I wanted to love Rocky Waters Vineyard but our experience unfortunately fell short from start to finish. When driving up, none of the wine vines are visible as most are along the hillside that was covered by overgrown foliage. The main building has a residential log cabin feel that was turned into a main floor winery. When walking in, we were nicely greeted by a female staff member and an adorable pup! One orders food, tastings, or glasses at the counter and staff will bring it to you. We originally wanted to sit outside but quickly realized how buggy it was. We transitioned back inside just in time for our wines to be ready. The wine tasting came as (7) 1oz selections. The presentation was lack luster seeing they all came in a throw away plastic shot glass. They were kind to include a complimentary sample of their (2) slushie drinks of the day. Most of the wines had an odd bite or unique finishing note. Our favorite was the Tower Red Wine! The slushies weren't bad but they are made from a bag they also sell. Additionally, we ordered the Italian Dipping Oil. We saw them go to the back to make it fresh. It was the perfect sharing size but was definitely overpriced. Rocky Waters has so much potential but also has some room for growth to elevate the experience offered. read more

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Very watery vinegar tasting wines. No body to them at all. Slushes were good. We pass in this one.

Cute stop near downtown Galena that offers wine flights so you can try a little bit of everything. Ended up taking a bottle of white wine home. They upgraded the patio furniture so I suggest visiting on a sunny day read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - Sitting area - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

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Went here over the summer, it was a very cozy family-owned location. Unfortunately it was sad to see that it was not busy. The youngest son was talking about how they are trying to sell the property . Definitely a hidden gem ,it's a winding road to get up to the location, you almost feel like you're going the wrong way going up the road. Needless to say the wine tasting was great for the price, not a lot of selection of reds but adequate enough. They also had a couple frozen slushie types included with the regular tasting. I ordered pizza and it was very delicious, crispy, flavorful and not burnt! Very cool decorations inside. All the staff was very gracious and knowledgeable on all the ones. I truly hope they survive. read more

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A fun vineyard near our home for the week, camping at the Palisades. We came in on a quiet Monday, and were welcomed once they realized we had come in. A lot of fun, playing with the offerings, and that there were not too many people in house at the time. We tried a flight of wines, choosing some for both me and my wife. Very nice wines, with the Homestead Red being my favorite, and my wife enjoying the Highland Blush and the mulled spice slush! I concur on the slushy. ;-) We also tried (something like) Vineyard bread tray, which was amazing! Very tasty, and a wonderful pairing with the wines we tasted. read more

Had high hopes for this place. Loved the atmosphere, the people and the view. I just wish they had more red wines, since I'm a red wine drinker. read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - Blueberry baked brie with naan bread - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

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Great owners. Great service, get the peach frosty thing. Was not too busy on a Saturday afternoon.

We had a lovely time. The wine was delicious and there are many reviews criticizing the way the tasting is presented but personally it was nice to have so many options. I have been to many tastings where the glasses were dirty and it ruined the experience so while plastic is not ideal, it did not take away from the tasting. The owners were knowledgeable and so kind and we couldn't beat the views. Highly recommend. Bonus: the owner's dogs! read more

Wine samples for tasting are presented in cheap, 1 ounce, disposable plastic cups all at once (7 in the $12 tasting, only one they offer). If you need to know more, four people, trying all 13 wines they had available could not find one that any of them thought was even OK. It is a very nice winery and location. read more

Call before you come! We checked website and it said it was open but was not. Drove from Galena (30 min) and not open. Had been here a year ago and was nice that is why we came back with friends. read more

Went there hoping that the wine would be good and I was so disappointed ordered 2 flights to try every sample and there was not one I liked The place was beautiful but the wine wasn't don't waste your money read more

Beautiful property & building. Unfortunately very under staffed. One older woman by herself, handling everything including large bridal parties. Shame on the owner for leaving her by herself. Then our tasting was served in tiny plastic shot glasses. Maybe it's me, but drinking wine out of plastic shot glasses is a big no. My second visit here & definitely my last. Drive here from Galena was nice on Blackjack road. Big changes needed here at this winery. The one staff member was very nice & did her best. Felt bad for the bridal parties that came in. Their expressions on the faces summed it up for this place. Big location & one person working on a Saturday ?!?!!! read more

