Located outside of the Peoria Illinois area,this winery produces over 20 different wines in a gorgeous setting. Thru out the year they offer summer concerts as well as host many weddings. They have a small gift shop as well as a tasting room. Tastings are only 3.00 for 3 selections! Since my wife and I love reds that are not sweet,we were able to try 6 different wines. The pours are served in small plastic containers and we each were given water as well as a wine glass to sample the wines. We ended up purchasing 2 bottles and we're glad we stopped. read more

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Lovely place.. it is winter..summer this venue would be fantastic. Did some wine tasting with friends.. Gracious hospitality... Great place to unwind! read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - Front counter.. - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

Cute little place with delicious wine!! Unfortunately we were confused on the time they close.

Met up with some friends and none of us had been here before. We really enjoyed the view and all the options you had to sit outside with cover, or even tables/chairs inside in the air conditioning which was a great option for a hot and humid day. The woman working on the 4th of July was really personable and helpful as we got the lay of the land and our wine options. We knew in advance we could bring our own food so we enjoyed a simple charcuterie spread. One thing to make sure you note is how you can't bring in any type of beverages, including water. Make sure you purchase that when you order your wine. So we liked the ambiance and service. but the wine wasn't the highlight for us. We tried both white and red bottles and found the Alexander's Conquest and Eric's Red to be our group's favorites. A great place to get away from the usual, enjoy the views, and have some fun with friends! read more

Two tries and we're out! The scenery and grounds are beautiful , hence the one-star, but everything else is unimpressive. Our overall statement is; If you aren't part of an event, this isn't the winery you want. It is NOT conducive to relaxing with a glass or bottle of wine. Our first experience here wasn't great. Weekend afternoon and there were kids from an event allowed to run around, absolutely everywhere, with no supervision--and they were loud. Really unpleasant atmosphere for a winery. Even though the operating hours were posted as later, we felt unwelcome after 5 pm. We left. Today, we arrived at 4:00, only to feel displaced by people who had reserved tables for 5:00 being allowed to consume the entire porch flitting around with set up. It was hard to know where we could sit with the wine we had already purchased because all of the tables had reserved tickets on them. You had to go around and check each one to see if it had a name in it or not to know if it was open. There was a band set to start at 7:00 pm. They were setting up, which was understandable, but then started blaring Ac/DC and similar pre-recorded music from their speakers for the rest of the afternoon. Oh, and add to that, the owners were using the leaf blower and revving a 4-wheeler made for a pretty annoying and unpleasant afternoon. Nothing about this winery says, "Come, relax and enjoy." Once again, a most unwelcoming experience. Add to that that most of the wines are undrinkable. Won't be back and can't recommend. We're out! read more

Mackinaw Valley Winery is a wonderful winery to stop by and enjoy the serinity and peace of the area. They have a wonderful wine selection with some super unique wines! They produce an "Orange Wine" (no, it's not made from Oranges lol) that is super yummy plus so many more! I definitely recommend checking this place out! They have wines for dry and sweet drinkers alike! read more

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Made it out after hearing raves from a coworker. We were able to enjoy a concert a few weeks ago, despite the rain. They moved the band and all reserved tables to the pavillion and we got to sit up on the deck. Even with the rain it was an enjoyable evening. They have a fun selection of wines that I enjoyed. You can bring you own food/munchies to eat - no drink allowed. They have wine, various soda/pop and water, along with some cheese/crackers and pizza (whole - not sold in slices). Its a great place for date night, ladies night out, bridal shower/bachelorette celebrations etc. Of course everyone is so friendly and nice - its great! There is only a $5/person cover charge for the event - extremely affordable. read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

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Great place. I found out about this place when I was visiting my home town, Delavan. My girlfriend and I check it out. Beautiful surroundings and places to set outside . There was a pond and a large area for events. A great places to set out and enjoy a glass of wine read more

So relaxing being on the lawn people watching. Grest concerts and gift shop is very unique! I recommend to everyone, just ho once snd it will become a summer thing from now on. read more

