More than 30 wineries will be featured at the Vintage Illinois Festival at Starved Rock on Sept. 19 and 20 in northern Illinois.
The event will be held at the Vermilion River entrance (south entrance) of Matthiessen State Park. Matthiessen, located on the southwest side of Starved Rock State Park, is about 95 minutes west of Chicago.
Co-sponsored by Prairie State Winery and August Hill Winery, the festival has attracted about 30 wineries from all over Illinois. You can check them out on their Web sites before you go or merely wander around the festival to sip and see what you want to take home.
Participating wineries: Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, August Hill Winery, Utica, Baxter’s Vineyards & Winery, Nauvoo Berryville Vineyards, Claremont, Blue Sky Vineyard, Makanda, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Chicago Suburbs, Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney, Fox Valley Winery, Oswego Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, Galena, Illinois River Winery, Utica, Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards, Lasata Winery, Lawrenceville, Lavender Crest Winery, Colona, Mary Michelle Winery & Vineyard, Carollton, Massbach Ridge Winery, Elizabeth, Owl Creek Vineyard, Cobden, Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington, Piasa Winery, Maryville, Prairie State Winery, Genoa, For places to stay see Starved Rock article, Spirit Knob Vineyard & Winery, Ursa, Starved Rock Market Place, Utica, Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson, Village Vintner Winery, Carpentersville, Von Jakob Vineyard, Pomona, Waterman Winery & Vineyards, Waterman, Wild Blossom Winery, Chicago and Willett’s Winery & Cellar, Manito.
Admission: Entry is $15.00 which includes a commemorative “Vintage Illinois at Starved Rock” wine glass and 5 tasting tickets. Visitors must be age 21 and older to participate in wine tasting so bring photo ID. Addtional tasting tickets can be purchased within the festival for $1.00 each.
Tickets purchased in advance are $15.00 but include 7 tasting tickets.
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sept. 19 and noon – 5 p.m. Sept. 20
Starved Rock Lodge will cater the food tents but there are several good eating places nearby. With Labor Day weekend come and gone, it should be easier to find accommodations and less crowded restaurants. This is also a chance to visit scenic, historic Starved Rock.
More Information: Starved Rock Lodge 1-800-868-ROCK (7625), Prairie State Winery 815-784-4540 and vintageillinois.com.