I'm solely a moscato drinker, so I wasn't a huge fan of the actual wines (they weren't sweet enough for me), but they did have a unique flavor. They redeemed themselves with me with their 2 frozen "Hurricane" drinks. They were made from a powder mix, and 2 of their wines, and tasted like cherry slurpies on steroids - delicious! You could purchase the Hurricane mix from them to make at home. The scenery around the winery was breathtaking. Best out of the 3 we visited. The building was woodsy, cabin-like and cozy. I felt like I was on a mountainous vacation. We arrived a little late for the wine tasting currently in session, but they sat us down to join right in. We missed the first few on the tasting card - which was OK because they were the dry wines - no thanks! For $6.50 you get to try ALL of the wines on the card, which is unique. And if you purchase 2 bottles of wine at the end of your visit, your tasting is free. The sheepdog lying on the floor was sleepy and adorable. He barely moved an inch the whole time - that is, until they brought leftover pizza from the bachelorette party in the other room. Then he was awake and seeking attention - and scraps! (The tour guide driver was hanging around, and asked us a few times how we liked the pizzas, as if it was amazing or something. To be honest, it tasted like a frozen thin crust pizza. Dude, I'm from Chicago - I'll tell YOU what good pizza is!). The main guy behind the bar - I'm assuming the owner - was very nice and had a passion for his wines. But, my favorite person was his 10 year old son. Such a helper and so polite and informative. He knew his stuff - and will surely be inheriting this place some day! He had such personality. Adorbs. He gave us crackers and dark chocolate discs (*from Belgium" he added - lol) in bowls for us to snack on in between sips. And he even mentioned that if I liked sweeter wines, I'd definitely like the Hurricanes they were serving last (those are the surprise extra tastings that they don't put on the wine card!) Not to worry, the boy was not pouring any alcohol, he was just helping his dad with odd jobs. I sure hope kiddo gets an allowance for all of his work! When I was ready to make a purchase, the boy rung up the non-alcoholic items, and then called his Dad over to ring up the wines. He told us that he was "not old enough to ring up alcohol." I kinda figured.. ;) There was an older woman helping behind the bar, who seemed to be the owner's mother? When she did the pouring, she was a little more generous than the guy. But I think that's because she'd already had quite a few "tastings" herself at that point and was just pour-happy. All in all, it was a very friendly place and I'd recommend making a stop there. read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - You taste all on the sheet for $6.50. Crackers and dark chocolate to eat in between tastings - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

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Kind of a different tasking program where you can try ALL their offerings and hear the stories behind the wines. I enjoy all types of wines but some of theirs missed the mark. This is definitely NOT a traditional winery. They have several very sweet and fruity wines, some smokey, we felt guilty not buying anything after the tasting, so we walked away with a bottle and an overpriced wine slushy mix that did not contain any alcohol. Blackjack road where it is located is one of the most scenic roads in Illinois. For the drive alone this is a worthy destination. read more

I must say that I'm absolutely perplexed about how this winery has won so many awards and had such publicity about being the best. Each and every wine I tried was terrible... And we did the whole 14 tastings! While the staff were friendly they really paid more attention to each other and out your guide then us and didn't bother to tell us much about the wines. It was a co census among the group that the wines were bad, so not just my personal opinion. read more

Rocky Waters was the first stop on our wine tour with Countryside Tours. The building and surrounding area were beautiful. I'm not sure shuttle tour guests are allowed to roam the vineyards but that would've made a great memory. The wine tasting was given in shot-sized plastic cups. Not ideal for wine tasting. There also were no palette cleansers or directions on how to properly taste wine which is incredibly important. I found it hard to taste the six different wines as after awhile it tasted like pure alcohol. While it is beautiful, it was not the best wine we tasted on the tour. Lots of room for improvement. read more

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The wines are complex and unusual - no grape jelly in a bottle here. This is real wine. The food is delicious. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is stunning. This place is a gem. You really should check it out. read more

I enjoyed the frosé, the view, and outside seating. That is where anything good ends at this winery. The wine tasted like garbage. Would not recommend. read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - Frose - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

We stop by on our way home from Galena. We arrived 5 minutes before close time, but owner was so nice he stay with at least for an hour. For wine tasting is cheap, we try like 8 -10 wines for $5. We bough a few bottles, not cause we love love the wine, but cause we like to support local businesses. And wines maybe we will give as gifts to people who like wines on sweet side. From all tasted wine i will say i like maybe couple wines. Rest of them for my taste was just ok. But again i am not fan os sweet or semi sweet wines. In general its very nice place, great views, and host was amazing. read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

