Illinois wine experiences are diverse, yet we’re all united with a passion and pride in creating (and enjoying) hand-crafted wines in the Land of Lincoln. The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance (IGGVA), established in 1992, is an agricultural, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the viticulture and enology interests in the state of Illinois. On behalf of the grape growers and winemakers in Illinois - we thank you for your interest in #Illinois Wine! IGGVA's Signature Series RosÊ program is made possible with a Specialty Crop grant from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
contents 04 The Illinois Rosé Adventure 07 Caring for your Rosé 08 Food Pairing Ideas 10 Blue Sky Vineyard 12 Twelve Oaks Vineyard 14 StarView Vineyards 16 Prairie State Winery 18 Kite Hill Vineyards 20 Spirit Knob Winery 22 August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. 25 Making Rosé 26 Feather Hills Vineyard & Winery 28 Alto Vineyards 30 Walker's Bluff 32 Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery 35 A Toast to Chambourcin 36 Honker Hill Vineyard 38 Hickory Ridge Vineyard
The Illinois Rosé Adventure The journey to Illinois’ Signature Series Rosé project kicked off in 2015, when wine industry visionaries began searching for a signature wine for all of Illinois. After a year of research and deliberation, dry to semi-dry rosé was eventually chosen as the official signature wine due to its regional and cultivar adaptability, and potential for amazing quality! To qualify for the project, these 100% Illinois-grown rosé wines must also adhere to color, chemistry, and flavor guidelines, and are evaluated for appropriateness of style and quality. Those meeting these standards are promoted as the Signature Series Rosé wines. Illinois producers are recognizing that rosé effectively connects all types of consumers to local wine. Illinois rosé wines easily fit within the scope of those from around the world, but remain distinctive due to the interaction of climate, cultivar, and production practices. Dry and semi-dry rosé can also open the door to more traditional styles for sweet wine drinkers.
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Thanks for coming along The Illinois wineries represented in our 2019 Signature Series illustrate the potential for great wines in the Midwest. While these world-class wines all fit under the project umbrella, each expresses its own unique sensory profile and personality. Thank you for joining the journey and helping spread the word about one of America’s up-and-coming wine regions. This package is a great first step on your own journey into Illinois wine! Included are 4 bottles of Illinois Signature Series rosé from the 2019 vintage project, a few glasses from our friends at HaloVino, and this brochure, which contains information about all of the wines and their producers from the project. We look forward to Zooming with you on Friday, June 5th at 4:00 pm. Cheers!
Lisa Ellis, IGGVA Executive Director Bradley Beam, Rosé Project Coordinator
Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance 901 S. 2nd St, Ste 101 | Springfield, IL 62704 217.726.8518 | illinoiswine.com
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help ful tips
Caring for your wines Rosé To ensure a great experience, it’s recommended that you chill rosé prior to opening. For still wines, just chill in the refrigerator, and pull them out about an hour prior to consuming. For Sparkling, keep them as cold as possible prior to opening, and then follow the steps below: For your own safety, it’s very important to be careful when opening any bottle of sparkling wine! Chill the bottle so it is as cold as possible Once the wire cage is removed, use a towel to apply counter pressure to the cork Hold bottle base in the palm of your hand, at a 45degree angle, pointed away from yourself or others With your other hand, squeeze cork between your thumb and the side of your index finger, then turn the base of the bottle to dislodge the cork Slowly allow pressure inside the bottle to push out the cork, making small twists as you go To prevent gushing, gentle counter pressure can be applied, to avoid the “pop!” NEVER look directly at the top of a sparkling wine cork while opening - severe eye injuries are possible! 7
