Huber’s Timeline

1932
Carl and Marcella Huber started original farming operation.

1938
The Dairy Barn was built for Carl and Marcella to work in the dairy business. The Dairy Barn is the Winery Barn today.

1940s
Carl and Marcella switched from dairy to farming and raising fruits and vegetables on a larger scale.

1940-50
Farmed mainly apples and peaches.

1960
Sons Carl and Gerald took over the farming operation along with their spouses Linda and Mary Jeanne.

1961
Pursued wholesale opportunities in Louisville, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis.

1965
The Farm Market was built.

1967
Carl Huber passes away. Huber’s shifted away from wholesale and more towards direct marketing.

1968
More people began visiting Starlight, IN to pick their own produce.

1970
Huber’s Orchard began to diversify. Additional fruit crops such as strawberries and pumpkins were planted.

1975
Huber’s planted Christmas trees.

1976-78
Huber’s Orchard applied for a winery permit and license. Renovated the old Dairy Barn into a winery.

1978
The Winery opened and the first wine was produced. Huber’s Strawberry Wine was produced from Huber’s home-grown strawberries.

1979
The Wine Cellar was built and the first vines were planted. They included Aurora, Seyval Blanc, Vidal, Chelois, Concord, and Catawba.

1980-90
Management focused on building the business to support future generations. Huber’s strategy began to focus on family entertainment activities. Huber’s continued to diversify by opening a cheese factory, an ice cream shop, and a petting zoo.

1995
School tours began of Huber’s apples and pumpkins.

1998
Carl and Gerald passed management to their sons Greg and Ted who continued to focus on growth opportunities. Huber’s 1200 person banquet facility, Plantation Hall, was built.

1999
Ted and Greg explored the possibility of opening Indiana’s first Distillery.

2000
Huber’s Orchard and Winery obtained approval and licensing to open Huber’s Starlight Distillery.

2003
Huber’s explored opportunity to start Indiana’s first Wine Trail.

2004
The Indiana Uplands Wine Trail formed in partnership with six other Indiana Wineries including Turtle Run, Oliver, French Lick, Carousel, Butler, and Winzerwald.

Huber’s toured over 15,000 school children.

Huber’s Starlight Distillery released its first Brandy.

Huber’s pursued a partnership with Kubota sales to open a new venue. Miniature replica tractors were purchased and the Petting Zoo was renamed the Children’s Farm Park.