Indianapolis-based Easley Winery announced that it has completed a multi-million-dollar investment in property and equipment at its facility in downtown Indianapolis. The expansion includes the addition of a fully automated Italian bottling line, doubling the winery’s production capacity, the company says.

“We needed to make this investment now because our wine sales have doubled each year for the last five years, and we are continuously seeking the best equipment and methods to make great wine,” Easley Co-owner Meredith Easley said in a statement. “Our goal is to make a premium wine, whether it is our sweet, fruity, happy Reggae Red or our I THINK, awarded the Pacific Rim Best of Class Red Blend. Our goal is to make people happy with great wine.”

Easley Winery currently employs 12 full-time and 28 part-time workers. The second-generation family owned, urban winery did not use any tax incentives or public funds for the bottling line or tank expansion, the company says.

Reggae wines are sold in nine states and have experienced strong growth in recent years. Reggae Red is the third best-selling wine in Indiana, according to the company. During the past 12 months, Easley’s Reggae brand expanded into Tennessee.

The new bottling equipment also enables Easley Winery to process auto filling 1.5-liter bottles in high volume. Earlier this year, Easley introduced 1.5-liter bottles of Reggae Sangria and Reggae Margarita. Sales of these products surpassed expectations and are being sold by national retailers including Kroger, Walmart and CVS, as well as Meijer regionally, it adds. BI