Try the blueberry moscato. Divine! read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Loveeee this place!! Great location and easy parking, so you have a couple options, you can go and buy all kinds of wine, cider, gifts and home decorations, also you can spend your time doing a awesome wine tasting (great btw, do you have 8 tasting ) they have a friendly and fun staff and they are open every day ( just check their times). If you go in summer or spring you can walk around and take wonderful pictures, they have cool patios and outside tables for you and you group. Don't worry if you want to go in a cold weather, you also are going to enjoy your day. They have a close area where you can sit and have your wine, beverages and snacks as well. (If you are a cider lover don't forget to try the peach cider... delicious !!) read more

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To me is was zero fun, we went on a Saturday when a band was supposed to be playing. We got there before 6:30 to sample some wines before we made a selection on what we wanted. There is no order inside the place. You just stand and observe what everyone else is doing. After 45 min we finally were able to taste and the one lady of the three was friendly and helpful. There is no tip jar for these ladies that do this all day. After we were done we stood in another line for 30 min to buy a glass and we eventually walked away. Went to the foot trucks and it was all so expensive. 12 for a small nacho. 8 dollars for a pretzel. There were only 3 picnic tables to sit and eat and nowhere to get out of the sun. Needless to say we left after 8pm with zero band playing. They obviously need to just play music in general while people wait for the entertainment. Nothing fun about it. read more

Beautiful ambience. Excellent service. Delicious wine everywhere. Reasonably priced. *8 tastes for $5 and for an additional $3 you can also taste all three dessert wines* This is one of my favorite places. Entering the building on this particular visit, we were quickly and energetically greeted by, Kim C. He was eager to share his knowledge of the winery, the wines on the tasting list and his 3 secret and most important questions for tastings. The questions: 1. Do you like the wine? 2. Do you like the wine? 3. Do you like the wine? Kim C. was adamant about enjoying the experience of tasting. Oliver has multiple wines that have won plenty of International awards and medals and they pride themselves on their local work. Tastings are offered everyday and tours are offered on the weekend. If you are in the Bloomington area or want to take a quick road trip, be sure to stop here. read more

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Lovely setting and setup. Pricy for grocery store type food. For such a nice place, a restaurant or deli would be a super addition to support wine tasting and enjoying an afternoon out. Friendly and efficient service. Will return in spring for outside seating. read more

A great place to spend a few hours on a nice spring day (or, let's face it, any day). I recently visited with my fella and another couple who had never been. We really enjoyed our time there doing a tasting and comparing notes on the wines. Naturally, we both bought a bottle to take home. They really enjoyed the atmosphere and selection, and I did, too. Looking forward to summer so I can sit out on the patio and enjoy some snacks with my wine overlooking the beautiful pond. Note: be sure to try the Catawba - it's my personal favorite and not sold anywhere else! read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I had the pleasure of visiting Oliver over the weekend for my third or fourth visit in the past year or so. No matter the time of year it's a beautiful stop along the highway. I especially recommend paying a visit during the fall- beautiful foliage surrounding the vineyard. Reasons I enjoy this particular winery: -the history (Oliver has been around since the start of Indiana's growing wine culture) -The Creekbend (estate wines) line and the fact that for a Hoosier winery, they offer a fair number of drier options for those of us who can live without Welch's -marketing: they get it! (the cider line is a prime example of this). The layout of the tasting room is beautiful with a crisp and organized feel. U -educational wine tours that share info that goes beyond their business' reach and story Why not the fifth star? -it seems that for their size and reach a complimentary tasting would make sense (I say this with several other surrounding family wineries offering mini tastings for free in mind). Note that paying for a tasting would never keep me from paying to taste and taste again. In fact, was the tasting that originally put their drier options on my radar. read more

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Oliver is the best winery in Indiana For so many reasons. They have a huge variety of wines within the various types so you don't have to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate the delicious flavors they offer. If you're not familiar with their wines, the best way to get acquainted is to do a wine flight or wine pairing. We did a tour and wine pairing and had an absolute blast. Lynda was our "flight attendant" (what a cute name ha) and you could tell how passionate she was about the product, the company she works for and ensuring that all guests had a wonderful time learning about the wines they're drinking. The winery grounds are absolutely beautiful so no matter what time of year you visit you're sure to enjoy the views. My favorite time of year to visit is fall so you can enjoy the cooler weather out on their patio or porch area with a bottle of wine and one of their delicious charcuterie boards. While I don't mind driving down to Bloomington (from Indy) to visit the winery, I absolutely love that most of their wines are available for purchase in local grocery stores so I can indulge without having to make a trip. read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