Food pairing ideas The Illinois Rosé Project stylistic standards result in wines that are dry, crisp, and refreshing, making them easy to put with food. They have the acidity to stand up to rich, fatty foods and a more vibrant flavor profile than typical rosé, so they are equally at home when paired with fine cuisine or a backyard barbecue. At the 2017 Experience Rosé summer pairing event, several goldwinning Illinois rosé wines were paired expertly with Spanish, Italian, French, and modern California fare. Feel free to try them with whatever you might have on hand at home! Here are some suggestions: Shellfish, especially shrimp Foul and/or wild game Brie, or other rich cheeses Spicy, aromatic sausages Salads, especially with vinaigrette Barbecue, burgers, and pizza Spicy Asian and Mexican cuisine 8
wines and makers
Blue Sky Vineyard Chambourcin Rosé blueskyvineyard.com (618) 995-9463 The Rosé: A crisp wine with aromas and rich flavors of bright cherry and fresh strawberries, Blue Sky Vineyard’s Chambourcin Rosé comes from the Chambourcin grape - a hybrid variety dating to the 1860s. Blue Sky has developed this wine with grapes they grow in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. “We like to separate our juices at the press cycle so we can have a variety of wines to choose from for our final blend,” says Winemaker Karen Hand. “We also pick the grapes at two to three different times. We feel like blending the juice cuts and various picking dates makes a complex, dry rosé wine.” Chambourcin Rosé is served chilled and has won numerous medals in wine competitions, including a gold medal and score of 93 in the 2018 Experience Rosé competition held annually in California. “We believe the rosé wines made in Illinois match up to rosés grown and produced all over the world,” Hand says. The Vineyard: Blue Sky Vineyard opened in 2005 near Makanda, Illinois, and has about 13 acres of vines planted at its resort-like Tuscan estate, which also offers bed-and-breakfast accommodations along with event spaces. The company sells its variety of wines online, as well as olive oils and a wine subscription service.
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Blue Sky Vineyard Chambourcin RosĂŠ blueskyvineyard.com (618) 995-9463 The Winemaker: Karen Hand used to work with delinquent youth conducting 30 day wilderness courses. She still works outdoors, but now she works in the vineyards instead of the wilderness, cultivating the Chambourcin grapes and picking them early to produce a balanced, fruity rosĂŠ. Hand sometimes leads tours of the vineyard and expertly directs the production of multiple wine varieties. She has worked in the wine industry of Southern Illinois since 1995.
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Twelve Oaks Vineyard Chambourcin Rosé twelveoaksvineyard.com (618) 594-7459 The Rosé: In winemaking, as in any art, every detail matters. “There are so many variables that come into play when making wine that I've come to the conclusion every year is another year of learning,” says winemaker Doug Palm, owner of Twelve Oaks Vineyard in Carlysle, Illinois. Palm says a variety of factors cooperate in developing the character of the Chambourcin grapes that go into this rosé. “I think the particular micro-climate of our vineyard and where the Chambourcin grapes are located plays a key part in the quality and style of our rosé,” Palm says. He notes that there is a tree line to the west of the vines, providing shade around 4 p.m. each day. “I believe this shading allows me to leave the fruit hang longer without creating too much dark color. This also allows us to press the fruit a little harder to get more of the characteristics and depth from the grapes and still maintain a lighter color in the wine.” In addition to other awards, the 2018 vintage of this rosé recently earned a gold medal and a score of 93 in the 2019 Experience Rosé competition, which draws entrants from across the U.S. and abroad. The Vineyard: Twelve Oaks Vineyard has a tasting room where visitors can sample its rosé and other wines, while enjoying artisanal cheeses and meats made nearby. “Seeing a look of satisfaction on the customers’ face and hearing them express their enjoyment of the wine is the most gratifying part,” Palm says.
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Twelve Oaks Vineyard Chambourcin Rosé twelveoaksvineyard.com (618) 594-7459 The Winemaker: Winemaker and Twelve Oaks owner Doug Palm says he enjoys working with the vines, and he has a habit of singing hymns as he tends them. “As is the case with any type of farming, there is a certain amount of stress involved with growing grapes,” he says. “But when you're actually out working in the vineyard, it has a kind of therapeutic aspect that can only come from being outside in a natural setting.”
