Vintage Illinois 2013 Introduces Honest Abe
The new Illinois wine logo and branding was featured for the first time at Vintage Illinois 2013
Vintage Illinois 2013 was held at Mattheissen State Park near Starved Rock State Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 2013. Total attendance was in excess of 10,000 for both days, according to Jill Joyce of August Hill Winery in Utica who helps coordinate the event. Tickets for the event were $20 which included seven tasting tickets and a souvenir glass.
A record 29 wineries participated in this year’s event. When Vintage Illinois was introduced 10 years ago, a dozen wineries participated.
One of this year’s new participating wineries was Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park, Illinois. (The winery also has a tasting room in St. Charles.) Acquaviva won a 2013 Governor’s Cup at the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition for their 2009 Frontenac.
According to Sergio Benavides, winemaker from Acquaviva, Vintage Illinois provided the winery with exposure to many new wine drinkers. “This is our first year and we’ve already spoken with hundreds of people who are tasting our wines for the first time,” Benavides said.
Rick Mamoser, winemaker at Prairie State Winery, with co-worker Kathy at Vintage Illinois
Mike White and Christine Lawlor-White of Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery
Cris and Keith Lane of Willett’s Winery. Keith will be taking over as winemaker at Willett’s. Brad Beam, who has been the winemaker at Willett’s, will be resuming his duties as the chief enologist with the State of Illinois.
Dick Faltz and Erica Hurley from Fox Valley Winery in Oswego
Sergio Benavides, winemaker from Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park, pours for another customer at Vintage Illinois.
Cheryl Spana and Ginger Baerenwald of Hailey’s Winery in Byron
