Alto Vineyards

Some people once believed it was impossible to start a winery and vineyard in East Central Illinois, but Joe and Dawn Taylor overcame every obstacle and made it possible.

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.

Ripping through a handful of trees and original farming structures, a tornado turned most of the farm to rubble. But buried under the disaster, Susan saw her opportunity to transform the farm into a family-first vineyard.

Just 60 miles outside of Chicago lies Bourbonnais, Illinois, home to the Chicago Bears training camp — and BrickStone Brewing’s growing list of award-winning craft beers.

Welcome an independent craft wine maker obsessed with creating exceptional sparkling wine using the traditional method and grapes that are 100% Illinois grown.