Lake County

Illinois, United States

"To alcohol! The cause of...and solution to...all of life's problems," - Homer J. Simpson. February marks Lake County Libation Trail Month. Craft Breweries, wineries, and distilleries are part of the Libation Trail and are located throughout the county - from the northeastern area to the southwestern side. There are just over 30 participating locations, and 28 of them are open in February. Here we take a look at the land of lakes' five eldest drinkeries.

13990 W Rockland Rd
Green Oaks, IL

North Shore Distillery, LLC makes a range of original, delicious distilled spirits, including North Shore Vodka, Gin No. 6 & 11, Third Coast Rum, Aquavit – Private Reserve, and more. We're also the first craft distillery to open in Illinois after prohibition, and since day one, our mission has been creating original, delicious spirits that we love to drink. The best ingredients make our award-winning spirits and highlight them in a range of inspired cocktails made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

5175 Aptakisic Rd
Long Grove, IL

You don't have to visit California to see a beautiful vineyard. Taste award-winning wines, tour the vineyard, group and private events with food and wine, weddings, corporate events, and more. Valentino's produces over 20 different styles of wine. They grow 20 different varieties of grapes on more than 4000 vines at their 20 acre estate vineyard. All the wines are barrel aged in the highest quality French and American oak barrels. Their wines are low in sulfites and estate grown, produced, and bottled.

22221 N Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL

You don't have to visit California to see a beautiful vineyard. Taste award-winning wines, tour the vineyard, group and private events with food and wine, weddings, corporate events, and more. Valentino's produces over 20 different styles of wine. They grow 20 different varieties of grapes on more than 4000 vines at their 20-acre estate vineyard. All the wines are barrel aged in the highest quality French and American oak barrels. Their wines are low in sulfites and estate grown, produced, and bottled.

888 E Belvidere Rd
Grayslake, IL

Enjoy four generations of wine-making at Lake County's first winery. Award-winning wines are available for tasting and purchase by bottle or in discounted cases. Unique gifts and accessories for wine lovers are available for all occasions. They are producers of small-batch fortified wines including Vintage & Tawny Port, Oak Aged Angelica, and the newest, Fortified Raspberry Wine, made of our Estate grown Raspberries. They also make seasonal wines like Sangria, Glögg and May Wine.

345 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL

Since 1993, this landmark, casual, social gathering place famous for handcrafted beer is Lake County's first brewpub, Mickey Finn's has won a trophy case full of national and international awards for their beer. The menu offers a variety of items including burgers, pizza, fish 'n' chips, and buffalo wings.