Just 60 minutes west of Chicago’s Loop, the urban and suburban landscape gives way to bucolic prairie and farmland almost as far as the eye can see. The soil in these parts is among the best on the planet, and from these fertile fields are harvested the finest ingredients to produce award-winning wines and hard spirits. The creators of these bold flavors are Bold Spirits of DeKalb County makers, and their award-winning wines and hard spirits produce bold flavors that are enjoyed by visitors from around the globe.
Among these Midwest makers is Whiskey Acres Distilling Company in DeKalb. The distillery was started by fifth-generation farmers, and every ounce of corn, rye, barley, and wheat used to make the spirits under the Whiskey Acres label is grown on the family farm. “If we don’t grow it, we don’t make it,” says Whiskey Acres founder and partner, Jamie Walter. This philosophy gives the distillery its edge in a crowded craft spirits marketplace. Controlling the crops used in their spirits allows these makers to produce flavors unlike those found anywhere else. Several of the distillery’s bourbon and rye whiskey products recently received top honors at prestigious whiskey tasting competitions, standing strong alongside some of the biggest and most well-known distilleries in the world. Fans of fine spirits can take a distillery tour and then enjoy Whiskey Acres’ products and a variety of cocktails in its 4,200 square foot visitors center.
DeKalb County is also home to two wineries – Genoa’s Prairie State Winery, and Waterman Winery in Waterman. Each venue is known for its award-winning wine, with Waterman Winery producing its vintage from grapes grown in its vineyard on the property – a farm, of course. From its vineyard, to fermentation, to bottling, Waterman’s winemaking is done on-site, by hand, with attention to detail. Small batch wines of unique flavor using organically grown grapes await wine-lovers of all ages.
Prairie State Winery may not grow their own grapes, but its outdoor patio garden, live music, full-service kitchen offering seasonal menus, and more all complement Prairie State’s award-winning wines. The tasting room offers two complimentary samples consecutively to narrow down your options, or a seven-sample 1oz tasting flight for $8. Prairie State also sells wine by the bottle and features a re-corking machine, so guests can bring home their leftovers. The winery is also a distillery producing high-quality brandy and gin.
A trip to DeKalb County is not complete until a visit to Malta’s Jonamac Orchard. Visitors enjoy the orchard’s incredible variety of apples, cider, baked goods, and other family-centered activities. Haunted corn mazes, pony rides, and traditional u-pick apples have been a staple of this third-generation farm for 40 years. Jonamac also produces its own hard cider and partners with nearby Prairie State Winery to create a delicious variety of apple wines. Jonamac’s Cider House is the place to visit to sample the orchard’s spectrum of tastes. Ideal for the individual traveler or for group tours, the Cider House offers up country hospitality, bold flavors, and an ideal way to spend a few hours on a lazy autumn weekend.
From its earliest days, DeKalb County has fostered makers – industrious innovators who dreamed big and created inventions that changed the world. This legacy of makers is alive and well today in the county’s local wine producers and craft distillers, and their farm-to-table experiences has visitors returning to the prairie again and again.