This was our first time in a vineyard. Had chosen Mackinaw because of the proximity to my place and the greats reviews. And...we were not disappointed. The place is quaint, nestled among corn fields and almost isolated. A perfect place to unwind and envelop yourself in serene greenery. As you enter the winery, you are awestruck by the beautiful house of the owners and the Wine tasting room after that. The tasting room is built tastefully and has an old charm to it that feels perfect with a glass of wine in your hand. Barry the bartender makes you feel right at home and is very charming. You get to taste 3 different types of wines for free and $1 thereafter. You can tell Barry has been doing this for a long time, because he recommended us just the right type of wine based on my wife's and my tastes. We started with Nicole Blush followed by Eric's Red, White Dragon, Alexander's Red, Coronot Trois. The gift shop is nice and has an eclectic collection of wine stoppers, corks, decorative items and chocolates. The vineyard is very well maintained and the small pond in the middle adds character to the charming place. I got to know that this place was also known for hosting weddings and I knew why. The whole place is very well maintained and modern and feels very calm. We had a great time in the vineyard and ended up purchasing 3 bottles of wine. All in all, a nice place to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon with your loved ones. read more

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Came here for a murder mystery dinner in March. The package came with wine tasting and a great meal. I LOVED the White Dragon wine. I took home a bottle. The scenery was excellent and the whole place was just fun! 5 stars for creating a place in central Illinois where people can gather for evenings out!! The reason for the 3 stars was not Necessarily the fault of the vineyard, but I wish I would have had more of a warning from Mackinaw Vineyard advertising - the play was extremely inappropriate. It was a murder mystery and advertised as suspenseful, not ADULT raunchy sex dialogue. My husband and were not impressed and almost walked out after the 10th reference to a sexual act. The food was great and it would have been a really nice night had the play been a little more appropriate. I can't wait to come out for picnics and outdoor concerts this summer. Maybe I can up my review then. read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

Ok, one thing to know: Illinois is not known for its wine. So, my rating here is not terrifically reflective of the actual wine at MVV. The setting is absolutely lovely, and it is absolutely worth the drive from Bloomington-Normal for an afternoon on their veranda with some chocolate or cheese (or bring your own picnic), some music, and a good view. The people are nice, the owners amazingly helpful (my husband set up a birthday party for me there a couple of years ago and they were great) and you will enjoy yourself. Don't, however, expect excellent wine. It is...interesting, and veers toward the sweet (as many northern wines do), but Illinois is not California, and this winery is comparatively new. Tasting up to 3 wines is free, and after that it is just $1 each. You can buy bottles or single glasses as well, and they will seal your wine for you if you don't finish the whole bottle. They also have beer :) One suggestion for MVV in the summer - make a sangria! Your wines would make great sangria (the type with chopped fruit, ice, and a bit of soda water), and I would certainly partake in a pitcher. read more

Beautiful setting. Easy place to relax and not get too intoxicated because the wine is virtually undrinkable.

What a amazing relaxing place with great wine! We were married her one year ago and we absolutely love this place! Came back to.share a glass of wine for our anniversary!!! read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - a bottle and two glasses of wine - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

Like the napa valley wineyard tour but no pressure to buy and there's a band and backyard picnic like dance area. Wine is decent. Cheese are really good. Lots of people brought their own food. Lots of 20 something mother with little daughters dancing. Very wholesome. Once the sun sets the crowd changes to 30 somethings dancing and drinking wine. read more

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What a beautiful winery! The boyfriend and I arrived at his parents' house in Mackinaw and plotted out how we'd be spending our evening. Our first stop was the Mackinaw Valley Winery. I have to admit I didn't have high hopes for this place - a winery in hicksville? We pulled into the winery and the first thing I saw was all the carefully tended-to vines. They went as far as I could see - I felt like I was in California! We hopped out of the car and went into the tasting room. There was a wedding going on out on the back lawn, but the owner was happy to let us taste a bunch of his wines. We each tried 7 or so wines, and they were really good! I'm no wine snob, but I know what I like, and I really liked what I tried here. We then each purchased a glass and headed out the back. There's a beautiful back porch that faces onto the vineyards, and a patio off to the side that faces a small lake with lots more vines in the background. It was a beautiful setting for a wedding. They hold lots of other events here, and on Saturday nights in the summer they have live music for free. I loved my time here and will surely be back. Maybe one day I'll get married here? Hrmmmm.......... read more

