If you’re craving fun in the sun or a relaxing romantic rendezvous this summer, bypass
the travel headache and head for a nearby central Illinois winery.
The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association lists five wineries within
an hour of Springfield, and one more that’s just outside of Peoria. Each of these is family-owned and offers a wide
variety of wines, from the driest red to the sweetest fruit wine.
Hill Prairie Winery (23753 Lounsberry Rd., Oakford) is housed in a 1911 restored barn, surrounded by native Illinois
prairie grass. Guests can sample several unique wines such as Prairie Berry, a
blackberry and blueberry blend, and Autumn Spice, a hearty red infused with
cinnamon and cloves. The winery stages murder mystery dinner theatre on select
Fridays, and performances by local bluegrass, country and acoustic rock
musicians on Sundays.Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, beginning June 1. Go
to www.hillprairiewinery.com for more information.
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard (south of Peoria at 33633 Illinois Route 9, Mackinaw), opened by Paul Hahn in
1997, won “Vineyard of the Year” from IGGVA in 2002. Alexander’s Conquest, a dry blend of Foch, Frontenac and Cabernet grapes, is named for
Hahn’s oldest son; Eric’s Red, a slightly sweet blend of Foch and Frontenac grapes is named for Hahn’s youngest son; and Nicole’s Blush, a sweet blend of Seyval and Cayuga grapes is named for Hahn’s daughter. Saturday music nights run June through September.Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, beginning June 1. Go to
www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com for more information.
Willett’s Winery and Cellar (52 miles north of Springfield off Route 29 at 105 E. Market St., Manito) offers
a quaint European setting on a small-town street dotted with woodworking,
bakery, pottery and chocolate shops. Located in a rebuilt 1893 harness shop,
the winery features a selection of wines including four that sold out last
year: Midnight Cherry, Red Raspberry Thrill, Cranberry Frost and Vidal Blanc.
Enjoy the Market Street Experience with live music in the courtyard and food
from the bakery on select Friday nights. Open noon-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and
1-4 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.willettswinery.com for more information.
Forsee Vineyards and Winery (18165 N. Fourth Ave., Coffeen, southeast of Hillsboro), the newest member of
the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail, opened its doors in early 2008. The winery
features French-inspired wines, from its Traminette, a sweet white with citrus
notes, to its Norton, a dry red with full cherry flavor and a spicy finish.
Guests can enjoy a scenic view of rolling hills and hear live music on
Saturdays and Sundays. Open noon-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Go to
www.forseevineyards.com for more information.
Long Creek Vineyards (7185 E. Firehouse Rd., Decatur) produced four award-winning wines from its
first harvest, including a gold medal for its dry red Chambourcin at the Indy
International Wine Competition in 2006. A variety of northern Italian grapes,
including Nebbiolo, Barbera and Sangiovese, and French varieties of Syrah and
Viognier, have since been planted. The vineyard will add northern European
varieties of Riesling, Gruner Vetliner and Pinot St. Laurent in the future.
Open 6-8 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, beginning
June 1. Go to www.longcreekvineyards.com for more information.
Kickapoo Creek Winery (6605 N. Smith Rd., Edwards, northwest of Peoria) produces 27 varieties of wine,
including a sweet red raspberry created especially for the Susan B. Komen
Foundation. Its list of dessert wines features Blue Ice, with notes of honey,
roses and pineapple, and Chocolate Cherry Sherry. Dry wines include Red
October, an oak-aged red with a hint of berries and currants, and Golden Sun
Burst, a white with spice and apricot flavors. The winery’s tasting room also serves homemade lunch six days a week. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.kickapoocreekwinery.com for
more information.
Megan Pressnall, IGGVA director of external relations, says that as the local
foods movement and agritourism have grown, so has the production of local wine.
Only 14 wineries operated in Illinois 10 years ago — there are now more than 80 across the state.
“People are really diversifying their farms and looking to bring in different
audiences,” Pressnall says. “The wineries are fulfilling the need for that local experience, the
close-to-home tourism.”
Wine festivals have also increased in popularity. Pressnall says consumers enjoy
the convenience of meeting and sampling products from local winemakers in one
location. Likewise, community leaders appreciate the tourists and tourist
dollars that flow into their towns and villages.
The Illinois River Wine Trail and the Village of Manito host the first annual
Illinois River Wine, Art and Jazz Festival from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Saturday,
May 23 in Manito’s Memorial Park. Pressnall says it’s the summer’s biggest collective central Illinois wine festival, offering tastings and wine
sales from at least 11 area wineries.
Jazz musicians will perform from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. and local hot air balloonists
will offer rides, beginning at 5 p.m., and a “night glow” at 8 p.m. Local artisans will showcase and sell their creations all day.
Tickets are $10 and include a wine glass and five tasting tickets. Additional
tickets will be available for purchase.
For more information on Illinois wineries and vineyards, visit the IGGVA Web
site at www.illinoiswine.org.
Contact Amanda Robert at arobert@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2009.
