Mother’s Day is fast approaching, but this year don’t give Mom the traditional Hallmark card and gift, instead take her on a wine trail for the weekend. Picture this…nature, relaxation, beautiful scenery and wine. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is located in Jackson and Union Counties in southern Illinois and follows a 30-mile loop with a variety of unique eateries, antique shops, bed & breakfasts, parks and other attractions along the way.

Arrive on Friday to your cabin at the Skyline View Cabins. Located on 20 private acres on the Shawnee Hills Wine trail, these cabins are absolutely fabulous. The cabins are pet friendly, come all equipped with a full kitchen and washer and dryer, they are amazingly affordable and offer one of the finest views on the planet overlooking the Shawnee National Forest. Skyline View Cabins, owned by Jan York, a local artist and fantastic host, have been recognized nationally as one of the best places in the U.S. to relax at an affordable price.
Skyline View Cabins~ 2625 Skyline Drive~ Alto Pass, IL 62905~ (618).893.1483 or (618).534.9413~skylineviewcabins@gmail.com~www.skylineviewcabins.com

On Saturday, cook Mom breakfast in bed in your full kitchen, drink your coffee, while enjoying the view, and head out for the wine trail. You can spend the afternoon bouncing from winery to winery, enjoying music, local art and more. To enjoy the trail without worrying about the drinking and driving, call SI Tours to come and pick you up from Skyline View Cabins to take you out for you day on the wine trail.

There are 12 wineries located along this trail, and all of them wonderful, but the favorite is Blue Sky Vineyards. Anchoring the eastern end of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, Blue Sky Vineyard offers a taste of Tuscany in the hills of Southern Illinois. They are open year-round, 7 days a week, to provide great Illinois wine. From wine tasting to a variety of hearty sandwiches, pizzas, and snacks, as well as wine-alternatives, such as beer and mixed drinks, you could spend all day at this one winery alone. And, for Mother’s Day, your Mom can join in the Watercolor Workshop from 9am – 3 pm, taught by Spencer Meagher, an established artist of southern Illinois. Mom will create her very own painting to take home with her at the end of the day. With a brush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, what could be a better day than that!
Blue Sky Vineyards~3150 South Rocky Comfort Rd ~ Makanda, IL 62958 ~ (618) 995-WINE ~ www.blueskyvineyard.com

On Sunday, sleep in late, take a hike with Mom and then head home from one of your most memorable Mother Day’s ever.

Special thanks to Adam York at Sublime Public Relations for sharing with me this wonderful Mother’s Day destination!