(CHICAGO, Ill.) — The worldwide brand of Guinness has expanded even more in the United States.
Back in April, I visited the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. It was a classic, rainy day in Dublin, and the perfect opportunity to stay inside for hours on end and walk around the immense brewery that Guinness has to offer.
Earlier this fall, Guinness opened up an additional U.S. brewery in Chicago, Illinois. It’s located in the West Loop of the City, near Fulton Market.
In terms of visual appeal, I was blown away by the exquisite architecture and design of the brewery, yet relaxed by the comfortable atmosphere the bar provided.
The Open Gate Brewery offers a smaller gift shop where you can buy Guinness merchandise. Your next stop will be through the first-ever Guinness bakery. A dazzling array of lights hangs across the ceiling above you, offering a beautiful view as you walk through the brewery.
I did not stop for coffee and pastries, but this is an awesome addition for those who need a late morning or early afternoon pick-me-up, and for those who aren’t beer fans but love coffee!
Next you will head into the main bar & restaurant area. This is where I come back to beautiful architecture the brewery offers.
There is a giant harp sculpture above the bar in the middle of the room. Surrounded by tables and chairs, the brewery offers a place for patrons to sit down, relax, and have a pint + food.
There is also plenty space, if all tables are taken, for people to stand around, pint in hand, and enjoy the ambience of the brewery.
Part of Guinness’ nature is offering that “perfect pour” in your glass. I was asked by multiple people how the Guinness was in Chicago and if it differed from when I’ve had it elsewhere (including Ireland), to which I replied that it was equally amazing.
The bartender was very chill and welcoming, my friend Chris and I really enjoyed our time.
The food was exceptional. We split an order of fried cheese curds which were perfectly crispy and tasted so good.
I then had the corned beef board, which allowed me to make two 1/2 corned beef sandwiches that were equally phenomenal.
Alongside the corned beef board, I ordered a side of brussel sprouts for us to enjoy. They were really unique and had great flavor, but they were laid on top of a spicy sauce underneath it, which made it a little too spicy for us when eaten in large portions. Just something to keep in mind if you are not a huge fan of spicy foods, and to have plenty of water (or Guinness) on hand!
Of course I had to wear my Limerick GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) hurling jersey! If you’ve never heard of hurling, I’d highly recommend looking up highlights on YouTube, it seems so fun!
I will definitely be back to the Guinness Open Gate Chicago Brewery for more perfect pints and delicious food.
(ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES) — Every year I do an evaluation of life.
What’s going well? What goals do I have for the next year? What needs to be left in the past?
Well, today, we’re not going to worry about those questions. We’re going to talk about good wine, and where you can go to get some.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with many wineries across the State of Illinois this past year. I’ve made many friends over a common love for the red and/or white beverage gracing our glasses, and I hope you can do the same.
Not a wine person? Give it a chance! I’ve had many “non-wine” people try the wines I recommend, and they really enjoy it. I’ve had people say “Oh, all Illinois wine is sweet wine!” To whom I then offer a glass of something semi-sweet and they say “oh, that’s really not that sweet.” It just depends! Every winery has a different vibe and their wines have different flavors. They are some similarities, though, especially to which grapes are mainly used in the Midwest.
Illinois is well-known for having “French hybrid” grapes. The main 6 grape varietals grown in Illinois cover more than 75% of the State’s total grape acreage, according to Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance (IGGVA, also known as Illinois Wine). 5 of the 6 top grapes are the French hybrids, as shown below.
These grapes are Chambourcin, Seyval, Vignoles, Chardonel and Vidal Blanc. These are developed by crossing French grapes, like Chardonnay, which are normally grown in France and California, with native American vines.
The 6th main grape varietal in Illinois is Norton, used in dryer wines. It can also be seen in wine blends, which are also popular in Illinois.
To learn more about Illinois grapes and wine, head to the IGGVA’s website.
So let’s get the maps out and see where you can travel this upcoming year for a glass, or two, of delicious Illinois wine. I will go in chronological order from when I started this Illinois Winery Tour.