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StarView Vineyards Dry Rosé starviewvineyards.com (618)-893-9463 The Rosé: Winemaker Brett Morrison describes StarView Vineyard’s Dry Rosé as a “fruit forward and bright acidity wine bursting with flavors of fresh red raspberries and strawberries.” He attributes the wine’s profile to the Southern Illinois climate, which he says is perfect to express the varietal character of the Chambourcin grape while maintaining its fresh acidity. The fruit is cold-soaked for a short period before pressing to coax out more flavors. Starview’s Dry Rosé has won at least seven awards since 2016, including most recently the 2019 Fingerlakes International Silver Medal, 2019 Experience Rosé Bronze Medal and 2019 Illinois State Fair Silver Medal. The Vineyard: Situated near Cobden, Illinois, Starview Vineyards is one of 11 vineyards on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Under federal rules, a wine may only carry the Shawnee Hills designation if at least 85 percent of its volume comes from grapes grown within the Shawnee Hills American Viticulture Area. Starview Vineyards encourages visitors to bring their pets and offers accommodations for weddings and other events. The onsite café offers wine tasting, food and live music, with an outdoor dining patio overlooking a calm lake and the nearby vines. Morrison says Starview’s visitors appreciate the vineyard’s homey, rustic feel, and his favorite thing about winemaking is making the best quality wine for others to enjoy.
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StarView Vineyards Dry Rosé starviewvineyards.com (618)-893-9463 The Winemaker: StarView Vineyards opened in 2006, and winemaker Brett Morrison has been working in vineyards and wine cellars since age 12. He has been honored with IGGVA's Viticulturist of the Year award two times since assuming ownership of the winery. That depth of experience has helped produce StarView Vineyards’ Dry Rosé, which has won several awards of its own in state, national and even international wine competitions. Morrison operates the vineyard with his wife, Regina and another couple.
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Prairie State Winery Frontenac Rosé prairiestatewinery.com (815) 784-4540 The Rosé: The Frontenac grape which yields Prairie State Winery’s Frontenac Rosé is a relatively new hybrid vine created at the University of Minnesota in 1996, but it has proven itself a hardy plant able to survive both the cold winters and hot summers of Northern Illinois. Prairie State Winery sources its Frontenac supply from nearby Steffenhagen Vineyards, and winemaker Rick Mamoser cold-presses the fruit immediately after harvest. It is then fermented at 55 degrees to produce a dry rosé with strong strawberry aromas and a cheesecake finish. This rosé also boasts good acidity and a lovely transparent reddish hue. The Winery: Opening in 1998, Prairie State Winery is located in Genoa, Illinois, with a second tasting room in downtown Sycamore, Illinois. The main location in Genoa hosts bi-weekly “Wine Down” tastings in its outdoor patio garden during the warmer months, with the event moving into the winery’s large dining hall during the cold season. The winery’s kitchen has a menu of appetizers and entrees to compliment its 35-plus different wines. Prairie State also focuses on reducing waste and energy use, with recycling and reuse programs and its own wind turbine.
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Prairie State Winery Frontenac Rosé prairiestatewinery.com (815) 784-4540 The Winemaker: Rick Mamoser once spent a year in his late twenties traveling the world, mostly on a bicycle. He even met Mother Teresa in Calcutta and used to teach high school. Alongside his wife, Maria, Mamoser now serves as Prairie State Winery’s winemaker, having twice won the Enologist of the Year award from the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance. Mamoser says what he loves about winemaking is the confluence of science and art. “I get to be creative while applying my scientific background,” he says.