What a total bust! Haven't been here in forever but if this night was a sign of the times, they are slipping far and fast. It was a stormy night and we got there late but were still made to pay the full cover charge with less than an hour remaining of playing time. Okay fine but then we heard ONE SONG before the band quit. The most expensive song of all time..... These wines will make you sicker than a dog with a headache for days and a sour stomach so bad not even a Bloody Mary will cure. Their coolers don't actually keep their bottled beers cold so drink up fast ladies and gents. Want a vodka soda?? Oh too bad, no hard alcohol here and no you can't bring it in, it's undrinkable wines or warm beer to drink while listening to your one song. Couldn't get out of here fast enough and then hit a major State Trooper road block on the way back to the interstate (Thank god for no hard alcohol at that point!) so somebody at this winery isn't donating quite enough at ISP fundraisers.... Added one star back in for the decent bands they get once in awhile and honestly, the grounds and layout are really beautiful. Just needs run by new management! read more

I will start by saying we go here every year for my dad's birthday. We do enjoy the ambiance - offers a nice large deck to sit and look out at the grapes and the lake. We usually bring our own food/charcuterie platter. They do offer gourmet chocolates in the gift shop, but they have a hefty price tag. Save yourself some trouble and bring your own paper plates, a cutting board, paring knife, etc. You cannot bring any outside beverages in, but they sell their wine and quite a few beers so that is your only option. My only issues with this place are the employees and the wine tasting process. Many times the counter where you can taste wines is crowded and you feel very rushed to get in, taste your samples, buy, and get out. You go in and go up to the main counter and if there are people available to help you (and that's a big IF if you go anytime there is more than two groups) they offer a limited knowledge of the wines before pouring you a tiny sample in a plastic cup. I feel it would be more professional to serve them in a glass. If you wan to try more than one or two wines, expect to be there awhile. I've felt like I was bothering the employees by asking for samples - multiple times I've wanted to buy more wine but felt like I was hassling them and just thought, 'forget it.' I shouldn't have to beg someone to take my money! I also think this place would benefit by having their employees become more professional and knowledgeable about the wines. The young guy several Sundays back simply offered, "Yeah, that one is good, it's pretty popular." Uh...ok. Several times we've either had people who were hurried/bothered/slightly rude or hungover from the night before (Maybe they are allowed to stay and drink after hours??) Someone else mentioned their casual dress and I would agree with that. Maybe a uniform polo would be an improvement. I wouldn't expect something super dressy since it is a laid back winery, but I would agree that they should have higher dress-code standards. If they could improve the wine tasting process and the employees' customer service skills, I would consider this a five star. read more

Some of the best meals in life are not about the food. Just ate Butch's frozen pizza with a bottle of Jasmin's Moonlight White. Day drinking on a Sunday with my beautiful wife and a beautiful view. Could not be more perfect. read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

I was really disappointed that the outside sitting area was not dog friendly. I visit many wineries the most are dog friendly for leashed dogs. Destihl in Bloomington and Obed and Isaacs in Peoria allow dogs in their outside seating. read more

I'll start by saying that I'm not a wine drinker. The closest that I come is sangria, of which I am actually quite the connoisseur. Saying that, this place is a beautiful stop in a random County. I came with my grandmother for a grape stomping and wine tasting. The land is gorgeous with a gazebo, small lake, and a very cute koi pond. There are swing benches everywhere so adults can get out of the blazing sun and cool off with a beverage. The staff was very friendly and we could not stop thinking of all the great events we could have here. The only catch is that I was not much a fan of the sangria. Mostly I was just wondering where the wine was in the drink. The sweet reds that I did try were not bad but I was not super impressed overall. I think this location be wonderful for any wedding, reunion, or outing for families and friends as long as you are not expecting good sangria. Cheers! read more

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You know what's great ?? Things unexpected. Srs. Some of the best things and times i've had t/o my life have been those that are unplanned or simply a case of "I think ~insert activity/event/place here~ will be this much fun/non-fun" and it turns out to totally exceed your expectations. I present to you Exhibit A: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. I came here for a wedding with a friend of mine and was all like, "where/huh/what?etc". She's quality though so I said no prob, i'm in. This place is tucked away about 30 min East of P-town in a very rural, wooded and scenic area. The place is ideal for an outdoor wedding and is basically gorgeous. If I were on the craic and wanted to marry again, this would be a potential venue, perfect for a small wedding, read: 100 or less. I believe there were approx 65 guests at the one we went to and it was great. read more

