Check out its site
Location:
West Side of Rt. 127, just North of Alto Pass.
Address:
Alto Vineyards
P.O. Box 51
Highway 127
Alto Pass, IL, 62905
Phone: (618) 893-4898
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am- 5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Some History and Information:
In 1985, Guy Renzaglia established Alto Vineyards. He planted 5 acres of several unheard grapes. Chancellor, Chambourcin, Vidal, and Villard Blanc, (according to its website) are the mysterious grapes allowing midwest wine drinkers to step outside the box and try something new. In 1987, the first wine was released. Wine drinkers did not waste any time. Wine lovers headed out to the vineyard, and could not wait to buy Alto Vineyards wine.
Award Winning Wines to Try:
In 2003, the Chambourcin won a Gold medal. The wine has a "premium, rich, full bodied with a black cherry and plum finish," according to its website.
Prices: A glass is $5.00, Bottle: $16.99
In 2006, the Rocko Red won a gold medal. It is a "semi-dry, full flavor of a red, but not an extra-dry taste," according to its website.
Prices: A glass is $3.00, Bottle:$11.99
Blue Sky Vineyard
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Location:15 miles SE of Carbondale.
Address:
3150 S. Rocky Comfort Rd.
Makanda, IL, 62958
Phone: (618) 995-WINE
Hours: Mon-Thur: 10-6:30pm, Fri & Sat: 10-7pm, Sun: 12-7pm. Open year-round.
Blue Sky offers a food menu of snacks, sandwiches, pizza, and its famous bread and olive oil. If customers are not a fan of wine, Blue Sky serves beer and mixed drinks. Try the Bloody Mary, it is great!
Blue Sky has the largest outdoor seating area, live music, and festivals throughout the summer.
Hedman Vineyards
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Location: Just West of Alto Pass, on Chestnut Street.
Address:
560 Chestnut St.
Alto Pass, IL, 62905
Phone: (618) 893-4923
Hours: Tasting Room: Mon-Thurs: 10-5, Fri-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 12-5. Cafe: Wed-Fri: 11-5, Sat: 11-7, Sun: 12-5.
Hedman Vineyard has two new wine releases: Late Harvest Vidal Blanc 2005, and Norton 2005, aged 3 years in an oak barrel.
The Cafe offers some great food. It offers appetizers, soup, salads, entrees, and dessert. Some of the items include: a cheese tray (perfect to share with a few other people), a sampler platter (pickled herring, boiled eggs, creamed caviar, sour cream, meatballs, and lingoberries). A few of the Entrees include: Swedish meatballs, fish Au gratin, wiener schnitzel, artichoke chicken, and barbecue marinated salmon.
Inheritance Valley Vineyards
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Location: West of Cobden, South of Alto Pass. On Rte. 127
Address:
5490 St. Rt. 127 N
Cobden, IL, 62920
Phone: (618)893-6141
Hours:
April-December: Wed-Sun: 12-5, January- March: Fri-Sun: 12-5
If wine trailers get hungry, and want an inexpensive lunch or dinner, stop at Fuzzy's Tavern
106 N. Front St
Cobden, IL, 62920
(618) 893-2814
They have a great menu, including: appetizers, burgers, and other sandwiches (like the grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, onion, tomato, and mayo).
Owl Creek Vineyard
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Location: Near Giant City State Park
Address:
2655 Water Valley
Cobden, IL, 62920
Phone: (618) 893-2557
Hours: January & February:Mon/Thurs: By Chance, Fri: Noon-5pm, Sat: 10-5pm, Sun: Noon-5pm. March-December: Mon/Fri: Noon-5pm, Sat: 10-7pm, Sun: Noon-6pm.
Information:
Owl Creek was established in 1995 by a group of friends led by retired PhD Ted Wichmann. He wanted to produce the best quality wines made from Owl Creek's vineyards. To increase the growth, Ted along with Pomona Winery and Alto Vineyards established the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail that year. (According to its website)
Pomona Winery
Location: 25 to 35 minutes down Rt. 127
Address:
2865 Hickory Ridge Rd.
Pomona, IL, 62975
Phone: (618) 893- 2623
Hours: April 1st- December 31st-->Mon-Sat: 10-5pm, Sunday: 12-5pm
Information:
Pamona Winery is known for its fruit wines. They have three amazing dessert wines made from peaches, blueberries, and strawberries (the strawberry port is the best).
Starview Vineyards
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Location: In the heart of Illinois wine country
Address:
5100 Wing Hill Road
Cobden, IL 62920
Phone:(618) 893-WINE
Hours: May - October: Monday - Friday: Noon - 5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m. - duskSunday - Noon - duskNovember- April: Sunday-Friday: Noon - 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Information:
Starview opened in May of 2006, and its wines have earned over 60 medals from national competitions.
Von Jakob Vineyard
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Location: 15 minutes south of Carbondale
Address:
1309 Sadler Road
Pomona, IL 62975
Phone: (618)893-4500
Hours:Open year round. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Information:
Von Jakob has produced the first white port which has won numerous medals at various competitions. Von Jakob offers food, and also encourages guests to bring their own food and snacks. Von Jakob also has another location in Alto Pass.
Kite Hill Vineyards
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Location:
Address:
83 Kite Hill Rd.
PO box 787
Carbondale, IL, 62903
Phone: (618) 684-5072
Hours: April—November: Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday & Monday 12pm-5pm, and by appointment. December—March Saturday & Sunday 12pm-5pm and by appointment.
Information:
Kite Hill Vineyard sits on 26-acres, and also has a bed and breakfast.
Orlandini Vineyard
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Location: 1.3 miles from Blue Sky Vineyard, off of Rocky Comfort Rd.
Address:
410 Thorn Ln.
Makanda, IL 62958
Phone: (618) 995- 2307
Hours: Monday- Sunday, no hours specified
Information: Orlandini Vineyard is located on one of southern Illinois' highest ridge tops, deep in the heart of the Shawnee Hills A.V.A. (According to its site)
Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery
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Location: One mile south of Pomona Winery on Hickory Ridge Road.
Address:
1598 Hickory Ridge Road
Pomona, IL 62975
Phone: (618) 893-1700
Hours: Monday- Sunday, hours not specified
Information:
There are thousands of acres surrounding the Vineyard. It is a grea place to buy a bottle and venture out around the property with friends and family.
Rustle Hill Winery
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Location: On highway 51 South, outside of Cobden
Address:
8595 US Highway 51
Cobden, IL 62920
Phone: (618) 893-2700
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11-6 Fri & Sat: 10-9
Information:
Aside from the winery and newly planted vineyard, Rustle Hill has a beautiful and relaxing outdoor amphitheater located besides a smooth pond. For those that want to stay longer, on the grounds are two beautiful vineyard chalets for overnight guests. (According to its site)
Rustle Hill also offers a food menu including a Chambourcin dill dip, bruschetta, bread and olive oil, salmon and capers, and a panini grilled sandwich.