Fabulous view, delicious wine, excellent friendly service. Well worth a trip! We went as a side trip on our way to Galena when the leaves started to turn. read more

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When I travel to Galena, I'm all about exploring the different wineries---oh and some rest and relaxation. While on Highway 20 heading west, I noticed a blue tourist sign for Rocky Waters Vineyard & Winery. I figured I had nothing to lose by driving there for a spot of wine, or five. Once you enter the wooden gates, a beautiful log cabin structure appears containing a wine tasting room, gift shop, restaurant/bar, and the owner's home (in addition to a private log cabin with its own lake available for rent). The winery is small and family-owned/run, but still able to produce and bottle 100% of their wine in small town Hanover, Illinois. The tastings cost $5 for a sample of all 14 wines! Better yet, if a couple purchases 3 or more bottles, their tasting is on the house. Jared, the owner, is a bit to himself but will open up if you ask him enough questions. Jared and his wife Phyllis, held a contest among their grandchildren to name the winery. The name "Rocky Waters" did not root from a "rocky start" (as the website claims) but after their grandchildren noted several streams on the property with rock-covered bottoms. The family have been growing grapes for 17 years on their 52 acres, however, they have somewhat recently become commercial during the last 5 years. They seem to have a good amount of blushes compared to the other wineries in the region. For those who are sweet like me, and hence prefer a semi-sweet wine, I recommend the Pear Tree Blush, Cedar Lake Blush, and Hillside Rose. I opened up one of the bottles on Thanksgiving and it must have been partially open because it tasted spoiled. With that said, I would recommend opening it shortly after purchasing the bottles. Jared's son and wife run the bar downstairs with a gorgeous, wrap-around outdoor porch. To enter, enter the porch gate, and walk to the back side door (ring the bell if necessary)--it's a bit hidden and there are no signs. They do tastings down here, but also sell pizzas and have live music Memorial Day through Labor Day between 1-4 pm. As long as you don't mind their dogs strolling around, it is definitely worth checking out and chatting with the locals. read more

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While staying in Galena, we wanted to visit a winery. Our concierge said Rocky Waters had gorgeous views and great wine. The drive up the "mountain" is pretty, and the view from the winery is spectacular. Once we got there, we headed into the tasting room. $5 gets you small pours of each of their 13-14 wines. (They were out of one when we went.) They say this equates to just over a glass of wine, but it was definitely a bit more than that - just be aware if you're driving, as the road is winding and steep. The owners took us through the tasting, talking about how they found the land and developed it into a vineyard. Their wines are mostly whites and blushes, based off 4 or 5 bases. In general, they were too sweet for our tastes, though the two reds were solid. If you like whites or the fruitier blushes, though, this would be a great place to come for a tasting, and maybe enjoy a glass while looking out at the view. read more

The dogs and family vibe were super cute. The wine tasted like vinegar. We stopped there on a wine tour bus and tastes several of their "award winning wines". Apparently wine awards are given to any who participate as this WAS NOT GOOD WINE. read more

My husband and I stopped in here on the way home from a weekend in Galena. I wanted to see a vineyard. :-) I was not disappointed when it came to the views. It was beautiful! The gentleman who did our tasting was super friendly and knowledgeable! We are not wine connoisseurs, but we know what we like and don't like. And, for us, wine tasting is about spending time together, learning, and enjoying the experience! At first we were hesitant that they were out of all their white wines, but we didn't miss them at all! Of the 8 we tried, we liked them all! We ended up buying 3 bottles, and our tasting was FREE! And, I even learned a great new salmon recipe to try and some steak marinating tips. Overall, a very positive experience for us! Thank you. read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - The tools of tasting. :) - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

Four of us stopped by on our way out of galena because we heard good things. The owner was there pouring and he was friendly but brief and busy. They were out of all white wines and every red was on the sweet side. The wines were cheap but didn't like any of them enough to buy (or at all). The views and property were beautiful. We wanted to like this place but unfortunately don't think we will be back. Side note: bathroom was very dirty and the toilet looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. The fans in the tasting room had visible dust caked on them. Gross. read more

