Illinois Bicentennial Rosé wine uncorked as part of celebration
The governor helped the Sangamon County Danenberger family uncork its vineyards’ Illinois Bicentennial Rosé this week as one of 16 wines from 13 wineries across the state designated by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance as official Bicentennial Illinois-grown rosés.
Dry to semi-dry rosé was chosen as the featured style because Illinois producers are developing these world-class wines from a variety of grapes that are successfully grown in both northern and southern Illinois.
There are nearly 1500 grape-bearing acres of land in the state. In 2017, Illinois wine makers produced 2.4 million gallons of wine.
“Illinois is home to more than 72,000 farms, and the Bicentennial Rosé recognizes our rich agricultural heritage by featuring vineyards from across the state,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said. “As we celebrate 200 years of remarkable productivity, we raise a glass to the Illinoisans who have cultivated our lands and built up their businesses throughout the decades so that we could become a national leader in agriculture.”
In 1987, Danenberger Family Vineyards in New Berlin became one of Illinois’ nearly 10,000 Centennial Farms, an agricultural property owned by the same family of lineal or collateral descendants for at least 100 years.
“We are so honored to be named one of the official bicentennial wines for the state of Illinois,” Danenberger Family Vineyards Winemaker Susan Sullivan Danenberger said. “I am proud of my family’s heritage on our centennial farm and that we are continuing the tradition by making local Illinois wine. So many people have supported us along the way, so we’d like to say thank you to our amazing patrons and the local community for enjoying our wine and sharing our vision.”
“It has been a privilege for me to serve on the Bicentennial Commission and celebrate all the riches Illinois has Born Built and Grown for the past 200 years,” said state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield. “Cheers to all the Rosé growers across the state.”
“I congratulate Susan Danenberger and the entire staff at the Danenberger Family Vineyards for producing one of the Illinois Bicentennial wines,” said state Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Leland Grove. “They are one of the most popular spots in Sangamon County to enjoy a glass of wine and I wish them a successful 2018.”
“The Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Alliance is proud to have the Danenberger Family Vineyards selected as one of the 13 Bicentennial Wineries,” said Cindi Fleischli, Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Alliance. “Visitors to the Bicentennial activities that each winery is hosting this year will become a part of Illinois history by attending the events.”
The following 16 wines were selected as Bicentennial Illinois-grown rosés:
Alto Vineyards – 2017 Rosato, Alto Pass
August Hill Winery – 2017 La Belle Rosé, Peru
August Hill Winery – Chambourcin Rosé, Peru
Blue Sky Vineyards – White Chambourcin, Makanda
Danenberger Family Vineyards – LoveLocks 2017 Chambourcin Dry Rosé, New Berlin
Galena Cellars – Chambourcin Rosé, Galena
Galena Cellars – Frontenac Gris, Galena
Galena Cellars – Vineyard Rosé, Galena
Hidden Lake Winery – Chambourcin Rosé, Aviston
Kite Hill Vineyards – Rosé, Carbondale
Massbach Ridge Winery – 2017 Sunrise Red Rosé Wine, Elizabeth
Prairie State Winery – Chambourcin Rosé, Genoa
Spirit Knob Winery – Day’s End, Ursa
StarView Vineyards – Dry Rosé, Cobden
Twelve Oaks Vineyard – Chambourcin Rosé, Carlyle
West of Wise Winery – Rosé, Petersburg
All 13 featured wineries will be celebrating the Illinois Bicentennial with events and activities throughout the year. For more information, visit illinoiswine.com.
About Illinois Bicentennial
On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been born, built and grown in the state and a reminder of why residents are #IllinoisProud.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by visiting www.illinois200.com and using the hashtag #IllinoisProud. Partners and event and project managers planning activities before Dec. 3, 2018, can apply for endorsement to become an official part of the Illinois Bicentennial by visiting the PARTICIPATE page at www.illinois200.com.
