Vigo County Historical Society

Proceeds from wine tasting party to help with Dresser restoration

In 1863, Phillip H. Monninger established his winery on 33 acres of land in the north part of the city of Terre Haute. The land encompassed 24 acres of vineyards and the palatial Tivoli Winery that also served as the family home. The vineyards later grew to more than 100 acres.

The Tivoli Winery made several kinds of wine that were shipped all over the country. Grape juice also was produced, and the company sold grape vines with the instructions on how to care for them. In business with their father were three of his sons, Louis P., Herbert R. and Gerhardt A. Monninger. The wine was sold in cases of 12 bottles to a case, five bottles to a gallon, by the key, half-barrel and barrel.

Advertisements called Monninger a producer of wine and a grower and dealer in all native wines. The wines were produced by an old German formula brought to this country by Monninger. They ranged from one to 20 years in age and included Catawaba, Reislinger, Claret, Port, Sherry and Madeira.

The Tivoli was built of brick and included a dance hall and pool room, the winery headquarters and the living quarters for Monninger, his wife and 22 children, 11 from each of his two marriages. Fire ravaged the magnificent building on Dec. 12, 1876. It was suspected two tramps were responsible for setting the fire. A note was found on the gatepost following the fire that read, "We set fire to your building because you would not give us lodging. Tramps."

Another family home was built with the bricks salvaged from The Tivoli. The wine cellar that was located behind the house later became another famous landmark in Terre Haute. Many will remember The Devil’s Den that opened during the 1940s. Mrs. Gerhardt Monninger opened the restaurant and nightclub that featured dining and music for dancing.

Phillip Monninger died July 2, 1907, and the winery went out of business shortly thereafter. Thus ended one of Terre Haute’s most successful and widely recognized businesses.

On Friday, The Vigo County Historical Society will be host of a wine tasting party that will honor two of Terre Haute’s former citizens, Phillip Monninger and Paul Dresser. Proceeds from the evening titled "A Toast to Paul Dresser," will be used for the restoration of the Paul Dresser Birthplace in Fairbanks Park. Call the Historical Museum at (812) 235-9717 for details.