"Shawnee Hills" American Viticultural Area

Illinois received its first American Viticultural Area recognized by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.  Southern Illinois` Shawnee Hills region is the state's first region acknowledged for its distinctive winemaking properties.

The AVA designation allows winemakers to include the "Shawnee Hills" region name on any wines that include 85 percent or more of their volume derived from grapes grown withing the AVA, re-assuring consumers that wines with the Shawnee Hills designation on the label are enriched by the region's characteristic grape attributes.

Ted Wichmann, who submitted the application for the AVA designation, founder of Owl Creek Vineyard, said, "The AVA designation earns Shawnee Hills a place on the map along with the nation's most respected wine regions.  More importantly, in a wine world that's becoming increasingly homogenized, the AVA stamp confirms the Shawnee Hills region's capability for producing unique wines that are distinctly Illinois."

What Makes the "Shawnee Hills" Region Unique?

• The name is derived from the Shawnee Indians who occupied these hills in the early 1800's.
• It is an un-glaciated 800-1000 ft ridge of limestone extending from the Mississippi to Ohio rivers in southern Illinois.
• Elevation ranges from 400 - 800 ft higher that glaciated land to the North and delta/coastal land to the South.
• Most of Illinois' highest elevations, many above 1000 ft, are in the Shawnee Hills
• Unique meso-climate with warmer winter temperatures and a longer growing season resulting from higher elevations
• Karst topography with limestone bedrock, sinkholes, caves and surface springs.
• Primarily thin loess soils, ("loess" a German term meaning loose).
• Superior surface and internal nwater drainage.  Soils are well-drained and low in fertility.
• Primary grape varieties include:  Chambourcin, Traminette, Chardonel, Vignoles, Seyval, Norton, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

General "Shawnee Hills" Information
Shawnee Hills A.V.A. was put into law on December 27, 2006
It consists of 2,139 square miles
1,368,960 acres with approximately 300 acres of grapes
Approximately 18 wineries and 55 vineyards are located within its' boundaries

For more information on the "Shawnee Hills" American Viticultural Area please contact the Shawnee Hills Wine-Grape Association.

Email:  shawneehills1@yahoo.com

   

Wineries

• • Alto Vineyards
  • Blue Sky Vineyard
  • Hedman Vineyard
  • Inheritance Valley Vineyard
    
  • Owl Creek Vineyard
  • Pomona Winery
  • StarView Vineyards
  • Von Jakob Vineyard
  • Kite Hill Vineyards
  • Orlandini Vineyard
  • Hickory Ridge Vineyard
  • Rustle Hill Winery
    

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Tribune Article

• Southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills region was recognized as the states first AVA.  More...