Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery

Shawnee Hills AVA winery founded in 2018 with on-site production and two Makanda tasting locations

Best known for: Chambourcin, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal Blanc

Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery works in the Shawnee Hills AVA near Makanda, Illinois. Randy and Renee Feather bought the property in 2017 and launched the winery in 2018. The original site at 410 Thorn Lane holds the vineyards and the winery, and the business also runs a main tasting room on US Highway 51.

The estate grows Chambourcin, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc, and Niagara, and says all of its wine is produced on site. The lineup is described in broad categories rather than individual bottlings, with bubbly, crisp whites, robust reds, and rosé all in the mix. Tours of the vineyard and winery are available when scheduling allows.

The main tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with kitchen service ending an hour before closing. The Thorn Lane vineyard location is open for walk-ins and appointments, currently noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Feather Hills leans into a casual, family-friendly setup, with a kids menu, mocktails, and pet-friendly outdoor space.