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Illinois Sparkling Co. celebrates 15 years of Illinois-grown bubbles · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  Illinois Sparkling Company celebrates fifteen years of Illinois grown bubbles. Written
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  by Tom Collins. This article is being read by an automated voice,
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  brought to up by Everlet. Illinois Sparkling Company is celebrating its 15th
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  anniversary this November, marking a milestone in its journey of crafting traditional-method
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  sparkling wines from Illinois-grown grapes.
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  Founded by August Hill Winery owners Mark and Teri Wenzel, Illinois Sparkling
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  Co. Officially launched on November 18, 2011, with five sparkling wines and
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  a mission to showcase the potential of locally grown grapes.
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  The story began years earlier, when the Wenzels established their vineyard in
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  Peru and Mark began exploring the possibilities of sparkling winemaking. August Hill
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  Winery released its first sparkling wines in 2007, followed by traditional-method releases
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  that laid the groundwork for Illinois Sparkling Co.
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  The high acidity and light, clean flavors of our French-hybrid grapes lend
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  themselves to making exceptional Champagne-style wines, said Mark Bubbly Wenzel, winemaker and
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  co-owner. We saw an opportunity to create something distinctive using grapes grown
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  right here in Illinois.
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  In 2011, the winery completed construction of its underground wine caves, providing
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  a dedicated space for aging sparkling wines. Since then, Illinois Sparkling Co.
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  Has continued to explore new techniques and styles while remaining committed to
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  traditional-method winemaking.
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  Over the years, the winery has earned numerous awards, including multiple Governor’s
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  Cup trophies and Best of Show honors. Recent highlights include the 2022
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  Governor’s Cup Sparkling Wine trophy for Sec, the 2024 Governor’s Cup Sparkling
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  Wine trophy for Demi Sec Rosé, and Double Gold and Best of
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  Class honors for ILLnatic and Demi Sec Rosé at the 2026 Illinois
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  State Fair Wine Competition.
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  Illinois Sparkling Co. Wines have also reached audiences beyond the Illinois Valley
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  through collaborations and restaurant partnerships, including a longstanding relationship with Chicago’s Pops
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  for Champagne and placements at restaurants such as Daisies and Publican Tavern
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  at O’Hare International Airport. The winery was also featured in the 2018
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  documentary Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America’s Heartland.
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  To celebrate the anniversary, Illinois Sparkling Co. Has introduced its Retro Rosé
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  Series, featuring three sparkling wines inspired by the original 2011 releases: Heirloom,
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  Franken’s, and Dollface. Crafted from the same base wine with three distinctive
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  dosages, the collection highlights the creativity and experimentation that have been part
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  of the winery’s identity from the beginning.
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  When we first launched Illinois Sparkling Co, our boxes said, That’s Right.
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  Sparkling Wine from Illinois, Wenzel recalled. Fifteen years later, we’re still excited
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  to show people what can be accomplished with grapes grown in our
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  region. We hope more people discover just how special Illinois sparkling wines
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  can be.
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  For more about Illinois Sparkling Co.’s history and 15th anniversary celebration, visit: