You Don't Have To Go To Napa

Lynfred Winery is just a short drive outside of Chicago. It’s such a short drive you don’t even get to the outer suburbs before you come across the tall wooden sign with the stained glass dome inviting you to step inside.

 

From the street it’s hard to tell this unassuming two-story building is an actual winery, but as soon as you step inside you know you’re in for a treat. Last Sunday Windy City Wine Guy organized a field trip out to Lynfred, complete with yellow school bus ride from the Metra station. His friend Mike Miley had won a group tasting for winning a grape seed spitting contest (he’s won several times and has his technique down pat). For a Sunday afternoon – heck, for any afternoon really – the place was packed. Every spot at the tasting bar was filled.

 

Our group browsed through the attached store and oohed and aahed over hand-painted martini glasses, chocolate covered wine bottles and mustards and sauces and fresh-baked bread. We shared a loaf of red wine cheddar bread (thanks Addie!) and sipped on a lovely Chenin Blanc while we waited for our tasting and tour.

 

In the cellar filled with barrels we tasted several wines, and then stepped into the adjacent room where the magic happens. Lynfred is not just a tasting room, but an actual winery. The grapes are outsourced from California, Michigan, and Illinois, and Andrés Basso crafts them into the various wines which have won several awards. Some of the group favorites were the Chenin Blanc and the Merlot. Once upstairs again we tried the Glögg, a heated spiced wine, and it was so delicious a few of us walked away with some.

 

The regular tastings are $7 for seven wines, unless you’re a Wine Club member and then it’s $6. Members also receive a new release bottle each month as well as discounts on wine purchases, access to the VIP Tasting Room, and special events.

 

The winery itself is beautiful, with a gorgeous wooden spiral staircase leading to the cellar, a deck with furniture crafted from wine barrels, and stained glass appointments throughout. There’s even a bed and breakfast so you can make it an overnight getaway.

 

It’s definitely worth the trip out to Roselle, and the tour of the cellar is complimentary.

 

Lynfred Winery, 15 S Roselle Road, (888)298-WINE