 For more than 25 years, Chateau Thomas Winery has been bringing a taste of the old world to the heart of the Hoosier state.
Indiana is known for many traditions – agriculture, basketball and open wheel racing, to name a few. But wine? Most wouldn't think so. That's what makes Chateau Thomas Winery – a remarkable place in its own right – all the more remarkable.
It started in the 1970s, when Dr. Charles Thomas, a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist, decided to expand his winemaking hobby into a full-time venture. But first, he did his homework.
He dutifully collected and studied the finest French wines. He took various formal winemaking and wine-tasting courses. He traveled to Napa to study under some the most renowned winemakers in the world. Then, in 1984, he and his wife, Jill, launched Chateau Thomas Winery on Indianapolis’s southside.
The incredible growth of Chateau Thomas Winery since then is a reflection of Dr. Thomas's commitment to his craft. These days, the winery produces more than 15,000 cases of 50 different varieties of wine annually. The wines are crafted in an old world, French tradition, from grapes imported from the west coast.
Meanwhile, the winery, now located just outside of Indianapolis in Plainfield, Ind., has doubled in size, and houses a large gift shop, an outdoor entertainment venue, and a 4,000 square-foot banquet room. There are also two satellite locations in central Indiana.
To this day, Dr. Thomas continues to push the boundaries of modern winemaking. His most recent efforts resulted in the groundbreaking Slender® wine – the world's first naturally-sweetened carb-free wine. The launch of Slender was met with a great deal of national attention, including from Hollywood – where Slender was included in the gift bags of actors during the 81st Annual Academy Awards.
Innovation. Passion. And, of course, delicious, unforgettable wine. It's all here, at Chateau Thomas Winery. Come visit us soon.
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