Surrounded by Central Illinois countryside, Tres Rojas opened their doors December 2020, during the Pandemic. I met Bob Barry a couple years before this, when he was still searching for the perfect plot of land to start his winery. Well, he found it. The grounds are very serene and perfect for a casual get together with friends, a special party, or even a wedding! They do a great job at building relationships with their customers, and they have adorable dogs to greet you when you arrive. I also enjoy how Tres Rojas partners with food trucks and musicians to add to the experience. Some of my favorite wines are the Sweet Maria, Resurrection Red and Rhu-Berry!
Mackinaw Valley is well known for its beautiful landscape and tasty wines. With a lake behind the property, the winery is the perfect place for outdoor music, events and just walking around on a nice day. The Red Dragon and Deux Noir are my favorites. The Red Dragon is a sweeter red wine bursting with flavor, while the Deux Noir is a blueberry/blackberry wine that is right down the middle. The staff at Mackinaw is always very friendly and I enjoy striking up conversation with them.
Nestled into Knox County, Illinois is Hidden Hills Winery. Roughly 35-40 minutes West of Peoria, you’ll find Hidden Hills on your way to Galesburg right off I-74. The winery has a really nice and calm outdoor seating space with plenty of green space. I really appreciated the behind-the-scenes tour my friends and I were given of the winery, that always helps give you a deeper sense of the process winemakers go through. A really exciting product Hidden Hills recently launched is a raspberry hard cider. They sell it at Peoria Chiefs games (and hopefully will have it at Peoria City Soccer games in the near future!).
August Hill Winery is one of the most popular wineries in Illinois, and for good reason. You can do a cave wine tasting tour in August Hill’s man made caves at the Peru winery location. They have live music and food trucks there, as well as tours where you can walk up to the vineyards and learn about the history. August Hill helped me find my love for Niagara wines. Normally a sweet white wine, Niagara grapes are typically grown in Niagara County, New York but have become popular across the Midwest. I’d say the flavor of these wines gives me a hit of bubble gum when I sip on it, which I love. August Hill also has its own sparkling wine brand, Illinois Sparkling Co. I tend to steer away from the sparkling wines, but they have some decent ones I have tried before. Recently, I fell in love with the 2023 Nouveau, which is a semi-dry red wine. “Nouveau” signifies the first wine release of the year, just weeks after the grapes are harvested.
August Hill also has a tasting room in the wonderful Utica, Illinois. Mill Street in downtown Utica is a hopping place, full of restaurants, wineries and stores that proves to be an excellent day trip. You can have a flight, wine tasting, food while sitting and relaxing (or standing at the bar) at the wine tasting room.
Tucked away in the rural countryside of Metamora, Illinois lays Old Mill Vineyard. The tasting room is called Bent Tree at OMV, an exquisite escape from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s very nice on the inside, with the bar, tables and chairs for you to unwind and relax. Outside you can find additional seating facing a lake behind the property. Old Mill tends to sway towards the dryer wines, so if you are a dry wine fan, then you’ll love Old Mill! I really enjoyed the wines I tried and was happy to get out of my comfort zone when I was just starting to try dryer wines. Now I usually enjoy the range from semi-sweet to semi-dry.
This is for all my Chicago readers out there. There’s not just 1 Lynfred Winery in the Chicago suburbs, there’s 5! On the way to the Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion, Illinois – my wife and I stopped by Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Illinois. It was a very fancy yet relaxed vibe in an old home renovated to become a winery. The main facility is in Roselle, which I am hoping to visit in 2024! My favorite wine I tried here was very unique, and that was the Pear Wine. Perfect for a fall gathering, the pear wine is sweet but not too sweet. I took it to a Friendsgiving in November and it was a hit.
Whether you want to go to a brewhaus/winery or a vineyard with a view, Grafton Winery has you covered. For my wife and I’s second wedding anniversary, we stopped by the Vineyard on a sunny October day and had an amazing time. The wine was phenomenal, but the food was just as good. Flatbreads are their specialty here, and I’d recommend getting the chicken and spinach artichoke flatbread that I ordered. It was fantastic. Looking to spend some more time in Grafton? Head right across the street to Eckert’s Grafton Farm for a fun day with the family. If you go to the Brewhaus in downtown Grafton, you can have a fun weekend filled with other restaurants, bars and overnight stays. Grafton Winery is one of the most well-known wineries in Illinois.
