Brandywine Creek Vineyards & Winery
A family physician turned vintner built this Indianapolis-area winery from five acres of Indiana soil into a 2,500-case operation.
Brandywine Creek Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned Indiana estate producing over 2,500 cases annually from five acres near Indianapolis. Founded by Dr. Gene Baker in 2017, the winery offers 18 to 20 varietals ranging from Malbec to peach fruit wine. It sits within the Ohio River Valley AVA in Shelby County.
- Founded by retired physician Dr. Gene Baker in 2017; first vines planted in 2014
- Tasting room opened in 2018 in a renovated former medical office
- Five acres of vineyards spread across two separate locations in Shelby County
- Produces 12 tons of grapes annually, yielding over 2,500 cases of wine
- Offers 18 to 20 varietals for tasting, including reds, whites, sweet wines, and fruit wines
- Located within the Ohio River Valley AVA at 12524 Southeastern Ave, Indianapolis, IN
- Part of the Indianapolis Wine Trail, which includes four wineries total
Origins and Founding
Brandywine Creek Vineyards & Winery was established by Gene and Jen Baker, with Dr. Gene Baker transitioning from a career as a family physician to become a vintner. The first vines were planted in 2014, three years before the winery's official founding in 2017. The tasting room opened in 2018 inside a renovated former medical office, giving the property a distinctive backstory that reflects its founder's professional journey.
- First vines planted 2014; winery founded 2017
- Tasting room opened 2018 in a converted medical office
- Operated by Gene and Jen Baker as a family venture
Location and Appellation
The winery is situated in Shelby County on the southeastern edge of Indianapolis, falling within the broad Ohio River Valley AVA. The surrounding terroir features loamy soils typical of central Indiana. The climate is characterized by conditions that producers describe as supporting citrus-forward fruit expression in the wines.
- Shelby County location within the Ohio River Valley AVA
- Loamy soils typical of central Indiana
- Two separate vineyard blocks totaling five acres
Wines and Portfolio
Brandywine Creek produces a broad mixed portfolio that spans red wines, whites, sweet wines, and fruit wines. Malbec stands as a notable red variety in the lineup alongside various hybrid and European varietals. The winery also produces fruit wines, including peach, which earned a gold medal at the Indy International Wine Competition in 2019. A 2016 Malbec received a silver medal at the same competition. Guests can explore 18 to 20 different varietals during a tasting visit.
- Malbec and hybrid and European varietals grown on-site
- Fruit wines including peach are part of the lineup
- 2016 Malbec won silver at Indy International Wine Competition
- 2019 Peach wine won gold at Indy International Wine Competition
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Open Wine Lookup →Scale and Production
Despite its modest five-acre footprint, Brandywine Creek achieves meaningful production volume for an Indiana estate winery. The vineyard generates 12 tons of grapes per year, which translates to over 2,500 cases of wine annually. The winery is open for tastings and events, and it is one of four members of the Indianapolis Wine Trail.
- 12 tons of grapes harvested annually
- Over 2,500 cases produced each year
- One of four wineries on the Indianapolis Wine Trail
- Open for tastings and private events
Brandywine Creek's portfolio spans dry reds such as Malbec with fruit-forward character, alongside sweet wines and fruit wines like peach that showcase the winery's approachable, crowd-friendly style.
- Brandywine Creek Vineyards Peach Wine$12-18Gold medal winner at the 2019 Indy International Wine Competition; a signature fruit wine from the estate.Find →
- Brandywine Creek Vineyards Malbec$20-30The winery's flagship red; the 2016 vintage earned a silver medal at the Indy International Wine Competition.Find →
- Brandywine Creek is a single family-owned winery, not a wine region or appellation
- Located within the Ohio River Valley AVA in Shelby County, Indiana
- Founded 2017; first vines 2014; tasting room opened 2018 in converted medical office
- Produces 12 tons of grapes and over 2,500 cases annually from five acres across two sites
- Award wins include 2016 Malbec silver and 2019 Peach wine gold at Indy International Wine Competition