Blue Sky Vineyards

Last updated
Blue Sky Vineyard
Blue-Sky-Logo-with-Building.webp
Location Makanda, Illinois, United States
Coordinates 37°34′38″N89°06′50″W / 37.577222°N 89.113889°W / 37.577222; -89.113889
Appellation Shawnee Hills AVA
Founded2000
First  vintage 2003
Key peopleBarrett Rochman, Jim Ewers, Karen Hand
Known forChambourcin Reserve
Varietals Cabernet Franc , Chambourcin , Chardonnay , Concord (grape) , Corot noir , Niagara (grape) , Noiret , Norton (grape) , Traminette , Vignoles (grape)
DistributionRegional, Restaurants
Tasting Open to the public
Website blueskyvineyard.com

Blue Sky Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard and winery in Illinois, owned and operated by Barrett Rochman, Marilyn Rochman, and Jim Ewers.

Blue Sky Vineyard is located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest and anchors the eastern end of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. [1] The winery is located within the Shawnee Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), a federally designated wine region established in 2006, recognized for its unique viticulture terroir.

Blue Sky Vineyard produces a number of vintages from Illinois grown grapes. Karen Hand, Blue Sky Vineyard's winemaker, was the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association's Winemaker of the Year in 2006. [2]

The vineyard currently produces 17 different kinds of Illinois wine and 5 American wines ranging from dry to sweet. The Tuscan inspired architecture and interiors of Blue Sky Vineyard's main structure and banquet addition were designed by Nancy Karen Brian, professor at California State University Fresno, in consultation with Blue Sky Vineyard's owners. In addition to wine, the vineyard offers onsite overnight suites, an array of food options, and regular live music, and scenic views of the Shawnee National Forest [3] .

The estate encompasses 13 acres under vine, cultivating a grape varieties such as Chambourcin, Norton, Vignoles, Seyval, Traminette, Niagara, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. [4]

While founded in 2000, the winery opened to the public on July 4, 2005. [5] [6]

References

  1. ↑ "Shawnee Hills Wine Trail" (Our Wineries). Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Blue_Sky_Vineyard". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27.
  3. ↑ Brouillette, Debbra Dunning (2024-09-17). "Touring the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois". Food, Wine & Travel. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  4. ↑ "Our Vineyard | Blue Sky Vineyard" . Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  5. ↑ "Celebrating Excellence: Illinois Wine Industry Award Winners & Blue Sky Vineyard's 20th Anniversary!". Illinois Wine. 2025-07-10. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  6. ↑ "Our Story | Blue Sky Vineyard" . Retrieved 2025-09-04.
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