Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association - 2900 Greenbriar Rd. Springfield, IL 62704 (217) 726-8518
www.illinoiswine.com

FINE WINES AND BALLROOM DANCING … A PERFECT PAIR! - 2009.07.31

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- What type of wine goes with a little ballroom dancing? At the Illinois State Fair the answer is simple – Illinois wine!

The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA) will host the Illinois Wine Experience inside the Twilight Ballroom. The Twilight Ballroom is located on Central Avenue between the U.S. Cellular High Dive Show and the Coliseum.

The Illinois wineries returning this year to the Illinois Wine Experience include: Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington; Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney; Lasata Winery, Lawrenceville; Illinois River Winery, Utica; Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford; Berryville Vineyards, Claremont; Baxter's Vineyards & Winery, Nauvoo; Hopewell Winery, Rockport; Hogg Hollow Winery, Glendale; Mary Michelle Winery, Carrollton; Shawnee Winery, Vienna; Piasa Winery, Grafton; Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass; and Willett’s Winery, Manito.
Illinois wineries participating in the Wine Experience for the first time include Ridge View Winery, Mt. Sterling; Prairie State Winery, Genoa; Lavendar Crest Winery, Colona; Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Mackinaw; Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount; Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson; Villa Marie Vineyard & Winery, Maryville; and Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery, Chicago.

As in past years the Twilight Ballroom will feature nightly entertainment from a number of varied and talented jazz, swing, blues, big band, orchestral, and dance musicians from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night. A full schedule of the musicians is available at http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/twilight/.

Admission is free, with sampling tickets available for $1 each. Wine may also be purchased by the glass, bottle and case from each winery. The event is open to anyone, must be 21 years of age or older to taste the wines.

A special tasting of the 2009 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition award winners will take place Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Twilight Ballroom.

The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA), established in 1992, is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the viticulture and enology interests of Illinois through information exchange and cooperation among Illinois grape producers and vintners. The Illinois wine industry has exploded in recent years, growing from just 12 wineries in 1997 to 79 today. During this time, the acreage devoted to grape production has grown at a tremendous rate, and today Illinois is consistently among the top 12 wine-producing states. Today the Illinois wine industry creates a direct economic impact of more than $253 million annually. The nearly 80 wineries that span Illinois have also brought with them a host of charming bed and breakfasts and local crafts businesses. The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association predicts continued growth in the coming years as more visitors discover the genuine culture of Illinois Wine Country.
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Attachment: Click here for an event flyer.