Indiana rapidly growing in wine industry

When thinking of wine growing states, Indiana does not exactly come to mind. However, a recent campaign is now promoting a single grape that is growing just like the state's wine industry.

When thinking of wine growing states, Indiana does not exactly come to mind. However, a recent campaign is now promoting a single grape that is growing just like the state's wine industry.

The grape growing is tough enough to grow in Michiana, but sweet enough to sell anywhere. Known as Traminette, the wine may not be as recognizable as Merlot or Chardonney but is gaining popularity with wine growers and drinkers alike.

"Traminette is a grape that grows well all across the state," said Jeanette Merritt, Marketing Director for the Indiana Wine Grape council. "Some of the other grapes that we have in the state might grow well in the north and not so well in the south or vice versus. We wanted to pick a grape that was very versatile to all of Indiana because we have different climates and different soil types."

The Indiana Wine Grape Council made Traminette the signature grape for the Hoosier state and its versatility is appealing to the Council and growers such as David Muir of Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard south of Bristol.

"We are new to the grape and winery business," said Muir. "So we wanted to find out what grapes performed well on our soil. Last year we planted Traminette of course, and we planted some Marquette and we planted some Frontinac Gris and Riesling, and Cabernet Franc."

Muir will have to wait two more years before their new vines can produce but among all the challenges, northern Indiana's brutal winter may be the hardest.

"The Riesling, if it gets down to five below, it is quite risky if you are going to have a crop and conceivably, you can lose the vines too if they are not protected," said Muir. "Here, as the Traminette and the Marquette, they are grapes that will tolerate the 15 below zero, and survive."

And while the hearty traits of this hybrid have made the grape popular among growers, it's the taste that ultimately sells the bottle.

"Traminette is a white wine," said Muir." It has a very floral aroma to it. It is what makes it very popular. It is just a very well balanced, good tasting wine."

"We have had wineries tell us that when the campaign launched in November of 2009, they had a 300 percent increase in the sale of the wine and one winery told me that the wine they made sold out in 33 days," said Merritt.

The Indiana Wine Grape Council and Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard are both optimistic about the grape and the impact that it will have locally and state wide.

"Nearly every vineyard that is being established in Indiana including those here in northern Indiana are planting Traminette," said Merrit. "We will find out what works and expand on it, certainly Traminette is going to be one of them that we are sure will work."

If you would like to try Traminette, Fruit Hills Winery and Orchard made it last year from grapes it brought in from Pennsylvania.