What's not to love about Oliver? The scenery is as amazing as the wine. What really stands out here though is the experience. Service is paramount here. No snobbery. Like a picnic? Come in the spring. Like to sip a nice red in the fall? Check out the heaters on the porch. This place is fabulous year round! UPDATE: the tasting room has been totally renovated with an Uber modern feel. You can now take in the pond-facing scenery from inside as the entire wall is glass! The porch can now be totally enclosed when the weather is less than approachable. They haven't slacked on their wines either. Try some of their new pilot projects! read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

My girlfriend brought me here to celebrate our anniversary. Did a tasting, and last minute decided to have a picnic as well. Our tasting guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We ended up buying 6 bottles to take home and 2 wine racks. Four our picnic, we picked out a few snacks (cheese, crackers, and meat) they have available on sot to purchase and headed to the small pond. Each person we came across was genuinely warm and friendly. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the area read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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I don't even like wine, and I love Oliver Winery. When traveling to Bloomington, Oliver is a must stop on your way back to Indy along SR37. I can't explain how much I love the grounds here. Stone archways and pathways, small waterfall, and the rustic country store look of the winery. Not to mention the views from the patio overlooking the pond. Zig zag your way down the gravel path to gaze at the koi fish! Staff is friendly and helpful without breathing down your neck. Expect standard wines along with fun new creations, like blueberry moscato. A small selection of meats, cheeses, and crackers is available along with local favorites like Blu Boy and Best Boy. Take your wine to go or enjoy out on the expansive deck/patio area. I tell ya, I could sit on the wrap around porch and take the in the serenity all day. Five stars for Oliver! read more

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I cannot say enough good things about Oliver Winery. The grounds and landscape are so beautiful and perfect for pictures and events. They have a pond in the back that is perfect for an afternoon picnic with your wine. They have lots of patio seating when the weather is nice. They give tours and have FREE wine tastings. Literally, Oliver wine is the only wine I buy. Select varieties are sold in stores, all varieties can be purchased in the main store or online. They also sell local foods in their small grocery area. I just LOVE going to Oliver! Oliver was the first winery in IN, started in the 70s by an IU professor. Some of the grapes are grown by Oliver, but many are brought in. However, all the wines are made in-house. It's located about 15 min outside of Bloomington, so if you're ever in the area, this the go to winery! A MUST stop! read more

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Gorgeous. Beautiful. Stunning. Impressive. I could go on with one-word descriptions of Oliver Winery, but it deserves more than that! I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful winery in the state. It's nestled in the hills of Monroe County near Bloomington. The grounds are very spacious and wooded. They've hosted weddings, parties, and other events over the years. It's a great place for pictures! The outside decor is always perfect and related to the season. For example, in the fall (around October), the place is surrounded by pumpkins. In the spring, it's usually brilliantly arrayed with tulips and other early flowers! The inside of the tasting room/shop is spacious with a bar in the center for wine tastings. They've got a cooler full of Indiana cheeses and other great items for purchasing and enjoying with a bottle of wine out on the patio. Oliver is well known for their Soft Red wine, but just because you see that one all over store shelves, don't miss out on their other offerings! They have amazing wines produced out of their Creekbend Vineyard - the Chambourcin is one of the best I've ever tasted! They also have cider and recently released a Cherry Cobbler wine. (I'm not a sweet wine fan, but even that sounds good to me!) The Barrel Room is really fun if you ever get a chance to go in. They often use it for events or group tours, but I'm sure that it's available for tours upon request. I've attended a few events here over the years, and I was astounded to find I've never actually reviewed Oliver! It's a keystone in the Indiana winery scene, and you need to get here at least once in your life. read more

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We came to Oliver for the first time and enjoyed the picnic package out on the back patio. Not only was the wine phenomenal, the assortment in the picnic package was quite lovely as well! The scenery and atmosphere was absolutely adorable- bonus points that that the patio is capable of hosting guests in all seasons. The overhead coverings and heat lamps makes it versatile for those chillier months! I highly recommend the blackberry wine, one of their signature wines! read more

Good wine. Great staff - Kathy was very helpful. I stopped in after seeing the Winery's sign on the side of the road and doing a quick peek at Yelp reviews. I started with the wine sampling (8 for $5) and told them that I was a newbie to wine. No upturned noses, just smiles and recommendations to move my way around the menu to find something right for me. Keep in mind that I had already packed my suitcase for my flight out the next morning so buying just one bottle (my plan) was going to be...interesting. Well, after my 8 samples were done, I found myself contemplating how I would now fit 3 bottles in my luggage! In the end, I happily bought a Creekland Chardonnay 2012 (not on the sample menu but it's a gift), a Creekland Vidal Blanc 2012 (delicious) and a Creekland Tawny 2009. The grounds are beautiful and the Wine Shop is very nice. I definitely recommend stopping in! read more