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Kite Hill Vineyards Flyway Rosé kitehillvineyards.com (618) 684-5072 The Rosé: Made from the popular Chambourcin grape, Kite Hill Vineyards’ Flyway Rosé is a refreshing favorite of rosé fans year after year. The grape is picked early and pressed immediately to preserve bright citrus and light red fruit flavors, producing an electric dry rosé that compliments food but doesn’t overpower it. Part of that flavor profile can be attributed to the vineyard’s warm growing season and rocky, elevated landscape, which winemaker Scott Albert says helps bring out bright fruit flavors and crisp minerality in the wine. It’s no wonder this rosé was a gold medal winner at the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The Vineyard: Since 2006, Kite Hill Vineyards has been growing grapes and making Illinois wines that impress visitors with their quality - a testament both to the vineyard’s hard work and the region’s suitability for growing excellent grapes. Kite Hill is located outside Carbondale, Illinois, on the burgeoning Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The tasting room is open year-round, with an event space on site that can host up to 45 people for tastings which pair Kite Hill’s wine with various chocolates, cheeses and other culinary delights. The vineyard also boasts a bed-and-breakfast suite near the beautiful Little Grand Canyon and Pomona Natural Bridge, two popular hiking destinations within the Shawnee National Forest.
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Kite Hill Vineyards Flyway Rosé kitehillvineyards.com (618) 684-5072 The Winemaker: When he’s not crafting fine wine for Kite Hill Vineyards, winemaker Scott Albert can be found in Alaska, working in the commercial fishing industry. He says the appeal of winemaking for him is the ever-changing nature of the challenge. “I am constantly solving new problems and learning new things from vintage to vintage and day to day,” he says. “It never gets boring.”
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Spirit Knob Winery Days End Rosé spiritknobwine.com (217) 964-2678 The Rosé: What Spirit Knob Winery is able to do with the Chambourcin grape to produce its Days End Rosé is proof that every variable in the winemaking process matters. Matt Schulte at Spirit Knob says the winery’s location atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River provides excellent air flow and well-drained soil for the vines. Schulte prunes the plants very heavily in the Spring to leave only a small bud count, which he says will give large, fully ripe clusters of grapes at harvest time in late September. These factors and the countless others combine to produce a unique semi-dry rosé with a cotton candy and bubble gum nose and a crisp finish. The Vineyard: Located in West central Illinois overlooking the Mississippi River, Spirit Knob Winery’s motto is “Where we turn sunlight into wine.” The winery opened in 2002 and now creates more than 20 types of wine, including rosé, various fruit wines and even a sacramental wine. They have events throughout the year, including live music and tastings, with reservations available to host weddings and other celebrations. “With beautiful grounds, a panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley, and some of the most award-winning wines in the state,” says Schulte, “the consumer gets the whole package at Spirit Knob.”
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Spirit Knob Winery Days End Rosé spiritknobwine.com (217) 964-2678 The Winemaker: Matt Schulte takes his duties as winemaker at Spirit Knob Winery seriously, but it’s also his passion. He first made wine with his father and older brothers as a young man - part of their family history running a small vegetable farm. Schulte, who owns the winery with his wife, Karen, embarked on his grapegrowing quest in 1999. His joy in winemaking is evident in both his scientific approach and his excitement for the process. “From the first pruning in early spring to the first glass of wine a year later,” he says, “is nothing short of sheer poetry.”
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August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. ISC Brut Ombré Rosé | La Belle Rosé | Chambourcin Rosé augusthillwinery.com, iscbubbly.com (815) 667-5211 The Rosé - ISC Brut Ombré Rosé: This sparkling rosé from Illinois Sparkling Co. comes from the Chambourcin grape and features hints of raspberry and great acidity, with a warm amber-pink hue that varies subtly between vintages. The French term “brut” means “raw” and implies the driest sparkling wine with very little residual sugar - typically under 1.2 percent. This awardwinning wine goes great with roasted meats, or works well by itself as a celebratory beverage that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tongue. The Rosé - La Belle Rosé: August Hill Winery carefully crafts this dry rosé by delicately pressing the Chambourcin grapes to release only the premier juice without the tannins. It is “lees aged,” an ancient method of allowing wine to age with its leftover yeast particles after fermentation. That provides a more complex, fullbodied flavor to the wine and can impart a more rich texture. La Belle Rosé comes across as a light-bodied still wine with notes of peach, watermelon, and white rosé petals. It is best served well-chilled with grilled fish, salads or spicy foods.
