Wichmann Vineyard

Wichmann Vineyard in Cobden, Illinois, connects owner and winemaker Hanna Wichmann’s family history with the grapes of the Shawnee Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA). Her father, Ted Wichmann, is responsible for the vineyard’s oldest plantings, which date to 1980, and the proposal behind the region’s federal recognition in 2006. Hanna brings a decade of experience as a social worker and licensed counselor to a different kind of people-centered business, running the winery with her husband and co-owner, Don Moberley. Wine production dates to fall 2020.

The focus stays close to home, with grapes grown primarily in the Shawnee Hills. Niagara, an American grape with Concord parentage, goes into Bloom; Norton also grows in the vineyard. A 2021 planting adds 1,100 Chambourcin, Traminette, and Chardonel vines to the family’s grape-growing story. The regional emphasis makes this a useful stop for travelers interested in southern Illinois wine rather than familiar California varieties.

The upstairs tasting room has limited seating; a multi-level deck provides more room in good weather, with overflow seating downstairs. Picnics are welcome, and cheese, crackers, nuts, and salami provide an alternative to packing lunch. Regular visiting hours run Friday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; weekday appointments depend on staff availability. Groups of 15 or more benefit from calling ahead, and well-behaved leashed pets are welcome.