Get in a Wine State of Mind: 4 Ways To Enjoy the Illinois Wine App

Idyllic scenery, gourmet bites paired with flavorful wines, outdoor patios overlooking vineyard panoramas – nothing beats exploring new Illinois wineries. Because wine is more than just a drink, it’s an experience.  

Whether you’re a wine aficionado, embarking on a road trip with friends, or celebrating an anniversary with a loved one, the vineyards and wineries in Illinois are not only great for tastings. Many offer live entertainment, grape-decked trails for cycling, festivals, events, and more. 

Enter: the Illinois Wine App. 

We wanted to give people the opportunity to quickly discover and locate wineries throughout Illinois – right from their smartphones. And we promise it won’t disappoint. Here are four reasons why you should hit download and explore the Illinois Wine App today. 

1. You’ll Be on Cloud Wine With Easy Search Functionality

“I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.” Yes, we summed our inner Ariana Grande and created a way for you to find and visit wineries across the state of Illinois. Conduct a search by winery name or punch in a zip code and use the interactive map to see where your journey will take you. 

Planning a romantic weekend getaway? A day trip with your friends? Need to find the perfect spot for a bridal shower, birthday party, or special celebration? The Illinois Wine App is your resource for finding the perfect winery. You’ll be able to view a winery’s location, hours, contact information, and website. You can also select “Get Directions,” which will direct you to Google Maps for easy navigation. 

2. Sniff, Swirl, Savor: VIP Wineries & Gold Medal Winners

Support the VIP wineries that make our app possible or search for award-winning wines by using the app’s filter function to find VIP or Gold Medal wineries. VIP wineries are members of  IGGVA (Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance, commonly referred to as “Illinois Wine”) and will be marked by a VIP icon on the map. Our VIPs are everything to us! They support Illinois Wine programs and activities, including the development of this app. So, next time you check one out, give them a big thanks for all their incredible support. 

You can also make your next vineyard visit an award-winning one by locating a Gold Medal winery. Wineries found with this filter have received at least one Gold or Double Gold medal in the most recent Illinois State Fair Wine Competition. Their wines have been evaluated by a panel of highly-qualified judges and determined to be among the best in the state.

3. Sip Your Way Along Illinois Wine Trails

Many Illinois wineries are conveniently clustered along one of seven Illinois wine trails. Each active wine trail can be found in the app, making it easy to plan your next weekend excursion or road trip adventure. 

Sample a range of distinctive and delicious Illinois wines while exploring bustling small cities, charming historic towns, and picturesque landscapes. You never know what you’ll find during your wine trail journey – cave tasting experiences, wine slushies, grape picking, and tons of outdoor activities. 

4. Everything’s Coming Up Rosé

Did you know rosé is the official Illinois State Wine? We’ll raise a glass to that. If you’re a dry rosé fan these wines will make your palate sing! Use the app to find dry rosé’s you'll love by searching for our Illinois Signature Series Rosé Wines. 

Each Illinois Signature Series Rosé receives extensive chemistry and sensory analysis, conducted by enology specialists, winemakers, and industry experts. To receive this distinction, this wine exceeds our world-class standards of quality, uses 100% Illinois-grown and -produced grapes, and exhibits lovely fruit and floral flavors, a gorgeous color, and a crisp finish. It pairs well with a wide range of foods, but can shine all on its own. 

So, what are you waiting for? With over 160 wineries and tasting rooms to explore across Illinois, make your trip an unforgettable one by downloading the Illinois Wine App today.