| Wine making and wine tasting has long been a | | | | Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery also hosts |
| favorite American pastime, particularly in western | | | | various public activities, such as Sunday Jazz and |
| states such as California - a subject humorously | | | | comedy shows, along with monthly specials and |
| portrayed in the hit 2004 film, Sideways. | | | | wine appreciation classes. Clearly, Gaia Wines fits |
| Yet, this pursuit seems to have traveled across | | | | in well with Indianapolis' growing wine tasting |
| the United States, with wineries appearing in the | | | | scene, which has been emerging since the 1990s. |
| most unlikely of locations. Indianapolis, for instance, | | | | Among Indiana's other wineries worth visiting are |
| is highly valued for being a dedicated centre of | | | | the Chateau Thomas Winery, and the Easley |
| sport; yet in 1996, Indianapolis saw the opening of | | | | Winery, both of which offer free tasting sessions |
| Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery, the 19th | | | | and regular tours, in addition to meeting space, |
| winery in the area. | | | | events and activities. |
| Named after the Greek Goddess of the Earth, | | | | The success of Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery |
| Gaia Wines is owned and run by Cellar Master | | | | since it opened ten years ago is not altogether |
| Angee Wallberry, and is the only winery in the US | | | | surprising, as soil conditions and climate in Indiana |
| owned solely by a woman. Since its opening, Gaia | | | | are optimal for wine production - although this is |
| Wines has tried to fit into its surroundings, but has | | | | not often acknowledged outside the state. In |
| also endeavored to create its own unique niche in | | | | particular, Indiana's conditions are great for |
| the marketplace. Located in the central, | | | | cultivating the increasingly popular Cabernet |
| up-market historic gallery and theater district on | | | | Sauvignon grape variety. The impressive quality |
| Massachusetts Avenue, only a few minutes away | | | | of Indiana wines has led to its vintners being more |
| from the luxury Conrad Hotel, it has had to | | | | generally acknowledged in the wider vintner |
| quickly establish a high reputation for itself - and | | | | community across America and the globe. Though |
| to no little success: since its opening, Gaia Wines | | | | it may still not be regarded on a scale to |
| has managed to pull off the amazing feat of | | | | California's Napa Valley, Indiana is certainly gaining |
| creating 14 new award winning wines, introducing | | | | regard as one of America's up-and-coming wine |
| tours and wine tasting events to the winery, as | | | | growing regions; and if wineries continue to be as |
| well as providing meeting rooms and playing host | | | | successful as Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery, |
| to public functions. | | | | the future looks rosy. |