Illinois Wineries

Located in Maple Park, Acquaviva Winery, Maple Park invites you to come and experience a true Italian vineyard experience in the heart of Illinois. Vito Brandonisio fondly remembers his childhood in Italy and he now endeavors to bring Italian wine culture and food to Illinois, for all to enjoy at his Acquaviva Winery. The estate’s forty-acre vineyard is planted with several grape varietals specially chosen to flourish in the mid-west climate. When you visit the tasting room you can look forward to tasting a flight of six delectable vines ranging from dry to sweet. For a more in-depth look at the production process you can request their Signature Tour which includes a wine tasting/food pairing experience. There is also an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Italian fare.

Acquaviva Winery, 47W416 Route 38, Maple Park, IL 60151, Phone: 630-365-0333

Established in 1985, Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass is one of the very first vineyards planted in Illinois. A small family venture into the unknown has turned into an exceptional success story, earning the winery a staggering 500 awards since they started producing their own wines in 1988. The winery is justly proud of their 5,000-foot tasting room (which can be rented for private functions and events) where you can taste a selection of their award-winning wines. A few of the most popular wines produced include their dry-white Chardonel, their premium Chambourcin and the easy-drinking Dawg House Red. On Friday nights you can enjoy a delicious pizza to accompany your Alto wine.

Alto Vineyards, 8515 Highway 127, Alto Pass, IL 62905, Phone: 618-893-4898

You will find the Mceachran Homestead Winery, Caledonia nestled in the heart of historic Boone County, where a two-acre vineyard of cold-climate vines supplies the grapes for a limited collection of small-batch wines. The winery is open to the public daily and you are invited to step inside the tasting room to try whatever vintages are currently available. You can order a tasty cheese board and other light snacks to savor alongside your wines. If you fancy a tour with a difference you can gather together a group of eight and book an informative wagon tour of the vineyards followed by a wine tasting. The winery offers an ideal venue for weddings and other events and a Summer Music program from May to October.

Mceachran Homestead Winery, 1917 Wyman School Rd, Caledonia, IL 61011, Phone: 815-978-5120

Romantic Wineries

You will find the Blue Sky Vineyard, Makanda towards the end of the popular Shawnee Hills Wine Trail where a beautiful Tuscan-style winery and vineyard awaits you. In order to ensure that the Blue Sky wines truly reflect their unique Illinois Terroir, varietals which thrive in the area take center stage and you can look forward to sampling a number of excellent blends using Vidal, Traminette, Seyval, Chardonnay, Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc grapes. The winery was purpose built to bring all the charm of the Italian countryside to Illinois and provide a beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy a delicious glass of unique Illinois wine alongside a delicious sandwich, pizza, salad or soup.

Blue Sky Vineyard, 3150 S Rocky Comfort Rd, Makanda, Il 62958, Phone: 618-995-9463

Located in southern Illinois, the Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery, Carlyle combines owner Sandy’s love of South Africa with her dream to set up a winery in the heart of Illinois. The winery derives its name from the South African term “Lodge” which is usually a place where people come to observe wildlife in a natural environment. Visitors to the lodge are met with a uniquely African –themed tasting room where you can enjoy their range of delicious wines made from Chambourcin, Concord, Chardonel, Riesling and Niagara grapes which grow particularly well in the region. Continuing the African theme, all the wines have interesting African names. The full-service restaurant features all your favorite dishes to enjoy alongside the wines.

Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery, 15469 State Route 127, Carlyle, IL 62231, Phone: 618-594-8830

Rows and rows of stately young vines welcome you to the Famous Fossil Vineyard and Winery located just outside Freeport. Over 450 million years ago this land was covered by ocean and when the vineyards were being established many sea fossils were uncovered, including the “famous fossil” from which the name of the vineyard derives. The winery produces a range of fifteen wines using mainly Frontenac, Marquette, St. Croix, LaCrescent, LaCrosse and Prairie Star cultivars which are grown on-site using organic and bio-dynamic farming practices. You are invited to come and visit the tasting room or the large outdoor area where you can enjoy sampling some of the current available wines alongside a plate of sweet and savory small bites.

Famous Fossil Vineyard and Winery, 395 W Cedarville Rd, Freeport, IL 61032, Phone: 815-563-4665

Wineries for a First Date

Easy to reach from Chicago, the Fox Valley Winery Inc., Oswego is waiting to introduce you to the unique flavors and aromas of their award-winning Illinois wines. You can stop by for a tasting or tour (tours need to be booked up-front) any day of the week or join in one of their popular “Wined down Friday” events when you can enjoy live music along with your wine and a selection of delicious artisan cheeses. The winery produces a wide range of wines both sweet and dry using Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Petite Pearl grapes grown both locally and on other premier vineyards in Sheridan and California.

59 Main St, Oswego, IL 60543, Phone: 630-554-0404

It’s not often that you can visit a winery and brewery in the same building, but that is exactly what you will find at the Grafton Winery and Brewhaus in historic downtown Grafton. Here there is something for wine and beer lovers to get excited about as you savor the opportunity to enjoy a tasting flight of five Grafton wines in the tasting room or a flight of six artisan beers at the Brewhaus, while enjoying delicious food and regular live music. The award-winning Grafton wines are produced close-by at the Grafton Vineyards, where you can also enjoy a tour of the facility as well as a wine tasting overlooking the lake and vineyards.

Grafton Winery and Brewhaus, 300 West Main, Grafton IL 62037, Phone: 618-786-3001

Grafton Winery The Vineyards, 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd, Grafton, IL 62037

Scenically located amid the rolling hills of Oakdale, the Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford was established on a family farm which was settled back in the 1800’s. The Lounsberry family planted several acres of land with grape varietals which thrive in the Illinois climate and now produce a full range of wines in their 100-year old barn. The winery is open to the public from Wednesday to Friday each week and on Sunday afternoons you can attend their very popular live music Sundays which feature prominent guest artists. You are invited to bring the whole family to enjoy a country day out while sipping some great wine or beer and enjoying light snacks.

Hill Prairie Winery, 23753 Lounsberry Rd, Oakford, IL 62673, Phone: 217-635-9900

One of only two Illinois wineries which specialize in producing pure fruit wines, Jo-Al Winery is located in Mascoutah. If you cannot imagine a wine made without using grapes you have a great surprise in store for you at the Jo-Al Winery. You can look forward to sampling a flight of three wines including a dry cranberry (Sexy Redhead), a mellow semi-dry apple wine (Jonnie be good) and several other mostly-semi-dry fruit blends. In addition to their large range of wines the winery tasting room stocks various delicious fruit-related jams, jellies, pickles and salsas.

Jo-Al Winery, 10213 State Route 177, Mascoutah, IL 62258, Phone: 618-566-9463