Byler Lane Winery is the New Chic Spot north of Leo

Just a short drive from either Auburn, Indiana, or Leo-Cedarville will spirit you to Byler Lane Winery, on County Road 35. In existence since 2016, the winery features impressive seating areas, both inside and out. Inside is beautiful reclaimed and refinished barn wood which panels the walls, regular tables and high-tops. There are also cozy, intimate corner couches and overstuffed chairs. Outside are fire pit areas, more couches and tables, cornhole frames and a giant jenga game. It's comfortable, spacious, and lovely inside and out. It's set back off a quiet country road, creating a peaceful ambiance.

Large windows show off distillery tanks in the back buildings where various wines are aged. No tours were available the Friday night we were there, but perhaps if you called ahead, you could arrange a guided walk-about for your group. A free tasting of five wines was offered. Featured were several sweet whites, dry whites, dessert wines, sweet reds, and dry reds. Some of their grapes were grown on site. For many of the better wines, grapes were imported elsewhere locally, regionally, and even across the country. New York State, California, and Chilean grapes all contribute to some of their better wines.

According to the facility's website, the winery is owned by members of the Byler and Lane families. Wine making started as a hobby in one of the owner's basements. JR originally had a concrete shop on the property. Workers used wood salvaged from four local barns to create tables, interiors, and exterior woodwork. A lovely stone fireplace is a highlight of the site.

Lots of scheduled activities are planned for the summer. Every weekend features live music groups and food trucks. Call the winery at 260-920-4377 for more information, or look for their Facebook page for descriptions of specific food vendors and musicians. The winery is closed Mondays, but it opens at noon the rest of the week. They close Sunday at 5 p.m., and are open until 7 or 8 p.m. the other days.

Guests must be age 18 and older. There isn't much food available when the catering trucks aren't there, but they do have some limited cheese and meat trays, chocolates, Coke products, and coffee for purchase. There's a cute pond with a covered picnic area, but signs announcing "no fishing, no swimming" seem a bit stand-offish. Oh well, it's their house, their rules! I suppose a little decorum is in order. They do claim to release new wines all the time, and promote seasonal favorites. I'm pretty sure I saw one of those wine-slushy machines behind the bar for those so inclined to drink that sort of thing.

I'm glad wineries are springing up in new places, and I'm really glad to see this one such a short distance from Leo, Indiana. One of my favorite things was the inside ceiling paneling - it must have been reclaimed tin roofing. It looked fabulous! Check it out soon for yourself.