Pheasant Hollow Winery

Pheasant Hollow Winery in Whittington, Illinois, has been part of the Southern Illinois wine scene since July 4, 1999. It starts as a family effort and still reads that way: the ownership group comes from the Pontious, Becker, and Griggs families, with Brad Pontious serving as president and general manager, John Becker handling wholesale sales, Ulonda Pontious Becker overseeing the tasting room and gift shop, and Adrea Pontious coordinating events. The winery focuses on both grape and fruit wines, and from the beginning it leans into crowd-pleasing bottles rather than stiff tasting-room formality. Early production includes Gewurztraminer and Muscadine, and newer sweet releases like Peach Kiss keep that easygoing style front and center.

What makes Pheasant Hollow distinct is how much of its identity is tied to gathering people, not just pouring wine. The winery sits on five wooded acres just off Interstate 57 on Route 37 North, making it an easy stop for travelers moving through southern Illinois. Live music is a regular part of the week, and events have been central here since the early years, from the gazebo concerts to the Cajun Festival that has run every year since 2001. The murder mystery dinner theater series is an even bigger calling card: Pheasant Hollow has staged them continuously since 2000 and claims the longest-running winery dinner theater in the Midwest. For visitors, this is less a hushed swirl-and-sniff destination than a place built for a relaxed afternoon, a lively Friday night, or a group outing that wants wine with some actual entertainment.