Illinois' Largest Wine Festival Celebrates 10 years

Raise a glass to, well, your glass! At this year’s Vintage Illinois Wine Festival, attendees and wineries alike will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of this beloved annual gathering highlighting all local, Illinois wine.

The event kicks off on Saturday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on Sunday, September 22 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. It is once again held near Staved Rock at Matthiessen State Park in Oglesby, Illinois.

Twenty-nine Illinois wineries from every corner of the state will set up tasting booths for event-goers to sample their finest wines. Tasting tickets and commemorative glasses are provided in the event admission and festival goers are able to purchase wine by the bottle to share with friends or by the case for later enjoyment.

Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic to enjoy with friends, but cautioned to save room for the tempting culinary offerings provided by various food vendors including newcomers, Chicago Food Trucks.

The following all-star line-up of entertainers will set the celebratory mood:

Saturday, September 21 Sunday, September 22
11:00 a.m. Wally Mulso 12:00 p.m. Hans Luchs
12:45 p.m. Midnite Shade 2:30 p.m. Paul & Jay
2:30 p.m. The Steve Sharp Band
4:15 p.m. Lynne Jordan and The Shivers


Vintage Illinois festival tickets are $20 per person and includes a souvenir glass, wristband, and tasting tickets. Receive 7 tasting tickets if tickets are purchased online at www.vintageillinois.com prior to the event or 5 tasting tickets if purchased at the event. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased within the festival for $1.00 each. You must be 21 to participate in wine tasting, so please bring your photo ID.
Designated Drivers and Patrons over 5 years of age are welcome for $5 per person.

Vintage Illinois is supported by the Starved Rock State Park Complex and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and hosted by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the viticulture and enology interests of Illinois through information exchange and cooperation among Illinois grape producers and vintners. The Illinois wine industry has exploded in recent years, growing from just 12 wineries in 1997 to over 100 today. During this time, the acreage devoted to grape production has grown at a tremendous rate, with over 1,000 Illinois acres under vines. Today the Illinois wine industry creates a direct economic impact of more than $692 million annually.


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