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The Illinois River Winery was founded in 1998 with the establishment of Starved Rock Vineyards by Gregg Kane. At the Winery, Gregg helps keep the focus on artistic quality instead of formula winemaking. Gregg's agricultural roots and lean manufacturing background have served the vineyards and winery well over the years. Visitors to the winery are much more likely to find Gregg on a tractor or in the wine lab than in his office. He wouldn't have it any other way. Our success has not been due to only one person's efforts or one person's vision: rather, the many people have contributed much over the years. For a more whimsical, but true version of "how we came to be", please read on..... Here is how it came to be. You see, once upon a time, in a life far away, there was a sister and two brothers who took to meeting over Memorial Day weekend at the sisters house. This place in the woods, not on the way to grandmothers house, happened to be in the heart of Missouri wine country. This annual event began with flourish as the 30-something crew bicycled the Katy trail, riding from vineyard to vineyard, sampling the wine, the cheese, the ambiance of the Missouri river views. We were happy for these moments, for these moments were our life. Later these bicycles became more numerous as we married as people do. Trailers began find there way onto the bikes as kids came along. But still this was joy and life eternal. And along the way, we learned something. We observed that the best wine came from a winery with the lowest prices and the smallest crowds. We noticed that the most popular Wineries didnt have the best wine, but were beautiful and scenic and had the highest prices. Then there were the monthly trips to Starved Rock State park. Hiking the canyons and discovering hidden waterfalls in what to us is the most beautiful place in Illinois. Then in the most magical way, the pieces of the puzzle began to materialize. The desire to get back into agriculture, to leave corporate America, to put a couple of MBAs to good use.