Unique opportunity to acquire a fully operational Illinois winery with an established brand, extensive wine-production infrastructure, tasting room, vineyard, wholesale distribution, wine club, direct-to-consumer sales and significant finished and in-process inventory.

The business operates through multiple sales channels including retail tasting-room sales, wholesale distribution and shipping. The winery currently maintains Illinois winery, shipping, manufacturing, self-distribution and retail licensing, along with its county liquor license.

Unlike starting a winery from the ground up, a purchaser can acquire an operating platform with production equipment, tanks, bottling and processing equipment, established products, customer relationships, wine-club members, distribution capabilities, experienced staff and substantial inventory already in place.

The winery currently has 100+ wine-club members and an experienced marketing/events director responsible for marketing, onsite and offsite events, festivals and administration of the wine club.

The operation also has seven part-time tasting-room associates with an average tenure of approximately four years, providing an established customer-service team for a new owner.

Significant assets & inventory

The sale includes a substantial collection of commercial winemaking and hospitality equipment with an indicated fair-market value of approximately $115,920.

Production equipment includes multiple stainless-steel tanks, bladder presses, destemmer, pumps, filtration equipment, corker, filler, laboratory/testing equipment, production supplies and related winemaking equipment. The bottling, pressing, harvest and analysis equipment alone carries an indicated value of approximately $30,000.

Additionally, as of August 19, 2026, ownership reported approximately $140,000 of wine and cider inventory plus approximately $92,500 of product in tanks for a total of $232,500.

The associated real estate is available for purchase and is included in the asking price.

The winery property consists of approximately 5.48 acres and a 5,240-square-foot commercial building with tasting/bar areas, seating, fermentation/production space, storage and outdoor/open-air guest areas. The property also includes grape vines.

A March 2024 commercial appraisal concluded a value of $701,000 for the real estate.

For buyers who prefer not to purchase the property, a lease structure may also be considered.

Growth & expansion

This operation presents several avenues for a purchaser to increase revenue and improve profitability.

Additional opportunities include expanded private events and weddings, increased live entertainment, corporate events, expanded food service, growth of the existing wine club, additional wholesale accounts, expanded self-distribution, increased online/direct shipping, increased utilization of the property and expanded regional marketing.

A hospitality-focused buyer could also further develop the property as a destination experience rather than relying primarily on traditional winery sales.

Employees

The operation has an established team including a full-time Marketing & Events Director, seven part-time tasting-room associates and casual production/event labor. The tasting-room team averages approximately four years of tenure.

Current ownership is actively involved in administration, sales, personnel management and winemaking, so a purchaser should anticipate replacing certain owner responsibilities or retaining appropriate production/winemaking expertise.

Reason for sale

Retirement / Ownership Transition

After years of developing the vineyard, winery, product line, customer base and distribution channels, ownership is ready to transition the operation to a new owner who can continue building the brand.