Hasting Plants

Family and Flowers at the Heart of Hasting Plants

Making wine in a Chicago townhome was a humble start for Winzerwald Winery, a thriving winery producing German-style wine in Perry County. Dan and Donna Adams combined their interest in wine and their German family history, added experience working in another winery, plus a passion for learning to build their award-winning winery located in Bristow, Indiana.

The couple met in suburban Chicago after graduation from college, and were given winemaking supplies when Donna’s dad said, “I’m done making wine, who wants my supplies?” A move to Wisconsin brought a career change for Dan who started working at Wisconsin’s largest winery. Meanwhile Dan’s parents, Tom and Edith Adams in Perry County, were looking for another crop to diversify their farm. Grapes were the obvious suggestion from the wine-loving couple.

“We decided to attend the Heartland Wine School put on by Purdue, giving us a two-week crash course in all things wine from learning how to grow grapes, to using the bottling equipment,” Dan recalls.

The first grapes, of the Marechal Foch variety, were planted on the family’s fertile riverbed land in 1995. “We knew from our work in Wisconsin these grapes were hardy and brought starts of them to plant on the family farm,” Dan says. The Adams were grateful for help from Purdue viticulturists who helped them determine which varieties would work best in Southern Indiana.

With grapes growing, the couple moved back to Indiana with the intention and expertise to start a winery yet needed a location that would be easily accessible for customers. “The family farm I grew up on was at the end of a road that is one mile to the Ohio River, so it was pretty isolated,” Dan said. “With only one paved road to the farm that flooded every spring, we knew we had to find a spot people could get to.”

Good luck came their way as Dan’s dad stumbled across the perfect location while working for the U.S. Forest Service. “We went out there and called the number on the For Sale sign immediately,” Donna says. “We fell in love with this beautiful spot that has the perfect facing slope for grape-growing and is between two interstate exits.”

Building the winery has been a family affair, including honoring their German ancestors. “Our great, great grandfather Jakob Loesch was a cooper (wine barrel maker) in Germany and brought wine grapes when he came to America in the 1800s,” the Adams say. Whenever family members moved, so did the grapes. Today, wine is made from grapes typically grown in Germany such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Meunier and wine styles made in Germany such as Mai Wein, Gluhwein, and Ice Wein.

Their wine can be found in their tasting room, of course, as well as in 120 retail stores and restaurants across Indiana. In addition, the Winzerwald Winery team attends 45 days of off-site wine events annually, providing an introduction to wine enthusiasts all over the state. They are featured at several outdoor Christmas markets, including the popular Carmel Christkindlmarkt.

Honors have come along the way, including winning the National Amateur Champion at the Indiana Wine Competition when they were just starting out. They have the distinction of producing the first Indiana wine to win both the Indiana and National Amateur prize with their blush wine from the grapes brought over from Germany by their ancestors. The awards have continued, winning the 2023 Best Dessert Wine at the State Fair with their Baked Apple Wine. “We have nine herbed and spiced wines that are German inspired,” Donna points out.

Donna comes from a food-centric family and is one of nine children. Growing up she helped her mother cater weddings, so creating food and wine connections comes naturally to her. The winery’s monthly Sips and Samples event features four food items paired with wine, allowing the textures and flavors to play off each other.

While focused on sustainably raising their grapes and running the winery, the Adams also find time to give back to the industry. They have been members of the Indiana Winery & Vineyard Association ever since they started raising grapes, and Donna served on the board. They are founding members of Indiana’s Upland Wine Trail who founded the American Viticultural Area designation for South Central Indiana based on the area’s unique characteristics, similar to how areas in California are designated. Dan also served as President of the Perry County Convention and Visitors Bureau board for ten years, and Donna served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau for four years.

Over the years, a number of family members, including their daughters Isabel (Adams) Mosby and Danielle have been part of the winery team. “It all starts with the grape, and we are proud of our heritage,” the couple concludes.

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