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August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. ISC Brut Ombré Rosé | La Belle Rosé | Chambourcin Rosé augusthillwinery.com, iscbubbly.com (815) 667-5211 The Rosé - Chambourcin Rosé: Like her sister wines above, August Hill’s Chambourcin Rosé is delicately pressed and lees aged, but this rosé holds a bit more sweetness as a semi-dry. It is served chilled and offers watermelon, strawberry and light cocoa notes, with bright acidity and a light body. Spicy Asian and Latin American cuisine compliment this rosé nicely. Among its awards are the double gold Medal and Best of Class at the 2019 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, a silver medal at the 2019 Experience Rosé wine Competition, and a silver medal at the 2019 Indy International Wine Competition. The Vineyard: Sister brands August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. share a fashionable lounge and inviting patio at their location in Utica, Illinois, near Starved Rock State Park - a popular hiking destination on the Illinois River. The name “August” comes from Mark Wenzel’s grandfather, August “Augie” Engelhaupt, who long ago instilled his work ethic and love for the land in his grandson. The “Hill” aspect refers to the company’s vineyards now occupying the same family land that Engelhaupt once farmed. With a tantalizing food menu, space for hosting parties and an on-site shop featuring work from local artists, this is an excellent destination for a day trip or a longer getaway.
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August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. ISC Brut Ombré Rosé | La Belle Rosé | Chambourcin Rosé augusthillwinery.com, iscbubbly.com (815) 667-5211 The Winemakers: Mark Wenzel is a traditionalist, favoring the old ways when it comes to crafting exceptional wines at August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. He puts in 14-hour days and has won acclaim among his fellow winemakers, including the 2018 “Enologist of the Year” award from the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Alliance, which he shared with assistant winemaker Sarah Hall, pictured with Wenzel below. Wenzel founded the winery with his wife, Teri.
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Making Rosé Vin gris is the most common method used to make pink wine. Red grapes are picked when the color, sugar, and acids are at their peak for rosé, then crushed and lightly pressed immediately, or sometimes even whole cluster pressed. The juice is very delicate in color, and the wines are light, fruity, and crisp. Longer skin contact times result in more color in the finished wine. Some of our grape varieties in Illinois are teinturier varieties, which means they also have red-colored pulp. Delicate handling is required when making rosé to avoid extracting too much color. Saignée, literally translated as “bleeding”, is a technique used to make two different wines from the same batch of fruit. With saignée, the winemaker will drain (bleed) juice from a red fermentation vat to another vessel early in the fermentation. This juice is more ruby than pink, and has more in common with red wines than whites: more berry flavors and less citrus, less acid, and more tannin. The original purpose this technique was to bolster the color, flavor, and structure of the red wine left in the vat by increasing the skin to juice ratio. The saignée rosé was mostly an afterthought back then but has become a very successful wine style in modern times. Blending a white and red together is also a method to make pink wines but is not accepted as part of the Illinois rosé project. These wines tend to mostly resemble white wines with a little bit of pink color. They are usually made in a sweeter style and are sold at a modest price.
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Feather Hills Vineyard & Winery Chambourcin Rosé featherhillsvineyard.com (618) 713-1350 The Rosé: Millions of years ago during the Cretaceous period, the water that is now the Gulf of Mexico stretched all the way to present-day Southern Illinois. Today, the resulting geology helps create ideal growing conditions for the Chambourcin grape, says winemaker Randall Feather, owner of Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery. He says the sand and limestone rock base with loose, rich alluvial soil allows the grapes to thrive. Harvesting the fruit early makes Feather Hills’ Chambourcin Rosé a crisp wine with bright acidity, full of aromas of strawberry and watermelon - perfect as a refreshing drink on a warm, sunny day. The Vineyard: Originally established about 30 years ago by a previous owner, Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery officially came into being in 2017 when Feathers purchased the winery and property after the death of its founder. With a new name but the same focus on quality, Feather Hills continues to hand-craft complex wines near Makanda in Southern Illinois. The land has a rustic, peaceful vibe, inviting visitors to relax on the patio overlooking a serene, tree-lined lake. A farmhousestyle suite by the lake is available for rent, and the winery hosts events throughout the year - including an annual Harry Potter Day in September.
