With the faintest hints of fall in the air and family weekend at hand, it’s time to rethink a visit to the Shawnee area wine trail – one of the highlights of southern Illinois. Here is a virtual sampling to get you started.

The trail starts with Alto Vineyards, southern Illinois’ oldest vineyard, located in Alto Pass. Over its many years of business, the vineyard has acquired more than 1,000 state, national and international awards.

The vineyard currently offers 22 premier wines, according to an employee. Black-N-Blush, a sweet fruit wine made from blackberries and Concord grapes, is one of its most popular wines.

Black-N-Blush was the winner of the silver medal in the Illinois State Wine Competition in 2017 and 2019.

Alto not only has award-winning wines; it also has a large event schedule. From live music, wine and yoga to its harvest festival and fireworks, which take place in early October, the vineyard has something for everyone.

Alto Vineyard is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m.

Next on the trail is Blue Sky Vineyard, bringing the romance of Italy to the hills of southern Illinois. Located in Anna, this vineyard offers a full menu ranging from its famous bread and olive oil to chicken pot pies, sandwiches, pizzas and desserts.

Some of its most popular wines are the Cabernet Franc, which has been winning Governor’s Cups and Gold medals since 2016. The Chambourcin Reserve, Rosé and Vintner’s Select are also among the most popular.

Blue Sky also has a full schedule this fall, with a Colorfest Celebration taking place Oct. 14 to celebrate the end of their harvest, and its Sip & Paint on Oct. 22. There is live music every weekend. Blue Sky Vineyard is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to sunset, Saturday from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m.

Following the trail on is Honker Hill Winery, a place for family, friends, live music and, of course, more wine.

Honker Hill is located at 4861 Spillway Road. It offers all of its wines by the glass, bottle or case. Along with many wines, the winery also offers wine slushies, a combination of their Blue Winged Teal and lemonade. The winery is open Friday and Saturday 12-7 p.m. and Sunday 12:30-7 p.m.

StarView Vineyards comes next, a family owned winery and vineyard in the hills of Cobden.

Silver Star is one of the vineyard’s signature wines. Known as sweet and smooth, it pairs with some of the vineyard’s lighter flavored foods and is made with ripe Niagara grapes.

The menu consists of their guest favorite spinach and artichoke dip, a range of sandwiches, cheese plates, nachos, salads and even soft pretzels.

StarView will be hosting its annual HalloWine on Oct. 27 from 6-10 p.m. There will be a $10 admission fee that includes a chili and nacho bar as well as a convenient wine glass along with music and prizes. The vineyard is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 12-7 p.m.

Von Jakob Vineyard is our final stop on this list. Open Wednesday and Thursday 11-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11-9 p.m. and Sunday 11-6 p.m., Von Jakob is southern Illinois’s only winery plus brewery on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

Located in Alto Pass, Von Jakob has about 20 different wines available in its tasting room and for purchase. These wines range from dry reds to sweet, fruity dessert wines.

Not only does this vineyard specialize in all sorts of wines, but beers as well. Some of the highly rated are the Mango Habanero Hard Apple Cider, Imperial Stout and Streakin’ Johnny Black Cherry Hard Apple Cider.

Von Jakob also offers a bed and breakfast located on the vineyard’s ground, which allows guests to choose from any of their five spacious suites to “escape from it all.”

While these are not all the vineyards on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, they are some of the highest-rated wineries in the area that offer the opportunity to escape from the reality of everyday life, spend some time outdoors or in their air conditioned/heated buildings and enjoy live music, tasteful wines and treats.

Staff Reporter Joei Younker can be reached at [email protected]. 

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