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Hello Wine Lovers!
I know the title of today's entry is more than likely making you think twice... an Illinois Winery that is worthy of a blog entry you ask? Not that there are not Illinois wineries that make decent wine, Lyndfred is one and you can't leave Galena Cellars off the list. But this particular winery makes you feel just like you are in Napa Valley California! It is called Aquaviva Winery located in Maple Park Illinois. A winemaker once asked me how to make a million dollars in the wine business? I said I did not necessarily know the answer. He went on to say "Start with 7 million" We both had a good laugh but in the end, it really is not too terribly far off! This place is one of those places! Go to http://www.aquavivawinery.com/ and you will immediately know what I am talking about! It is absolutely beautiful! It is located off Rt 38 in Maple Park which is just this side of De Kalb. Well worth the drive.
Acquaviva’s 40-acre vineyard estate produces many grape varietals all suited to sustain and thrive through the turbulent Midwest seasons. These grapes include Prairie Star, Brianna, Chardonel, Marechal Fosh, and Frontenac, among other Illinois favorites. The winery is state of the art as well as the attached restaurant. As I stated earlier in this entry, you think you are in Napa. The wines are somewhat typical for Illinois wines, and what I mean by that is they are on the sweet side and lack complexity, typical of the varieties that grow here in Illinois. There are a couple of red wines that are notable, well made but lack the depth of wines from other regions.
I know the title of today's entry is more than likely making you think twice... an Illinois Winery that is worthy of a blog entry you ask? Not that there are not Illinois wineries that make decent wine, Lyndfred is one and you can't leave Galena Cellars off the list. But this particular winery makes you feel just like you are in Napa Valley California! It is called Aquaviva Winery located in Maple Park Illinois. A winemaker once asked me how to make a million dollars in the wine business? I said I did not necessarily know the answer. He went on to say "Start with 7 million" We both had a good laugh but in the end, it really is not too terribly far off! This place is one of those places! Go to http://www.aquavivawinery.com/ and you will immediately know what I am talking about! It is absolutely beautiful! It is located off Rt 38 in Maple Park which is just this side of De Kalb. Well worth the drive.
Acquaviva’s 40-acre vineyard estate produces many grape varietals all suited to sustain and thrive through the turbulent Midwest seasons. These grapes include Prairie Star, Brianna, Chardonel, Marechal Fosh, and Frontenac, among other Illinois favorites. The winery is state of the art as well as the attached restaurant. As I stated earlier in this entry, you think you are in Napa. The wines are somewhat typical for Illinois wines, and what I mean by that is they are on the sweet side and lack complexity, typical of the varieties that grow here in Illinois. There are a couple of red wines that are notable, well made but lack the depth of wines from other regions.
The restaurant has a wonderful outdoor patio that overlooks some of the property. Off in the distance is railroad tracks and the occasional freight train that rumbles by adds to the charm and reminds you are in the Midwest. The food is well made and the chef uses a lot of local fresh ingredients to tantalize your taste buds.
The wines are well made, the food is good and the experience is wonderful. I recommend you make this a little day trip with your honey, have lunch, taste a little wine and take in what Illinois has to offer!
Cheers!
J