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Feather Hills Vineyard & Winery Chambourcin Rosé featherhillsvineyard.com (618) 713-1350 The Winemaker: Randall Feather - known as Dr. Randall Feather when he’s not at his winery - learned how to make wine while in medical school and during his residency. He also used to live on an island in the West Indies. It’s easy to see how his determination and sense of adventure could lead him to winemaking; it requires hard work and a bit of daring. Feather, along with his wife and winery partner Dr. Reneé Feather, was awarded IGGVA's 2019 Emerging Leader award. For Feather, the destination is the journey itself. “It's very rewarding to know the wine I make comes from grapes that I have grown,” he says.
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Alto Vineyards Rosato altovineyards.net (618) 893-4898 The Rosé: It has only existed for two years, but Alto Vineyards’ Rosato is already a winner, having earned awards like double gold in the 2019 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition and silver in the 2018 Experience Rose Wine Competition. Made from Chambourcin grapes grown in the Shawnee Hills, Rosato is semi-dry with bright acidity and fruit-forward notes of berry, watermelon and grapefruit. It’s crisp and light, with an elegant soft pink hue. The Vineyard: Established in the early 80s, Alto Vineyards started out growing grapes for other winemakers. By 1988, they had built a small winery and sold out of their first vintage in only three days. In fact, late founder Guy Renzaglia was among those who spearheaded the development of the wine industry in Illinois. Now, Alto Vineyards is one of Illinois’ largest producers of wine with tens of thousands of gallons per year, but the Renzaglia family, now led by Guy’s son, Paul, has kept the same focus on quality that motivated Guy decades ago. With two locations in Alto Pass and Champaign, Alto Vineyards offers tasting rooms, event spaces, a wine club, and even custom labels for their wine to commemorate your celebration. Word to the wise: there’s live music on weekends and a Wine and Yoga night every Wednesday to help you unwind midweek.
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Alto Vineyards Rosato altovineyards.net (618) 893-4898 The Winemaker: Rosato is the creation of winemaker Meghann Shelato, whose other wines at Alto Vineyards have also received awards throughout the industry. Shelato has been with Alto Vineyards since 2017. She has a forestry degree and a passion for winemaking, both rooted in her love of the outdoors. “I love creating a product that will bring people joy,” she says. “I also feel so fortunate to work outside, and to work with my hands.”
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Walker’s Bluff Walker’s Bluff Rosé walkersbluff.com (618) 713-2725 The Rosé: Walker’s Bluff Rosé is the perfect compliment to brunch or as a summer standalone, with its refreshing body and light acidity. This semi-dry wine comes from a unique blend of four different grapes: the ancient Barbera and Sangiovese red grapes from Italy, the recently-introduced Enchantment red grape cultivated at the University of Arkansas specifically for the Southern United States, and the NY81 white grape cultivated at Cornell University. Served chilled, it carries flavors of melon and strawberry, and it is especially good for pairing with mild cheeses. Just 80 cases of this lively rosé have been crafted. The Vineyard: Situated among rolling hills and forests on the Big Muddy River in Southern Illinois, Walker’s Bluff was initially intended as a private family getaway, but the spot became popular with friends and eventually the rest of the community around Carterville. That led to the official establishment of Walker’s Bluff in 2009. They have created more than 20 wines of various styles and grow about six acres of grapes, including some European varieties which are harder to grow in Illinois than the usual hybrids. In addition to being a vineyard and winery, Walker’s Bluff brews beer, cooks a wideranging menu of appetizers and entrees, and provides several event spaces for weddings, retreats and more. With its country lodge charm, enticing menu and expansive grounds, you can spend an entire day there in comfortable luxury.
