Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium
A couple walking with their bikes through the vines

Wineries & Vineyards in Illinois

Illinois vineyards and wineries pour passion, skill, and flavor into every glass, and a warm welcome into every visit.

From the sun-soaked vineyards of Southern Illinois to family-run operations up north, our state's wine scene is buzzing with flavor.

Ever tasted a Chambourcin or Norton? These grapes love Illinois soil, and our winemakers know just how to bring out their best. Many vineyards open their doors year-round, inviting you to see how they work their magic. 

Make a day of it - or a whole weekend. Hop between tasting rooms, nibble on local cheeses, and chat with the folks who tend the vines. You'll hear new stories and see wine in a different way at every location.

Come taste what makes Illinois wine special. You might just find a new favorite sip.

Explore Illinois' wine regions

The sun setting over a vineyard

Central Illinois Wineries & Vineyards

You'll get a taste of heartland hospitality here. It's a region rich in history, and each bottle contains a little of that story. Here the winemakers harness the temperate climate to craft a variety of wines, rich in depth and flavor.

Central Illinois Wineries Central Illinois Wineries
Two girls laugh while enjoying red wine at a vineyard

Northern Illinois Wineries & Vineyards

Northern Illinois' cooler climate makes for a longer growing season, yielding wines with deep, complex flavors and robust acidity. The region is celebrated for its Vignoles, Chambourcin, and Frotenac grapes.

Northern Illinois Wineries Northern Illinois Wineries
Rows of grapes growing in a vineyard

Southern Illinois Wineries & Vineyards

Here, you'll find diverse wineries making the most of the region's warmer climate, fertile soils, and agricultural heritage. Enjoy a range of tastes at historic family-run wineries, innovative new vineyards, and everything in-between.

Southern Illinois Wineries Southern Illinois Wineries
Wine glass at a vineyard

Illinois Wine Trails

Wine trails offer a fresh way to explore Illinois, linking local wineries into unique tasting adventures. (Ever sipped a Chambourcin while chatting with the person who grew the grapes? That's the kind of experience you're in for.)

Of course, it's about more than just the sipping. You'll meet friendly winemakers, and glimpse corners of Illinois you might never see otherwise.

These five distinct trails invite you to slow down and savor the moment - as well as the wine. So grab your friends, pick a trail, and set out on a flavorsome adventure.

  • A couple stroll through Blue Sky Vineyards in Southern Illinois.

    Shawnee Hills Wine Trail (Southern Illinois)

    Follow this 40-mile trail through the lush Shawnee National Forest. You'll find 11 wineries, each with its own style, including some of Illinois' oldest and most celebrated vineyards. While you're there, check out the local art, unique shops, and tasty food too. It's a feast for all your senses!

    Shawnee Hills Wine Trail (Southern Illinois)
  • A sunset over grapevines in the foreground

    Heart of Illinois Wine Trail (Central Illinois)

    New to the scene, this trail links nine wineries in a heart shape across Central Illinois, with each stop giving you a taste of great wines. The wineries here are deeply rooted in their communities, so along with those wines, you'll also get a true flavor of small-town Illinois.

    Heart of Illinois Wine Trail (Central Illinois)
  • Four friends sitting at a table beneath a tree, drinking wine

    Mississippi Valley Wine Trail (Western Illinois)

    Seven family-owned wineries sit on this trail along the Mississippi River on Illinois' western edge. Enjoy stunning river views while sipping local wines. It's a great place to relax with friends and taste what the Midwest has to offer, all with a backdrop of rolling hills and riverscapes.

    Mississippi Valley Wine Trail (Western Illinois)
  • Wine glasses being filled over a wine barrel

    Carlyle Lake Wine Trail

    Five wineries near Carlyle Lake make up this young trail, which started in 2017. Each family-run spot offers something new, from fruit wines to classic reds. They're all tucked away on back roads and among farm fields, giving you a real taste of rural Illinois charm.

    Carlyle Lake Wine Trail
  • Wabash Valley Wine Trail

    Millennia of hard work by the Wabash River has made this area the perfect grape-growing environment for its six wineries. Take your time to enjoy the wines and the scenery of southeast Illinois. With its mix of flavors and landscapes, this trail shows how special border country can be.

    Wabash Valley Wine Trail

Illinois Wine Tastings & Tours

Want to taste the best wines Illinois has to offer? These tour providers will take you there in style. Whether you're looking for a custom trip or a group adventure, you'll find a tour that fits your taste.

Find wineries near you with the Illinois Wine App

On the trail for wine? Plan your next stops with the Illinois Wine App. It's full of information about every winery in Illinois. Plus, it shows you which wineries won Gold or Double Gold medals in the most recent Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, so you can try the wines the experts have judged the best in the state.

Meet Illinois winemakers

Galena Cellars | Illinois Made
Women crush grapes at Galena Cellars

Galena Cellars | Illinois Made

Pomona Winery | Illinois Made
Wine glass at a vineyard

Pomona Winery | Illinois Made

Alto Vineyards | Illinois Made
A person pours glasses of red wine at a bar.

Alto Vineyards | Illinois Made

Explore more Illinois Wineries & Vineyards

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.