Alto Vineyards Champaign

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  I've been attending summer concerts here for a few years.  They are generally pretty good with a low cover charge.  They have a small dance stage too.  There is plenty of seating if you arrive 20-30 minutes early.  Otherwise bring your own lawn chair or blanket.  Definitely bring bug spray.
  
  They have a good selection of whites, reds, blush, and dessert wines as well as beer and snack foods.  If you buy wine glasses, you can bring them back on future visits to save a few bucks.
  
  The only negative for me, and it's really not their fault, but a lot of people bring their kids like it's free child-care.  If you can get past that, you'll have a good experience.

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  Posted on 08.07.11 Dawn H.

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  I've been going here and taking friends from out of the area ever since I realized there was Illinois wine outside of Galena. They have free tastings, good cheeses, nice selection of gifts and music on summer weekends just on the outskirts of Champaign. Their main vineyard is in Alto Pass on the Shawnee Wine Trail in Southern Illinois, but I like the tasting experience here better. The Chambourcin is a nice dry red, some vintages of the Chancellor are better. I don't love the whites since they are a little sweet for my taste.

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  Posted on 04.07.10 Joan D.

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  Liked it, didn't love it.
  
  Some of the wines had great flavor and others tasted extremely cheap and definitely not like wine.
  
  The staff dishing out the (free) tastings lacked personality and one let us know that he didn't care for any of the wines when we asked his favorite. Umm...ok, you are definitely NOT a salesman.
  
  My friends and I enjoyed the front patio (actually a big porch) and were able to sit down and enjoy a couple glasses of wine and conversation. Although some were not on point, I did find one that I loved and snagged a bottle for only $10!
  The actual vineyard was umm, pretty sad considering the crop wasn't great this year and they do most of their production at their vineyard in southern Illinois. However, it did make a nice backdrop for our fake photoshoot.
  If you're passing through...drop by.

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  Posted on 09.13.09 Rhonda G.

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  I'm not really sure what took me so long to get out to Alto Vineyards, but after my recent trip I know the jokes on me for being too lazy to get out there.  Matt, who helped us taste and select wines was a little reserved to begin with but quickly warmed up after we expressed some degree of knowledge when it comes to wines.
  
  As far as the wines go, the Weiner Dog White was a favorite of my mother-in-law, while both my husband and I enjoyed the Chambourcin red (note: that is probably not the exact name, but I promise it's close enough to point you in the right direction!).  
  
  The atmosphere was really cool and we enjoyed sipping on our glasses of wine on the front porch area, however I am convinced that this place has yet to reach it's full potential--thus my refusal to award five stars.
  
  Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the entire Alto Vineyards experience and I look forward to spending many a more lazy afternoons sipping fantastic local wine on their front porch.
  
  P.S. I call the granny rocking chair!  You can take the porch swing.

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  Posted on 05.26.08 Mary W.

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  I swear.. there is a real vineyard in central Illinois.  It's not too far.. like a five minute car drive from Prospect.  They do process the wine here.. but they grow the grapes further south.
  
  The wines are decent.. they have something for everybody there.  The best part is that their wine tasting is FREE!  In the summer they have bands (jazz, etc) that come on the weekend you can enjoy with a glass of wine or beer.  There is a cover though.. about $5/person.  I'm not too fond of the food they serve there.  They sell candy bread, cheese, and popcorn.  Their hot food includes microwave pizza they sell for $8/9" pizza.  Yucko.
  
  But you can sit on the porch (and not in front of the band) and not pay cover.  That's what I do.  :)  It's just the same.. and still a good time.

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  Posted on 09.17.07 Anne W.

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