By Kristina Baker
Pharos-Tribune staff writer

MONTICELLO — Born out of an act of faith, Whyte Horse Winery in Monticello has become a business rooted in passion.

For co-owners Larry and Connie Pampel, it was faith that drew them to the farm south of Monticello and inspired them to plant a vineyard. But it was their passion for fine wine that led them to turn the fruits of the land into works of art.

“What we’re trying to do here, it’s not a science,” says Larry. “It’s an art.”

Larry, a dentist by trade and financial investment advisor with Pampel & Associates on the side, is known as the winemaker in the family-operated business. A hobby wine collector for over 30 years, he has collected over 1,600 bottles of fine wine.

Although he enjoys the taste of grapes fermented to perfection, Larry never intended on becoming a winemaker. He only decided to try his hand at the art of winemaking after following his desire to care for the vine.

A few years ago, Larry was teaching Sunday school and had been reading from the Bruce Wilkinson book, “Secrets of the Vine.” It was from that book, he says, that he was inspired to start his own vineyard.

While looking out across the rolling hills of their farm south of Monticello one day, he shared his idea with his wife, Connie. The couple took the concept to Larry’s brother, Don and his wife, Denise, and together the family established the winery.

All have a hand in the operation — Larry is in charge of winemaking, while Don, oversees production and Connie manages the tasting room and retail. Four generations of Pampels also are involved, beginning with Larry and Don’s dad, Carl, and including the couples’ children and Larry and Connie’s grandchildren.

In October 2006, the Pampels opened their business at 1510 S. Airport Road. There, they converted an old 1886 farmhouse into a retail shop, complete with an elegant crystal room with seating for 15 people and a tasting bar. The two rooms of retail feature wine accessories and gifts as well as cheese from Fair Oaks Dairy and summer sausage and meats from Yesteryear’s Meat Market in DeMotte. Offices and conference rooms are located on the second level.

“We tried to keep the old house intact,” said Connie, who has a knack for refurbishing old things.

Just a few steps away in a newly constructed building next door, is where the wine is produced. Large fermentation tanks imported from Italy are used in the winemaking, along with French oak barrels.

The facility also offers a banquet room capable of seating 75 people for catered events and up to 120 people for a classroom setting. The room features a 22-foot tasting bar with an antique back bar circa 1890.

On the west edge of the property, a small vineyard with Vignoles vines is available for the public to tour. Used primarily for educational purposes, the site also may be used as a venue for weddings, concerts and art shows, according to Connie. An area has been cleared in the middle of the vineyard for a gazebo, which will be constructed in the spring and include seating for 200 people.

The main vineyard is located about five miles away from the farmhouse on the rolling hills along Big Creek.

The Pampels sought the help of Purdue University in determining which variety would grow best in White County. They took samples of the soil and considered the northern Indiana climate before choosing a cold, hardy grape, Larry explained.

In the spring of 2005, they planted their first vines — Traminette, which will be used to produce wine in 2008. They planted each of the more than 1,600 vines by hand on a 3-acre plot and plan to add 2,000 more vines on an additional 4 acres by 2008. Ultimately, they plan to grow five different types of grapes that will be used to make their wines.

Whyte Horse Winery currently features seven different wines. Among the dry wines are the Chardonnay, Meritage and Chambourcin, while Tranquility and Chautauqua Red make up the sweet wines. Also available are Harvest Harmony, a semi-sweet wine, and Traminette, a semi-dry wine that will become their estate wine. By February, three more wines will be added to their list: Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, both dry wines, and Blackberry, a fruit wine.

By 2008, they plan to offer 13 different wines.

The various types of wine are available for purchase by the glass, bottle and case. The wines also are featured at the Sportsman’s restaurant in Monticello.

Whyte Horse Winery has already become a popular destination spot among wine aficionados. In fact, much of their business thus far has been through word of mouth.

“I think people come back because they feel comfortable here,” said Connie, adding that they’ve tried to make the place inviting.

“We want people to be our guests,” said Larry.

Kristina Baker may be contacted at (574) 732-5148, or via e-mail at kristina.baker@pharostribune.com.

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