It could be said that wine runs in the veins of the Butler family, and it is not just because James and Susan Butler own the fourth-oldest operating winery in Indiana.

It is because the love of the grape and the history of Indiana winemaking is a family affair for them.

And now, one member of that family is opening a tasting room and sales shop at 401 Broadway in Chesterton.

Joe Butler has fond memories of growing up while living upstairs at the family winery in Bloomington, Ind.

"It was great; Dad was always there, and we had this intercom system (so we could always be in touch with one another)," he said.

"I want my boys to have that same experience."

Joe and his wife Michelle soon will be move their boys, Ian, 6, and Noah, 2, to Chesterton from their Merrillville home.

Michelle Butler will continue her job as a social worker with the Steger, Ill., school system and help out at the shop on weekends.

The family-owned, award-winning winery has operated a booth at the European Market in downtown Chesterton for the last several years.

Response to the winery's booth is what sparked their interest in opening a permanent location in the region.

"Chesterton seems to be the perfect fit for us," Jim Butler said.

Joe and his dad said historic downtown Chesterton reminds them of their native Bloomington, Ind.

"Dad calls it 'Up North Nashville,' " Joe Butler said, because the small specialty and antique shops give Chesterton the same feeling as that southern Indiana town. It's well situated for tourism along Interstate 94 and the Indiana Toll Road, and local officials promote the downtown for its artsy atmosphere.

There are more than 40 wineries in the state of Indiana, with most of them south of Indianapolis.

The Butler winery has strong Bloomington roots.

Jim Butler got his degree in biology from Indiana University and his master's from the University of Minnesota in freshwater biology.

He started his career in the Indiana wine industry in 1976, doing lab and cellar work at the Oliver winery. From 1977 to 1982, he was the Oliver winemaker and then left to start his own winery.

Butler and his son John wrote the book, "Indiana Wine - A History," which shows the history of winemaking in the state of Indiana from 1827 to today.

John Butler currently is studying 20th century U.S. History in the doctoral program at I. U., and little brother Andy Butler also attends I.U. in Bloomington. Joe Butler is studying at I.U. Northwest in Gary.

Even the furniture at the tasting rooms is a family affair.

Susan Butler's dad, Herbert Curl, took up woodworking when he retired and moved next door to the Butlers in Bloomington.

"My grandfather has made all the bars at all our tasting rooms, as well as much of our furnishings in all our stores and stuff for our home, he made our bunkbeds," Joe Butler said.

The new Chesterton shop, which opened Saturday to coincide with the opening of the European Market, was a former coffee house that needed a little remodeling, most of which was done by Joe Butler and friends.

The 1,000-square-foot space will be divided into three smaller rooms: one for beer and winemaking supplies; one for tasting; and an area for retail items.

The winery will continue to have a booth at the European Market, Joe Butler said, but no longer will offer wine tasting. Instead, folks will have to walk a block to the shop for a sip.

But there will be perks, including tasting the wines in a glass instead of the plastic that had to be used at the market, and the shop is air-conditioned.

They also will sell bottles for carryout, even on Sundays.

Butler Winery, established in 1983, is the fourth-oldest operating winery in Indiana. The winery and vineyard are located 10 minutes from the Northeast side of Bloomington.

According to Jim Butler, "Our philosophy has always been to use Indiana-grown grapes in the belief that wine is a reflection of the climate, the soil and the people who grow the grapes.

"Our vineyard is located within the northern boundaries of the proposed Indiana Uplands viticultural area. This region in South Central Indiana produces wines of distinctive character.

"The grape varieties we grow include: Chambourcin, Chardonel, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc and Vidal. We make our wine in small batches using stainless steel tanks for the fermentation and bulk aging of the majority of our wines. In addition, we use small American Oak barrels for the fermentation of our Chardonel and aging of our Ruby Port and the dry Chambourcin wines."

Butler Winery tasting room

Where: 401 Broadway Chesterton

FYI: (219) 929-1400 or www.butlerwinery.com. On Indiana wineries, www.indianawines.org]]>