Owl Creek wine wins best of show for 2006??

COBDEN - Owl Creek Vineyard's Bald Knob wine took "Best of Show" in the 2006 Illinois Wine Competition in Springfield last week.

The competition judges Illinois' wine offering to determine the top quality wines across the state in more than a dozen categories.

Illinois wineries submitted 256 entries in the three day judging sponsored by the Illinois Grape Grower and Vintner's Association and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

"We are very pleased and inspired by the outcome," said Brad Genung, owner of Owl Creek. "Bald Knob is named for our founder Ted Wichmann and is the first entirely new wine created by winemaker Karen Hand since Ted retired last year."

Owl Creek Vineyard is a family-run winery that makes quality wines from locally grown wine grapes.

Bald Knob is a fruity semi-dry red wine created from Chambourcin grapes and finished in a manner similar to a young Beaujolais. The grapes for Bald Knob were grown by Frank and Linda LaFoon of Anna. The LaFoons have been growing grapes for Owl Creek wines for several years.

In addition to Bald Knob's Best of Show, Owl Creek's Raspberry Framboise took a Silver medal for fruit wines and Whooo's Blush was given a Bronze in the blush wine category.

Owl Creek wines have won more than 70 medals in state and international wine competitions. The tasting room and winery are located in the heart of the Shawnee Hills, about 15 minutes south of Carbondale.