Updated June 2022.
Looking for something fun to do on a summer afternoon? Head out to a countryside winery. We have put together a list for you of the 4 best wineries in Clinton County, IL. Most wineries not only have wine, but great snacks or meals as well, so you can both sip and dine! In the back of your mind, if you think you may need a special space for a wedding, shower, or another event, you will find that the wineries have facilities for these as well.
Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center
10580 Wellen Road, Aviston | (618) 228-9111
Hours:
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11am – 5pm
Thursdays, 11am – 9pm (Kitchen open 11am – 8pm)
Fridays & Saturdays, 11am – Midnight (Kitchen open 11am – 9pm)
Sundays, 11am – 7pm (Kitchen open 11am – 6pm)
Please note: From November – March, hours may vary, please call first
Beautiful rolling vineyards, a pretty lake view, waterfalls, and wine! You can enjoy all these at Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center in Aviston. Nestled on a parcel of land known as the Silent Forest, Hidden Lake continues a tradition that began before prohibition when wineries flourished in the area. Using locally-grown grapes and fruits, the winery crafts an impressive array of wines, from dry to dessert, many of which have won awards.
Several of note include the dry Seyval, which is fermented in oak; a well-balanced Black Vino with 80% Chardonel, and 20% Chambourcin creating hints of blackberry and honey, and Sugar Creek White, sweet and grapey with flavors of green and golden delicious apple.
Sit down in the dining room, and enjoy snacks or a sandwich. If you are here during Happy Hour there are some special small plates, and craft cocktails. Weekends have musical entertainment. If you are there after dark, you may hear some of the Indian spirits that frequent the otherwise Silent Forest.
Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery
15469 State Route 127, Carlyle | (618) 594-8830
Hours:
Wednesdays, 4pm – 8pm (Kitchen open 4pm – 8pm)
Thursdays, 4pm – 11pm (Kitchen open 4pm – 8pm)
Fridays, 4pm – 11pm (Kitchen open 11am – 9pm)
Saturdays, noon – 2am (Kitchen open noon – 9pm)
Sundays, noon – 8pm (Kitchen open noon – 8pm)
At Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery, just north of Carlyle, you can enjoy wine and some tasty food. Originally conceived as a quaint winery and tasting room, the dream has expanded to include the attractive rustic lodge where you’ll see influences of South Africa, a favorite vacation spot of the owners.
The wines produced at Bretz also carry African names and labels, such as Kalahari Sunset, a sweet red wine made from Concord grapes; or Sha-Lulu, a semi-dry white wine with a name that means “innocent” in an African language. Other reds include the dry, full-flavored Safari Red and Passionate Cheetah, a sweet wine. In the white wine variety, they have the semi-sweet Lion Eyes Riesling. This winery also makes non-grape wines with cherries, strawberries, apples, and blackberries.
You can sample all nine different wines in the Kudu Room or at the Docswana Sunset Bar with live music on weekends. Specialty dishes include delicious pulled pork, fried chicken, and crisp fried fish.
Crooked Creek Winery
24585 W. 10th Street Road, Centralia | (618) 918-3814
Hours:
Fridays – Sundays, Noon – 7pm
Crooked Creek Downtown
107 N Oak St, Centralia | (618) 918-3814
Hours:
Tuesdays – Thursdays, 4pm – 10pm
Fridays, 4pm – 11pm
Saturdays, Noon – 11pm
Sundays, Noon – 6pm
White picket fences and horses in pastures evoke the quiet country setting of Crooked Creek Winery. Owners, Shannon and Mindy Cooney, who moved from California, took over the winery in May 2015. A 1.5-acre vineyard is just up the hill, and a big red barn serves as the tasting room. The winery is open on weekends, and they also have a downtown location
Crooked Creek currently sells more than a dozen varieties of wine, including dry, semi-sweet and sweet. Easy Red and Easy White are favorites, both sweet wines from Concord and Niagara grapes. The downtown location has an event space and features live music.
Twelve Oaks Vineyard
18975 Vogel Rd, Carlyle | (618) 594-7459
Hours:
Fridays – Sundays, Noon – 6pm
Twelve Oaks Vineyard is located on land that has been in the Vogel family for many years. However, the process of planting grapes and making wine was only recently started with the current family members. You will feel the love in the wines, from grapes grown on the premises. The tasting room is open on weekends and exudes a family spirit.
The wines they offer include a Norton, made from native Midwestern Norton grapes. Aged in oak, this is a must-try local specialty. They also have white wines such as Traminette and Cayuga, made from grapes grown on-site. A variety of cheeses are available with live music on weekends.
What better way to enjoy the glory of the summer than with visits to these 4 best wineries in Clinton County, IL! As we mentioned, many have live music, so plan to sip and dine! Don’t forget to bring a bottle of Southern Illinois home with you (or maybe two)!