Support These Chicago Restaurants and Bars Featuring Regional Wines

Chicago restaurants and bars that carry regional wines:

Grange Hall Burger Bar, 844 West Randolph, Chicago,  312-491-0844.   Features grass-fed burgers,  pies and ice cream and the following regional wineries:

Fenn Valley Vineyard & Winery,  Fenn Valley,  Michigan  (four labels)

Lynfred Winery, Roselle,  Illinois (two labels)

Illinois River Winery, Utica, Illinois (one label)

Watershed, 601 North State Street, Chicago, 312-266-4932.   Located below Pops for Champagne.   Showcases wines, beers and spirits from the Great Lakes region.

Good Harbor Vineyards,  Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan,  (three labels)

Bowers Harbor Vineyard,  Old Mission Peninsula,  Michigan (two labels)

Fenn Valley Vineyard and Winery, Fenn Valley Michigan  (two labels)

Domiane Berrien, Berrien Springs,  Michigan,  (two labels)

Peninsula Cellars, Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan (one label)

Cave Spring,  Niagara Peninsula, Canada (one label)

Wollersheim Winery,  Priarie Du Sac,  Wisconsin, (one label)

Brys Estate,  Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan (one label)

Illinois Sparkling Company,  Utica,  Illinois (one label)

Farmhouse Restaurant, 228 West Chicago, Chicago, 312-280-4960.   A Midwest Craft tavern and restaurant specializing in local food and drink.

Domaine Berrien, Berrien Springs, Michigan  (two vintages, white and red, on tap)

Firelands Winery, Sandusky, Ohio (two labels)

Ravines Winery, Hammondsport, New York (one label)

Prairie State Winery,  Genoa,  Illinois  (one label)

Chateau Chantal,  Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan (one label)

The two main reasons to drink regional wine are quality and taste.  The quality of the grapes and the skill of the winemakers on the list above are now world class.   We are not suggesting that you drink only Midwest regional wines.   But does it makes sense to ship wine across the continent or the globe when they’re so many good wines now made in our own backyard?  (Fresh regional wine also tastes a lot better than wine that has sat in a rail car or a scorching hot shipping container.)

If you know of other bars and restaurants in Chicago that are carrying regional wines, please send them to midwestwine@gmail.com and they will be added to the list.   And if you’re at a Chicago restaurant or bar that claims to be “local” but does not carry regional wines,  ask them to get on board now.   Restaurants and bars,  like the ones above,  that truly believe in local producers carry regional wines.

Chicago has had a major,  national role in establishing the farm-to-table movement,  craft brewing and micro distilling   It’s time for Chicago to step up again and give regional wines the support they deserve.

Bar and Restaurant wine lists are subject to change.   Call first if you have you heart set on a certain regional wine.