Wine has been produced in the area since the early days of European colonization in the 18th century.

In the mid-19th century, Indiana was the tenth-largest winegrape producing state in the country.

[2] Early attempts at grape cultivation were mainly undertaken by English immigrants,[3] which were all unsuccessful in the production of palatable wine.

[5] Reasons that wine production failed in this era included the inability to use native grapes (which were too bitter[3] and produced less fruit[4]), the lack of mature vineyards,[4] diseases that non-native grapes were especially weak to, and a colder climate compared to Europe.

[4] More serious attempts to produce wine took place after the American Revolution but these efforts were also unsuccessful.