Belleville News Democrat: Couple to open winery in Belleville

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/10804129.htm

"BELLEVILLE - A winery is expected to open before the end of the month at the former site of Bob Goalby's golf driving range on Town Hall Road.

Kristine Lamons said she and her husband, Matthew, have been making wine as a hobby for five or six years. They plan to try to make a living selling their wines at the site.

"We have actually had the plans to open up a winery in the area for several years," Kristine Lamons said. "We started looking at land in 2001. We looked everywhere from Millstadt to Freeburg and down to Columbia. But we think the site we got is the perfect place. It's just beautiful."

The City Council's Economic Development and Annexation Committee approved an incentive package Wednesday for the business, which is to be called the Ravissant Winery. It calls for the operators to get an abatement on building materials to renovate the former cottage and garages at the site. An abatement on additional property taxes produced by the improvements also was approved, contingent on the approval of plans to extend the city's enterprise zone to include the winery.

The incentives have to be approved by the City Council on Monday before the agreement becomes final."

Well isn't it just Illinois winery week here on the DU Illinois forum.

There seems to be quite the blossoming wine industry in Illinois, I love it! I'm quite the wine buff and enjoy trying all the new ones I come across. We stumbled on the brand new building of the Fox Valley Winery last weekend, had a taste, and a tour, bought a couple of bottles, and signed up for their valentine's dinner, too. Yum!

OK sorry I went rambling on and on there! LOL