I have been here in the past for a high school reunion. It is a lovely place, set way out in the landscape between Mackinaw and Danvers. Beware the thought that, because it isn't near Peoria, Bloomington or Chicago that it doesn't possess all that a nice winery would need to create a lovely atmosphere for an afternoon. I attended the "International Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival", and I am unsure if there is anything terribly internation beyond the beers, but it was a fantastic place for such an event. The main building is multi tiered, with lots of seating and appeared to easily accommodated the rather large crowd that showed up for the even. Parking is pretty easy and not a pain at all to navigate. The grounds are lovely and obviously well kept and attended to. Definitely worth the time and energy to get out here and enjoy!!! read more

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard - View of the grape vine fields... - Wineries Near Me - Mackinaw, Illinois

Absolutely wonderful place! The people who own it (the Hahn family) are the best and most wonderful people to chat with! Eric's red is my favorite but all the wines are lovely! Great place for a little weekend excursion of wine tasting on a patio by a lake or to stop and get a quick pick up for a wedding gift! read more

Anniversary weekend vacation. followed the signs..pulled in and went in and it was a mad house.Wedding and a seperate baby shower. WHAT THE HECK! I asked the wine lady--dressed in a orange hoodie---waaay casual for the events going on inside...bad weather so everyone was located inside crammed...not one sigh telling the public that it was closed due to...... Car loads after car loads of people wanting to sample...no room for us. What a mess..They should have had a back up "SPECIAL"=back up plan.. room for the wedding reception...not even a chance to even look for a gift...my opinion there should have been a sigh placed outside by the entrance "SORRY for any inconvenience but it is closed to the public.." read more

Great venue that we visit multiple times a year for bands on weekends. I'm not a wine person, so my review is more related to entertainment factor... They only book bands that draw a good audience, so you can almost be sure that the entertainment is almost always good, at least. I've seen a couple reviewers post about the wine not being their absolute favorite or some top tier stuff... We're talking about Mackinaw, IL - not the Napa Valley, right? Set your expectations accordingly and enjoy a beautiful setting where you can bring your own chairs, food and settings -and buy beer, soda, wine and Butch's pizza at very reasonable prices. Truth is, weddings, reunions or concerts are fantastic outdoors at the MVW - just beware of the weather at your own risk. I saw a complainer that cried about paying for entry just before it started raining. Seriously? Check the radar on your phone if it's that sketchy. Mother nature's influence doesn't change the fact that it's a very cool place, and about 20 mins from Peoria or Bloomington. Cover charge to pay for the band as you enter, and add on very reasonable prices (like $2.50 or $3 aluminum bottles of domestics and $10 bottles of their wine) and you're in for a fun time. Check the calendar for summer dates your favorite bands like Jammsammich, 7 West or Bubblegum Jack and more to look forward to a great night of entertainment. The only complaint I have is that it's popular enough that sometimes you have to wait in line to get beverages at one of the multiple service windows. But they keep steady service and it's not unreasonable. read more

Magical in the summertime when they have concerts. You can't beat great wine, your own picnic, and music on a saturday night. The setup is amazing with the vineyard behind the band. The have some great local award winning wines and a very nice outdoor lawn. There is also deck seating a little white lights strung all over. They provide food but also allow you to bring your own. Put it on your bucket list for sure! read more

I've been here for many events. They have music nights where they have cover bands playing and these are great for small company outings or family gatherings. My favorite wine is the Eric's Red. It's more like a Merlot and it's worth the $20 per bottle. Don't count on their food. At the events I have gone to the food is just cheese and chocolate to have with your wine. read more

this winery is INCREDIBLE! I planned a bridal shower here and it turned out beautifully!! they allow functions to be held after hours which was perfect! I live far away so planning was somewhat difficult but Carly helped out in every way possible! Carly was so nice and helpful! she helped with serving drinks and took group pictures for us! if given the choice I will DEFINITELY BE back! the property the winery on is breathtaking with a huge outdoor patio and even swings looking out towards a pond. very lovely! I love everything about this place! read more

a little bit of nappa in central il!! well since i grew up there i may be just a little inclined to give a good review ;) i never knew from when we first planted our first grape plants when i was in grade school that it'd blow up to what it is today! even though i live in chicago now, i love getting away and coming home to the winery....especially on band night! come on out everyone! read more

