Low Intervention Fine Wine

Above all,

we are stewards
of the land.

We make low-intervention fine wine that tells a story of place—its seasons, its soil, and its spirit.

Daylily is a fresh take on Old World tradition, reimagined here in the Midwest. Our wines honor time-tested styles while embracing the character of grapes that truly thrive in our climate.

Through thoughtful, regenerative practices and a deep respect for the land, our mission is to elevate Indiana wine.

At Daylily, we believe wine is more than what’s in the glass—it’s a connector, a conversation starter, and a celebration of culture, community, and the beauty of its origin.

Every bottle is an invitation to pause, connect, and savor the story of its place and maker—with just the right balance of heritage and a modern spark.

WHERE TO FIND US TODAY & OUR VISION FOR TOMORROW

It is our dream to build a boutique winery that will offer fine wine representative of Northern Indiana.

WHERE TO FIND US

Many Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana restaurants and bars, as well many Saturdays at the YLNI Farmer’s Market in Fort Wayne. Our wines are also available for purchase online.

OUR VISION

While currently we can only offer wine pick-up by appointment, within the next 3-5 years we aim to build a tasting experience that will be immersive and soulful—a place where you can feel something, learn something, explore, and experience something entirely unique to Indiana wine.

The Daylily Dudes

CODY KRAUS
Founder / Winemaker

Having grown up on a hobby horse farm and orchard, I have always had an interest in agriculture. I began to make wine from my family’s Concord vines at the age of 17 after mom no longer wanted to make gallons of grape jelly. This experience coupled with my fascination for science drove me to explore the intricacies of both wine chemistry and regenerative agriculture. A trip to Chile’s Casablanca Valley (a thriving cool climate wine growing region) in the spring of 2019 further solidified my passion. I have spent the last three years absorbing the teachings of pioneer grape hybridizer Elmer Swenson and horticulturist Dr Konstantin Frank and am confident in my abilities to apply those practices to growing hybrid wine grapes in my native state of Indiana.

CHRIS LEONARD
Co-founder

My father piqued my interest in wine in my early 20’s with a notable objection to me attempting to grasp his wine glass by the bowl. I’ve always enjoyed tasting wines and learning about the process with visits to New Zealand and Napa. I’ve been lucky enough to have a 11+ year career in sales as a professional problem solver, and I also have a background in art and design. Many of my friends know and identify me as a jack of all trades. I look forward to spearheading our business relationships and helping Daylily grow into a well recognized and revered wine producer.