About
Buck Creek Winery’s roots are in Durm Vineyards, which was established in 1991 by Jeff and Kelly Durm. They purchased the land and Jeff, with the help of family and friends, broke ground – and the vineyard was started. 1500 vines were planted the first year.
Bud break came each spring after pruning. Spraying, cluster thinning, and harvest followed each year. More vines were planted, with 13 varieties in all. Wine was made for table use. In 1996, Jeff entered 10 wines in the Indiana State Fair. He won one gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals.
Kelly and Jeff built their home and moved to the property with their young sons, Joseph and Chris. Josette Haubry, Kelly’s mother, assisted with childcare and cooking while Jeff worked with the grapes. Josette married Dick Randolph in 1999, and they built their home in front of the vineyard.
Many harvests passed. Grapes were sold to other wineries and members of the public. Members of Korean and Amish churches came to pick grapes for wine and grape jelly for their families and churches.
Many friends and relatives came to harvest grapes. Dick made chili and tacos for lunch. Friends came from as far as Kansas City and Kalamazoo to help with the harvest. The days ended with everyone very tired, but well-fed, and with as much wine as they cared to drink.
The children continued to grow. Jeff coached football in Franklin Township and for Nativity every fall while he and Kelly juggled their full-time jobs with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.
Jeff retired from the Sheriff’s department in 2004. Construction started on the winery in Fall 2005. On Thursday, April 27, 2006, “The Dream” was realized – we were in business.