Last but certainly not least, Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery. My family trip to Galena this fall was one of the best trips I’ve had in a long time. The beautiful green, hilly countryside of Galena reminded me a little bit of Ireland. Galena Cellars is also one of the most popular wineries in Illinois. Similar to August Hill, Galena Cellars has its vineyard location out in the countryside and then a wine tasting room downtown Galena. The downtown location is featured in an 1800s building I was unable to visit, but I definitely will next time. Some of my favorite wines were the Gobble Gobble, a cranberry wine perfect for the holidays, and the Edelweiss. The Edelweiss is Galena Cellars’ closest wine to a Niagara. It is a honeyed peach and pear wine, and is a smooth sipper.
What Illinois wineries would you like to learn about in 2024? I definitely have some plans in the works, but would love to hear from you all and what areas and what specific wineries you want to learn about. Comment, email, or message me on social media!
(GLEN CARBON, Ill.) — Back when I was on TV, we’d have a joke term we’d use ever now and then: “Smellivision.”
This was normally during our cooking segments where we either had some DELICIOUS food and it smelled wonderful in the kitch, OR some horrendous prank food that stunk up the place. We’d tell the audience “We know you can’t smell this at home, but …” and finish the sentence with whether it smelled amazing or horrible.
I experienced something similar with Edley’s Bar-B-Que (in a positive way). For years I’ve driven I-55 South to St. Louis from Peoria to visit family and friends. Over the last year or two, Edley’s Bar-B-Que graced drivers’ eyesight by purchasing a big ole billboard right alongside the interstate.
Probably a dozen times I turned to my wife and said “Hey, we should stop there sometime.”
“Yeah, maybe some other time!” She’d usually reply. Well, the stars aligned and the timing was right, because we all were equally hungry and Edley’s so happened to be on the way to where we were going.
So finally I got off the interstate a bit earlier than I normally would and we headed to Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Glen Carbon, Illinois (close to SIUE’s campus).
With a modern take on a Southern style restaurant, Edley’s was very trendy. You’d walk up to the counter and order, then a server would bring the food right out to you. It was a very simple process.
Starter:
The starter this go around was the star of the show. White BBQ smoked wings. Does the picture do these justice? Crispy, tender, melt in your mouth, I could go on. Amazing flavor. I usually would go normal BBQ sauce but I was feeling adventurous, and I’m glad I tried the White BBQ. Spicy wise they told me it was in the middle of their regular sauce and their “Walking Bird” wings, which were spicy.
My wife got the brisket nachos, which she really enjoyed. As you can see, there’s plenty of red tomatoes on there, and I don’t touch those things with a 10 foot pole. But I’m glad she liked it!
The mac n cheese was a hit with her and my son, too. She also got banana pudding which was incredible. It was thicker than most yet kept that amazing flavor.
Main Course:
1/2 rack of ribs a la carte. These were smoked, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs. They were also meaty, which is always a plus.
If you’re in Southeast Illinois (near St. Louis, MO) you can visit Edley’s in Glen Carbon or O’Fallon. Otherwise, you’ll have to head to Tennessee! Edley’s is Volunteer State-based, mainly in Nashville. There is one in Franklin and another in Chattanooga.
I am very glad I stopped by Edley’s BBQ and we will definitely be back!
(EAST PEORIA, Ill.) — If you’re driving around the Peoria area, you’ve probably seen ads for Smokin’ Notes BBQ in East Peoria.
I’ve been wanting to get here since they opened about a year ago, and I’m glad I finally did.
It’s a quaint, country vibe restaurant near a lot of the East Peoria shopping and eateries. It smells good right as you walk in.
Starter:
Loaded fries! Covered in pulled pork and a cheesy blend, this was a show stealer. The fries retained their crispness while offering a boat load of flavor. Loved it!
Side:
C’mon y’all! You know me. I had to go with the fried okra. These were some of the best fried okra I’ve had in a long while. I’m trying to get my son on the fried okra train, but he’s still unsure.
Main course:
Last but certainly not least, what this blog was named after. The BBQ ribs.
I got the Nick’s Combo, 1/2 slab of ribs with pulled pork and Texas toast.
For the ribs: You didn’t even need to pour sauce on them, they were already glazed with it and the flavor was both unique and delicious. I felt the same way about the pulled pork. They were already doused in BBQ sauce when they came to the table and both the tenderness and flavor were near perfect.
