Savor the fruit of the vine in Illinois

When pondering the velvety, full-bodied merlot as it splashes over the tongue before disappearing down the throat - one's eyes might close for a moment, and a brief pause maybe taken to picture the sprawling vineyards of Illinois.

Wine country in Illinois? Absolutely!

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fabulous road trip with the girls, an Illinois wine experience is never more than a few hours away.

Though most people associate wineries with large winemaking regions such as Napa and Sonoma Valley in California, truth is, wineries can be found nearly everywhere and not necessarily within a stone's throw of a vineyard.

For those of you who are scratching your heads wondering how a vineyard is different from a winery, here's a little clarification on terminology:

A vineyard is an area of land equipped and used for the cultivation of wine grapes.

A winery is where wine is made (unless it's your basement or bathtub).

Wineries may operate adjacent to vineyards, or they may also, as is the case of Lynfred Winery in Roselle, be a stand-alone operation.

When wineries are independent of vineyards, the grapes they use can be shipped in from anywhere. By not being restricted to one vineyard's grapes, wineries can produces wines of diverse flavors and aromas.

The grape-growing and wine-making industry in Illinois incorporates both wineries and vineyards.

Illinois winemaking has a rich history that dates back to the late 1700s when French settlers in La Ville de Maillet (now Peoria) brought the winemaking expertise of their homeland to Illinois. In 1857, Emile Baxter and sons opened a winery in the town of Nauvoo. Baxter's Vineyards and Winery remains Illinois' oldest operating winery.

By the early 1900s, Illinois had grown to be the fourth largest grape-growing state in the Union. Then along came the Prohibition Act, stopping all legal winemaking. Thankfully, that mess was repealed!

In 1979, Fred E. Koehler and his wife, Lynn, opened Lynfred Winery, and began producing wine for consumers. Also, in the same year, the Lawlor family opened Galena Cellars Winery in Galena.

The wine industry in Illinois has mushroomed in recent years, making it consistently mong the top 12 wine-producing states. In 1997, there were 12 wineries; there are more than 70 today in four regions.

In 2005, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich designated September as "Illinois Wine Month" so now is the time to start making plans for your staycation winery tour.

Illinois wineries

To find out more about wine throughout Illinois, visit: illinoiswine.com.

Spend the day or evening

• The Lynfred Winery: 15 S. Roselle Road, (888) 298-WINE; lynfredwinery.com/home.html

Located in Roselle, this winery is one of a handful to feature its own B&B. If you're looking for just a tasting, this is your destination. Taste seven wines for $7. (The wine is definitely worth a purchase, at least my pinot noir was!)

• Fox Valley Winery: 5600 Route 34 in Oswego, (630) 554-0404; foxvalleywinery.com/index2.shtml

Just 90 miles southwest of Chicago, this winery offers a tasting room and regular events.

• Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant: 15690 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park, (708) 633-0200; coopershawkwinery.com

• Glunz Family Winery & Cellars: 888 E. Belvidere Road, Ste #211 & 107, Grayslake, (847) 548-WINE and 221 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove, (847) 634-WINE; gfwc.com

• Valentino Vineyards & Winery: 5175 Aptakisic Road, Long Grove, (847) 634-2831: valentinovineyards.com

Want to get out of town?

• Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery: 515 S. Main St., Galena, (800) 397-WINE; galenacellars.com/

Visit their Vineyard Tasting Room for wine tasting and take up a guided tour of the winery that includes a lesson on wine tasting. Choose their guest suite or their guest house for a quick getaway.

• Nauvoo Grand: 2015 Parley St., Nauvoo, (217) 453-2767; bbonline.com/il/nauvoogrand/

A Victorian that has been transformed into a luxury B&B in Nauvoo - surrounded by the lush Baxter vineyards, it stands directly across from the winery.

Spend the weekend

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail: shawneewinetrail.com/bed&breakfasts.htm

The best way to drive the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is not to drive, but rather check out the wineries and stay overnight at the plethora of B&Bs.