Rooted in Legacy, Growing Toward Tomorrow: The Story of Andra Solis and Dougherty Orchards & Winery 

What does it take to keep a family business alive for 141 years? For Andra Solis, the answer isn't found in a textbook or a business plan—it's found in the soil of 160 acres in Cambridge City, Indiana, where her great-great-great-grandfather planted the first seeds of what would become Indiana's oldest family-owned orchard. 

This October, as National Women's Small Business Month celebrates the makers and leaders who power local economies, Andra's story stands as a testament to what happens when resilience meets reinvention—and when a woman decides that honoring the past doesn't mean standing still. 

A Legacy Built on Apples and Faith 

In 1883, just years after the Civil War ended, William Henry Dougherty broke ground on a fruit orchard in eastern Indiana. He couldn't have known that his small agricultural venture would still be thriving six generations later, or that it would eventually become a cornerstone of community life in Cambridge City. 

Ownership passed hand to hand, generation to generation—from William Henry to Dolen, then to John Clayton, Arnold, and eventually to Sandy and Joan Dougherty. Each steward added their own chapter to the orchard's story, but the throughline remained constant: family, land, and an unwavering commitment to the community they served. 

Andra grew up immersed in that legacy. "I have lived on the farm my entire life and grew up helping with the orchard and learning what it means to be part of a family business," she reflects. Yet her path didn't lead directly into orchard management. After high school, Andra pursued higher education and became a special education teacher—a career that would eventually run parallel to, rather than separate from, her family's agricultural roots. 

When Loss Becomes a Calling 

Every multigenerational business eventually faces its defining crossroads. For Dougherty Orchards, that moment came in 2004, with the untimely death of Andra's parents, Sandy and Joan. 

"Coming back to Dougherty Orchards was not simply taking over a business—it was carrying on a family legacy that had been passed down through generations," Andra explains. "It gave me the opportunity to honor the work of those who came before me while helping shape the future of the orchard." 

Andra and her siblings inherited the orchard together that year, navigating grief while safeguarding their family's 121-year-old legacy. But Andra's commitment ran deeper than shared ownership. In 2016, she made the pivotal decision to purchase the orchard outright from her siblings, becoming sole owner and setting the stage for the most transformative chapter in the orchard's history. 

Reinvention Without Losing the Roots 

Here's where Andra's story diverges from simple succession and becomes something more compelling: a masterclass in entrepreneurial evolution. 

"For a business to continue for 134 years, you have to be willing to evolve," Andra says. "I have learned that preserving our history does not mean staying exactly the same. It means finding new ways to build on that history while giving people reasons to continue coming back." 

That philosophy has fueled a remarkable expansion. The same year she became sole owner, Andra launched the orchard's winery—a bold diversification that has since grown to include Moscato, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, broadening the orchard's appeal to both sweet and dry wine enthusiasts. 

But she didn't stop there. Under Andra's leadership, Dougherty Orchards has blossomed into a full agritourism destination: 

• The 1883 Bar, named in tribute to the orchard's founding year 

• Live music in the pavilion, drawing crowds for evenings of community and celebration 

• A flower farm and lavender fields, including an increasingly popular Lavender Festival 

• Weddings and special events, transforming the orchard into a backdrop for life's biggest milestones 

• Vendor events, creating space for local makers and small businesses to showcase their products 

"Each of these additions involved taking risks, investing in the future, and being willing to try something new," Andra notes. It's a sentiment that echoes one of her favorite mottos: "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough." 

Leading Like Family, Because It Is 

Ask Andra to describe her leadership style, and she doesn't reach for corporate jargon. "My leadership style is very hands-on, collaborative, and family-oriented," she says. "I believe in leading by example and am not afraid to work alongside my team and jump in wherever I am needed." 

That ethos extends beyond her own staff to the broader community of women entrepreneurs she's connected with along the way. "There is tremendous value in women supporting other women," Andra reflects. "Sometimes you don't need someone to solve the problem for you; you just need someone who understands, listens, and reminds you that you can keep going." 

It's a lesson Andra carries into every role she juggles—because her plate extends far beyond orchard rows and wine barrels. Beyond her work at Dougherty Orchards, she coordinates the Early Childhood Program at Nettle Creek Discovery Preschool and continues her work as a special education teacher. She's also a wife to Jr. Solis and mother to five children, who represent the seventh generation poised to one day carry the family torch. 

"One of the biggest challenges I face is time," Andra admits candidly. "I wear many hats... Balancing all of these responsibilities is not always easy, but I remind myself that each role is important to me and to the people around me." 

A Favorite Quote, A Guiding Philosophy 

If one saying captures Andra's approach to both business and life, it's this: "Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed." 

It's a fitting metaphor for a woman who has spent two decades nurturing visible growth while trusting in possibilities she couldn't yet see—from a single inherited orchard to a thriving, multifaceted destination drawing visitors from across the region. 

What's Next for Dougherty Orchards 

Andra isn't resting on more than a century of legacy. Looking ahead, she's focused on expanding the orchard's lavender farm and creating new experiences around it, growing the vendor events that spotlight local entrepreneurs, and continuing to diversify the winery's offerings. 

"Our goal is to continue trying new things, listening to what our customers want, and finding creative ways to keep Dougherty Orchards relevant and exciting for future generations," she says. "We want to honor the history of our 134-year-old family business while continuing to build new traditions and experiences for our community." 

Experience the Legacy for Yourself 

Six generations. One family. A legacy that started with a single orchard and has grown into a destination where community, tradition, and reinvention intersect. 

Visit Dougherty Orchards & Winery in Cambridge City, Indiana, and discover why it's been a cherished gathering place for Hoosiers for over 140 years. Stroll through 33 varieties of apple trees, sip award-worthy wines at the 1883 Bar, wander the lavender fields, or simply savor a strawberry cider donut sundae while soaking in the history that surrounds you. 

Plan your visit at doughertyorchards.com and become part of the next chapter in a story that's far from finished.