My only complaint: They only have 1 BBQ sauce here. I like BBQ restaurants that have a wide array of sauces, but not all places do, so I understand that. But if they would like to add to the BBQ sauce collection, I’d happily partner with them on creating an award-winning flavor 🙂
All in all I really enjoyed Smokin’ Notes and I will definitely be back. Our waitress was very attentive and the staff was friendly. I’d highly recommend it!
(SONOMA, CA.) — As snow laid across the fields behind our home, I received a package full of California sunshine at my front porch.
After writing 10 Illinois Winery Tour articles in 2023, I decided it was time to spread my wings a bit and expand the tour. I was thrilled when I connected with Sean Minor Wines on Instagram, and the rest was history.
I love the brand of Sean Minor Wines. It’s very clean, elegant yet friendly and welcoming. “Always Invited,” is a motto they use.
The company was founded in 2005 by Sean and his wife Nicole Minor, it’s still family-owned and operated today. It was originally named Four Bears Winery after Sean and Nicole’s four children. One of their children, Elle Minor, joined the team in 2023 as Production Manager and Assistant Winemaker.
While based in Sonoma, California, the Minors don’t own a vineyard you can go and visit. They invest directly in long-term contracts with grape growers and sustainable farms throughout California and Oregon, according to Skurnik Wine & Spirits.
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So let’s get started with the wines I tried. You’ll get to see that lovely snow I mentioned at the beginning of the article.
California Series 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California
Vibrant and juicy, our Sauvignon Blanc has vibrant, refreshing flavors of kiwi, green apple, pink grapefruit and peach. An ideal aperitif or year-round sipper.
I proved the Sauvignon Blanc is in fact a year-round sipper, seeing I’m drinking it in December! This is a semi-dry white wine that is so smooth even sweet wine lovers would enjoy this. I first drank a glass of this at room temperature, which I enjoyed.
But, I’m a “I like my food hot and drinks cold” kind of guy, so I chilled it in the refrigerator to have another time. I thought the chilled Sauvignon Blanc was just as fantastic as the room temp.
A little background about me, I worked as a banquet server one summer in college at the Country Club of Peoria. This is where I learned how to say Sauvignon, and where I realized how many people enjoyed it.
Signature Series 2021 Nicole Marie Red Blend, North Coast
This full bodied, zesty blend has flavors of warm blueberry pie and dark cherry compote with hints of vanilla and cassis, making it perfect for your weekly pasta night.
50% Merlot – 25% Zinfandel – 25% Petite Sirah
With many awards and honors under its belt, the Nicole Marie Red Blend is a dry red, blossoming with flavor so unique and refreshing.
For my Peoria followers, you can find Sean Minor Wines at the Hy-Vee Grand Prairie location, as well as Binny’s Beverage Depot on Lake Avenue.
For Bloomington folks, Binny’s and Friar has it, as well as a few more locations.
I want to thank Sean Minor Wines for partnering with me on this exciting project. I always enjoy trying different wines throughout the region in which I live, but it was nice to sip on something out of state.
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
(UTICA, Ill.) — One of my favorite places to get away for a day trip is Utica, Illinois.
Located in LaSalle County, just less than 10 minutes away from Starved Rock State Park, sits a beautiful town bustling with shops, restaurants, tourist activities and more. That leads us to our next Illinois Winery tour, at August Hill’s Tasting Room & Lounge.
Located at 106 Mill St., North Utica, IL, August Hill offers wine tastings, flights, private parties for wine club members, and an outdoor patio where you can order wine and food.
This visit I discovered my new favorite August Hill red wine: the 2023 Nouveau. Labeled as a semi-dry red wine, the 2023 Nouveau is as smooth as it gets. A Nouveau wine symbolizes the first wine released that year. August Hill’s take on the wine is a mix of Norton and Chambourcin grapes. Even if you’re a sweet wine drinker, you will enjoy the 2023 Nouveau. It’s a light bodied red wine that’s very fruity, yet clean and fresh.
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Now, you’ll notice I specified that the 2023 Nouveau is my favorite August Hill red wine. That’s because my go-to white wine here is still the Niagara.
