Take Some Time For A Cooper's Hawk Holiday Season Tasting

It was in 2005 that Tim McEnery brought the experience of combining a winery and fine dining experience to the Chicago Southland. That’s when he opened the first Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant location in Orland Park. It became the first location in Illinois to have a winery and restaurant under the same roof. 

Since then, it has grown to around 50 locations spread around the Midwest as well as in Florida, Arizona, Virginia and Maryland. Its wine production remains in the Chicago area, but Cooper’s Hawk has made its mark all over the county, having been selected to pour at the Illinois Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C. and having created a Cooper’s Hawk Artists Red Blend for the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Cooper’s Hawk has also collaborated with other winemakers and chefs to create a unique experience for anyone who visits one of their locations.

The dining experience is one that welcomes anyone from a complete novice to an intense wine aficionado and the food menu lists pairing selections to enhance your dining experience. But you don’t have to go there just to dine. One of the best features of their locations is that you can also can do a traditional wine tasting that you’d find at most wineries. Paying a visit to their original Orland Park location or the New Lenox location for a wine tasting is a perfect way to unwind during the busy holiday season. 

Depending on your preference, you can try a series of wines that will come with a sheet of tasting notes to let you know what what flavors you’ll detect and what foods that wine best pairs with. I especially like to do a tasting of sweet wines and then buy one of their decadent truffles from the case and enjoy the two together. 

Cooper’s Hawk also has a wine club (a membership makes a great Christmas gift by the way, which can be purchased in gift quantities of 3, 6 or 12 months) where you can elect to get 1, 2 or 3 bottles per month. Members who choose the 2 or 3 bottle option get a monthly wine tasting for two included with their membership. There’s a new wine released each month that is available to wine club members along with other discounts, dining rewards and more and you can opt for the type of wine you prefer (red, white, sweet or variety).

While you’re at the tasting room, you can get a little holiday shopping out of the way as you’ll find fun wine-related accessories, glasses and other gift items. Also, the truffles that you can purchase individually will win over the heart of any chocoholic in your life. For more information on tasting rooms, wine club options and dining menus, visit chwinery.com.

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