Name: Bloomington-based Oliver Winery has been bought by a New York company
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Bloomington-based Oliver Winery has been bought by a New York company

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Laura LaneBloomington Herald-TimesView CommentsAfter a financially successful pandemic year in the wine industry, New York’s NexPhase capital investment group has taken over Bloomington-based Oliver Winery.Longtime owner Bill Oliver said the business had been courted over time by potential buyers, and had “played hard to get,” with no interest in selling. But he said the deal with NexPhase is a good fit for the company and its employees, and keeps local operations steady as the winery’s growth surges.A small family business that started out in his late father’s basement in 1971 has evolved into a wine-based company that is one of the largest wineries in the country and ended 2020 as the 66-ranked U.S. wine brand.In 1978, Oliver Winery sold 40,000 gallons of its signature and only wine, the honey-based Camelot Mead. Options expanded to grape-based wines in the mid 1980’s.During 2020, the company sold more than 700,000 cases, which is about 1.8 million gallons of wine.Also:Oliver Winery saw a 40% growth in sales from 2019 to 2020, according to a joint company news release.“During this pandemic, you never know what’s going to sell, it’s been bicycles, lumber and wine,” Oliver said Friday. “We have been growing like crazy. Last year, we sold 740,000 cases, making us the 26th largest winery in the country and by far the largest outside the West Coast.”Oliver wines are sold in 40 states and the domestic market continues to expand.“I am just dumbfounded by it all,” Oliver said. “We have become a legitimate player on the national wine scene. We are not just this cute little winery in Indiana anymore.”The news release states “the commitment of Oliver Winery’s existing employees will now be supported by NexPhase’s financial backing and industry expertise.”The company will stay in Bloomington, according to NexPhase.“Oliver Winery’s headquarters, including its world-class tasting room and winemaking, will remain in Bloomington. Founding family member Bill Oliver will remain deeply involved with the company on the board of directors. Julie Adams, current company president, will assume the role of CEO.”View Comments

Laura LaneBloomington Herald-TimesView CommentsAfter a financially successful pandemic year in the wine industry, New York’s NexPhase capital investment group has taken over Bloomington-based Oliver Winery.Longtime owner Bill Oliver said the business had been courted over time by potential buyers, and had “played hard to get,” with no interest in selling. But he said the deal with NexPhase is a good fit for the company and its employees, and keeps local operations steady as the winery’s growth surges.A small family business that started out in his late father’s basement in 1971 has evolved...

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Bloomington-based Oliver Winery has been bought by a New York company

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