Southern Illinois Wine Trail Stay & Play Cabin Package
Create your very OWN Illinois wine trail tour while staying at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge!
As some of you may know, Southern Illinois has become well-known for its Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. This wine trail was the first wine trail formed in the state of Illinois and is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Shawnee National Forest. And now, there are eight (8) wine trails in Illinois! But did you realize that you could create your very OWN wine trail adventure when you stay at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge? Take advantage of the lodge’s Central Illinois location in the scenic hills of Southern Pike County and you’ll have the perfect spot to enjoy two days of wineries and breweries – not only in Illinois but Missouri too (our lodge is located just a few miles from Missouri). You won’t get that with any of the other wine trail tours! You can also visit some historic areas, enjoy lunch in a quaint, small-town diner and enjoy some shopping at all the unique shops in-between your stops at the wineries. Not to mention all the fun on-site activities at Heartland Lodge including horseback trail rides, UTV rentals and 1,200-acre OHV park, sporting clays, fishing, bonfire & smore’s, hayrack ride, river boat cruises, gourmet home-cooked meals and much more! Pair all of our fun activities, luxury lodging options and gourmet meals with the proximity to all of Southern Illinois popular wine trails and enjoy the ultimate winery tour getaway vacation! Bring your friends and family and enjoy an unforgettable wine trail tour experience!
Southern Illinois Best Wine Trail Tour Options
We have come up with two different wine trail tour options for you…each one possessing qualities that will provide a unique experience no matter which one you chose to explore (or extend your stay and choose both!). Below is a brief description of each winery or brewery and the specialties of each winery or vineyard. If you are not a wine aficionado, no problem! Follow our simple wine tasting guideline below. You might find it beneficial to read before heading out to a tasting. If you enjoy a good bottle of wine with friends and family while dining or listening to live music, then you will surely find Heartland’s winery trail tour recommendations a great mini-vacation!
We recommend planning a full day at each of the following wine trail tour excursions:
- Historic Hannibal Wine Trail
- West Central/Quincy Illinois Wine Trail
There are several dive bars and pubs within a short distance of the lodge as well! A Dive Bar Tour can be a great addition to your winery trail, and it might just make your significant other (if one doesn’t like wine) more apt to go on your winery tour excursion!
*With any winery you plan to visit, be sure to check their hours of operation before planning out your wine trail route! Many local winery’s are only open Fri-Sun. Make sure to always have a designated driver. Keep our roadways safe and never drink and drive.
Reserve a Shuttle Driver by calling 217-370-3717 (ask for Kent)
Historic Hannibal Wine Trail Tour (Option 1/2)
Travel to historic downtown Hannibal, Missouri, home of legendary Mark Twain and enjoy a day full of wine tastings and fun attractions!
Hannibal, MO is approximately 45 minutes from Heartland Lodge. On your way to Hannibal, stop by the Hopewell Winery (20 mins from lodge in IL) and enjoy a variety of dry and sweet wines! Hopewell Winery is right off State Road 54 and offers relaxing views of Pike County’s rolling countryside and is conveniently located halfway to your next stop in Hannibal.
After you enjoy a tasting at Hopewell, you’ll make the scenic drive through the river bluffs and across the mighty Mississippi River into Hannibal, MO. There is an array of attractions in downtown Hannibal.. you will definitely want to make sure to arrange plenty of site-seeing time at this stop. The first stop you’ll want to check out is the Cave Hollow West Winery, located just a few miles South of the Historic downtown district. Cave Hollow offers a comfortable tasting room with cheeses and other snacks your party will enjoy. After a wine tasting, you can explore the infamous Mark Twain and Cameron Caves, home to local legends and an array of folklore.
After exploring the caves, you’ll want to make sure you check out the Friendship Brewery and Great River Brewery, Main Street Wine Stoppe.
-All have amazing atmospheres and offer finger foods and a multitude of different brew, cocktail and wine options! They are within a short walking distance of each other too (about two blocks) when you park in the downtown historic district.
Some of our favorite fun things to enjoy in Hannibal are:
- Mark Twain River Boat. Enjoy your favorite wine while relaxing on a one-hour ride with historical and informative commentary, legends and sights from the cruise guides and captain. Make sure to reserve your boat tickets in advance.
- Broadway Bar N Grill – Darts, pool tables, outdoor seating, jukebox!
- Ole Wolfhound Pub– Traditional Irish fare & spirits!
- Rumor Has it Bar– Great eats and atmosphere!
- Mississippi Marketplace – More than a general store! Located next to Great River Brewing Company.
- Chocolaterie Stam – A must stop for all chocolate lovers!
- Art Galleries – There are several galleries featuring local artists.
- AVA Goldworks – Certified Master Bench Jeweler with handmade custom jewelry.
- Java Jive – This coffee house is a perfect place to relax.
- Antique Shopping – Encore Emporium and others.
- Hickory Stick Quilt Shop – Better Homes and Gardens top ten quilt shop.
- Becky’s Old Fashion Ice Cream- There are several ice cream shops within walking distance in downtown Hannibal.
- You can purchase a historic pass for $14 and explore the following sites:
- Interactive Museum/ Museum Gallery
- Huck Fin House & Twain’s Boyhood Home– Just a few steps away from the bus drop off.
- Beck Thatcher Law Office– Twain’s Father’s Law Office
- Grants Drugstore– Twain lived above the pharmacy when he was young
- WPA Old Museum Gift Shop
- There are eight other historical markers within a walking distance from these points!
- Plenty of pubs, shopping and sightseeing!
- View Full List of Hannibal Attractions Here >>
After a day of “piddling” around with Huck Finn, a great way to end the day is at Fiddlestiks Food & Spirits Company. Not only do they offer a variety of wines, but they have some amazing Midwestern food options too!
