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oktex's Wine Journal

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oktex
Joined:
Oct 22, 2011
Wineries Visited:
Wine Glass 2
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Wine Journal 4
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About:
Enjoy wine locally in Illinois and Missouri.

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Illinois Wineries2932%

Latest Winery Visits

Hidden Lake Winery and Banquet Center (added Oct 23, 2011)
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Latest Wine Journal Entries

Hidden Lake Winery and Banquet Center (written Oct 23, 2011)
Wine: 5 stars Winery: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars
I edited this post to correct a spelling typo(bought which I spelled bout...lol) It posted twice and I could not edit it and delete. The post below has been edited. I have obviously not visited twice. There was a wedding going on as we arrived at dusk today. I assumed wrongly that the place would be completely reserved. In fact there were no lines at the bar where tasting was free. We tried each of the wines listed here as favorites and bout a warm bottle of each with the exception of silent forest reserve which was out of stock! In summary we sat by the lake and enjoyed our glasses of blues brothers and I later had nice shoes...what can I say...lol We chatted with a charming couple and smooched a bit while we listened to a musician who was pretty good. Later we had dinner and enjoyed surf and turf with orange roughy and steak which we split. It was very good, especially the fish...(I lived in Louisiana for 22 years and I GRADE HARD!) The path back to our car was lit by white Christmas lights and we were honestly reluctant to leave. (Had nothing to do with the cards winning in the 5th inning...lol) I live In Highland, Il and we zoomed back home within 30 minutes. In summary overall I have to say that the wines were exquisite and coupled with the expansive, sprawling rustic grounds replete with cabins that our experience was discovering an oasis amidst fall foliage. We will return. PS Almost didn't report this place for fear STL people would overwhelm them and make for horrible changes in the future.

Hidden Lake Winery and Banquet Center (written Oct 23, 2011)
Wine: 5 stars Winery: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars
There was a wedding going on as we arrived at dusk today. I assumed wrongly that the place would be completely reserved. In fact there were no lines at the bar where tasting was free. We tried each of the wines listed here as favorites and bought a warm bottle of each with the exception of silent forest reserve which was out of stock! In summary we sat by the lake and enjoyed our glasses of blues brothers and I later had nice shoes...what can I say...lol We chatted with a charming couple and smooched a bit while we listened to a musician who was pretty good. Later we had dinner and enjoyed surf and turf with orange roughy and steak which we split. It was very good, especially the fish...(I lived in Louisiana for 22 years and I GRADE HARD!) The path back to our car was lit by white Christmas lights and we were honestly reluctant to leave. (Had nothing to do with the cards winning in the 5th inning...lol) I live In Highland, Il and we zoomed back home within 30 minutes. In summary overall I have to say that the wines were exquisite and coupled with the expansive, sprawling rustic grounds replete with cabins that our experience was discovering an oasis amidst fall foliage. We will return. PS Almost didn't report this place for fear STL people would overwhelm them and make for horrible changes in the future.

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