This sweet and fruity white wine has such a distinct flavor, it’s a great example of America wine. You won’t be surprised here, the Niagara grape got its start in Niagara County, New York back in the 1860s. I almost get a taste of bubble gum when I sip on Niagara wine, and since I am a sweet tooth, I highly enjoy it. I tell people Niagara wine is almost like Moscato, just a tad less sweet.
Speaking of sweet August Hill wines, I’m sipping on the Emerald here tonight! A green apple wine filled with edible glitter (shake the bottle and you’ll see an amazing show), the Emerald is a top-seller around St. Patrick’s Day.
As you see below, the August Hill Tasting Room has a spacious lounge with comfortable seating. The lounge can be used for any visitors most days, but the winery also hosts private wine club member events here. When you’re done with your tasting, you can see the cases of wine bottles ready to be picked up and taken home.
So what did I get in my tasting? I’m glad you asked. The tasting are 6 for $10, by the way.
1: 2023 Nouveau
2: Berlyn – a semi-dry red wine.
3: Caramel Apple – let’s talk about this one. Both Chris and I tried this one, since it was a cool fall day, we felt like we had to! First it was served chilled, and I wasn’t a huge fan. It reminded me of medicine. But then… the bartender let us try it heated, as they had a batch warming up on the bar. MUCH BETTER. This reminded me of a mulled wine or even a hot apple cider.
4: Mardi Gras – sparkling take on the Sweet Catawba wine. It’s a fun one!
5: Trapolino – semi-sweet red wine. Easy to sip on and a great table wine.
6: Indigo – this is the blue brother to the Emerald I’m sipping on now. With notes of tropical fruit, cotton candy and edible glitter, this is another fun wine.
After our tasting, my friend Chris and I decided to do a wine flight! I wanted a tad more of the 2023 Nouveau, I went back to my roots with the Niagara, and also tried the Angel of Hope, which is a sparkling Niagara wine with a touch of red wine to give it a pink tint. For each bottle of Angel of Hope sold, a small donation is made to Relay For Life.
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
I would argue August Hill is one of the better-known wineries in Illinois, and that they have some of the better wines.
When it’s the warmer months, head out to the Peru, Illinois vineyard for a cave wine tasting and then head to Utica for lunch at Lodi Taphouse across the street before some more wine at the tasting room off Mill Street. When it’s warmer, Mill Street will be blocked off and each restaurant and bar will offer outdoor dining along the street. It’s a great atmosphere!
Thanks to August Hill for once again being great hosts. We’ll see you again soon!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Just steps away from the Lime Garage in Disney Springs, The Polite Pig boasts a delicious barbecue menu with incredible entrees and sides for you to enjoy.
Meet the Butcher Block. While the menu says it’s “for 2,” this could easily feed 3-4 people. You get pulled pork, brisket, chicken and cheddar sausages for the meat alongside cole slaw, pickles and corn bread. Plus, two sides of your choice! I went with the mac n cheese and brussel sprouts. AMAZING!
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This was some of the best mac n cheese I’ve ever had. The aged cheddar and fontina cheese with bread crumbs is mouthwatering.
Of course I had to show a closer up photo of the brussel sprouts. Doused in whiskey caramel, these sauteed veggies have a nice bit of sweetness to them. “They get better the further down you get in the basket,” my wife said.
For all this food, it was just $45! Folks, we know how pricey Disney food can be. This is a great opportunity to experience amazing food and not pay an arm and a leg. And yes, they DO take Disney gift cards!
HUGE TIP: I wasn’t fully aware of what to do when we got to the Polite Pig. There are no call-ahead reservations, so you just have to show up! But I think some things I found could help you in your next journey to make life a little simpler.
1: Doing a to-go order? Order online or face-to-face with an employee just outside the door. They can do it then and there for you and will direct you where to wait until your order is called.
2: Dining in? Just walk right in! Get in line and look up at the menu, then order! It’s super simple but if you aren’t sure of all the rules, it can seem intimidating. But it’s not! Part 3 will explain this a bit more…
3: The “reserved” tables are just for those who order their food in the restaurant. Once you place your order at the counter, you can sit at any reserved table open! My recommendation? Have someone from your party sit down at a table and have at least one other person get in line and order!