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Walker’s Bluff Walker’s Bluff Rosé walkersbluff.com (618) 713-2725 The Winemaker: Ryan Phelps is part scientist, part farmer. “Farming has always been a part of my life,” he says, “and grape growing gives me the opportunity to be a farmer.” He learned how to make wine while teaching viticulture at a university, and he has been the winemaker at Walker’s Bluff for about five years. He’s an expert at pairing wine with food, and he recently earned the 2018-2019 Emerging Leader Award from the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance. Phelps loves winemaking because he says it requires “science, art and some good luck.”
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Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery Chambourcin Rosé | Frontenac Gris Sparkling Frontenac Gris | Noiret Rosé galenacellars.com (815) 777-3330 The Rosé - Chambourcin Rosé: Although Galena Cellars grows its own grapes for most of its other wines, this award-winning rosé starts its life in the vineyards of Southern Illinois, where the Chambourcin grape thrives. After harvest and transport to the Northern part of the state, the grape is delicately pressed and carefully crafted into a dry rosé with crisp acidity and lively fruit flavors. Notes of strawberry and watermelon surface before a crisp, zesty finish that pairs well with light dishes. This wine has the distinction of winning two gold medals at the Experience Rosé Wine Competition and a gold medal at the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition. The Rosé - Frontenac Gris and Sparkling Frontenac Gris: These twins come from the same stock of Frontenac gris grapes grown locally. “Gris” indicates a “grey” version of the original dark Frontenac, producing a white-colored wine instead of red. The cool climate of Northern Illinois helps give this wine just the right acidity, with a touch of sweetness. Highlights of enticing citrus, strawberry and tropical fruit await, along with notes of rosé petal. The fruit is lightly pressed to minimize the skin contact that could impart bitterness, and Galena Cellars partners with August Hill Winery to carbonate the still wine into its sparkling version.
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Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery Chambourcin Rosé | Frontenac Gris Sparkling Frontenac Gris | Noiret Rosé galenacellars.com (815) 777-3330 The Rosé - Noiret Rosé: Consider this rosé a pioneer, deriving from the Noiret grape developed at Cornell University and released officially in 2006. Galena Cellars developed this rosé to take advantage of the grape’s light tannins and beautiful red-pink color potential. It is gently whole-berry pressed to maintain that soft tannin structure, resulting in an elegant rosé with aromas of strawberry and watermelon. Galena Cellars has yet to enter this creation into a competition, but judging from their past success, this rosé has a lot of potential. Pair it with grilled fish and spicy foods for the perfect accompaniment. The Vineyard: Galena Cellars opened in 1985 in a restored 1840s granary building in downtown Galena, Illinois. They now have acre after acre of vines, more than 40 varieties of wine, and three tasting rooms. The vineyard just outside of Galena offers tours, tastings and two relaxing suites for overnight stays. The newest location in downtown Geneva, Illinois, opened in 2004 and boasts a wine bar, gift shop and outdoor patio for relaxing after a day of exploring Geneva’s many charming shops.
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Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery Chambourcin Rosé | Frontenac Gris Sparkling Frontenac Gris | Noiret Rosé galenacellars.com (815) 777-3330 The Winemakers: This mother-son winemaking team has more than a half-century of combined winemaking experience. Christine Lawlor-White graduated with her Enology degree in 1976 from Fresno State University, and her son, Eric White, received his degree in Enology from California Polytechnic State University in 2011. Together they are a blend of old-school spirit and newschool attitude. Christine has won IGGVA's Enologist of the Year an amazing four times, and she recently presented the same award to Eric on behalf of the Alliance. The Lawlor family history of winemaking goes back to the early 1970s, when Christine’s parents, Robert and Joyce Lawlor, started making wine and instilled that passion in Christine, building a legacy that now spans three generations.
