Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Uncorking the Journey
From vine to glass, wine isn’t just something you drink—it’s a narrative bottled up and waiting to be uncorked. Every sip carries the essence of soil and sunshine, plus a sprinkle of magic that somehow survived fermentation. Honestly, that journey reminds me so much of what Tasteful Times has brought to Fishers for 15+ years.
Tasteful Times is far more than just “the wine store.” They’re like the cool friend who makes learning fun—a guide, a gathering spot, and the keeper of those “Wait…this is GOOD wine?” moments that surprise you at tastings. They haven’t just shaped my palate; they’ve shaped FishersVinoVibes into what it is: equal parts wine, memories, and community – and for a few years, even family.
Like a vineyard deepening its roots year after year, Tasteful Times keeps evolving—teaching, laughing, and raising a glass right there with us. Here, every bottle is much more than fermented grapes; it’s about choices, friendships, and celebrating what connects us.
Wine Wasn’t Always on My Table
Confession: wine wasn’t really a thing in my family growing up, unless you count the mystery jug hiding in the fridge—that no one dared open. If I wasn’t curious, I wasn’t learning, so for years I figured there were only two kinds of wine: white and red (not wrong, but definitely not right!).
My first “serious” wine purchase? A bottle of Gewürztraminer that Katy and I picked up on our honeymoon in Bath, back in 1992. If anything screams sophisticated adult, it’s honeymoon wine. Bonus: I stored the bottles upright in the pantry—convinced they’d gracefully age into… salad vinegar? Visionary thinking.
Fast-forward to the early 2000s, when I stumbled into the legendary Two Women and Wine shop. Two women, wine, amazing cake, and kegs for the basement—what else could you want? Truth be told, I bought more cake than wine, but the spark was lit.
The Birth of Tasteful Times—and My “Real” Wine Journey
When the Sadler family opened Tasteful Times in 2010, I was finally ready to step fully into the world of wine. My connection with them even predates their grand opening—word on the grapevine (pun intended) said they were battling for licenses amidst pushback from big liquor stores. If there’s ever an underdog to root for, it’s the Sadlers!
Eventually, the Sadlers were pouring wine in my backyard at a patio tasting, and while I can’t recall the actual bottles, I know that day marked the true beginning of my wine journey. Whatever filled those glasses ignited something that’s been poured and shared ever since.
Just as grapevines take years to yield wine-worthy grapes, my early years with Tasteful Times meant quick stops and $10 bottles—baby grape steps. With every visit, I picked up another nugget of wine wisdom, even if my stash was more “snack bar” than “cellar.”
The Journey takes off
Somewhere along the way, I earned my stripes, graduating to a full case (…of $10 wines, let’s be real). Then came the breakthrough—a $30 bottle of Château de Pez, a true French blend with a grape I found hilarious: Petit Verdot. That bottle blew my mind and redrew my whole map of wine possibilities. Only later did I learn Château de Pez is French wine royalty from Saint-Estèphe in Bordeaux. Did I know what an appellation was back then? Not a clue.
From there, the journey leveled up: I joined the wine club, and the stories started flowing. There’s the time I was out of town and my wife and daughter (home from college) went to pick up our wine club haul. It’s always supposed to be two bottles, but my daughter—who’d always come with—thought wine club meant a case. Maybe she got the idea from my own penchant for buying by the case to spend extra time discovering. So, when Katy came home with just two, my daughter was certain ten bottles had gone missing. Proof yet again that wine education comes in all shapes, sizes, and sometimes very confused daughters.
Falling in Love
These days, I absolutely love wine tastings—and thanks to Tasteful Times, I’ve been to plenty. There’s no better way to sample the world’s wine regions without nabbing a plane ticket; it’s like collecting passport stamps, only tastier. It’s more than just the bottles—it’s the stories. Ehler’s is one of those: besides their bold Cabernet Sauvignon, their commitment as a nonprofit donating to cardiology research truly touches me.
But, much like my “to golf or not to golf in Scotland” saga, I was once intimidated by the thought of visiting a wine region in person. (Shameless plug: check out my epic debate about UK travel and golf at FishersVinoVibes.com. Spoiler: Scotland is amazing, golf or no!)
Winery Visits
For my first proper winery visit, I decided to go big—hello, Bride Valley Winery in Dorset, England. Rolling hills, sparkling wine, and the legacy of Steven Spurrier, the legend behind the Judgment of Paris. After watching “Bottle Shock” more times than I’ll admit, I was starstruck at the tasting, even though Spurrier had passed away earlier that year. His passion and humility echo in every glass at Bride Valley. The visit itself was a spur-of-the-moment decision while hiking the Jurassic Coast—a future story in itself!
Next up: Tuscany. Not your average tasting—we rode horseback through vineyards to Torre a Cona’s castle-turned-winery before sipping their Chianti. I may not be a cowboy, but for wine, I’ll tip my hat any day. Then came LVNEA in the Colli di Luni, a spot tucked between Liguria and Tuscany, just a kilometer from ancient Roman ruins. Makes you wonder if the Romans invented wine clubs, too.
2025 was an absolute highlight for wine adventures: a pilgrimage to Burgundy, strolling the hallowed Côte d’Or, and tastings that made my taste buds break into a French chorus. And who saw it coming? Our June escape to Greece confirmed what the gods knew all along—Greek wines are seriously divine, and we happily drank in the proof.
But here’s the real magic: no matter how far I travel, a visit to an Indiana winery never disappoints. Whether I’m trekking back from Tuscany or just crossing 116th Street, there’s always adventure, great wine, and unforgettable stories to be poured.
Cheers to the Next Glass!
Honestly, I can’t imagine this wild, wonderful wine journey without Tasteful Times—the shop, the tastings, the tales, the baby-step bottles, and all those big “aha!” moments. Here’s to your 15 years and beyond: cheers to every cork popped, every adventure shared, and every bottle yet to come. I can’t wait for the next chapter—so let’s keep pouring, exploring, and reveling in this community together!
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