4: The sauces: You can douse your meats, fries and more in four different sauces. My favorite was Layla’s sweet sauce. I’m a sucker for some good sweet BBQ sauce. And this was it! Lil John’s signature porter sauce was decent as well. It has a touch of honey and black pepper but is balanced by malty flavors. Next is Thomas’ southern gold filled with mustard and vinegar. It’s just like your classic honey gold sauce. Last but not least is the BBQ ranch. I love BBQ sauce, I love ranch! So I thought this would blow me out of the water. It didn’t, but it was still a nice alternative when dipping the cheddar sausage or chicken.
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
I’d highly recommend stopping by the Polite Pig if you are ever spending some time at Disney Springs. Let me know what your favorite dish is if you stop by!
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
(GLENDALE, WI.) — Mostly known for its Fire-Brewed root beer, Sprecher Brewing Co. has graced the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area since 1985.
Being Milwaukee’s first craft brewery since Prohibition, its rich history led Randal Sprecher, its founder, to get creative.
Now, people of all ages can enjoy Sprecher beverages. From root beer to cherry cola, the soda flavors are plentiful!
I mean… just look at that box full of soda!
You can usually find four flavors in your local grocery stores. The popular ones I see at Hy-Vee are orange cream, creme soda, root beer, and sometimes a maple root beer.
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But the craft brewery has many more flavors if the ones above aren’t your taste. Just this year, the brewery debuted its black cherry which I was lucky enough to try.
I love flavors that have a tang or tartness to them. Most black cherry flavored drinks have this quality, and Sprecher’s black cherry was no different!
There’s ginger ale, “Dr. Sprecher,” “Mt. Sprecher,” cherry soda, watermelon soda, blue raspberry… there’s so many you might as well just go to their website and see for yourself!
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My favorite has to be the cherry cola. But ALL of their root beers are extremely delicious. If you’re a calorie counter like me, you can also enjoy just about every flavor in a low-cal version!
Anytime I’m in Milwaukee, I make sure to stop by Sprecher. They offer brewery tours where you can see where the magic happens. Plus you get free (adult) drink stubs for before or after the tour, and unlimited free soda!
Sprecher likes to do experimental flavors, and I was able to partner with the brewery to share the news of their Tropical Cherry! You can read my full article here.
Thanks to Sprecher for partnering again with me on showcasing some wonderful flavors! We’ll see you soon. Cheers!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
(GALENA, Ill.) — Nestled in uppermost Northwest Illinois is the breathtaking town of Galena.
The town has roughly 3,500 full-time residents, yet welcomes in over 1 million visitors each year. And it’s places like Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery that make it a perfect place to visit.
There are two locations for Galena Cellars, the Vineyard out in the Galena countryside (that reminds me of the Irish countryside) and a historic downtown location settled in at 111 N. Main St. I visited the Vineyard location with my father and brother, who were extremely impressed with our visit.
We were honored to meet Eric White, the President & Winemaker at Galena Cellars during our visit. Eric is a third-generation winemaker of Galena Cellars, which was founded by his grandparents, passed to his parents, and now is led by him and his sister, Britt White.
Britt is the Brand Ambassador of Galena Cellars, and was an incredible part of welcoming us to the Vineyard and allowing us to have the greatest time possible.
Eric worked in Napa Valley for 9 years, learning the ropes and bringing what he learned back to Northwest Illinois. Now, Galena Cellars has 5 acres of grapes and offers between 60-70 rotating wines, with at least 40 wines available at all times.
Now, let’s get into the wine we tasted and what we thought!
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Wine tastings at Galena Cellars are 6 tastings for $8. This is a really great deal and lets you try a a large variety of wines for a low price.
I started with the Gamblers Red: It’s a Zinfandel blend, jammy, ripe and baked fruit notes with fig jam finishing. It’s not too sweet and not too dry, right down the middle.
Next I moved on to the Edelweiss (which I’m currently sipping on as I write this article. Guess that means I liked it, eh?) It’s a honeyed peach and pear wine, and is the closest thing to a Niagara wine, which is one of my favorite types. This was in the top 2 wines I tried all night.
What is the other top 2 wine, you may ask? The Gobble Gobble Cranberry. This seasonal wine was PHENOMENAL, and was just launched the day we visited! This red wine is flavor-filled with fresh cranberries and I was told it is great for a spritzer! I’ll have to give this a try soon. And yes, I bought a bottle of this as well.
