Hill Prairie Winery - A Hidden Gem of the Springfield Area

When it comes wine vineyards, you instantly think of France or California. Well, Illinois is producing some of the best award winning wine. Just forty-five minutes northwest of Springfield, located in Oakford, Illinois, is the Hill Prairie Winery.

Hill Prairie Winery is on the historic property of the Lounsberry family of Oakford. The Lounsberry have lived and farmed the land since the 1830's. Currently, Mark and Connie Lounsberry are the owners of the winery along with Mark's father and mother, Lloyd and Nancy and Mark's sister, Barb. The Lounsberry property includes rolling hills, ponds, 100 year old barn, and several acres of land dedicated for growing grapes.

Hill Prairie Winery is not just about the wine, it is a great place for entertaining friends by listening to some great local bands or catching a murder mystery theatre. Hill Prairie Winery is a great place to host a wedding reception or any other event. My wife and I love going out to the winery on Sunday's from 2PM to 5PM to listen to some good music while enjoying some excellent wine.

Hill Prairie Winery boasts sixteen varieties of wine. Nine of the wines were entered 2010 Illinois commercial wine competition and awarded with awards. The list of wines include the following:

River Bluff Red Reserve - New wine flavor. Red Wine.

Strawberry - New wine using strawberries from the area.

Chardonel - White wine with a citrus flavoring.

Tramminette - A dry white wine.

Vignoles - A red wine with vignole grapes grown on the vineyard.  Features the flavors of pineapple and apricot.

Prairie Dew - A very popular  and sweet tasting wine. My wife and I have had this wine and this is our favorite. Very sweet sophisticated taste. The taste entertains the palate.

Prairie Sunshine - A sweet tasting wine.

Niagara - A wine using Niagara grapes.

Prairie Berry - A nice blend of blackberry and blueberry for a nice flavoring.

Prairie Barn Blush - A wine similiar to zinfandel in color but with a much nicer taste.

Raz-Cherry - A blend of raspberries and tart cherries.

Prairie Barn Red - A red wine with a hint of chocolate flavoring.

Chambourcin - A dry red wine that goes with an Italian dish.

Autumn Spice - A red wine flavored with cinnamon and cloves for a crisp Autumn taste and aroma.

Crimson Moon - A port wine with a high alcohol content.

Country Concord - A red wine with a flavorful burst of Concord grapes used in juices and jellies.

List courtesy of Hill Prairie Winery website - www.hillprairiewinery.com.

So, while you are visiting the historic sites of the Springfield area, take the short trip over to Oakford to Hill Prairie Winery. The winery is open year round. The hours of operation are 11AM - 5PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday 12PM - 5PM. Hill Prairie Winery does have winter hours that take affect around November 1 or December 1 until March 31st, where they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but opened Wednesday through Sunday.

Hill Prairie Winery is a great venue for wedding receptions, school reunions, catching murder mystery theatre, and just strolling the grounds. You can take tours of the wine making process there. It truly is a great place to visit. I know my wife and I would love to go out there to try the Strawberry wine. If you love great tasting wine, you should come to Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford, IL, and you will create memories for a lifetime.