The third largest grape crops in the United States are harvested in what state?  It’s Illinois of course! Illinois has been touted as an up-and-coming wine state for a few years now. Wine grape growers are finally taking advantage of the richest soil in the nation. Fall is a good time to find local wine for holiday parties or for causal enjoyment.  The Little Traveler has local wines, as does the wine tasting room of Galena Wine in Geneva. But the most entertaining way to try local wines is to go to the winery yourself. Check out the Northern Illinois Wine Trail where local wine tours are at it best at:

www.visitnorthernillinois.com/wineTrailWineries.html

August Hill Winery
106 Mill Street, Utica, IL 61373
815-667-5211
www.augusthillwinery.com

Fox Valley Winery
The Faltz Family
5600 Route 34, Oswego, IL  60543
630-554-0404
www.foxvalleywinery.com

Illinois River Winery
723 South Clark Street, Utica, IL  61373
815-667-4012
www.illinoisriverwinery.com

Sycamore Winery
322 West State Street, Sycamore, IL  60178
815-899-2920
www.sycamorewinery.com

Waterman Winery and Vineyards (formerly: Stiengtunt Vineyards & Winery)
11582 Waterman Road, Waterman, IL  60556
815-264-3268
www.sunsetwines.net

These wineries grow and bottle their own grapes and each one has a unique story.  One winery is the first to grow the first Chardonnay grape in the State of Illinois successfully. Another Winery just won the best White Wine at the Illinois State Fair for the second year in a row.  The third only uses the grapes they grow to make their wine.  Start out early, these wineries are not that far, so make a day of it and taste the fruit of Illinois.

Posted in Education at October 26th, 2008. No Comments.

In celebration of Geneva’s annual Festival of the Vine, the Geneva Green Market will hold a “Local Food Gift Basket” give-a-way containing the best of Local Wine, Local Food and Cheese!

Come sign-up at the Geneva Green Market, one entry per Thursday, with a drawing on September 11, 2008.

Festival of the Vine
September 12 - 14, 2008

The autumn harvest is celebrated with food and wine tasting, flower markets, antique carriage rides and family games. Reap the best of Geneva cuisine from a smorgasbord of specialties from Italy, Mexico and France. Whether it’s fine dining or a deli you crave, you’ll find it all under a huge outdoor tent in downtown Geneva.

Other events include crowd-pleasing music & live entertainment, our renowned Fine Arts & Crafts Show.

Posted in Events at August 12th, 2008. No Comments.

GENEVA GREEN MARKET

75 N. River Lane
Geneva IL (Kane County)
June 26th – October 30th
Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
630-208-9321 Karen

AURORA FARMERS MARKETS

Route 25 - Aurora Transportation Center
June 21-September 27
Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Bethany of Fox Valley UMC
Opposite Rush-Copley Heart Institute (Dupage County)
July 8th - August 26th
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

West Plaza at Galena & Edgelawn
July 9th - August 27th
Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
630-844-4731 Lisa
Stop by for Dick’s Mini Donuts and smoothies served up fresh on site, or for Wurst Kitchen’s homemade brats and dogs straight off the grill. In addition you’ll find a selection of cheese, vinegars, jardinière, gourmet mixes, cookware, handcrafted jewelry, flowers, lawn decorations, plus pet treats and apparel, while Provena Mercy provides on-site blood pressure checks and health screenings.

BATAVIA FARMERS MARKET

28 S. Water St
Batavia IL (Kane County)
June 28th – October 11th
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
630-721-3528 Britta
Back by popular demand are Gourmet Days the first Saturday of the month with Chef Jason of Enticing Cuisine who will be cooking up tasting samples using market fresh ingredients. New this year is Green Day at the Market on September 20th.

DEKALB FARMERS MARKET

Lincoln Hwy between 2nd and 3rd Streets
Dekalb IL (Dekalb County)
June - October
Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
815-748-7788
Located in downtown DeKalb’s historic cobblestone Palmer Court. Produce, flowers, herbs, wine, soy products - all home grown in Illinois plus arts and crafts.

DUNDEE FARMERS MARKET

319 N. River St.
East Dundee IL (Dupage County)
May 10 - October 25
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
847-742-3432 June
Vendors are selling locally grown veggies (in season), flowers, and bedding plants, plus antiques and collectibles.

ELBURN FARMERS MARKET

500 Filmore St.
Elburn IL (Kane County)
June 15th - September 28th
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
630-365-6315 Shannon
email

GENEVA FRENCH MARKET

Third Street near the train station
Geneva IL (Kane County)
April 27 – October 26th
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
630-365-6315 Leslie

OSWEGO COUNTRY MARKET

Downtown Oswego
Oswego IL (Will County)
June through September
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
630-554-4433

OTTAWA’S OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

Jackson Street, between LaSalle and Columbus
Ottawa, IL 61350 (LaSalle County)
May - October
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
815-433-0084 Meg
Throughout the course of a growing season, our market attracts over fifty vendors, selling homegrown fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants and homemade bread, cakes, cookies, fudge and pies along with homemade craft items and homemade dog treats and toys!

The goals of the Market are: to promote, preserve and support the Market as a source of healthy, locally-grown and produced food and goods; to preserve local sustainable agriculture; and, to enhance the quality of life in the Ottawa area by providing a community gathering place and tourist attraction.

ST CHARLES FARMERS MARKET

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church
4th Ave and Main St (Route 64)
St Charles IL (Kane County)
June 6th – October 31st
Fridays, 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
630-584-6680 Rob
The St. Charles Farmers Market offers fresh from Kane County produce, fruit, cheese, eggs, pork, bacon, sausage, meat and poultry products, bountiful fruit and flowers from Michigan Orchards as well as fresh flowers, garden plants, honey, produce and foodstuffs from Illinois growers. The Market also offers a tempting array of gourmet food products, fresh baked bread, garden and landscaping products, jewelry, arts and crafts.

SUGAR GROVE FARMERS MARKET

Sugar Grove Village Hall
Rt. 30 & Municipal Drive (10 Municipal Drive)
Sugar Grove IL (Kane County)
June 7th – September 27th
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
630-466-2024 Pat
The market has vegetable and fruit producers, specialty crop growers, food vendors and crafters.

SYCAMORE FARMERS MARKET

Downtown Sycamore
Sycamore IL (Dekalb County)
June - September
Sundays
815-895-3456
Local vendors gather together in the heart of Sycamore for the Discover Sycamore French market. The market includes fresh produce, locally made wine, and other homemade creations create the uniqueness of the market.


Yorkville Farmers Market

Town Square, Route 47 and Main St
Yorkville, IL 60560
Kendall County
June 14 - October 25, 2008
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
630-553-4347

Farm fresh vegetables, honey, baked goods and more every Saturday morning beginning in June through late October. You’ll also find plants, handmade crafts and something different every week. In addition to vegetables you’ll find a variety of other fresh produce including fruits, honey, herbs, plants, crafts, home baked goods and much more!

Posted in Events at June 3rd, 2008. No Comments.