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Oliver Winery is a must visit for any wine enthusiast. Of the 50+ wineries we have visited between Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, Oliver offers the best overall experience thanks to it's great wines, service and especially the outdoor space. Most wineries have a great outdoor area to sit, sip and enjoy the weather/entertainment. None we have visited quite rise to the level of Oliver, in my opinion. There is a large spacious deck but it's the area around the pond that sets Oliver apart. There is a large shaded area that has a dozen or so picnic tables and a few short trails that wind around the grounds. On the other side of the pond is a large open grassy area that is perfect for a wine picnic. It would be very easy to spend a relaxing afternoon and evening here. Even though it's almost a 2 hour drive, we visit here at least twice a year. read more

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Love love love Oliver! This was the first time we were there in the winter. Love their wine!! They do charge for wine tasting. Check their website for exact prices. They do have some cheese, meat and crackers to purchase. You can bring I your own food as well. They do have summer concerts, food trucks and other fun events. Buy a bottle of wine and sit by the pond. Kids are welcome to come too! read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Superb! I've been to a few wineries and done tastings, but this was by far my best experience. Molly was our wine server and she was super knowledgeable about each wine we chose to taste. I asked about the barrels the wines were stored in and she knew what types of oak they were. I was impressed! I really REALLY enjoyed the Chambourcin Rosé. I even bought two bottles!! They also had 3 chocolates you could choose from for Valentine's Day. Great winery. Loved all 8 wines I chose to taste! Would love to come back the next time I am in the area. read more

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I went to Oliver winery specially for their Halloween and wine pairing event. I've been to Oliver many of times, and I absolutely love it! The wines are delicious and the venue is beautiful. I highly recommend packing your own picnic and staying a while. The event I went to today, was a little chaotic. It wasn't organized the best, and the lines for tastings and wine purchases were crazy long. This was probably the first time I've been to Oliver and ran into long lines and waits. I'd highly recommend. read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Absolutely loved this gorgeous winery tucked away in the countryside. Being an LA girl, I had no idea Indy had a budding wine scene, let alone enough wineries to encompass a wine trail. So you could only imagine my surprise when I discovered this little gem on my way from Bloomington to Indianapolis. Unfortunately, due to all the construction, it took several attempts to get on the right exit and that was annoying (but obviously no fault of the winery's). Anyways the winery itself is a green, relaxing oasis with plenty of space to grab a glass and wander or sit and chat with friends. I enjoyed a tasting inside with a super friendly (and super generous) pourer, and then took a glass of my favorite Cabernet Dore on a stroll outside. This winery definitely has a varied and vast selection - I tried to focus mostly on the wines from grapes grown in Indiana, but there's definitely something for everyone on the tasting/selection menu. Definitely a place to check out if you're ever in Indiana! read more

Oliver Winery - Cabernet Dore - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

This place is SO BEAUTIFUL! We went in a Sunday and the entire winery and surrounding grounds were pretty and decorated for fall. I like wines on the drier side so we got a Sauvignon Blanc wine and it was great for a hot day. The wines and snacks were also very reasonably processed. It is an hour drive from us, but the drive is worth it and we will definitely be back to try some red wines this winter. read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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I LOVE Oliver Winery!!! I've been here for several tastings and even an event. Each time I have a pleasant experience with my companions and with the bartenders as well. If you're not sure what to get, the bartender will love to give recommendations. Each one is well-versed in the making of each wine and the tastes. A brochure with each wine for sampling is provided. Along with your tasting - which costs $5 for about 5-8 wine samples, comes crackers for your enjoyment. My advice is to bring your own cheese, meat, and berries. After a tasting you can enjoy a bottle with your snacks on the patio. Snacks are also available for purchase at a reasonable price. Coming in the spring or summer months is always my favorite. Just a few tips: make sure to enjoy your wine samples. Don't chug each sample and hold your glass out for another. If you take your time and really enjoy the wine, the bartenders appreciate this and might even throw in an extra sample on the house. Talking to the bartenders is my favorite part. Each one has their own favorites and will tell you about their experience at the winery. I usually spend about an hour and a half for my wine tasting. If you don't mark off how many wines you have sampled on your list, the bartenders usually lose track as well, and that can also score you a few extra samples as well. I always tip these bartenders as well! You may only pay $5 for the sample, but if they are as friendly and helpful as each one I have encountered, it's worth it to throw in a $10 bill for a tip. read more