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A Toast to Chambourcin As you look through the information about our signature rosé wines, you’ll see the name “Chambourcin” again and again. While the program does not have restrictions on grape varieties (other than no Concord-types), Chambourcin (sham-bor-sin) has risen to the top because it’s the #1 grape in terms of acreage in IL and because the quality of rosé wines from it have been consistently outstanding. Chambourcin came from a French breeding program dating back to the late 1800’s and was eventually named and released commercially in 1963. It was widely grown in the Muscadet and Loire Valley regions in France in the 60’s and 70’s. It has a mysterious background but has been a very successful grape for growers in the eastern U.S., and nobody grows it better than we do in southern Illinois! It has better hardiness and disease resistance than its European relatives and produces a large cluster with great chemistry and flavor potential. Depending on its harvest timing and seasonal variability, rosé wines from Chambourcin exhibit bright citrus and strawberry notes, as well as spice, watermelon, and even candy-like flavors backed with great acidity and soft tannins. It’s also incredibly versatile, making world-class reds, Port-style dessert wines, and bubbly. 35
Honker Hill Winery Sunset Rosé Dry Wine honkerhillwinery.com (618) 549-5517 The Rosé: This Chambourcin-based dry rosé is brand new to Honker Hill Winery, and it is their first exploration of rosé. The first-ever bottling of this wine takes place this June. It has an appealing reddish-pink color, a crisp acidity and a semi-sweet, slightly fruity flavor. The name comes from Honker Hill’s extraordinary sunsets. Serve it chilled, and pair it with summer foods like barbeque. The Vineyard: Honker Hill Winery started out as a hunting club near Carbondale developed by brothers Don and Wally Lucas. Their interest in winemaking prompted the brothers to plant a vineyard in 2004, and the winery opened to the public in 2009. Both brothers have since passed, but Honker Hill keeps their passion for the outdoors and for wine alive with beautifullymaintained grounds and delicious wines to match a variety of tastes. Honker Hill is part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and has a large log cabin for rent with room for 12 overlooking the vineyard. While there, you may want to go fishing or watch for turkey or deer on their 90 acres bordering the Shawnee woods.
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Honker Hill Winery Sunset RosĂŠ Dry Wine honkerhillwinery.com (618) 549-5517 The Winemaker: Ken Speletich is a veteran of the Southern Illinois wine scene, having worked for seven different wineries and multiple grape growers in the region through the years. He trained under the legendary late Gary Orlandini and spent time learning the trade in California, as well. Speletich has been with Honker Hill Winery since 2016.
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Hickory Ridge Vineyard Hankie’s Trail facebook.com/HickoryRidgeVineyard (618) 893-1700 The Rosé: Crafted from Chambourcin grapes grown onsite, Hankie’s Trail Rosé from Hickory Ridge Vineyard is a light, dry wine in keeping with their other offerings. It has a crisp acidity, with a refreshingly bright, sweettart body that includes notes of strawberry. The grapes are crushed and pressed on the same day to preserve their freshness. The name “Hankie’s Trail” honors one of the owners’ beloved dogs who created her own trail through the surrounding woods which is still used today. Hankie has since passed, but her wine has won several awards, including a silver medal in the 2019 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition. This rosé is served chilled, and owner Sylvia Presswood suggests pairing it with any summer food, from barbeque to pizza. “Rosés are such a versatile wine,” she says. “It’s great for summer.” The Vineyard: Nestled in the woods among the gently rolling hills of Southern Illinois, Hickory Ridge Vineyard near Pomona is the kind of place you could happily get lost in. They grow all of their own grapes on six acres and only sell their wine at their tasting room. Visitors love the warm welcome from owners Ron and Sylvia Presswood, as well as the peaceful, low-key country atmosphere. Bring your dog, your fishing pole, and a thirst for great wine.
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Hickory Ridge Vineyard Hankie’s Trail facebook.com/HickoryRidgeVineyard (618) 893-1700 The Winemaker: Renaissance man Miles Maether seems to do a little bit of everything. When he’s not making wine at Hickory Ridge Vineyard, he may be gardening, creating rustic, one-of-a-kind ceramics or beautiful wooden cutting boards. You’ll find some of his wares for sale at the vineyard, and you’ll always find a smile on his face!
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"The world looks better through rosĂŠÂ colored glasses." ~Everyone