20 May 2024
10 Illinois wineries and vineyards worth exploring:
After three generations, the Lawlor family keeps adapting to the tastes of wine novices and experts alike. Galena Cellars began with fruit wines and expanded to include hybrid grapes. Visitors to the vineyard can take a behind-the-scenes tour, spend the night in one of two suites and bike the Stagecoach trail.
The winery 10 miles off US-20 tempts palates with reds, whites and rosés made from Illinois grapes. The family-owned winery has a covered outdoor tasting room overlooking the vines, plus an indoor spot in downtown Galena. Massbach's big fall event is the Massbach Stomp as well as Cabin Fever Wine Tasting.
With a lodge-feel tasting room and a front porch overlooking the woods and rolling hills of the Apple River valley, the 25-acre vineyard provides a peaceful afternoon or weekend getaway. An on-site cabin with a three-story stone fireplace sleeps 10 and offers seclusion by a pond. Find red and white varietals at this two-generation winery.
This winery uses hybridized grapes to produce a Tuscan-style wine similar to Chianti, a nod to founder Rosario Bruno's Italian roots. In addition to regular antipasto offerings, the winery participates in a Garlic Fest in August, where farm-to-table food shines. Visitors are welcomed to sit in the stonework tasting room or outside within the lush landscaping.
This family-owned winery and vineyard is located in the foothills of Shawnee National Forest and takes great pride in growing high quality grapes one of the reasons they have won numerous medals in National and International wine competitions.
It is said to be one of the best views on the trail and is located on the western edge of the Shawnee Hills, with cozy tasting room, outside decks, and many vineyard picnic tables. Hickory Ridge is family owned and operated with all their wines made from grapes grown solely on the premises.
Anchoring the eastern end of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, the Blue Sky winery offers visitors the “Romance of Italy in the Hills of Southern Illinois” with breathtaking view and award-winning Illinois wines.
When Sleepy Creek Vineyards was founded, the owners were notified that prohibition was still in effect in the township where the vineyard is located. With “the wine glass is half full,” mentality the owners launched their own campaign to end the Prohibition in the township. More than a decade later, Sleepy Creek Vineyards spans more than 10 acres and produces more than 35,000 bottles of wine a year. Every Sleepy Creek Wine is made with homegrown grapes and fruit from local growers.
The 90-acre vineyard outside of Mackinaw, two and a half hours south of Chicago, produces award winning wine and offers great entertainment all year round. This working vineyard and winery is situated on a glacial moraine, 20-minute drive from Peoria and has great views from the tasting room and outside decks.
The outdoor patio garden, live music and a full-service kitchen offering seasonal menus all compliment Prairie State Winery's award-winning wines.
For inspiration on wine tours and tastings visit www.enjoyillinois.co.uk
Images can be found HERE
