Outdoor venues like Finley Creek Vineyards are safer and greener for summer/fall events

As we carefully edge toward establishing a “new normal,” where does that leave you when you have a wedding reception, fundraiser, party, or corporate event to schedule?

One of the safer places to have any kind of event this summer and fall is outside. Social distancing is easier, the air is fresh and clean, and the outdoors provides some of Mother Nature’s freshest, greenest and glorious backdrops.

Finley Creek Vineyards in Zionsville is an idyllic place for weddings and all kinds of special occasions. Besides the rustic Wedding Barn, Finley Creek Vineyards has five expansive acres of tranquil gardens, majestic trees, flowering shrubs, wildflowers, and of course, a vineyard.

It also offers all the luxurious and modern features and style you’d expect from a first class venue. Inside, there is a huge fireplace, chandeliers, reclaimed wood tables, and large windows to let in as much natural light as possible.

Outside, you can go casual or upscale with a wedding arbor, gazebo, stone fireplace, and plenty of room for outdoor seating for ceremonies, receptions and events of all kinds.

And, because Finley Creek Vineyards is owned by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, you are going to please every guest with plentiful offerings of delicious, sustainably grown/humanely raised, Indiana farm-fresh foods -- from your first appetizer to your last bite of luscious dessert.

There’s a lot to like about Finley Creek Vineyards – especially as we plan ahead for healthy, socially conscientious events. Let’s talk about your next event and make it a delicious, safe and memorable time!

Finley Creek gets it right

Finley Creek Vineyards is the place to set your next Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering party. Not only is it Jacquie-owned and operated, but every detail has been put in place with Jacquie’s 20+ years of client-focused yummy catering experience in mind.

From the outdoor fire pit area (perfect for cozy winter post-celebration fires) to the high-ceilinged shabby chic party barn (wedding receptions, anyone?), this is the place to throw a wonderfully successful party.

Here are a few of the parties we’ve enjoyed hosting at Finley Creek lately:

Outdoor fall garden-party afternoon wedding. The groom’s dogs were the ring-bearer and best “man,” followed by a warm inside wedding barn reception – dogs included!
Halloween singles party – straw bale maze outside and hayride on the grounds. Festivities continued inside with bobbing for apples and a costume contest, with mini sliders, spiked cider and polish sausages served in the barn.
‘Friendsgiving’ get-together in the barn with sustainably harvested turkey and pork roast; organic Indiana-grown veggies and side dishes plus spiked apple cider. Jacquie’s homemade pumpkin pecan and apple caramel pies.
40^th wedding anniversary surprise party with multi-media presentation of the couples’ life together, live band, full sit-down dinner, specialty drinks at the bar.
National non-profit 20^th anniversary fundraiser kick-off luncheon for 250 guests. Filet Mignon with fresh horseradish cream and Mini Chicken creole crepes were served.
Holiday dinner for 130 including carved roast beef station, salad bar, mini-dessert bar and champagne.

At Finley Creek, there are lots of options for your event -- inside and out. It's just right for all kinds of organizations and different party vibes, from elegant to low-key. Finley Creek Vineyards and Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering is the perfect combination of place and talent -- always ready to handle the type event you are hosting. We pay a lot of attention to getting the details of your event right.

That’s because it is just as important to us as it is to you that your special event is uniquely tailored to your group and your setting. What can we do for your next event?

Finley Creek Vineyards springs a lovely wedding reception

Mary Ann Harrison and Jared Owen tapped early Spring on the shoulder ...and asked it to reserve a sunny Saturday in mid-March for her wedding reception at Finley Creek Vineyards.

The pre-Spring weather cooperated, and the event space was perfect for the kind of relaxed late afternoon reception the couple had in mind.

The Harrison-Owen reception began at 4:00 PM by welcoming family and friends to Finley Creek's rustic splendor. With an open bar and generous appetizers inside the beautifully decorated Finley Creek barn, guests dipped into sumptuous appetizers:

Three Layer Pesto Torte with crackers, butler-served Mushrooms Stuffed with Spinach and Parmesan Cheese, and an assortment of Mini Quiches.

After everyone had a chance to mingle, a spring buffet dinner was served:

House Salad with Mixed Greens, Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots, Tomatoes and Bacon Bits, topped with Jacquie’s own Champagne vinaigrette
Chef Carved Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream
Chef Carved Pork Loin with Apricot Glaze Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
Assorted Roasted Indiana-grown Vegetables with Olive Oil, Lemon and Fresh Marjoram

There were a few children in attendance, and they were not forgotten. Easy to eat Chicken Fingers, Carrot Sticks, and Fruit Cups were quickly gobbled down.

After a lovely dinner, the bar was re-opened and the celebrating went on into the night as any fun reception should (hello dancing and music in the wide open rustic-chic barn!) The group paused to cut the cake (by Classic Cakes of Carmel) and toast to the new couple. Then back to dancing and a fantastic selection of desserts!

Congratulations to Mary Anne and Jared, and the Harrison-Owen families!

Every day is Earth Day at Finley Creek Vineyards!

This month’s Earth Day celebration (Sunday, April 22^nd) is all about honoring our planet by celebrating the amazing diversity of life around our lovely state and beyond, and getting in touch with nature’s bounty.

It’s also about protecting our environment through education, recycling, and support of sustainable, environmentally sound practices, as we do at Finley Creek Vineyards.

Owned and run by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, Finley Creek Vineyards supports responsible Indiana farms by purchasing from sustainable and non-GMO, organic farmers across the state. We use locally sourced organic meats from Indiana farmers as much as we possibly can, too.

Jacquie Bols, owner of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, is a fan of sustainable farm-to-table, environmentally conscious practices. “Not only does organic, sustainably raised meat and produce have a superior taste,” says Jacquie, “but the practice supports responsible farmers who choose to raise their crops and animals sustainably rather than mass-produce them on factory farms.”

And now that Finley Creek Vineyards raises several breeds of chickens, we have a steady supply of organic, all natural chicken right in our own backyard. Fresh eggs, too.

Since we recycle at Finley Creek, you’ll notice we never use plastic stirrers or straws at our events. No plastic plates or cups either.

As a part of that sustainability, we recently added three bee colonies to the grounds of our Finley Creek Vineyards. As the hybrid bees get settled in, they will be pollinating produce and flowers on nearby Zionsville farms, as well as producing honey for us. Our plan is to use the honey for baking, and eventually, we will offer it for purchase.

Our next addition to Finley Creek will be Tea Cup pigs, which will eat leftover food from our events (lucky pigs!)

“I’m confident I’m giving my customers safe, quality food,” Jacquie continued. “That’s something that’s incredibly important to me, and I believe it’s something my clients value and support as well.”

Celebrate the earth and sustainability with us every day, and with every event -- at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Finley Creek Vineyards.