Custom Events
Thank you for considering the vineyard for your central Illinois event location.
The vineyard changes with the seasons but the views are always beautiful so think about choosing us for hosting your next party or social event. Indoors we can accomodate 55-70 people for a seated dinner or buffet dinner. We do have catering available for your event as needed. Outdoors we can host larger groups on our porches and deck areas and our new pavilion can seat 300 guests with additional space on the pavilion patio area.
We have hosted 5K walk and runs, Bicycle races, Custom Trivia Tournaments, Music concerts, Historic breakfasts and Dramatic presentations, Mystery dinners, an Outdoor Movie Premiere on an inflatable screen, a Symphony concert, a Furniture show, Jewelry parties and the list goes on. Below is listed some information on Special events to get your ideas flowing or call us and we can work with you to customize your event !
Call our Event Coordinator at 309-645-5054 or email – mackinawwinery03@gmail.com for information.
Trivia Game Tournaments– Players can match their wits in a strictly for fun game of trivia. Teams can be a maximum of four players (less if you’re REALLY, REALLY SMART). It is about a 2-2 ½ hour time period for the trivia game. There are eight categories and a tie-breaking ninth when needed. Catering can be used for this event or teams can bring their own light snacks and treats. The tasting bar is open for wine tasting and we serve wine, beer, sodas, bottled tea and bottled water. The game is hosted in the tasting room and is $10 per person during business hours with a minimum of 36 players or a maximum of 50 players. Events after hours can be hosted with the $10 per person fee plus the additional after hours room rental.
Murder Mystery Dinners– Murder Mystery Dinners can be hosted by private groups in our tasting room. We currently work with UpStage Productions that have 20 years experience in hosting Murder Mystery Dinners throughout the Midwest. They have different traveling programs they can host and customize for your group. Guests are invited to participate as much or little as they are comfortable with in the mystery by acting a part or helping to solve the murder. Fees for the dinner, dessert and drama are based on the group numbers with a group of 55 or more guests at $50+ tax per person, if less than 55 attending there is a flat rate including the tax of $2935.90 for 54 or less guests. The Murder Mystery Dinner usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. During the first part of the event the tasting bar is open throughout the evening for wine flight tasting, sales of wine, beer and soft drinks. The caterers provide tea and coffee for the meal and dessert service. *Advance notice of at least two months is needed to schedule a Murder Mystery Dinner.
Musical and Specialty Entertainment and Rentals– We hire many bands throughout the spring, summer and fall for our Concerts in the Vineyard series Saturday evenings and for our Festivals. If you are hosting an event here and would like musical entertainment we can recommend or hire a string quartet, guitarists, a harpist, a D.J’ and Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz or Country Bands for your event. We also have access to other local actors, magicians and other performers that can make your event a unique experience. Pricing is done on an individual basis for these bookings.
Inflatables– We have access to a company that can provide inflatables for corporate and family picnics as well as a large inflatable movie screen that can be used at the lake gazebo with yard and deck seating for guests. Pricing is done on an individual basis for rentals.
Pavilion Rental for Large Group Events– We have a large pavilion that is used from May through October for wedding receptions as well a corporate parties and reunions. The building can seat up to three hundred guests for a seated formal dinner function. The pavilion sits in the vineyard area with views of our lawns, lake and gazebos. Pricing for the pavilion is based on the number of people and the length of time the group hosts the event. Fees and available dates are available upon request.
Before or After Business Hours Fees in tasting room or outdoor deck and patio areas:
To host an event before or after business hours in the tasting room pricing is as follow
Sundays through Thursdays is $375+tax for three hours for the main tasting room or an outdoor patios or decks area.
Rental rates on Friday and Saturday evenings are $475+tax for three hours for the main tasting room or an outdoor patio or deck area. We don’t rent the tasting room on Saturday evenings from June to September because of our band nights. Open hours are listed on our website.
**Tour and Tastings and Chocolate and Wine tastings and other events can be scheduled before or after normal business hours with the per person fee applied in addition to the three hour room rates.
Food Service Catering– The Catering Company is the official caterer for the vineyard and they provide a broad range of menu options to fit any taste or budget. We can arrange for box lunches, buffet style or table service meals upon request. A favorite evening dinner in the warmer months is a cookout on their big grill for large groups or small dinners. They can be reached directly with questions on menus and pricing at 309-678-9000. Email at TheCateringCompany9000@yahoo.com. The List family brings excellent food and customer service together to make your event special, large or small. website link