Visit Southern Illinois Wineries Along the Shawnee Wine Trail

The Shawnee Wine Trail in southern Illinois features several award-winning wineries nestled in the hills of the Shawnee National Forest. The trail is home to a variety of venues, and many of them offer dining and live entertainment in addition to their extensive wine lists.

Alto Vineyards

Image via Flickr by Connorhd Licensed CC BY 2.0

Escape to Alto Vineyards, the oldest vineyard in southern Illinois. Alto produces around 20 varieties of wine each year and has won medals in national and international wine-tasting competitions. During your visit, tour the 9-acre vineyard before spending some time in the tasting room. Choose from wines such as the Super Blush, a sweet wine perfect for summertime, or the 2019 Norton, a dry red that pairs well with smoked meats and barbecue dishes.

In addition to the wine menu, a beer menu is also available. If you’d like a bite to eat during your visit, the food menu features charcuterie boards, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. Finish off your meal with a hard coffee or a wine slushie. Alto Vineyards is open year-round from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Blue Sky Vineyard

You’ll find Blue Sky Vineyard at the eastern edge of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Featuring Tuscan-style decor and views of the Shawnee Hills National Forest, Blue Sky serves several award-winning Illinois wines. Try the Vignoles, a white wine featuring grapefruit flavors and a tropical aroma. If you prefer red wine, the Norton is bold and dry, with hints of plum and chocolate. Cream sherry, the winery’s dessert wine, is a sweet sherry with hints of toffee and a creamy finish.

Blue Sky houses a bed-and-breakfast on-site. Located above the tasting room, each suite has its own private balcony with a view of the 12-acre vineyard. Hours vary throughout the week, so check the website for more information when planning your visit.

Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery

Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery is a boutique winery located in Makanda. Many of Feather Hills’ wines are award-winners, and the winery offers wine flights, which give you a chance to sample five of different wines.

The Fork and Vine, an on-site restaurant and wine bar, features a farm-to-table menu and an extensive wine list. In addition, the restaurant specializes in premium bourbons, craft cocktails, and Illinois-made craft beers. Choose from indoor or patio seating, and note that during the winter months, the patio is enclosed and heated. Reservations are accepted, and The Fork and Vine is open Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you’d like to extend your visit, consider reserving the Farmhouse Cellars Winery Suite. A stay includes a behind-the-scenes look at the wine-making process and a private wine tasting. The suite is available for weekend rentals only, but the winery may be able to accommodate weeknight stays by special request. Feather Hills’ tasting room is open Monday through Thursday by appointment only, Friday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.

Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery

Nestled in the hills of Shawnee National Forest in Pomona, the Hickory Ridge Vineyard & Winery is family-owned and -operated, and all its wines are crafted from grapes grown on-site. It’s known for its dry wines, as well as its award-winning white wines. Dogs are welcome at Hickory Ridge, and live events are offered periodically throughout the year. Hickory Ridge’s hours vary depending on the season of the year and day of the week, so call 618-893-1700 or check its social media pages to plan your day.

Owl Creek Vineyard

Owl Creek Vineyard is a family-owned winery and vineyard in Cobden that produces both wine and hard cider. They offer several types of wine, including Chardonowl, a dry white with a touch of oak, and Bald Knob, a semi-dry red with hints of black currant and spice. If you’d like to try the hard cider, consider the Chocolate Raspberry, a sweet raspberry cider infused with dark chocolate.

A cafe is located on-site and serves appetizers, several entrees, and a variety of soups and salads. Live music and other events occur throughout the year; check the winery’s social media pages for updates. Owl Creek is open Friday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday from noon to 5 p.m.

Von Jakob Winery & Brewery

Located in Alto Pass, just a few miles from Carbondale, Von Jakob Winery & Brewery offers visitors a chance to try a variety of award-winning Illinois wines, craft beer, and hard apple cider. Visit the tasting room, which features over 20 varieties of wine, all made on-site. If you’d like to enjoy some time outdoors, the patio provides picturesque views of the winery’s orchard and vineyard with the Shawnee National Forest in the background. Many of Von Jakob’s wines have received medals in both national and international competitions.

In addition to its winery, Von Jakob’s has an on-site brewery that produces a variety of craft beers, ranging from a light-hopped German Pilsner to a rich Chocolate Milk Stout. Make it a short vacation by reserving one of the winery’s two cottages, the Wine House or the Port House. Each cottage has a king-sized bed and a Jacuzzi tub. Von Jakob welcomes guests year-round, and its hours vary, so check the website for more information.

Getting There

If you’d prefer to leave the driving to someone else, get in touch with Shawnee Shuttle or Wrightway Transportation. Many guests find that booking a ride helps them fully relax and enables them to enjoy their winery tour safely.

We here at Ike Honda hope you found this list of wineries located along the Shawnee Trail helpful. If we missed one of your favorite places, please let us know so we can add it. Just send us an email or give us a call. We would love to hear from you.