Von Jakob Winery & Brewery sits on 240 acres in Alto Pass, Illinois, in the heart of the Shawnee Hills wine region. Jakob and Jena Zimmerman founded this operation in 2001, transforming rolling farmland into a comprehensive beverage destination that produces both wines and craft beer. The property centers around a rustic tasting room and production facility that overlooks their vineyard rows and the surrounding Southern Illinois countryside. While primarily known as a winery, they’ve expanded their beverage program to include craft brewing operations, making them one of the few dual wine and beer producers in the region. The Zimmermans started this venture after Jakob’s career in agriculture led him to experiment with grape growing in Southern Illinois’ unique microclimate. The Shawnee Hills region sits at a latitude similar to wine regions in Europe, and the family discovered their land’s potential for both traditional and hybrid grape varieties that could withstand Midwest weather patterns. Over two decades, they’ve built Von Jakob into a working farm that produces everything from traditional wines to seasonal fruit wines, while their brewing operation focuses on German-style beers that reflect Jakob’s heritage. Visitors come here for the combination of rural Illinois charm and serious beverage production. The tasting room feels like a family operation where you might chat with Jakob himself about soil conditions or grape varieties. The property offers vineyard views, a laid-back atmosphere where locals and tourists mix easily, and the chance to taste both their wine and beer portfolio in one stop. It’s not a slick operation, but that’s exactly what makes it authentic to this agricultural region.