Prairie State Winery

Prairie State Winery is a winery located in Genoa, Illinois. Founded in 1998, it is the oldest winery in DeKalb County, Illinois.[1] It is owned by husband and wife, Rick and Maria Mamoser,[2] who gave up careers in high-school teaching to start the business.[3][4]

Prairie State Winery
LocationGenoa, Illinois, USA
Founded1998
Key peopleRick and Maria Mamoser
DistributionRegional, Restaurants
TastingOpen to Public
Websitehttp://www.prairiestatewinery.com/

The winery produces wines made exclusively from Illinois-grown grapes[5][6] and has won both silver and bronze awards from the Beverage Testing Institute. Additionally, the winery utilizes wind turbines for powering its bottling and production facility.[2][7] The business produces organic wine and utilises environmentally friendly packaging.[2]

In 2002, the winery led an effort to preserve Grape View Farm in nearby Elgin, which was believed to be the state's oldest continuously producing commercial vineyard (since 1924), and to use some of the yield for a sweet red wine.[8] After Grape View's owner died, however, the vineyard's location in encroaching suburbia was sold at auction in 2004, although Prairie State obtained clippings to preserve at their own vineyard.[9]

The wines of Prairie State Winery have received a number of medals and awards at various levels of wine competitions.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

References
  1. "Genoa". Dekalb Area Convention and Visitor Bureau. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  2. Carr, Gloria (19 September 2008). "Wind-powered wine". Courier News. Elgin, IL. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  3. "Teachers find true calling is winemaking". The Beacon News. Aurora, IL. 29 April 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  4. Laura Bianchi (18 June 2003). "Move over, California Illinois wines are on the map". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  5. Begalka, Kurt (31 May 2009). "Rules put sqeeze on Illinois wine industry". McHenry County Business Journal. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  6. Susan Reidy (3 May 2002). "Winery captures Pioneer spirit". Herald & Review (Decatur, Illinois. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  7. Vandegrift, Samuel (15 August 2008). "A Trip To Prairie State Winery". Smile Politely. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  8. Lynette Kalsnes (7 April 2002). "Family vineyard gets a boost: Volunteers clear historic farm as a toast to owner". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  9. Colleen Mastony (2 April 2004). "Auction of Chicago-Area Vineyard Will Mark End to Era". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  10. "Prairie State Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc, Illinois". Beverage Testing Institute. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  11. "Prairie State Winery NV "Red Oak", Norton, Illinois". Beverage Testing Institute. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  12. "Prairie State Winery NV Reserve, Chambourcin, Illinois". Beverage Testing Institute. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  13. "Taste the Best Illinois Wine at the State Fair". Prairie Farmer. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  14. "Unfiltered". Wine Spectator. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2010.("Made from 100 percent Illinois pumpkin, the wine's rich texture and brown baking-spice aromas apparently make it just like a slice of Thanksgiving dessert in a glass.")
  15. "Competition Results, Mid-American Wine Competition". Des Moines Area Community College. July 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2010.


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