Designated Driver Program

The members of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail have partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation - Division of Traffic Safety and the Jackson County Health Department to formulate our Designated Driver Program. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail wineries would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to sample wines on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, but remind you to please do so responsibly.

The wineries of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail are offering free sodas, water, and other beverages to designated drivers along the trail. Ask for a sticker at any of the wineries to identify yourself to other patrons and the employees of other wineries as the designated driver for your group. This qualifies you for a free non-alcoholic beverage at each winery.

The Designated Driver can save lives, while still taking in the beauty of the surroundings, smelling the grapes, laughing and enjoying a free soda or bottle of water, and most importantly can save something priceless… a friend's life!  Please plan ahead. Take your turn, be a designated driver.

Wine Touring Tips

• Designate a Driver

• Try something new and you might be surprised.  Let the staff make suggestions.

• Take notes especially if you are going to tour for the day or the weekend.  When you get home to your local wine shop you will appreciate having a cheat sheet.

• Visit during the off-season.  November through April is an excellent time.  The staff will be able to give you extra help and there is a good chance you will run into the winemaker or the vineyard manager.

• Ask questions.  Winery staff love to be engaged and help educate.  They are trained to know a lot about the wines you taste.

• Eat the crackers.  They help to clean your palate and absorb the alcohol.  Also, make sure to eat something along the trail during your visit.

• The nose, knows.  Try not to use too much perfume or cologne.  The aromas of the individual wines are half the fun of tasting.

• Call ahead for large parties.

• Be patient.  If you prefer to visit during the peak seasons (May - October), you will have a great time tasting, but it may take a minute or two before the staff are able to  serve you.
  

To request information for touring the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Maps / Brochures / Bed & Breakfasts / Attractions - Contact:

    Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau
    1-800-248-4373

Wineries

• • Alto Vineyards
  • Blue Sky Vineyard
  • Hedman Vineyard
  • Inheritance Valley Vineyard
    
  • Owl Creek Vineyard
  • Pomona Winery
  • StarView Vineyards
  • Von Jakob Vineyard
  • Kite Hill Vineyards
  • Orlandini Vineyard
  • Hickory Ridge Vineyard
  • Rustle Hill Winery
    

Calendar

shawnee hills ava

• The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is the only wine trail fully encompassed within Illinois` first and only Nationally Recognized Viticultural Area  More...