If you live in or are visiting Chicago and Northern Illinois, you probably don’t think of it as a winery destination. Architecture tours, exquisite dining, and a day at the beach are all much more Chicago-coded. Like other large cities though, there are some superb wineries in close proximity. While some source grapes from California and afar, at a parallel consistent with Ribiera del Duero, Champagne, and Duoro Valley, northern Illinois actually offers a hospitable grape growing environment all on its own. Sure, it has harsher winters without the warmth of a salty body of water, but the hybridized grapes of the Midwest are acclimated to the occasional Polar Vortex. With vineyards on a hill and next to a grain elevator, and wineries both riverside and in the heart of the city, the diversity of each winery can suit you, no matter your mood. Dressed up or casual, hop in and see what Northern Illinois wine gems are just a car ride away.

Lynfred Winery

15 S Roselle Rd, Roselle | Open 10AM-7PM Daily | $15 for 6 pours

Just past the railroad tracks on the Corner of Main Street and Roselle Road, Lynfred Winery’s ivy-wrapped building and stained-glass windows conceal Illinois’ oldest and largest continuously operated family winery. The incredibly picturesque property and lushness of wine in your glass will convince you that you’ve landed in a more traditional wine country. Established first as a basement hobby winery by Fred and Lynn Koehler, commercially licensed operations began in 1979. While the winery owns no vineyards, a mix of familial wisdom and continual learning put Fred and those under his tutelage in a position to choose grapes grown in Washington, California, Chile, Michigan, and Illinois to produce Lynfred’s wines. While the Koehlers have both passed on, Lynfred Winery still produces award-winning wines that stand out due to the diversity of place, and discretion of its Chilean winemakers.

Recommendation: Grab a glass of their 2019 Syrah from Lodi, perfect for drinking right now, and great with their winery offerings of charcuterie and bold cheese dips.

Did You Know? When visiting Lynfred Winery, you can extend the experience by staying overnight in their on-site, wine-themed guest suites—each inspired by classic European and American wine regions. Your stay includes curated wines, a private winery tour, artisanal charcuterie, and breakfast for two, making it one of the most distinctive wine getaways near Chicago.

Acquaviva Winery

47W614 IL-38, Maple Park, IL

$10 for 6 pours

Driving mile after mile past soybeans and corn, the sight of a colossal commercial grain elevator is visible far before any grape vines. And yet, at the corner of Route 38 and Meredith, the vines reveal themselves like trellised mirages of a fever vision. Originally 40 acres, this family-owned and operated vineyard and estate now spans 85 acres in Illinois farmland. With an Italianate-style tasting room that includes a full restaurant, a visit to Acquaviva is both family-friendly and accessible during all four seasons. Featuring cold-hardy grapes of the Midwest that span from sweet after-dinner styles to bone dry, the breadth of wines and beauty of the setting is unmatched. Outdoor seating under a vine-wrapped pergola offers a perfect spot to discover the meaning of terroir.

Recommendation: The rich and smoky Donna Mia made with Chardonel grapes will pair well with one of the wood-fired white pizzas from Acquaviva’s restaurant.

Fox Valley Winery

59 S. Main St, Oswego, IL 60543

$10 for 3 Pours

Situated on Main Street, just two blocks from the Fox River in historic downtown Oswego, Fox Valley Winery offers the warm welcome for which Midwesterners are known. A family and dog-friendly winery and tasting room, seating here includes eight-person tables for larger parties, comfortable couches, and standard four-tops.  Adorned with wine-related retail and locally themed work from independent artisans, the winery is a delightful mash-up of tasting room and gift shop. 

Bonus: There is a large bin of kids toys and board games for families that come to visit.

Established in Sandwich, Illinois in March of 2000, the family-owned operation moved to Oswego in 2004.  While they no longer grow their own grapes, after 19 years of self-sourcing, chief winemaker and owner Mike Faltz knows how to find quality fruit. Approximately 80% of the grapes used in production come from sources within 120 miles, including Paw Paw and Leland, Michigan, and from smaller Illinois hobby growers in towns like Plano. Large stainless-steel tanks sit amongst the tasting room, and the racy acidity and minerality of the wines aged in these tanks will make you want to revisit their offerings again and again.

Recommendation: Bring in your favorite steak tacos and order a glass of their light-bodied red Marquette to enjoy on the patio.

August Hill Winery/Illinois Sparkling Company

21N 2551st Rd, PERU, IL 61354

Open 12-5PM Saturdays and Sundays, with three ticketed tastings and cave tours each day.

$30/6 tastings ($20 for members)

Driving past Starved Rock, Mattheisein State Park, and beyond the main drag of Utica, Illinois, you may think you’ve missed August Hill Winery. This is particularly understandable when you’re distracted by families of Bald Eagles habitually flying overhead. But up a very steep, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it driveway, sits August Hill Winery and the Illinois Sparkling Company, sister wineries owned by Marc Wenzel. Grown on family land that had been typical Illinois crops of soybeans and corn, the current 4.5 acres of farmland sit lushly under vine with American hybrids like Chambourcin, Marquette, and Chardonel.  While they grow most of their own grapes, there are some grapes that are outsourced from Illinois and nearby Michigan.  August Hill boasts one of the only underground wine caves in Illinois, and while they focus on an extremely wide range of styles of still wines, Illinois Sparkling Company is what makes this winery truly exceptional. Crafting bottles in the Champagne or traditional method, these wines are made with hand-harvested grapes and are truly luxury wines.  

Recommendation: Fried chicken or a hamburger and french fries are a favorite to eat with the ISC Brut Cuvee. 

Chicago Winery

739 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60654

$20/5 Tastings; $45 for Tasting and Tour

When visiting Chicago, stumbling upon a winery may not be on your itinerary, but it can be! Enter Chicago Winery, the third winery of the urban First Batch wineries portfolio, with other locations in Brooklyn and Washington DC. Embodying the spirit of Chicago, the space is urban-chic with an elevated casual vibe.  Raw exposed brick with touches of Art Deco, and a two-level floor-to-ceiling glass allows total transparency into the winemaking space. With grapes sourced from multiple AVAs in California like Suisun, Lodi, and Paso Robles, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake of NY Finger Lakes Region, and even Middleburg Virginia, this is a truly all-American wine experiment. Chicago Winery offers shareable boards as well as delectable plates from the kitchen, and children are welcome on the the premises as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Recommendation:  Get a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and the Chef’s Whim board to be really wowed.