Lynfred Winery is one of Chicagoland’s great treasures, and one of the very first wineries in Illinois.
When Fred Koehler wanted to open a winery in Chicagoland, everyone thought he was crazy. Wineries were for France and California, not the bitter cold and extremely hot Midwest. Little did they know, Lynfred Winery, named for Fred and his first wife, Lynn, would become the largest continuously operating winery in Illinois. Lynfred’s wines are unparalleled in their flavors, and the experience of a wine tasting in Roselle, Illinois is one to be remembered. Lynfred Winery also boasts a beautiful bed and breakfast with four gorgeous suites perfect for any special occasion.
History
Lynfred Winery opened its doors in October 1979 and has been in operation ever since. The land that now houses Lynfred Winery – as well as the owner and his wife until her death in 1984 and his in 2011 – used to belong to Colonel Roselle Hough, the namesake of Roselle, Illinois. Being such a historical piece of property, Fred set about restoring the home before making it into a winery. Quickly after opening the winery, the popularity of the wines grew exponentially, and they needed more space. Currently, the winery is a huge, 24,000 square foot building where they make wines, offer tastings and special events, as well as maintain a beautiful bed and breakfast.
Winery
It would be difficult to find a wine that Lynfred doesn’t produce. From fruit wines to sparkling wines, reds to whites, mostly all varieties you could ever want are made and bottled right on the premises. Lynfred also bottles its own olive oil, jams, dry rubs, and marinades as well as sells other local products in the gift shop area. When you come into Lynfred Winery, you are greeted by the scent of fermenting wine and the smiling faces of the winery staff. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and can help you find any wine you’re looking for, pair that wine with a special dish, and give you recipes for anything from a red wine sauce to a fruity sangria.
New wines are released every month, and wine club members receive bottles of the new wines before anyone else. If you’re in the mood for a tasting, you can try seven different wines a month while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the winery. If you’re a little hungry, try a wine and cheese pairing or the Epicurean Experience where wines are paired with delectable cheeses and appetizers. The winery also hosts special events. Host a beautiful wedding or reunion in the VIP Room with wine and food to die for.
Bed and Breakfast
The bed and breakfast is made up of four suits, each designed by a different architect and each with a different country theme: American, German, French, and Italian. All four suits boast a fireplace, heated tile floors and towel warmers in the bathroom and a huge hot tub. When you check in, a full wine tasting is brought to your room, along with any appetizers or desserts you might want. In the morning, an amazing breakfast is brought to your room and set up for you to enjoy. The bed and breakfast at Lynfred Winery is the perfect romantic getaway.
Satellite Stores
The winery itself is located in Roselle, but there are several other stores that exclusively sell Lynfred wine in the Chicagoland area. Tasting deVine in Wheaton, Tasting deVine Cellars in Naperville, and Lynfred Winery Wheeling all offer tastings and bottles of Lynfred wines. The ability to accommodate special events depends on the location, and none of these stores boasts winery tours or bed and breakfasts, but if you’re in the area and looking for great wine, stop by and taste some for yourself.