Business Details
Award-Winning Wines of Shawnee Hills AVA
Kite Hill Vineyards was founded in the late 1990s with a vision to cultivate premium wines in Southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills AVA. Under the ownership of Jim and Barbara Bush since 2006, we established a dedicated production facility in 2010 to craft 100% on-site wines. Our winemaker Scott Albert employs state-of-the-art techniques to highlight the unique terroir of our region, focusing on varietals like Chambourcin, Chardonel, and Viognier. We opened our scenic tasting room in Carbondale to share our award-winning wines with students, faculty, alumni, and visitors. Our commitment to quality has earned recognition both nationally and internationally.We prioritize creating an inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy wine tastings, purchase bottles, and experience the beauty of our vineyard. Our team combines decades of viticultural expertise with personalized service to ensure every visitor's experience is memorable. We actively engage with the local community while maintaining sustainable practices in our vineyards. Our history of innovation continues through our membership programs and special events. Today, Kite Hill Vineyards remains dedicated to producing world-class wines that reflect the character of Southern Illinois.
Services
Wine Tasting
Vineyard Tours
Wine Sales
Private Events
Wine Club Memberships
Highlights and features
- We offer award-winning wines recognized nationally and internationally
- Our winemaker employs state-of-the-art techniques for premium vintages
- We provide personalized service from knowledgeable staff members
- Our scenic vineyard offers a relaxing atmosphere with beautiful views
- We combine decades of viticultural experience with sustainable practices
What people say
Award-winning wines
Friendly staff
Beautiful setting
Knowledgeable service
Relaxing atmosphere
Services
Wine Tasting
Our wine tasting experience features curated selections of award-winning varietals. Guests enjoy guided tastings in our scenic tasting room or outdoor patio. Each session includes expert commentary on flavor profiles and pairing suggestions.
Vineyard Tours
Explore our Shawnee Hills AVA vineyards with guided walking tours. Learn about sustainable growing practices and grape cultivation techniques. Tours include behind-the-scenes access to our production facility and barrel rooms.
Wine Sales
Purchase premium wines directly from our current vintages. Available for in-store pickup or nationwide shipping. Our selection includes red, white, and ros wines crafted from locally grown grapes.
Private Events
Host weddings, corporate events, or private gatherings in our vineyard setting. Our event spaces accommodate groups of various sizes with customizable wine service and catering options.
Wine Club Memberships
Join our exclusive wine club for member-only releases and discounts. Benefits include early access to new vintages, special event invitations, and curated wine shipments delivered directly to your door.
People
Jim Bush
Owner
Co-owner Jim Bush leads vineyard operations with decades of agricultural experience. He oversees sustainable farming practices and maintains quality standards across all production stages. His vision established Kite Hill's commitment to terroir-driven wines.
Barbara Bush
Owner
Co-owner Barbara Bush manages guest relations and tasting room operations. Her hospitality expertise ensures visitors receive personalized service. She contributes to wine selection and maintains community partnerships in Southern Illinois.
Scott Albert
Winemaker
Winemaker Scott Albert combines traditional techniques with modern technology to craft award-winning vintages. He specializes in extracting optimal flavors from Shawnee Hills AVA grapes. His expertise ensures consistent quality across all wine varieties.
Questions
What wine varietals do you produce?
We specialize in Chambourcin, Chardonel, and Viognier varietals that thrive in the Shawnee Hills AVA. Our selection includes red, white, and rosé wines with occasional experimental batches using unique grape combinations.
Are wine tastings available?
Yes, guided wine tastings are available during regular business hours. Our staff provides expert commentary on each wine's flavor profile, production process, and pairing recommendations in our scenic tasting room.
Can visitors tour the vineyard?
We offer guided walking tours of our vineyards and production facilities. Tours include explanations of sustainable growing practices, grape cultivation techniques, and behind-the-scenes access to our winemaking operations.
Do you offer wine club memberships?
Yes, our wine club provides exclusive benefits including member-only releases, curated shipments, and special event invitations. Members receive discounts on all purchases and early access to new vintages.
What are your current business hours?
Our seasonal hours run April-November with Wednesday-Thursday 3pm-7pm, Friday 3pm-7pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, and Sunday-Monday 12pm-5pm. Tuesday appointments available by request.
How can I purchase your wines?
Wines are available for purchase at our tasting room or through our online shop. We offer nationwide shipping for all bottles with special packaging to ensure safe delivery. Local pickup options also available.
Reviews (6)
Brett King
Dec 05, 2021
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This is the second time in the last 8 months we have come to this area, this winery is one of the best. We were given a taste of a warm blueberry pomegranate wine for the holidays, simply the best. Will be back in a few months.
Real Queens
Sep 14, 2021
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Very nice place to relax and take it all in. The owners are fantastic and hospitable. Just all around good overall.
Cynthia Curtis
Jul 26, 2021
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We had a wonderful time at Kite Hill. Barbara was super nice and knowledgeable about their wine. She even told us that our cabin was really close by, so she knew the area well. We sampled all of their sweet wines and purchased 3 bottles. Very nice place!
Ron Wade
Apr 10, 2021
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We arrived early and the owner let us in. Loved our wine but loved the conversation more. So friendly and welcoming. This is the type of place that makes us think of buying a vacation home in the area. As a bonus, there were turtles sunbathing in the middle of the lake on the property.
John Rospenda
Mar 22, 2021
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Interesting and tasty local varietals, including one with teroldego, one of only 3 vineyards we know of that uses them. beautiful setting as well, and super friendly service.
Karen Levy McCanna
Jan 26, 2021
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The owner Barb is an absolute delight. Her companion Annie is also a sweetheart. The wine list included a variety of semi dry to dry wines with some small batch releases. Enjoyed the company, the wine and the lovely view of the vineyard. I look forward to visiting this winery again in the future.