If you still have some free time after visiting Hannibal, and your wine buds are still thirsty, make the 15-minute drive to Pointe D’Vine Vineyard. This winery is back on the Illinois side of the river South of Quincy, IL. They offer an amazing charcuterie and cheese boards with fine wines that you will surely enjoy! Check out their tasting room options here >>.
Wine Trial Tour Map Directions
This is our recommended route, but you can create your own too! Always be sure to check with the wineries to make sure they are open the day you are planning your winery tour. Sometimes these wineries are only open on the weekends..
Hannibal Wine Trail Google Map Link >>
West Central Illinois Wine Trail Tour (Option 2/2)
Another great wine trail option that’s has picturesque views and amazing wine and dine options is the West Central Illinois Wine Trail! Starting from the lodge, this wine trail tour loop is approximately 172 miles. You’ll enjoy the historic river route along the Mississippi River and cruise through some of the most picturesque countryside in the Midwest.
Hopewell Winery- Stop #1
The Hopewell Winery (20 mins from Heartland Lodge) is right off State Road 54 and offers relaxing views of Pike County’s rolling countryside. You’ll enjoy a variety of sweet and dry wines while overlooking the Pike County rolling farmlands.
Pointe D’Vine- Stop #2
They offer an amazing charcuterie and cheese boards with fine wines that you will surely enjoy! Check out their tasting room options here >>.
Spirit Knob Winery– Stop #3
This vineyard originated in 1999 and offers some of the best mouthwatering wine options the Midwest has to offer!
Village Vineyard & Winery- Stop #4
Wine and dine at this vineyard’s inviting atmosphere. You’ll enjoy there wide variety or red and white wines.
Ridge View Winery- Stop #5
As you make your way back to the lodge, stop by this beautiful vineyard that offers fine wines, scenic views and great meal options.
Nucci’s Italian Restaurant- (Optional Stop) #5
Nucci’s is located in Pittsfield, IL (20 mins from Lodge) and is a great place to enjoy an Italian style supper on your way back to the lodge. They serve homemade Italian cuisine and offer several wine and brew options.
Illinois Wine Trail Tour Map Directions
This is our recommended route, but you can create your own too! Always be sure to check with the wineries to make sure they are open the day you are planning your winery tour. Sometimes these wineries are only open on the weekends..
Reserve a Shuttle Driver by calling 217-370-3717 (ask for Kent)
If these two wine tours are not enough, scenic Grafton Illinois is a perfect daytrip and offers several wineries, breweries, pubs and great places to eat!
Winery Trail Tour Lodging Options
Private Luxury Cabins -With Fireplace and Hot Tub!
More information on Private Luxury Cabins
Heavenly View Cabin – Perfect for Two – Ten People
Heavenly View is a luxury cabin with views that will take your breath away! Nestled near the top of the Mississippi River bluff, this cabin provides amazing views of the Mississippi River valley and the surrounding property. The cabin sits on 50 private acres which you can enjoy from the covered patios and screened-in porch (perfect for relaxing after a wine tour day) that adjoin three sides of the cabin. Wake up in the morning with a cup of coffee and step outside to listen to the wild turkeys gobble around you or watch the whitetail deer feed in the meadow at the bottom of the valley. Savor the sunset and its beautiful colors across the Missouri hills after exploring the Midwest’s best wineries!
Sunset Valley Lodge
Sunset Valley. The name of this lodge says it all. The view from the expansive rear deck as the sun sets over the horizon of the Mississippi River bluffs will take your breath away. This 10,180 square foot luxury lodge features seven suites and rooms. Located less than one mile from our other two lodges, Sunset Valley sits on its own 52 private acres and provides an outdoor entertaining environment you would expect with a lodge rental. Interesting note- there is even an old wine cellar built into this lodge!
Prairie Ridge Lodge – Luxury Suites with Hot Tubs and Fireplaces
Prairie Ridge Lodge, named after the prairie grasses, that surround the resort is also known as our luxury Lodge. This Lodge has over 10,000 square feet and features seven luxury suites, making it one of the most romantic lodges in Illinois. All luxury suites, each decorated to its own theme, feature an ultra-comfy, king-size, triple-sheeted canopy bed, private bath with Whirlpool, fireplace, daybed, comfy sitting area, mini-refrigerator and direct access to the expansive wrap-around decks.
The Original Lodge- Perfect for large group wine tours
The Original Lodge is full of tradition and memories! This cozy lodge was the first lodge built at Heartland Lodge and has become one of the favorites among guests who visit each year. At 9,500 square feet, it features eleven regular rooms, the Angler Room and the Whitetail Suite for thirteen total rooms. An incredible Great Room (where many of our spectacular photos are taken), Recreation Room, and front and back decks provide the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine.
More information on The Original Lodge
Quail Ridge Cabin -Our Newest Lodging Option!
More information on the Quail Ridge Cabin
Wine Tasting Tour Tips
If you’re not a wine aficionado, no worries! The most important thing to do on your wine tour is to have fun with friends and family! But if you haven’t heard the 5 S’s for wine tasting, and want to intrigue your co-wino’s while in between tours.. here they are:
- See
- Swirl
- Sniff
- Sip
- Savor
Basically, you want to sip wine slowly.. try to decipher the ingredients and savor every mouthful. Try to keep a mental tally of which wines you prefer best so in the future, whenever you’re out for a special occasion or fine dining, you’ll be able to say with confidence “I prefer ____ wine”. In general, red wines pair well with red meat. White wines go well with white meat.
Ready to book a wine trail tour? Give us a call at 217-734-2526 or E-Mail Office@HeartlandLodge.com for more details!
Last Updated: February 6th, 2024