Explore the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a creative way to spend a relaxing afternoon, check out the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail the next time you’re in Southern Illinois. This trail features 11 award-winning wineries located along the Shawnee National Forest. You’ll find a variety of vineyards for you and your loved ones to enjoy, where you can sample local wines.

Here, you can check out the wine-making and aging processes that give your favorite glasses distinct notes and flavors. Depending on your timing, many wineries offer special events throughout the summer and fall, while they offer winter passport programs to motivate you to visit during the winter months. Here’s a look at what to explore on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois.

Alto Vineyards

Image by Kelsey Knight is licensed with Unsplash License

When exploring the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, stop by Alto Vineyards, a family-owned winery with two vineyard locations in Southern Illinois. The Renzaglia Family is excited to invite you to sample their collection of fine, hand-crafted wines, serving guests and retailers since the premiere of their first vintage in 1988. Guy Renzaglia opened the vineyard after immigrating from Italy with the desire of recreating his Italian homeland.

Winners of various national and international wine competitions, the Renzaglia family prides itself on crafting high-quality wines that you and your loved ones can enjoy. If you’re looking for a lesson in wine-making, make sure to check their calendar and sign up for a class where you can learn about the history of the vineyard, the processes they use, and even give it a try for yourself. They also offer a variety of events throughout the year, including live music, so check out their calendar before you visit.

Location: 8515 Highway 127, Alto Pass, IL 62905 and 4210 N. Duncan Road, Champaign, IL 61822

Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery

Randy and Renee Feather took over Orlandini Vineyard in 2017, changing the name to Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery. In the years since, they’ve stayed committed to continuing the legacy and craftsmanship that began with Gary Orlandini, while adding their unique touch to their winery. They distinguish themselves from other wineries in Southern Illinois by specializing in high-quality dry wines.

They use locally grown grapes and grapes imported from California, New York, and Washington State. Feather Hills welcomes you to sample their unique, award-winning wines in their tasting room to see what sets them apart from other vineyards on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. While you’re here, you can also take in the beautiful scenery and even book a stay in their farmhouse cellars to elevate your experience and spend extra-time unwinding in the center of the winery.

Location:  410 Thorn Ln., Makanda, IL 62958

Owl Creek Vineyard

The next time you’re in Southern Illinois, check out Owl Creek Vineyard, an artisanal winery where you can enjoy self-guided flights of their wines, ciders, and sangrias. You can even mix and match to ensure your flight contains all the unique tasting options you want to try. They’re passionate about featuring wines made from grapes grown in the Shawnee Hills AVA, and highlighting unique vintages that are locally grown.

You can also stop by on a weekend to enjoy live music while spending time in their tasting room. If you’re hungry for a snack while you sample their ciders, wines, and sangrias, head to their cafe, where you can try one of their many delicious treats. With all of their wine and cider produced and bottled on-site and made with local ingredients, you can guarantee that you’ll sample the true flavor of Southern Illinois.

Location: 1600 Cobden School Rd., Cobden, IL 62920

Blue Sky Vineyard

Along the Eastern end of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, you’ll find Blue Sky Vineyard, where you can sample one of their award-winning wines and stroll through their 13-acre vineyard. Their vintages have won state and national awards, including the prestigious Jefferson Cup honors and the Governor’s Cup. If you have an upcoming special event, you can book their events facility or consider a stay in one of their two suites if you’re looking for a romantic getaway.

They pride themselves on offering “the romance of Italy” complete with classical Tuscan-inspired decor and a captivating view of the Shawnee National Forest. If you love the wines and atmosphere they offer, you can even become a Blue Sky Vineyard wine club member. This allows you to sample their variety of members-only wines and gain access to complimentary tastings and exclusive discounts.

Location: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Rd., Makanda, IL 62958

Von Jakob Winery

When you’re looking for a place to get away and relax, make sure to visit Von Jakob Winery. Here, you can enjoy sampling their selection of over 20 varieties of wine, as well as their award-winning ciders and hand-crafted beers. For the full experience, you can order from their mouth-watering lunch menu or stop by on a Friday or Saturday evening to try a delicious meal at their full-service restaurant. Depending on when you visit, you can also check out one of the many festivals they host or listen to live music while tasting their house-made wines.

What sets Von Jakob Winery apart from other wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is the “little Germany” experience it offers. They also host private events, including weddings, so remember them for your next special gathering. If you want to extend your visit, consider booking a night at one of their Bed & Breakfast Suites, where you can wake up and take in the view of the Southern Illinois landscape. They have over 20 years of experience and offer you and your loved ones a unique and cozy winery experience where you can stop and enjoy.

Location: 230 IL-127, Alto Pass, IL 62905

Well, there you have it, a list of wineries to explore along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois. The next time you’re in the area, check out these vineyards and sample their selection of vintages. You’ll find each winery has something special to offer. If you notice your favorite trail vineyard is missing from our list, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to update our suggestions so more locals and visitors can enjoy the delicious wine that Southern Illinois has to offer.