Huber’s Orchard & Winery Offers Fun for All in Southern Indiana

In partnership with: Indiana State Department of Agriculture

With a focus on farming and family, generations of Hubers have carefully tended their land in southern Indiana. The result is a destination where families around the state and the region can enjoy a day picking fruit, getting lost in a corn maze, eating ice cream, listening to music, and sampling estate-grown wine and spirits.

It all started in 1843 when Simon Huber emigrated from Germany, settling on 80 acres in the small town of Starlight, where he began a small fruit farm. More than 180 years and seven generations later, the farm remains family-owned and family-led.

Cousins Greg and Ted, their wives Dana and Jan, and children AJ, Allie, Marcie, Christian and Blake continue the 180-year Huber tradition. Each generation has built on the ideas and hard work of the one before, making decisions that are “farm first.” 

Today, that commitment has created a successful family business including 700 acres of orchards and fruit fields as well as a family fun park at Huber’s Orchard, Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery. 

This family destination hosts more than 650,000 visitors annually and has earned recognition from the agricultural, wine and spirits industries for their products and vision.

See more: Indiana’s Crystal Springs Creamery Produces Fresh Dairy Products On-Site

Patience and Stewardship

The Hubers’ success begins with a focus on diversification, Dana says. 

“Each strategy has been rooted in farming,” she says. “How can we add value to each crop grown? What other products can we make from the fruits, vegetables, grains and other ingredients we grow? How can we build an experience around the farm for our customers to learn, celebrate and make memories the same way our family has been able to do for generations?”

Accomplishing all that takes patience and planning. In fact, for the first 130 years, the Huber farm remained a typical family farm. That changed in the 1970s when the Indiana legislature allowed family farms to expand their lines of business, giving the Hubers an opportunity to establish a U-pick operation and a vineyard, which now accounts for 90 of the 700 acres. In 1978, they opened the winery, which today produces more than 75,000 cases of wine annually, making it the largest wine producer in the region.

The family fun park was added in the 1980s, as were educational tours for local schoolchildren.

In the 2000s, more doors opened, and the Hubers, as advocates for diversification on the family farm, were ready. 

“First, legislation was passed allowing farms to make brandies, ports and infusions from our fruits,” Dana says. “So, we could strip the fruit that was left from our U-pick operation, such as blueberries, blackberries and peaches, and turn it into wine and some distilled spirit products. Then in 2013, the legislature allowed for artisan’s permits, giving us the opportunity to establish our distillery.”

See more: Go on a Self-Guided Agricultural Driving Tour in Jackson County, Indiana

Quality Focused

While patience and planning are key to the Hubers’ success, so is their commitment to quality. Whether it’s a scoop of berry ice cream, a basket of apples, or a bottle of their chardonnay or bourbon, the family takes pride in ensuring their farm delivers sustainably grown, high-quality products.

Their many awards are a testament to their reputation. In fact, Starlight Distillery is Indiana’s most award-winning farm-to-bottle distillery. In 2022, it was named Craft Distiller of the Year by the American Spirits Council of Tasters, and individual bourbons and brandies have also received recognition across the industry. Even their distillery tour was named one of the top 5 by USA Today.

“It’s certainly wonderful to get these awards,” Dana says. “But the most enjoyable part of being in our business is the focus on sharing our traditions and heritage with other families and knowing they are enjoying our farm and our crafts the same way we do.”

More About Huber’s Orchard & Winery

For more information about visiting Huber Orchard’s, Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery, check out visithubers.com, huberwinery.com or starlightdistillery.com.