Experience August Hill Wine Dinner at Starved Rock

The Starved Rock Lodge, home to one of the region’s top dining destinations, teams up with the master vintners at August Hill Winery to host an exciting new event. The debut August Hill Wine Dinner, set for April 6 in the Lodge’s historic wood-clad restaurant, will see viticulture experts from Utica’s August Hill collaborating with the resort’s chefs to curate an exclusive four-course meal and wine-tasting experience.

The decadent four-course menu will start with Strawberry Bruschetta, made with toasted French bread, whipped mascarpone and fresh-sliced strawberries, topped with a blueberry balsamic glaze. The dish will be paired with August Hill’s Chambourcin Rosé, a semi-dry, light-bodied rosé wine made from Illinois-grown Chambourcin grapes – with notes of apricot, clove, orange cream soda and violet. The bright acidity of the wine makes it refreshing and enjoyable to drink, a perfect pairing for this starter.

The second course will feature a Wedge Salad, a gluten-free dish made with iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, smoked goat cheese, shaved red onion, and toasted pistachio, topped with a caramelized lemon vinaigrette. The salad will be paired with Starved Rock Bubbly, an effervescent sparkling option crafted specially for the Starved Rock Lodge by August Hill. The Lodge is the only location you can sample this exclusive varietal.

For the evening’s entrée, diners will have two excellent choices: an 8-ounce Manhattan steak or 8-ounce grilled salmon. They are served with salsa verde, roasted corn relish and a microgreen salad. Both options will be paired with August Hill’s Norton, a medium-bodied, dry red wine made with premium Norton grapes. The wine has characteristics of blueberry pie, black raspberry and cedar. Norton is a great pairing with a variety of foods thanks to supple tannins and nice acidity.

The fourth and final course will tempt with a Chocolate Caramel Almond Tart, made of a tart shell, almond caramel and chocolate ganache. The dessert will be paired with August Hill Winery’s Red Letter, a medium-bodied, semi-dry red wine with blackberry, walnut and mocha notes. It is made from a blend of grapes, and American oak aging enhances the flavors and aromas. This is a rare opportunity to sample the small-batch product that goes perfectly with dark chocolate.

The Starved Rock Lodge is one of Illinois’ foremost lodging destinations for those looking to enjoy hiking, outdoor adventure, history and architectural landmarks. Within the Lodge, you’ll find historic ambiance in the Lodge Restaurant, where the atmosphere is friendly and casual. Relax and unwind in the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, or stop by the Back Door Lounge to fuel up before a hike or cool off with a locally brewed craft beer. Choose a hotel room in the Lodge or one of the log cabins in the woods. Either way, you’ll wake up refreshed by the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Located right in the heart of downtown Utica, August Hill’s sophisticated tasting room offers a selection of award-winning, locally produced wines. Best of all, the line of sparkling wines is produced with grapes grown on a sprawling vineyard within Starved Rock Country. Enjoy a glass of August Hill’s award-winning Berlyn Red, share a wine flight on its beautiful patio or purchase a case of wine to share with friends and family. Check out August Hill’s events calendar for a full list of live music performances, special mimosa events, and interactive classes.

Seats for the special dinner are limited, and advance reservations are required. To check availability, visit starvedrocklodge.com/events.