Where Are the Best Chicago Wineries Tasting and Tours?
Let’s Sample the Best Chicago Wineries Tasting, Tours, and Tips
Usually, when people think about things to do in Chicago, they default to events, activities, and restaurants. You know the Windy City has plenty to boast about in the food department, and we love to cover it all. But, while there are lots of options to tickle your tastebuds in Chicago, IL, we’re devoting this space to talking about wine.
In recent years, the wine industry in Illinois has snowballed, expanding from fewer than 20 wineries in the early ’90s to over 100 today. That means there’s no shortage of wineries near Chicago.
So, whether you’re looking for a laid-back tasting room, a curated natural wine shop, or even a Chicago virtual wine tasting, this city offers something for every preference and palate. Check out our recommendations for the best Chicago wineries tastings and tours.
VIN312 Winery
Quick Sips
- Self-proclaimed craft urban winner
- Sources their grapes from California and Washington State
- Very involved founder and winemaker
Our list starts with a small Chicago winery that began as a one-person basement operation. Through dedication and hard work, the founder of VIN312 winery grew his passion project into a well-known craft urban winery. It’s his goal to foster a community of friendship and sharing around the wines he produces.
Visit this quaint, comfortable tasting room in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago for one of their special events — like cooking with the winemaker — or for a regular tasting. They also sell virtual wine tasting kits. So you can enjoy the best wines they have to offer on your own time. And, if you really love their selection, you can even join their wine club, which ships three special release bundles each year.
Tasting Room Address: VIN312 Winery, 4710 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery
Quick Sips
- Offers wine and mead made from local honey
- Environmentally beneficial wine- and mead-making process
- Walk-ins are welcome at their location
The second Chicago winery on our list offers visitors more than just wine. This winery’s owner started a honey bee enterprise when he was just six years old, and now his business specializes in making wine and mead from locally raised bees.
Located on the southern edge of Dan Ryan Woods, Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery is surrounded by a peaceful garden where you can lounge with friends, sipping on drinks in one of their many flavors. The best part, though, is that their bees pollinate as many as two million flowers for every bottle they produce. In turn, these flowers provide seeds for new flowers, a cycle that contributes to our planet’s overall well-being.
Tasting Room Address: Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery, 9030 S Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60620
City Winery
Quick Sips
- Two locations, including one at the Chicago Riverwalk
- Unique urban winery, restaurant, and concert venue
- 600+ bottle wine cellar for the ultimate in Chicago wineries tasting
You may recognize the name “City Winery” from other cities in the U.S., but just because they have multiple locations doesn’t mean your experience will be any less than authentic Chicago. Each City Winery location offers one-of-a-kind events and local favorites. And, with a wine cellar that houses more than 600 bottles, you’ll find plenty to taste.
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, try their behind-the-scenes Chicago wineries tasting and tour. This 30-40 minute tour takes you through their concert venue, wine cellar, wine garden, and restaurant. Along the way, you get to sample their house-made wine paired with specialty crostinis. Then, finish it off with a chance to purchase wine at a discounted rate, and this might just be your favorite stop on your Chicago wine tour!
Tasting Room Address: City Winery, 1200 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Picnic Wine & Provisions
Quick Sips
- Just steps from Lake Michigan
- Community-focused tasting room and event venue
- Women-owned and operated
Founded and operated by Liz Ahearn, this gem is nestled on the edge of Lake Michigan. Picnic Wine & Provisions was created as a space where people can share ideas, from having conversations over glasses of wine to playing music together and hosting art showings.
This is the ultimate stop if you’re into wine and snacks. Picnic’s menu changes with the seasons, but it always showcases sustainably sourced undeniably delicious dishes. And adding to its charm, Picnic Wine & Provisions also offers small, locally made items and artwork to buy. We recommend making a reservation before you go, especially if you’d like to take advantage of their outdoor seating during the summer months.
Tasting Room Address: Picnic Wine and Provisions, 7301 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626
Prairie State Winery
Quick Sips
- Known for friendly service and reasonably priced food
- Unique wine flavors, like elderberry, ginger, and apple crisp
- Broad selection of award-winning wines
Our last Chicago area winery takes us about an hour west of center city, but it’s definitely worth the drive. Prairie State Winery produces more than 35 different wines, several recognized with wine industry awards. If you’re looking for high-quality dry reds, this is the place for you.
For just $5, you can do a “select your own” tasting, which gives you seven wines of your choice to try. Pick from unique flavors — like elderberry — or try traditional wines made from co-fermented Illinois and California grapes, though they also make wines from 100% Illinois-grown grapes. Make the trek to Genoa, IL, to see why this winery is known for great service, food, and wine.
Tasting Room Address: Prairie State Winery, 222 W Main St, Genoa, IL 60135
Finding the Perfect Chicago Wineries Tastings and Tours
Chicago, Illinois has many tasting rooms to choose from, but each winery offers something unique to enjoy. Whether you want to sip locally made wines in a peaceful garden or enjoy live music and great food while you taste, you won’t be disappointed with the Chicago wine scene.
Happy tasting! Oh, and PS, if you’re looking for other things to do in the Chicago area, have you thought about being a seat filler?