Here are seven destinations for artisan drinks along Route 66, including stops in Plainfield, Lockport and Joliet.

You don't need to travel to Napa Valley to enjoy good wines. Northern Illinois is home to many wineries that produce high-quality, unique varietals not found elsewhere.

Two Geneva restaurants and several Naperville restaurants also received honors.

Whether it’s Texas, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico or Illinois, there are outstanding wines to discover.

All 16 wines from August Hill Winery and Illinois Sparkling Co. earned medals at the 2025 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, August Hill said in a news release.

The popular music series returns for its second summer, bringing intimate outdoor shows to Joliet.

Relax and enjoy a glass of wine on the beautiful outdoor patio this season. The winery also has live music most weekends.

Tim Placher of Joliet, organizer of the “Nashville on the Hill” series at Bishops Hill Winery, said the first season was extremely popular with patrons.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is now open at 16344 Boulevard Place in Plainfield.

Spring amps up the fun with milestone celebrations and a headlining turn by the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra on Father's Day Sunday as part of a Jazz & Wine Fest in Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

The full-day event features entertainment and wine in the gardens for an exceptional Father’s Day experience in Wheaton.

Wine on the Hill events, which feature live music in the afternoons, and Cave Tasting Experiences begin in May and run through October at August Hill Winery in Peru.

Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting along Batavia's beautiful Riverwalk.

The inaugural Ottawa Food and Wine Festival is May 31 in downtown Ottawa. Enjoy award-winning wines, small bites and live music.

Visit these award-winning breweries and wineries in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Art in Wilder Park and Lilac Time lead off festival fun, and there's also a DuPage and Cook lineup of hit rock bands, classical gems, kite flying and history tours.

Their wines are not just about terroir; they’re about personality, patience and, occasionally, panic.

Participants can enter to win prizes that include a cruise, dinner at Cooper's Hawk for a year and more.

Wine lovers now can stop at the Mistie Hill Vineyard in Custer Park to try the wines made in the Kankakee River Valley.

New Zealand has embraced all the mystery pinot has to offer in fruit flavors, spice notes and stunning aromas – and done so at very affordable prices.

The Novel Bloom is located in the former River Valley Designs space in Savanna. The book and flower shop serves coffee and pastries, and after 2 p.m., guests can enjoy a glass of wine.

Get ready to raise your glasses and celebrate local flavors at the annual Tinley Park Brew & Vine festival, returning to The Odyssey on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12.

The grapes sangiovese and vermentino are what winemaker Dan Fitzgerald has zeroed in on as the best fit for soil and climate on his 16,000-acre site.

The BookBar in Mokena offers a variety of coffee, tea, lattes, wine, cocktails along with pastries, sandwiches, a light evening menu, book club and special events.

Le Cochon Wine Bar and Bistro, from the owners of Craft Urban, is a new neighborhood-style French bistro on Third Street in Geneva.

From Romeoville to Pontiac and everything in between, you’ll be surprised at all the hidden gems you discover during your wine-sampling excursion along Route 66.

With the widest collection of indigenous grapes in the world and a gentle climate where vines transplanted from other countries easily can adapt, Italy has a wine for everyone.

As Valentine's Day approaches, wooing guests will be an opportunity for dinner paired with musical artists, Second City comedy, Kittytine Cat Cafe, two movie series and a wine and cheese walk.

James Nokes champions winning wine picks to pair with fare for the big game, and showcases a historic Spanish winery that's still pushing the envelope in the vineyard and cellar.

Ryan and Abby Magruder would often talk about what an opportunity it would be to own and operate Flight 102 Wine Bar in Bourbonnais

More wineries are producing sparkling wine. They are dedicating intentional work in the vineyard to ensure high-quality fruit – they’re patient in the cellar and the results are spectacular.

Featured wine bars in Kane County bring delicious sips and savors.

Explore two wineries that were instrumental in the establishment of the American wine industry, and catch a wide array of tasting note recommendations perfect for the holiday season and beyond.

As family and friends gather for Thanksgiving, we take a look at the traditions that winemakers who specialize in pinot noir share with their loved ones.

While malbec has become the flag bearer of Argentine red wines, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and pinot noir are other red wine grapes that have taken to the diverse terroir.

The inaugural Heritage Harbor Wine & Art Walk replaces the annual Ottawa Wine & Art Walk, which was canceled for 2024 earlier this fall.

Winemakers share their passion for delicious challenges with columnist James Nokes.

Sample more than 30 wines at locations around the downtown Woodstock Historic Square.

Xanadu wines are turning heads, produced where the kangaroos play, and helmed by award-winning winemaker Glenn Goodall.

Vintage Illinois is the state's largest wine festival.

Werk Force Brewing Co. in Plainfield creates a new stein each fall, with the latest edition to debut at Werktoberfest from Sept. 19-22.

The Cork Wine Bar and Kitchen in Joliet plans to reopen after a temporary closure in May.

With winemakers' skill and experimentation, varieties known for being stars in Europe are even tastier in Lodi.

Metra will offer special service on the Heritage Corridor Line on six Saturdays this fall, so residents can explore the communities along the route that begins in Joliet and ends in Chicago at Union Station.

Fall-related events, including an Autumn Fair, the Festival of the Vine and more, are headed to Kane County.

The family's wineries showcase the best Napa Valley has to offer in cabernet sauvignon.

This Saturday bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy wine from Bishops Hill of Joliet and Sable Creek of Plainfield, art and live jazz bands.

There is a variety of festivals for all ages, a clay workshop and more coming up in Kendall County.

Bishops Hill Winery in Joliet, hosts its final summer concert on the lawn on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Vicolo, in downtown Aurora, will offer handmade Italian pasta dishes, and will be both a laid-back cafe during the day and an upscale dinner destination at night.