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Oliver Winery is hands down one of the cleanest and most inviting places I have visited over the course of the past year. It always brings a smile to my face to be able to enjoy wonderful Indiana made wines with friends and family in such a rich and colorful environment. Recently went for a Picnic Experience and oh my goodness, even in the rain Oliver delivered a wonderful experience that greatly pleased my Parter and I. Top-notch and friendly service I cannot recommend them enough for a day trip down to Southern Indiana. read more

Oliver Winery - Picnic Experience - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Oliver winery is a great place for a day picnic and to sip on some wine. They have plenty of outdoor space along a pond and tables for you to enjoy your beverage. The exterior is always beautifully decorated for each season and you will find lots of people doing photoshoots too because it's so nice! I recommend both blueberry or cherry moscato and the honey wine if you like sweet. While the reserved flight tastings/ packaged picnics are suspended due to covid, hopefully it starts again since it's a fun girls day trip. read more

Oliver Winery - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

We have visited a lot of wineries around the country but, this is one of the nicest we've been to. Known as the largest winery west of the Mississippi and one of the most beautiful. You walk to the entrance through some wonderful flower gardens with huge stones standing on end and a huge gorgeous waterfall. You enter into the tasting room and store. You can try several types of tastings or buy a bottle and some meats, cheeses and crackers and go outside and pick a table on a lovely covered deck or go sit out amount the trees. It is just delightful. We started with a short tour of the barrel room and then we chose the 8 variety tasting for the nominal price of $5 each. You are given a sheet of paper with all their wines available and you pick the 8 you want to try. You start with the dry varieties and work your way to the sweet ones. A very knowledgeable server pours you selections and gives you all the information about each one. You take your time and they do not rush you along. When you finish your tasting you are invited to purchase any of your favorites from their well stocked shelves at fairly reasonable prices. We chose several favorites and a few other essentials for home. Plan to spend a least two hours to really enjoy a tasting, a short tour and a stroll through the gardens. If you visit the area and you like wine make sure you add this to your schedule. read more

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The manager working was extremely rude to my husband and I. Will never return, even though we've come for my birthday every year.

I had an amazing time at the Oliver winery. The staff was very accommodating and was very nice. I got in line to do the winetasting and had not bought my tokens to do so yet, so to make my experience seamless, they took payment at the wine tasting station and started my wine tasting session. I recommend that if you go please find Kim C. For your pourer. He is animated and funny and knowledgeable. I had a great time just having him as my pourer. I also did a tour. I got there around 4:04pm but was still allowed to join te last group. I bought two wines i plan to finish before my plane ride home in 6 days! I can't say enough good about this group and my experience. If I come back to Indiana, I'm definitely coming back here. read more

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What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon....hanging with friends at a winery. For $5 you get 8 tastings. Matthew did our tasting and he was very knowledgable. They also have tours but we were in the middle of our tasting when it started. I like my sweet wines and they have a large variety of sweet. I made myself try a red...I asked for a starter red and Matthew suggested 3 wines. I tried the Creekbend Noir and was very happy with it. Ginger apple fizz is one of their pilot projects. The ginger flavor is stronger than I expected. I think you really need to be a serious ginger fan to like this one. Oliver winery sells a variety of meats and cheeses you can enjoy with your tasting or if you buy a bottle to enjoy on the premises. During the summer they have live music to enjoy with your wine. The grounds are beautiful year round. They also have gift sets and baskets for the wine lover in your life. Oliver Winery rents the cellar for special occasions. They let our group take pictures in the cellar. We had a great time! I am looking forward to going back in the summer to enjoy wine and music. read more

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My favorite kind of wine! I've been there all different seasons and each time I go it's just as great. When they had the wine tastings that was definitely my favorite part but now every time I go I get their Blackberry Wine. read more

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Wow this place is awesome There are at least two bar areas for wine tasting. Which is reasonably priced for the quality of wine There are also many outside seating areas where you can bring your lunch cooler Well-maintained landscaping. A must visit if you are in the area read more

Oliver Winery - The smaller bar on the left is less busy on weekends. Overall an awesome winery. Bring your own coolers lunch. Enjoy a bottle - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

We went to Oliver during Labor Day weekend. Everyone else seemed to have the same idea because the place was packed. Even though there were a lot of people, Oliver had a lot of options for how you could enjoy your visit. We had a large group. Half of us waited in a long line to do wine tasting since they were really looking forward to it and the other half of us made our own wine tasting experience. I like that this option was available. We were able to pick out a few wines we all wanted to try and Oliver opened them and provided plastic cups. There was also plenty of snack options in the gift shop. After our makeshift wine tasting, we walked around the lake and through the gorgeous gardens. We also happened to come for the last jazz concert of the summer. The musicians were young and very talented! I'm sure our wine club will make its way back :) read more

Oliver Winery - Our makeshift wine tasting on a busy day. Still so fun! - Wineries Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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