On to Galena Cellars’ top-selling wine, Oktoberfest. This refreshing white wine is 80% Riesling, finished with 20% Moscato. My brother, Kevin, got this in his tasting and I was able to try it later on in our stay.
I tried another delicious fruit wine in my tasting, the Berry, Berry Berry. This wine is powered by aronia berry and ends with a blueberry finish.
With it being a cool, crisp October day; we moved on to the Spiced Apple! To quote my father, Bruce Sheehan, “It fits the bill!” And it did. This autumn sipper was just right for the occasion.
There are certain wines only wine club members can buy glasses or bottles of, but yet are offered on the tastings menu. One of those wines is the Drunken Cherry. This sweet yet tart wine was the perfect addition to my wine tasting variety.
Last but certainly not least, is the Country Red. This fruity and semi-sweet red table wine is a blend of the Marquette & Concord. This was the third bottle of wine I bought at the end of the night. It was incredible! I have to give a shoutout to Debra who encouraged me to try this wine! She was also a wonderful host and extremely kind.
After our tastings, we each got flights which are three wines for $12. I went with the Edelweiss, Gobble Gobble Cranberry and Country Red. My top 3!
Additionally, we were able to try the Foxy, which is a sparkling Catawba. Extremely good as well. Lastly, Eric let me try their Sweet Cider. I’ve tried many different ciders over the years, and the one made by Eric and his team is definitely high-quality.
Lastly, we tried the Gratitude sparkling wine. This smooth, fresh wine has notes of green apple and fresh pear. I’d highly encourage you to watch the link I posted above about Eric and Britt’s family and where Galena Cellars started. This is how the Gratitude came to be; honoring Eric’s grandparents, aunt and uncle.
Galena Cellars produces over 40,000 gallons of wine a year, or 15,000 cases.
In the winter, the Vineyard is only open on the weekends, but they have special offerings to keep you warm and show you an amazing time. You can rent a heated igloo in the colder months, which consists of a bottle of wine, charcuterie board, and 2 hours with your closest buds.
Galena was named the top place to visit in the Midwest by Travel Awaits. I have to agree with this assertion, as I absolutely loved it. The green, hilly countryside reminded me of one of my favorite places on Earth: Ireland. The historic downtown was a beautiful place to visit each morning, and we really enjoyed stopping by Chestnut Mountain Resort one night for the Alpine Slide and dinner.
Galena Cellars vineyard location was voted the #3 winery on TripAdvisor in all of Illinois. This high-esteemed honor is well-deserved and showcases the hard work, dedication and fantastic end products produced by Galena Cellars.
I want to thank Eric and Britt White, the super brother-sister duo of Galena Cellars for the incredible time. We were celebrating my father’s 70th birthday in Galena, and you all blew him away with your knowledge of wine. He made sure to tell Eric he could tell his wine was high-quality and “professional grade.” He can be a tough critic on wine, so this meant a lot!
(GRAFTON, Ill.) — Southwestern Illinois is a beautiful place to visit in the fall.
The clear blue skies, crisp air and a healthy mix of indoor & outdoor activities are easy to find.
Less than one hour outside of St. Louis, Missouri lays Grafton, Illinois. A town with a population of 650 that welcomes countless visitors every year.
Here, you’ll find the Grafton Winery. Its downtown location Grafton Winery & Brewhaus opened in December 2008, expanded in 2011 and added the Confluence Patio in 2013. The owners, Mike and Lori, began this journey in 2006 in Edwardsville, Illinois with a smaller boutique winery. Mike and Lori were great hosts and we were very happy to have met them!
My wife Rachel and I visited the more traditional winery 3 miles out of town called Grafton Winery “The Vineyards.” This location opened up in 2015.
The Vineyards location offers beautiful views, plenty of space, and delicious wines. In my photo above, you can see the staff are setting up for a wedding. The General Manager, Jameson, was kind enough to give us a behind-the-scenes tour of the production facility located inside the winery.
Grafton Winery boasts many production tanks and equipment, which provides an efficient way to press the grapes and bottle the wine. If you have a group of 10 or more, you all can get a full tour and learn how the product is made. Just email wineclub@thegraftonwinery.com if you are interested! You can learn more here on the Grafton Winery website.
