- Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
-
![]()
Things to Do
-
![]()
Places to Go
-
![]()
Places to Stay
-
![]()
Explore Our Past
-
![]()
Trip Ideas
Trip Ideas
- Eco-Friendly Hotels and Green Getaways in Illinois
- College Football in Illinois
- Journey Along the Lincoln Highway
- Illinois Shopping
- Route 66
- IL ♥ LGBTQ
- Golf Illinois
- Chicago Neighborhoods
- Family Fun in Illinois
- Everybody Outside!
- Bike Illinois
- Outdoor Adventures in Illinois
- Chicago to Alton
- Chicago to Carbondale
- Illinois Scenic Byways
- Chicago to Quincy
- Fall Road Trips in Illinois
- Fall Colors on the Great River Road
-
![]()
Events
Events
Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more.
-
![]()
Road Trip
Stories & Highlights
-
![]()
Seasonal Adventures
-
![]()
Maps & Visitor Guides
-
![]()
Getting Here & Getting Around
Getting Here & Getting Around
Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state.
-
![]()
My Favorites
-
![]()
Around Illinois by Amtrak
Around Illinois by Amtrak
Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois’ most charming towns and hidden treasures.
-
Things to Do
Places to Go
Places to Stay
Explore Our Past
Trip Ideas
Events
Road Trip
Seasonal Adventures
Maps & Visitor Guides
Getting Here & Getting Around
My FavoritesGalena Cellars
When Robert and Joyce Lawlor followed their gut to a winemaking class in the early 1970s, they had no idea that their passion would eventually add something special to the historically charming patchwork of Galena, Illinois.
Ask anyone at Galena Cellars and they’ll tell you that wine enjoyed with the whole family is best when it’s handmade by the whole family.
When Robert and Joyce Lawlor followed their gut to a winemaking class in the early 1970s, they had no idea that their passion would eventually add something special to the historically charming patchwork of Galena, Illinois. Soon after the class that kick-started it all, the couple’s daughter, Christine, decided to trace her parents’ footsteps, put her teaching degree aside and earn a second degree in enology and viticulture from Fresno State University. Finishing her time studying the art and science of vineyards in the home state of wine, the teacher-turned-artisan looked to a historic post office building alongside her parents to open the family’s first of three wineries. Jumping in headfirst, the family kicked production off with a 500-barrel batch of cherry wine. And this was only the beginning.
Honing in on a number of wine recipes with her parents-turned-partners, the trio opened one more winery in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, before making the final move to Galena. As the family business spread its wings, the winery called Christine’s brother and his wife to the quaint town of Galena, where they set up shop in an old 1840s granary building on the town’s main strip.
When Robert and Joyce Lawlor followed their gut to a winemaking class in the early 1970s, they had no idea that their passion would eventually add something special to the historically charming patchwork of Galena, Illinois. From their 22 specialty grapes, 40 wine varieties are produced, totaling 60,000 gallons of wine per year. That’s one accomplishment the family enjoys toasting often.
With craftsmanship in mind and family at the root of this Galena winery, Galena Cellars has taken home Winemaker of the Year Award by Grape Growers and Vintners Association, along with many other notable mentions. Keeping to the tradition of the tannin, the third generation of Lawlors are currently learning the art of wine as their parents did, making sure the business remains close to home.
Whether stopping in Galena for a relaxing B&B getaway or just passing through, take the time to unwind with a glass of family tradition at this local winery.
Discover more Illinois artisans at Illinois Made.
Love the Story?
Homewood Bat Co.
Homewood Bat Co.
in
Illinois Made,
Illinois Makers,
Crafts,
Global
In the village of Homewood in the Chicago Southland, Todd Pals brings a love of ...
Fall Wine Weekends
Fall Wine Weekends
in
Eat & Drink,
Food & Beverages
Wine-down with a weekend away.
Fall Wine Weekends
Fall Wine Weekends
in
Eat & Drink,
Food & Beverages
Wine-down with a weekend away.
Enjoy Illinois Magazine
Find unexpected ways to enjoy Illinois in this biannual magazine that explores every corner of the state. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that make the most of each season.
Order a Copy
Order a copy of Enjoy Illinois and also receive the Illinois State Park Guide and an Official Highway Map.
Order Print VersionGrab a Digital Copy
Read Enjoy Illinois magazine online or download the PDF and start exploring trip ideas around Illinois.
View it Online Download PDFSend me Enjoy Illinois Magazine
Get inspired by top travel stories, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.
Order a Copy!
Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine.
Get Your Copy Now!
