This is the beginning of my 'review' portion of the weblog. Coming soon: Giant City State Park's Post Oak Trail, the Makanda Boardwalk, Starview Vineyard, Back 2 Basics Cabins, and more. Hope you enjoy!
At a Glance: A dramatic contrast to the wild and untamed nature of southern Illinois, Blue Sky Vineyard stands out as not only an eye-pleasing attraction but also an excellent spot to wile away the afternoon with family and friends. Its popularity ensures that there’s almost always a good crowd, so some times are better than others to sample the wines, secure your spot and your pitcher of Sangria. Not to be missed!
Ambiance: Starting with the drive from Carbondale, passing Little Grassy Lake and winding down Rocky Comfort Road, you’ll feel a bit like driving off the world, into a quietude where time goes on by standing still. Blue Sky Vineyard is an anomalous destination popping out of the hills that will inexorably draw your eye but not sting it. You won’t believe it the first time you drive up and see what has been prepared just for your enjoyment, with every detail attended to on the exterior, down to patches of exposed tiling under the “peeling” brand-new plaster. Rivaling California wineries in the attractiveness and comfort of the facilities, the interior of the main building has been decked out with art imported from Italy accented with custom woodwork and murals by local artisans.
Spacious seating inside offers views out of the expansive windows. Take in the vineyards, the rolling courtyard and a sweet pond with a waterfall and climbing rocks that the kids love, as well as a pillared pergola where you may take in a wedding if you’re lucky. You’re going to see something beautiful any time of the year; kicking back and watching the sunset on Friday night is my personal favorite. During the pleasing weather months, a raised terrace holds several tables with chairs, and across the lawn, tables with large umbrellas and sturdy folding chairs are available for any size of party. There is plenty of space to relax; right in the middle of the action or off at a quiet table out on the lawn. Although the main areas get pretty crowded at times, there is almost always seating available.
Entertainment is often provided, ranging from local musicians to St. Louis and Chicago bands. Soft acoustic tunes may be heard inside, while the band plays on the stage out by the pond, with plenty of space for dancing. Barrett Rochman, the owner, can often be spotted on weekends working away or entertaining his special guests.
Food: The pizza is heavy and cheesy, some of the best in town. The spiced oil for the bread is a special recipe and shouldn’t be missed, and is lovely paired with some cheese and salami as well. Portions are generally large and there’s no excuse to leave with your stomach tugging at you.
Wine: There is a wide variety of young wines, ranging from sweet to dry in both reds and whites, and also some port wines, and new wines coming out on a regular basis. Something nice about Blue Sky is that the management is always busy trying to find new things to complement and bring out the flavor in the wines. I normally drink the Vignoles or the Infinity if I’m feeling sweet. If you’re into Sangria, you can pick up a kit during certain months to take home and enjoy. My grandmother loves the Concord, my sister-in-law the Misterioso; there’s something for everyone. As far as reds go, I have on several occasions enjoyed the Chambourcin although it seems to make my nose tingle and eventually gets right to the top of my head. Beer (including imports like Stella Artois), cocktails, and of course non-alcoholic beverages are also available.
Service: You’re likely to run into long lines and frazzled bartenders during busy times, so it’s recommended to hit Blue Sky early if you’re a serious taster and want some breathing room. And if you do end up there during a busy time, make sure to look around for the ‘side’ tasting bars that are normally set up outside during the busy months to handle overflow. Also, when there are not events at the pavilion, drinks are also served there. The bartenders are, for a good part, college students with a questionable expertise in everything wine, but they have clearly been trained and will be able to answer your questions. The vintner, owner and managers are always happy to handle more in-depth inquiries.
Lots more information on the
Blue Sky Vineyard Website.
Please feel free to leave details of your experiences!
