(7185 E. Firehouse Rd., Decatur) produced four award-winning wines from its first harvest, including a gold medal for its dry red Chambourcin at the Indy International Wine Competition in 2006. A variety of northern Italian grapes, including Nebbiolo, Barbera and Sangiovese, and French varieties of Syrah and Viognier, have since been planted. The vineyard will add northern European varieties of Riesling, Gruner Vetliner and Pinot St. Laurent in the future. Open 6-8 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, beginning June 1. Go to www.longcreekvineyards.com  for more information.

(6605 N. Smith Rd., Edwards, northwest of Peoria) produces 27 varieties of wine, including a sweet red raspberry created especially for the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Its list of dessert wines features Blue Ice, with notes of honey, roses and pineapple, and Chocolate Cherry Sherry.

Dry wines include Red October, an oak-aged red with a hint of berries and currants, and Golden Sun Burst, a white with spice and apricot flavors. The winery’s tasting room also serves homemade lunch six days a week. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.kickapoocreekwinery.com for more information.

Megan Pressnall, IGGVA director of external relations, says that as the local foods movement and agritourism have grown, so has the production of local wine. Only 14 wineries operated in Illinois 10 years ago — there are now more than 80 across the state.

“People are really diversifying their farms and looking to bring in different audiences,” Pressnall says. “The wineries are fulfilling the need for that local experience, the close-tohome tourism.”

Wine festivals have also increased in popularity. Pressnall says consumers enjoy the convenience of meeting and sampling products from local winemakers in one location.

Likewise, community leaders appreciate the tourists and tourist dollars that flow into their towns and villages. The Illinois River Wine Trail and the Village of Manito host the first annual Illinois River Wine, Art and Jazz Festival from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 in Manito’s Memorial Park. Pressnall says it’s the summer’s biggest collective central Illinois wine festival, offering tastings and wine sales from at least 11 area wineries.

Jazz musicians will perform from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. and local hot air balloonists will offer rides, beginning at 5 p.m., and a “night glow” at 8 p.m. Local artisans will showcase and sell their creations all day. Tickets are $10 and include a wine glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tickets will be available for purchase.

For more information on Illinois wineries and vineyards, visit the IGGVA Web site at www.illinoiswine.org.

Contact Amanda Robert at [email protected].