Bishops Hill Winery

Bishops Hill Winery pours wine in one of Joliet’s odder buildings: a castle-like residence on Bridge Street that a German brewmaster built and the Catholic Diocese of Joliet later used as headquarters. Under the grounds is a 150-year-old brewery cellar the owners are restoring with reclaimed Joliet limestone, the same stone used in the Illinois State Capitol. The winemakers started as friends making wine in Chicago with Eastern European family traditions and turned the hobby into a business. Their 2020 Petite Sirah took gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, and the winery teaches wine classes with Joliet Junior College.

What to know

• The winery is at 310 Bridge St., in the former Joliet Catholic Diocese headquarters.
• The property has a 150-year-old brewery cellar under restoration with reclaimed Joliet limestone.
• The 2020 Petite Sirah won gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, per Shaw Local in January 2025.
• The winery partners with Joliet Junior College on informal wine education classes.
• The site lists two phone numbers, (312) 320-1610 and (312) 617-1116.