I recently visited this area for my friends wedding festivities. It was a grand time and they also had a band playing. It was wonderful and there were lots of people that came. It was very nice. I am not sure of their prices but their wine was amazing. I would definitely visit again with a loved one. Such a great place. Experienced Around: Jun 24, 2013 read more

UPDATE 9/16/17: I came back and I'm so happy I did! I'm sitting here at Mackinaw Valley Winery, enjoying a delicious glass of Cayuga White. Ben, from the winery, reached out to me and offered us a table if we decided to come by again to make up for the poor experience of our ending last time! I don't blame the winery for what happened last time, it was just unfortunate that it had occurred. I seriously love this venue and am happy to keep coming back. Mackinaw Valley Winery obviously cares for their customers and it shows and that goes a long way for us! Thanks Ben and Mackinaw Valley Winery!!! read more

Went to the winery festival today. Pretty place, but advertisement for festival gave the impression that there were many food vendors when there was only one vendor that gave you a bite of cheese on a toothpick. Underage people paid five dollars for a couple bites of cheese and still had to pay for water or pop. Also guy pouring samples was extremely rude. Will not be returning ever again. read more

How I love the family atmosphere of the winery. I come out a lot of times during the summer for bands, and bring up my friends and sometimes my children. My favorite wine out there is the Mackinaw Reserve. I consider 1 of my all time favorite wines. read more

Love the atmosphere of this place. The concerts on the weekends are great and affordable. It's worth the extra 5 dollars per person to reserve a table on their deck. You can bring in all of your own food so we brought a whole picnic! You have to drink their beverages only though, which was fine because we got a couple bottles of wine and it was uniquely flavored and affordable. They also have some food there you can order if you like. Overall the atmosphere and people are great. read more

Asked employee for recommendation for red non sweet wine. His reply was, we are in Mackinaw and I don't like or drink wine. Suggestion for the future, hire employees who care more and are knowable about the product they are selling!!! read more

Beautiful location! Great wine! We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Morton and they shuttled us back and forth. We brought our own dinner and sat on the deck and enjoyed the wine and view. Very relaxing. read more

It's hard to believe this place is called a winery. The wine tasting was served in plastic cups and the wine was undrinkable. Employee was not very knowledgable of product and was very pushy to hurry the experience. Grounds are nice but not even worth the drive from Bloomington. read more

You ask what I think of the July 16 auto show.They should put a number on each car and people huge ,most 1st next 2nd on,on I was the 2nd car there but you gave awards to them fist there ,sorry I pulled down far from awards. I put lots of time ,money to be judged. I drove the red Corvette. read more

My wife and I have come here a few times, both during the concerts and during the week when it is much quieter. It is not the most top notch establishment, but for being located in the middle of nowhere Illinois they do a fantastic job. The scenery is unlike anything else you'll find in Illinois. I live in Bloomington/Normal and had no idea such a pretty place was so close. It is VERY busy during the concerts -- easily 750 to 1000 people were there both times we visited. The music is pretty good. They mostly played covers of classic rock / pop songs and put on an entertaining show, but if you are looking for extravagant musicians who play more specialized tunes you might be let down. The bartenders during the concerts were not very knowledgable about the wines and served the drinks/samples in plastic cups, but when we went during the week the staff were much more thorough in explaining the menu and used real wine glasses, much more like a true winery experience. During the concerts, the bar areas are more like concession stands which makes sense because of how busy they are. The wines are good -- not fantastic -- but tasty enough to enjoy a few glasses and take a bottle home. My wife likes sweet wines and I like mine dry, and we both found ones that we liked. The Mackinaw Reserve is my favorite and she loved one of their new wines, the Red Dragon. They also serve several beers for people who don't like wine. Some other reviewers complained about not being able to bring their own beverages in, but it's a business! Do you go into your favorite bar carrying a six pack with you from home? They do allow you to bring food, so we saw a lot of people set up on the lawn with picnics and lawn chairs during the concerts. So, if you're looking to do a wine tasting or have a quiet day with your significant other then you should definitely come during the daytime. If you are looking to socialize with some friends or get the family out of the house and enjoy some music, come during the Saturday night concerts. Both are fun, but they are distinctly different experiences. We will be back without a doubt. read more