Best Wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in 2024

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is located in southern Illinois, in the Shawnee Hills. The name comes from the Shawnee Hills Indians who lived in this area during the early 1800s. Currently, there are 12 wineries within the Shawnee Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), and all are included in the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

After visiting wine regions across five continents, we have to say we were a bit skeptical about what we were about to taste and explore in our home state of Illinois. However, we were pleasantly surprised—this post shares the three best wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and what to expect during a visit to the area.

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

📌Planning a special getaway? This gorgeous Makanda cabin is one of the nicest on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

Beautiful Makanda Cabin > Check Availability

What Makes the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Worth Visiting?

Combining the beautiful rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest and excellent wine makes visiting the area a no-brainer. The loveliness along the trail can be enjoyed all year round.

We visited during the late fall when it was very cold and cloudy but still enjoyed ourselves immensely. We made sure to balance our time between the natural beauty of the Shawnee National Forest and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

The shoulder seasons are a great time to visit the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail as some of these wineries may have up to a thousand visitors per day during the summer. This means fewer crowds, lower room rates, and more intimate experiences.

Best Accommodations in Southern Illinois

If you’re looking to stay near Carbondale, the best accommodation options include:

• Budget: Best Western Saluki Inn
• Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Express & Suites or Home2 Suites (modern, with many amenities)

Vacation Rentals

Looking for a vacation rental to enjoy the area? Below are the three best vacation rentals near Carbondale sorted from least to most expensive.

• $ > Cabin Located in the Heart of the Shawnee National Forest – 1 BR, 1 BA
• $ > Cozy Cabin in Shawnee National Forest Area – 2 BR, 2 BA
• $$ > Upscale Designer Studio Across from SIUC Campus – 1 BR, 1 BA
• $$ > Cabin on Indian Creek Near Everything – 2 BR, 2 BA
• $$$ > Couple’s Retreat Cabin With Hot Tub – 1 BR, 1 BA
• $$$ > The Mediterranean is Calling! Grab Your Summer Dates Now! – 4 BR, 4 BA

Shawnee Hills Wines – Quick Overview

We suspect that the quality of the grapes and wines stems from the pride and passion we saw on display as we toured the wineries. The four elements of making great wine include:

1. The Grapes
   • White: Traminette, Vignoles (Vin-yole), Chardonel, Seyval
   • Red: Chambourcin (Sham-boor-sin), Norton, Cabernet Franc
2. The Terroir: Loose and thin soil sitting mainly on limestone that extends from the Ohio to Mississippi rivers.
3. The Climate: A unique meso-climate that benefits from warmer winter temperatures and higher elevations, the result is a longer growing season.
4. The Winemaking Process: The Shawnee Hills AVA is acknowledged in the wine industry as having a unique growing process and high-quality grapes.

Visiting the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

The Shawnee Hills AVA covers a huge chunk of land, about 2,000 square miles. On the other hand, the wine trail only covers about 40 miles. The best way to enjoy the trail comfortably and safely is to book at least two nights in a winery that provides accommodations.

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail map makes touring the area much easier. Also, make sure to double-check what times the wineries are open because all of the wineries are independent operators.

We stayed at Blue Sky Vineyard, which provides overnight guests with a truly hidden gem. Two spacious suites are located just above the winery’s tasting room. Our suite, the Tuscany Romance Suite, includes a balcony that overlooks the wine bar and an additional balcony overlooking the vineyards and Shawnee Hills.

The Tuscany Romance Suite also offers a small kitchenette with a coffee pot, sink, microwave, and refrigerator. A European-style breakfast comes with each stay.

However, guests may decide to choose a bottle of their signature wines in place of breakfast. The two suites get booked extremely quickly. In cases where there is no availability, consider staying in nearby Carbondale.

Best Wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

There are 12 wineries open for wine tastings along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Even though they’re spread out over a 40-mile distance, it is possible to visit all of them over a couple of days. However, if you’re short on time and only have the opportunity to visit a few, here are our picks for the best wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail:

1. Blue Sky Vineyard
2. Alto Vineyard
3. Owl Creek Vineyard

If you only have time for one tasting room to visit you should make it to the Blue Sky Vineyard. The setting feels like something out of Napa Valley.

One of the best reasons to tour the area is the budget-friendly cost of touring the wineries. Most of the tastings cost only a couple of dollars and some of them are for nine tastings!

Best Wines to Taste on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

The Shawnee Hills are specifically known for cold-climate varietals; this includes Seyval, Vidal, Chardonel, and Chambourcin. If you were to “drink what the locals drink,” you’d probably be served one of these wines. All are French-hybrid wine grapes but while Seyval, Vidal, and Chardonel are white, Chambourcin is red.

• Seyval: Citrusy with a minerality similar to a White Burgundy
• Vidal: Aromas of pear and pineapple
• Chardonel: Shares the best characteristics of both its parent grapes: Chardonnay and Seyval
• Chambourcin: Signature wine in the region, rich and full-bodied with soft tannins.

After trying about 30 different wines over two days we narrowed down our favorite wine to Blue Sky Vineyard’s Norton. However, the Chambourcin from numerous producers came in a close second. The medium-bodied Norton grape provides flavors of intense berry with aromas of cedar.

Best Places to Eat Along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

A few of the wineries offer on-site dining which mainly consists of snacks, sandwiches, and pizza. A great afternoon option would be to purchase your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the Blue Sky Vineyards.

The large estate does feel like you might be enjoying a glass of wine in Tuscany, especially with the old-world architecture, rolling hills, grapevines, and large ponds.

Another option is to head into Carbondale. The west side of Shawnee National Forest is only about 20 minutes from Carbondale where there are many dining options. Our recommendations for dining options near the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail include:

• Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant – Makanda, IL.
• Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza – Carbondale, IL
• Harbaugh’s Cafe – Carbondale, IL

📌 Many people enjoy driving down to Elizabethtown, on the Ohio River, and eating at E’Town River Restaurant. They’re famous in the area for their fried catfish.

Outdoor Attractions Along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

Outside the wineries, there are some other must-see sites around the Shawnee Hills.

Pomona Natural Bridge

A short five-minute loop trail leads to a 90-foot-long natural bridge made of sandstone. The bridge is perched about 12 feet above the tree-covered ravine.

Little Grand Canyon Trail

This three-mile loop hike descends into a canyon surrounded by magnificent bluffs. The upper segments provide wonderful views of the Mississippi and Big Muddy Rivers. The seasonal waterfalls along the way are a bonus.

Other Points of Interest

• Rendleman Orchards and Farm Market
• Flamm Orchards
• General Store at Walker’s Bluff
• Bald Knob Cross

General Tips

If you’re looking to thoroughly explore the Shawnee Forest then you may consider purchasing:

• 20-Day Trips in and Around the Shawnee National Forest
• Shawnee National Forest Map
• Fifty Nature Walks in Southern Illinois

Use caution when visiting the area. Cell phones and GPS have difficulty getting a signal in many areas of the forest. Additionally, a great source for more detailed information on the trail is the Official Shawnee Hills Wine Trail website. Here you can learn about upcoming events, tasting fees, and other recommended lodging and dining options.

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