We have an exciting new product at Jail Hill Inn, born from a fun collaboration with one of our favorite local wineries, Galena Cellars Winery. We’re now offering a wonderful selection of wines from Galena Cellars, with our own customized label unique to Jail Hill Inn. We traditionally serve our selection of house wines with our afternoon wine & appetizer trays, but we’re also happy to upgrade you to one of these selection label wines for just $20. You’re also welcome to purchase the wines and take them home as a delicious memento of your time here in Galena!
While Galena may not have the “big name” notoriety of other wine tasting regions, like Napa California, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or even New York’s Finger Lakes Region, we still think there are plenty of great wineries near Galena IL in the area which make for a delightful wine-themed getaway! We’ve always said that Galena, with its historic charm and sensational natural beauty, is a town built for just about every type of traveler. And we mean it! These wineries near Galena IL just add to the spectrum of wonderful things to do while here on a getaway.
To make things better, Jail Hill Inn, Galena Cellars, and these other amazing wineries near Galena IL are just a short one-tank trip away from many of the Midwest’s biggest cities. At just around 3 hours from Chicago to Galena, wine tasting in the scenic countryside is never far away. Come give these great wines a taste, and then continue your wine-tasting journey throughout the area. Book your room at our Galena Bed and Breakfast today!
Visit Galena Cellars Winery in Galena
Galena Cellars is one of the most recognized wineries near Galena IL. The company started in 1970 with owners Robert and Joyce Lawlor’s passion for winemaking, turning it into the multi-generational operation it is today. Over the years, Galena Cellars has grown into an extensive operation, producing 22 different specialty grapes, 60,000 gallons of wine per year, and 40 different wine varietals. The Galena operation, which was actually the third location for the winery at the time, opened in 1983 in the 1840’s granary building on Main Street. At that time, it produced a mere 5,000 gallons of wine. Today, the Galena location and the vineyard itself are the focus of production, with a separate tasting room now located in Geneva, Illinois as well.
Today’s Galena Cellars Winemaker, Christine Lawler-White, has twice been honored as the “Winemaker of the Year” by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, and the company has earned many awards and accolades over their decades in business, including many Gold-Medal award-winning wines.
The Galena Cellars tasting room in downtown Galena is currently open and serving a selection of pre-selected tasting flights as well as wines by the glass. They are currently unable to offer regular wine tastings and tours, though they usually do offer public Vineyard tours throughout the year. According to their latest update in 2021, Galena Cellars is currently open for tastings, though seatings are limited to adhere to safe social distancing protocols.
Other Great Wineries Near Galena IL
While Galena Cellars truly does offer wonderful wines for even the most aid of wine connoisseurs, there are plenty of other great wineries near Galena IL to consider as well. They include the following 5 wineries near Galena IL:
- Massbach Ridge Winery also offers tours of their vineyard, and they have a tasting room both at the winery and in downtown Galena.
- Rocky Waters Winery has a fully-stocked wine room, and they offer both tastings and tours onsight.
- A short ways away in Hanover is Fergedaboudit Winery, and they offer an onsight tasting room.
- In Dubuque, you’ll find Stone Cliff Winery, which has a beautiful tasting room and a café. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. They also have outdoor seating for those beautiful sunny days ahead.
- Also in Dubuque is the Sunset Ridge Winery. The winery is situated on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, and their tasting room makes for a stunning place to sit and sip wine.
If you’d rather stick to downtown Galena for your wine tasting adventures, head to Jamie’s Wine Studio and The Grape Escape. Or, go visit our friends at Galena Wine and Cheese, who are happy to help you arrange some delicious wines (and snacks!) to take home with you.
There are also plenty of great wine-related events that happen in Galena throughout the year. COVID has definitely gotten in the way of these events over the course of the last year, so make sure you’re checking event calendars regularly if you want to attend one of these events. However, events to look forward to, whether this year or in future years, including the Wine Lover’s Weekend held in March, Corkless Galena in June, the Galena Cellars Fall Harvest & Art Festival in September, the Massbach Stomp also in September, and the Galena Cellars Nouveau Wine Festival in November. These events are incredibly popular, so make sure you book early if you want a chance to participate!
Enjoy These Wines at our Galena Bed and Breakfast
While visiting these wineries near Galena IL is a really great way to spend time in the area and to sample some of the delicious locally made products, you don’t really have to leave the romantic ambiance of our Inn to enjoy the tastes of Galena. Whether you choose from one of our custom-label wines from Galena Cellars or another great selection from a local winery or our friends at Galena River Wine & Cheese, you can relax, unwind, and enjoy it right here in the comforts of your guest suite at Jail Hill Inn.
We’re sure whatever you choose to drink will pair deliciously with our custom charcuterie and appetizer tray – something we bring to you each afternoon, and which can be enjoyed entirely at your leisure. All of this wine and more is best enjoyed in front of the gentle crackle of our warm fireplaces, wrapped in the cozy comforts of our luxury Frette robes, and surrounded by the elegant touches you’ll find at the country’s #1 Bed and Breakfast.
We all need something to look forward to these days, and we think a few days at our luxury Galena Bed and Breakfast, coupled with a bit of wine from these delicious wineries near Galena IL, is just the thing you need! Set aside your worries, and let us take care of the rest. You won’t regret it for a second! Book your room at our historic Galena Bed and Breakfast today!
