Shawnee Hills AVA
Key Terms Pronounced
Illinois's first AVA, tucked between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in the unglaciated Shawnee Hills, producing French-American hybrids and cold-hardy varietals.
Shawnee Hills is Illinois's first and only AVA, established in 2006 across 2,139 square miles of southern Illinois. The region's elevated, unglaciated terrain with thin loess soils and limestone bedrock sets it apart from the surrounding flat, glaciated landscape. Chambourcin leads the way, earning national and international competition awards.
- First AVA designated in Illinois, established December 27, 2006
- Covers 2,139 square miles spanning portions of 11 counties in southern Illinois
- Located between the Mississippi River and Ohio River
- Approximately 300 acres of grapes planted across roughly 55 vineyards
- Named after the Shawnee Nation that occupied the hills in the early 1800s
- Unglaciated terrain with vineyard elevations of 600 to 900 feet
- Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, founded 1995, counts 12 member wineries as of 2025
History and Establishment
Grape growing in southern Illinois dates to around 1860, and by 1890 the region supported 1,250 acres of vineyards producing 19,750 gallons of wine annually by 1891. The modern era began in 1995 when the owners of Alto Vineyards, Pomona Winery, and Owl Creek Vineyard joined forces to form the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The AVA was officially established on December 27, 2006, following a petition by Dr. Theodore F. Wichmann and Dr. Imed Dami, making it the first AVA ever designated in Illinois. The region takes its name from the Shawnee Nation that inhabited these hills in the early 1800s.
- Grape growing began in southern Illinois circa 1860
- Region had 1,250 acres of vineyards by 1890
- Shawnee Hills Wine Trail formed in 1995 by three founding wineries
- AVA established December 27, 2006, petitioned by Dr. Wichmann and Dr. Dami
Geography and Terroir
Shawnee Hills stretches approximately 80 miles east to west and 20 miles north to south, encompassing portions of 11 counties: Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, and Williamson. The AVA includes the vast majority of Shawnee National Forest. Unlike the surrounding flat, glaciated Illinois landscape, Shawnee Hills is an unglaciated upland standing 400 to 800 feet higher than adjacent glaciated and delta lands. Vineyard elevations range from 600 to 900 feet, with some peaks exceeding 1,000 feet. The terrain features karst topography with sinkholes, caves, and surface springs.
- Unglaciated region, distinctly different from surrounding glaciated Illinois landscape
- Sits 400 to 800 feet higher than adjacent glaciated and delta lands
- Karst topography with sinkholes, caves, and surface springs
- Spans portions of 11 southern Illinois counties
Soils and Climate
The soils are primarily thin loess with superior drainage, underlain by limestone bedrock with sandstone and chert. This combination encourages vine stress and concentrated flavors. The mesoclimate is warmer in winter and offers a longer growing season compared to surrounding areas. Annual rainfall averages 47.83 inches, but the growing season benefits from drier conditions, with September and October each receiving only 2 to 3 inches of rain. This late-season dryness reduces disease pressure and promotes fruit ripening at harvest.
- Thin loess soils with excellent drainage over limestone bedrock
- Sandstone and chert also present in subsoil
- Warmer winter temperatures and longer growing season than surrounding areas
- September and October average only 2 to 3 inches of monthly rainfall
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French-American hybrids and cold-hardy varieties dominate production. Chambourcin is the flagship red, earning numerous national and international competition awards. Other widely planted varieties include Traminette, Chardonel, Vignoles, Vidal Blanc, Frontenac, Foch, Seyval, Norton, Concord, Niagara, and Cayuga White. Vinifera varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot are also grown. Wine styles range from full-bodied dry reds to semi-dry and semi-sweet whites, rosé, and dessert wines. Wines labeled with the Shawnee Hills appellation must source a minimum of 85% of their fruit from within the AVA boundaries.
- Chambourcin is the standout red, winning national and international awards
- French-American hybrids dominate, with some Vinifera plantings
- Styles span dry reds, semi-sweet whites, rosé, and dessert wines
- Minimum 85% fruit sourcing from within AVA required for appellation label
Producers and Wine Trail
As of 2006 the region counted approximately 20 wineries and 55 vineyards. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail has 12 member wineries as of 2025, including Alto Vineyards, Pomona Winery, Owl Creek Vineyard, Blue Sky Vineyard, Von Jakob Vineyard, StarView Vineyards, Hedman Vineyards, Honker Hill Winery, Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery, and Lincoln Heritage Winery. Approximately 300 acres of grapes are planted and growing across the AVA.
- 12 member wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail as of 2025
- Approximately 300 acres of grapes planted across the AVA
- Alto Vineyards, Pomona Winery, and Owl Creek Vineyard are founding trail members
- Region includes both estate and boutique winery operations
Chambourcin delivers dark fruit, earthy spice, and firm structure in dry red styles. Traminette and Chardonel offer floral aromatics and crisp acidity in whites. Vignoles ranges from dry to luscious dessert expressions with stone fruit and honey notes. Semi-sweet styles show bright fruit with balanced residual sugar.
- Alto Vineyards Chambourcin$12-18Founding Shawnee Hills Wine Trail producer; Chambourcin is the AVA's award-winning flagship red.Find →
- Owl Creek Vineyard Traminette$14-20One of three founding trail wineries; Traminette is a signature aromatic white of the region.Find →
- Blue Sky Vineyard Chambourcin Reserve$22-30Notable Shawnee Hills producer with reserve-level Chambourcin showcasing the AVA's best red variety.Find →
- Von Jakob Vineyard Vignoles$20-28Vignoles from this trail member ranges from dry to dessert styles; highlights AVA's white wine range.Find →
- Shawnee Hills was the first AVA established in Illinois, designated December 27, 2006
- Located in southern Illinois between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, spanning parts of 11 counties
- Unglaciated upland terrain sitting 400 to 800 feet higher than surrounding glaciated lands
- Thin loess soils over limestone bedrock with karst topography; vineyard elevations 600 to 900 feet
- Minimum 85% AVA fruit sourcing required for appellation designation on label