History
Paul Hahn opened the tasting room in 2003 after building a tasting room and cellar for processing and planting the vineyards beginning in 1998. The vineyard currently has 14 acres of grapes with about 20 varietals being grown for production and testing. The vineyard is situated on a glacial moraine and the rich glacial soils and sloping hills bring out the best in the grapes. The vineyard began with a tasting room and now hosts agricultural tourism events, weddings, receptions, concerts and many special events both public and private. In 2003 after submitting five wines to the Illinois Wine Competition the wine Alexander's Conquest a red table wine won the double gold medal in the state ranking as the best wine in the state and naming Paul Hahn Winemaker of the year. The wines continue to win medals in local and international competitions.
Specialties
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard & Winery features 20 wines made at our vineyard and winery. Paul Hahn founded the vineyard in 1998 and opened to the public in 2003. Our wines are made with our French American Hybrids and native grapes. We have daily wine tasting in our tasting room and host tour and tastings by appointment for a $10pp fee with a minimum of 5 people or $50. From June to September on Saturday evenings we have Music in the vineyard concerts from 7-11pm, $5pp admission, under 12 free. We have 3 Annual Festivals: the last weekend in May we have an International Wine, Craft Beer and Music Festival, the third Sunday in July we have an Art Festival and the Sunday of Labor Day weekend we have a Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival. We also host trivia nights and murder mystery dinners in the winter and early spring. More information on fees and event details and bands is available at www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com, Check the Upcoming Events tab or friend us on Facebook at Mackinaw Winery. Or call us at 309-359-9463(WINE) or email-mackinawwinery03@gmail.com