Carpentersville winery to expand in Algonquin

The Village Vintner Winery in Carpentersville has found a new village to call home.

Business owner Steve Boyer closed the winery this week while he moves it two miles north to Algonquin, ending its six-year run on Carpentersville’s stretch of Randall Road.

“I thought I’d get more exposure on Randall Road, but it’s amazing how many people still come in after six years, not realizing I was here,” Boyer said.

And now it’s time to grow — something he couldn’t do in his Carpentersville location.

Boyer is expanding the winery into two storefronts on Esplanade Drive, just south of the Algonquin Commons. From there, he says he will grow the business into a microbrewery and an upscale restaurant that will serve steak, homemade sausage, fresh mozzarella cheese and Neapolitan-style pizza. It also will feature an outdoor patio and live entertainment on Friday nights.

Boyer imports his grapes from California, Washington and New York and will make wine and brew beer on site.

While the Algonquin location isn’t that visible, it offers easier access from Randall Road, Boyer said. He’s moving into the space that formerly housed a Double Jacks hamburger restaurant.

Algonquin officials, meanwhile, are eager to have Boyer.

“It’s really an opportunity for him to spread his wings a little bit and get in some new venue pursuits, and it’s a great opportunity for the village to get retenanted ... as well as get a unique business,” Community Development Director Russ Farnum said.

Boyer hopes to be open in April, after completing the necessary renovations and securing five liquor licenses. Its new name will be Village Vintner Winery and Brewery and his calling card will be “Great beer, better wine, fantastic food.”

“We want to expand the business and we do have some future plans of multiple locations,” Boyer said. “This is our pilot.”