Rocky Waters is my ABSOLUTE favorite winery anywhere! Their wines are unlike any other wines that I have ever tasted- a truly unique taste and aroma. The incredible wines coupled with the stunning views and rustic warm cabin make this winery an unforgettable (and must repeat over and over again) place to visit. If I could, I'd give it 10 stars! Every time I go to Galena, this is a must stop, or rather the other way around- every time I go to Rocky Waters, I stop by Galena! read more

Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery - Wineries Near Me - Hanover, Illinois

The view was outstanding along with the establishment. The wine maker was very detailed and friendly and was generous on the pours but the wine itself seemed old or unstable. I hope he gets help because I think he can turn this into a great product but for now I do not think it matches up to others we have gone too. read more

We went here as part of a bachelorette tastings. There were about 12 of us and this was our first wine tasting of the day. The majority of us are wine drinkers and this was by far the worst winery I have ever been to in my life. Although, I will say the location was beautiful and the inside clean, the actual wine flavors all tasted like vinegar. There was not a single person in our group who liked the wine and we basically stopped drinking it halfway through. The lady pouring the wine was also quick, missing half of the ones to taste, there was no explanation or warm welcome either. Surprised there was no dump bucket and when we asked for one, she was very upset that we kept dumping our wine it. Overall, bad wine and bad experience. read more

This was an awesome winery to visit. We did show up about an hour before closing time and still had a blast. I would suggest showing up a little earlier so that you can get through a tasting and be able to enjoy one of the fabulous wines. All grapes are grown on property which I thought was really awesome. Really getting that Illinois flavor. Loved the wine stopper/ pourers and had an awesome wine slushy. Gotta try the hurricane frozen drink. Great people pouring, the grandma that was there instantly connected with our group and had great stories to share. read more

Stopped by on the way to Galena, great place. The Owner took time to tell us about each wine and what foods could be paired and even a few funny stories. A great place to stop.... also a great view. read more

So far, this was my best wine tasting experience. Very informative, loved the stories, and great wine flavors.

I have never experienced GERD until coming to this winery. The facility is beautiful, however the wine tasted stale and so bitter. I'm not sure if the wine was old or it just isn't good. If I opened a bottle of wine like this at my house I would pour it down the drain. Would have paid the wine tour guide extra to skip this tasting and avoid the stomach ache. read more

My wife and I along with our two friends were heading home from Galena I'l. , when we decided to stop at Rocky Waters winery . It was great. My wife and I have visited a lot of winery's, in our time and it was right at the top. Kyle aka Tom was the best. The wine was awesome and the view was beautiful. Don't miss it. read more

this was probably by far the best part of our trip. the son that was doing our pours was very knowledgeable and explained the taste to the grapes. i enjoyed all of the wines and thats from someone who is NOT a big wine drinker. the best part was when we were told to go check out downstairs. AMAZING!!! was a huge beautifully done kitchen. when we asked why are the tastings not done right here, we were told well thats because this is their (the owners) home!!!! it was STUNNING!!!!! the female owner was such a delight to talk to, you can tell she has just a fun personality!!! read more

One of nicer wineries in the Galena area. Nestled in the rolling hills of northwest part of Illinois. Very clean and with a very knowledgeable gentleman who explained the wines of the area. Will definitely return the next trip to Galena. read more

Amazing views, great wine and good time to hang out with friends for conversation! Definitely repeat customers!

I would give this minus stars if I could. The bathroom was dirty and the tasting was awful. All of the wines were old and this was the first time I have ever considered using a dump bucket. But there was no bucket!! The facility was beautiful but the guy was not knowledgeable and had no personality. And he was the wine maker!! read more

Great view. Just went in October. I have been here a few times. This time they were out of White wine. The tasting was a whole lot of blush. Either way a great ride getting there. read more

Very beautiful and quiet place! Few weeks ago I went there with several of my friends and we decided to check out the local wines. Out of all of the wines I tried I really liked the White Tail so I purchased two bottles. The pizza was also very good even though it was previously frozen. The staff was extremely nice and professional! read more

Never met a wine I didn't like....until we came here. We had to leave halfway through the tasting because the wine was so horrible. Two in our group commented that the last wine we tried tasted like wet dog smells! Very pretty location but best to skip this place. read more