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Not only was the production equipment impressive, but so was the wine! Let’s dive into which wines we tried in our tasting.
I will note, the wine tastings here are 6 for $10. This is one of the best deals I’ve seen at any winery. Plus, each tasting is roughly 2 ounces I would say, so by the end you’ve enjoyed 2-3 glasses of wine for just $10. Plus, you get a nice souvenir glass to take home! This perk alone makes the tasting a wonderful deal.
Matt’s tasting:
1: Chardonel (dry white). Fermented with oak, this white wine is grown at the Vineyards location. This was a wonderful dry wine that can easily be enjoyed by someone who normally leans toward the sweeter wines.
2: Vignoles (Semi-sweet white). Also grown at the Vineyards location, the Vignoles to me is a classic Illinois semi-sweet. Its unique flavor, mixed with a balance of acidity and sweetness, offers a refreshing sipper for anyone.
3: Riverbend Red (semi-sweet red). This American red table wine was one of my favorites. So much so, that I got a bottle of it! The name honors the Riverbender area of Grafton, next to the Confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. These scenic views bring people far and wide to the region.
4: Apple Crisp (fruit wine). This is the most award-winning wine at Grafton Winery. It’s unique, packed with plenty of flavor, and perfect for the summer and/or fall.
5: Raspberry Bubble (seasonal wine). This sparkling raspberry wine was probably the best sparkling wine I’ve ever had. I usually stray away from the bubbly wines, but I’m glad I tried this out because I really enjoyed it.
6: Sangria (seasonal). The Grafton Winery website says “This refreshing and fruity Sangria will take you to distant Spanish shores of tropical waters, cool ocean breeze, and relaxing shady palms.” It’s true!
My wife Rachel tried a few of the same wines I did in her tasting, but she also got a couple other flavors I have to mention!
7: Raspberry Kiss (dessert wine). To quote Rachel, “I need this in my life. We need this in our pantry.” So yes, you guessed it! I bought a bottle of this as well. With notes of raspberry and hints of chocolate, it was recommended we try this over ice cream or while eating chocolates. I am very excited to try this out!
8: Captain’s Blush (semi-sweet blush wine). With a bold fruit flavor, the Catawba grape makes this wine smooth and enjoyable. Grafton Winery says the Captain’s Blush is “ideal for the White Zinfandel enthusiasts.” So if that’s you, try this one out! This was the third bottle of wine I purchased.
9: Blackberry (fruit wine). A mix of juicy blackberries and currents make this a wonderful, sweet red wine. You can’t ever go wrong with blackberry wine!
10: Peach (fruit wine). A summer seasonal wine, the flavor of is clearly tasted and smelled for a refreshing glass.
If any of these wines tickle your fancy, you can find the link to shop here!
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Now, let’s move on to the food!
For a starter, we got the Burrata. Served with heirloom tomatoes, balsamic and basil, the burrata (Italian cow milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream) was a nice start and way to cleanse our palates in between tastings.
But, the flatbreads stole the show. I got the Chicken Spinach Artichoke, which is as good as it sounds. Packed with chicken sausage, spinach artichoke dip, and topped with parmesan, this was one of the greatest flatbreads I’ve ever had.
Above you can see Rachel’s flatbread, called the Farm and Orchard. This has whipped goat cheese, chicken spinach sausage, house red onion jam, mozzarella, arugula, and crisp sliced apple atop it. She ate the whole thing, so it must have been good.
The Vineyards location is a perfect location for families, couples on a date, or a group of friends. Right across the street is the Eckert’s Grafton Farm location. Here you can explore the farm store, pick blackberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins and pet farm animals! Open Tuesday-Sunday, you can find more information here.
You can easily make a weekend getaway to Grafton, Illinois a memorable experience. Visit the Vineyards in the late morning or early afternoon, head downtown for some wonderful seafood, burgers and more, rent a boat if you’d like, and listen to live music! You can also head to Pere Marquette Lodge located in Pere Marquette State Park for gorgeous views, beautiful hikes and overlooks, a spectacular lodge, and great dining in the restaurant.
I want to thank Grafton Winery for being wonderful hosts to my wife Rachel and I. We were extremely impressed by the atmosphere, service, and quality of wine. We will absolutely be back!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Matt Sheehan Official 