2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

          What started with just three wineries in 1995 has grown to a trail of 12 individual wineries showcasing a variety of award-winning wine styles and unique experiences.   

Take a scenic drive along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, 12 different wineries, 12 different experiences all surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest in Jackson and Union Counties in southern Illinois. All 12 award-winning wineries are just a few minutes from each other. Enjoy 12 unique and different wineries on a day trip or spread out over a long weekend. Several of the wineries serve sandwiches to full meals.  Most wineries offer picnic areas for you to bring along picnic baskets and enjoy your lunch or snacks with an award-winning southern Illinois wine. Live music and some special events on the weekends.  You can start the trail from either end, or jump on somewhere in the middle. Rolling hills and picturesque vistas are the backdrop for the various vineyards and wineries along the way. The Shawnee National Forest provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest. 

     Alto Vineyards also offers picnic baskets, gift baskets, wine accessories, T-shirts, gourmet food items, local crafts and much more. In addition to their wide selection of wines enjoy the vistas of the Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, under the shadow of the 110 feet tall Bald Knob Cross of Peace.  At Blue Sky Vineyards, enjoy several wine festivals and other events every year, and enjoy a visit with alpacas at nearby Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch.  The deck at StarView Vineyard has views of the vineyards, Southern Illinois hills and a pond filled with Koi & turtles visitors can feed; and the tasting room has a gift shop and art gallery that displays a collection of photographs and mosaics by local artists.

       There are several antique shops and orchards along the way, and lodging is available at Blue Sky, the Peach Barn winery, Von Jakob Winery & Brewery as well as several other inns, cottages and cabin rentals.   For trip planning assistance contact the Southernmost IL Tourism Bureau: 618-833-9928, or, www.southernmostillinois.com

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