17 Jan 2015
Illinois Wine Country: Grape Escapes
Somewhere between the scenic vineyards, tasting rooms and wine trails, it hits you: Illinois does have a wine country. Illinois' wine industry is worth more than £155 million annually and has exploded in recent years, growing from just 12 wineries in 1997 to more than 100 today.
According to Bruce Morgenstern, President of Illinois' Grape Growers and Vintners Association “The number of acres devoted to grape production has grown eightfold, and today Illinois is among the top 12 wine-producing states. Enjoying a rich winemaking tradition that dates back to the 1700s, there are many ways to savor the wine, food and stunning settings of Illinois Wine Country.”
Raise Your Glass
There's plenty of opportunity for visitors to toast their time together at wine events happening around the state. If you're looking for those times when wineries get a bit more festive, then consider a visit during the autumn harvest - that's when festivals and events in Illinois take full swing! Of course, it doesn't take much to trigger a celebration at a winery. There are plenty of year-round events featuring everything from fine cuisine and local artwork to spirited grape stomps.
Dates for the calendar:
August 23 – Uncorked Summer Nights
September 5 -7 Festival of the Vine
Feb 22 – Metropolis Wine Festival
Wineries
There are over 100 wine trails, vineyards and wineries dotted throughout Illinois, bringing with them a host of charming bed and breakfasts and local crafts businesses ready to be explored.
Our Favourites:
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Tucked in the rolling hills of southern Illinois you'll find the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. This is Illinois Wine Country at its finest, home to a dozen wineries within 30 miles of each other. Sample a few wineries by day, or settle into a vineyard B&B and explore the whole trail. Either way, you'll come away saying, “Where has this place been hiding?”
A Taste of Tuscany
Who says you have to go to Italy to sip wine in a villa? Blue Sky's replica of a Tuscan villa looks like it's straight out of a travel magazine. Yet it seems right at home nestled in the rolling hills of southern Illinois. In the tasting room you'll find exposed brick, stained glass and plenty of Old World touches. Even the overnight suites have a Tuscan feel to them. The only thing missing is an Italian accent from the pourer.
Scooter to a Vineyard
Sometimes it's not just where you go, but how you go. It's the little things you remember most about a trip. Like taking a scooter ride on a lonely road that twists and turns its way to Galena Cellars Vineyard. Could you drive there instead? Sure, but where's the fun in that? Plus, the pic you'll get pulling up to a vineyard on a scooter is worth the price of the rental, alone.
For more information on visiting Illinois' beautiful wine region and to plan your trip, please visit www.enjoyillinois.com America and Worldwide Travel's 12 day Great River Road flydrive, offers the perfect opportunity to experience the wine and scenery of this idyllic state.
