Released on = March 23, 2007, 9:46 am

Press Release Author = Carl Henrickson / Illinois wine Festival

Industry = Food & Beverage

Press Release Summary = Capital Celebrations LLC has announced the inaugural
Illinois Wine Festival series, with two distinct events to be held this Fall in
celebration of Illinois Wine Month (September). The events, one just east of St.
Louis at the Hidden Lake Winery and one just west of Chicago in the Village of
Oswego will showcase the emerging Illinois wine industry's extensive list of quality
wines.

Press Release Body = CHICAGO, IL - Capital Celebrations LLC has announced the
inaugural Illinois Wine Festival series, with two distinct events to be held this
Fall in celebration of Illinois Wine Month (September). The events, one just east of
St. Louis at the Hidden Lake Winery and one just west of Chicago in the Village of
Oswego will showcase the emerging Illinois wine industry's extensive list of quality
wines.

Festival dates and locations include:
· August 25 & 26 - Southwest Illinois at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston just east of
St. Louis
· September 29 & 30 - Northeast Illinois in the Village of Oswego just west of Chicago

This first statewide wine festival series, featuring only Illinois wines, is the
start of an annual tradition that will showcase the high quality and diverse
selection of wines being produced by Prairie State wineries.
Vintners from many of the Illinois wineries will pour samples of dozens of different
varieties of wine produced in the state, ranging from dry and semi-dry table wines
to sparkling fruit and dessert wines. Festival guests will have an opportunity to
experience Illinois wines. In addition, festival guests will get to meet and talk to
local winemakers to learn more about the exceptional wines being produced in the
farm wineries of Illinois.

Each of the events will also feature:
· Gourmet cuisine from the region's best caterers and restaurants
· Wine pairing and tasting seminars
· Musical entertainment from the region's best artists
· Hot air balloon launches from the festival grounds
· A fabulous al fresco arts & crafts show, with a select group of exhibitors
offering foods, specialty coffees, kitchen accessories and other gourmet products
for sampling and sale.

Admission to the festivals includes the collectible "First Annual Illinois Wine
Festival" engraved wine glass, wine and food samples, access to all seminars,
exhibits and concerts, and the exclusive Illinois Winery Guide that features maps
and directions to all of the charming tasting rooms located throughout the Prairie
State.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities, as well as vendor applications are now
available on the festival website at www.illinoiswinefestival.org. Advance tickets
may be purchased via the festival web site at for $20 in advance or at the gate for
$25.

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Web Site = http://www.illinoiswinefestival.org

Contact Details = Carl Henrickson
Capital Celebrations, LLC
2421 West Pratt Blvd.
Suite 801
Chicago, IL 60645