Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brent Kumfer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Brent thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At The Rejoicing Vine, we’ve intentionally diverged from traditional winery models in several key ways—starting with our focus on sustainability, sparkling wines, and community connection.

We are proud to be a winery on mission to Cultivate Life for our community. While we are Indiana’s only sparkling winery, what truly sets us apart, is our commitment to stewardship. Sparkling wine allows us to make world class wines from locally grown fruit while also substantially reducing our waste through the use of stainless steel kegs – something almost unheard of in the wine industry.

Our vineyard is the only regeneratively farmed vineyard in the state of Indiana. That means we focus on building healthy soil, increasing biodiversity (#CultivateLife), and creating a closed-loop system that benefits the land long-term.

In an industry that often values image over impact, we choose impact over income. That guiding principle continues to resonate with our customers and community, and it fuels everything we do at The Rejoicing Vine.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My background is in Innovation and Product Development. For 15 years I helped Fortune 500 companies explore, develop, and launch new technologies. While I enjoyed it, I always had a burning desire to launch my own business – a business that made a real difference for my community.

We always enjoyed wine but our vision for the winery developed after a Christian retreat when it became apparent to me that our society needed more authentic conversations. The eureka moment was shortly after when I realized whenever a bottle of wine was on the table the phones magically disappeared and real conversations began.

That’s why at The Rejoicing Vine, we believe wine is more than what’s in the glass—it’s a way to cultivate life, community, and connection.

We are a family-owned sparkling winery rooted in faith, sustainability, and local impact. We’re based in central Indiana and specialize in handcrafted sparkling wines made from locally grown hybrid grape varieties. Our goal is to create wines that reflect our region, reduce environmental impact, and bring people together—whether that’s through a celebratory glass of bubbly or a peaceful afternoon in our vineyard.

Our journey into winemaking wasn’t driven by industry trends—it started with a calling. As a family, we wanted to build something lasting and life-giving and so what we’re most proud of is staying true to our values. In a market driven by profit margins and mass production, we choose integrity, transparency, and stewardship. Impact over income is more than a phrase for us—it’s the foundation of our business.

We want people to know that The Rejoicing Vine is more than a winery. It’s a movement. A place to gather, grow, and celebrate the good things—big and small. When you support us, you’re not just buying a bottle of wine. You’re helping cultivate life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One of the most influential books I’ve read as it relates the farm is “Dirt to Soil” by Gabe Brown.

It completely shifted the way I think about how we can steward the land and resources God gave us for the business. In the book Brown shares his story about how he transformed his degraded soil into thriving, productive land using nature-based practices. It’s a story about stewardship, resilience, observation, and working with—rather than against—natural systems.

What resonated most with me is that Dirt to Soil isn’t just about farming. It’s about systems thinking. It’s about long-term impact over short-term gain. Those principles have directly shaped how we operate at The Rejoicing Vine.

We’ve built our winery and vineyard operations around the same five principles Brown outlines: minimize disturbance, maximize diversity, keep the soil covered, maintain living roots, and integrate animals. We apply those to our vineyard and to how we see our business—prioritizing sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health.

From an entrepreneurial perspective, the book reminds me that success doesn’t always come from scaling bigger or faster. Sometimes the most powerful change happens when you slow down, pay attention, and align your work with values that endure.

In an industry where monoculture and extractive practices are the norm, Dirt to Soil gave me the courage to do things differently—to steward land regeneratively, build a low-waste winery, and help others see that even a small vineyard in Indiana can be part of the solution.

It’s a must-read for any entrepreneur who wants to build something rooted, resilient, and truly life-giving.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

The story of The Rejoicing Vine really began when I met my co-founder and partner in both life and business, Frances.

We met in Connecticut, where we lived at the time, and from the very beginning, two things anchored our relationship: a love for wine and a deep commitment to building community. During our time there, we’d gather friends for winery day trips—exploring the Connecticut Wine Trail, visiting small tasting rooms, and having long, meaningful conversations over glasses of local wine. That’s where the dream started to take root.

We realized that wine had this unique power to bring people together. It slowed time, opened space for connection, and created memories. At the same time, we were deeply involved in community work—serving on the board of our local YMCA and helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for United Way. That work taught us the value of showing up, giving back, and building something bigger than yourself.

So when we later found ourselves dreaming of starting a winery, we didn’t just want to make wine—we wanted to create a place where people could gather, connect, and grow. That vision became The Rejoicing Vine: a regenerative, sparkling wine-focused winery built on the belief that business can be a force for good.

Now, years later, everything we do—from low-waste wine production to sustainable vineyard practices to hosting community-centered events—is rooted in the same values we first shared in Connecticut. The wine brought us together, but it’s our shared vision that continues to fuel us forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rejoicingvine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therejoicingvine
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therejoicingvine
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therejoicingvine
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@therejoicingvine
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-rejoicing-vine-indianapolis

Image Credits

David Donovan Evans