In the 1960s Bill Oliver worked as a youngster helping his dad Bill plant his fledgling Creekbend Vineyard and a few years later start Oliver Winery, one of Indiana’s first wineries. He worked part time at the winery through high school and college supplementing his earnings as a commercial balloon pilot which he does to this day. After getting a business degree from Indiana University in 1983 Bill joined the winery full time.

As a jack of all trades in the still-small operation, Bill focused on wine quality and the visitor experience to grow retail sales. Bill met his wife Kathleen while both getting their MBAs from Indiana University. Kathleen joined the winery in 1993 and they worked together as sales grew rapidly through both retail and distributor channels. In spite of having two business degrees, Bill sees himself as a winemaker first, and a businessman second. His day-to-day work centers around winemaking, vineyard operations and new products as well as developing his team to run the now 100% employee-owned business. His goal is continued winery growth with a focus on inspired new products and operational best practices.

Bill loves wine, particularly the nuanced and balanced wines grown and produced in the eastern U.S.