Hidden Lake Winery

Hidden Lake Winery is a winery and destination property in Aviston, Illinois. It is situated on a large wooded estate in Southern Illinois and combines wine production with hospitality, food service, accommodation, private events, and community programming. The property is associated with Aviston, Germantown, and Trenton because of the way its location and mailing address are described, although Aviston is generally identified as the winery's location. The business was established by Dale Holbrook. In 2004, Holbrook acquired approximately 92 acres of forest, obtained an alcohol distribution license, and began producing wine in a warehouse on the property. The winery facility was developed from that initial operation and opened to the public on June 1, 2005. At opening, the site included a two-story cedar building, an existing lake, and a smaller land area than the property described in later accounts. The facilities and grounds subsequently expanded. Hidden Lake Winery's distinguishing feature is its destination-oriented format. Rather than operating only as a tasting room and production site, the property includes a vineyard, winery, wine-tasting room, restaurant, banquet hall, pavilion, sculpture garden, two lakes, woodland, and guest accommodations. Its lodging operation has been described as a bed-and-breakfast-style facility with eight deluxe cabins and two honeymoon cabins. These amenities support weddings, receptions, festivals, concerts, private gatherings, and leisure visits in addition to regular wine tourism. The surrounding woodland is known locally as Silent Forest. Local tradition connects the area with a story about a bootlegger making whiskey there in the early twentieth century, while the property has also been associated with hunting and mushroom gathering. Those stories form part of the site's atmosphere and local identity, although they are historical folklore rather than documented elements of the winery's operating history. The winery became involved in regional tourism and economic-development activity during the 2000s. In 2007, it participated in Belleville's ART in the Park Festival and joined the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail, a cooperative network created by Southern Illinois wineries to cross-promote one another and encourage visitors to explore the region. Later that year, Hidden Lake Winery hosted the first Illinois Wine Festival at the property, bringing together wineries and other businesses, artists, photographers, and musicians. In 2016, the property was offered for sale. Angela and Steve Gorazd, founders of the Got Wine firm, acquired it for a reported $1.5 million and began improvements that included a new event venue and other property upgrades. The available reference material does not establish the winery's current ownership structure, production volume, distribution footprint, or present financial performance. Hidden Lake Winery is best characterized as a regional winery and hospitality destination whose value proposition rests on combining local wine, rural scenery, lodging, dining, and event facilities.

Hidden Lake Winery developed from a rural property known as Silent Forest in Southern Illinois. Local accounts associate the forest with a bootlegging story from the early twentieth century and with recreational activities such as hunting and mushroom gathering. These traditions contributed to the character of the site, but the documented commercial history of the winery begins with Dale Holbrook's acquisition of the land. In 2004, Holbrook purchased a large tract of forest and established a private residence and warehouse there. After obtaining an alcohol distribution license, he began making wine in the warehouse and gradually converted and expanded the building for winery use. The public opening took place on June 1, 2005. At that point, the property contained a two-story cedar building, an original lake, and approximately 82 acres. Later descriptions place the overall estate at about 92 acres as additional facilities and grounds were developed. The business expanded beyond wine production into destination hospitality. Its property came to include a small vineyard, winery, tasting room, restaurant, banquet hall, pavilion, sculpture garden, two lakes, woodland, and ten cabins. The cabins were presented as bed-and-breakfast accommodations, consisting of eight deluxe cabins and two honeymoon cabins. This combination allowed the business to serve wine tourists, diners, overnight guests, weddings, banquets, festivals, and other private or community events. Regional cooperation became an important part of the winery's development. In 2007, Hidden Lake Winery participated in the ART in the Park Festival in Belleville. That year it also joined the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail, a Southern Illinois network through which wineries promoted one another and encouraged visitors to travel among destinations in the region. The winery further increased its role as an event venue by hosting the first Illinois Wine Festival in late August 2007. The two-day event included vendors from wineries and other local businesses, as well as photographers and musicians. The property was put up for sale in 2016. Angela and Steve Gorazd, identified as the founders of Got Wine, purchased it for a reported $1.5 million. Following the acquisition, they began expanding the property, including the addition of a new venue and improvements to existing facilities. The supplied reference material does not provide a detailed account of later management, current ownership documentation, wine labels, production methods, distribution arrangements, or financial results. Accordingly, the most supportable description is of an active regional winery and rural hospitality complex whose business model integrates wine, food, cabins, events, and destination tourism.

• 2016

  Change in ownership and property expansion

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Angela and Steve Gorazd acquired the property after it was listed for sale and began adding a new venue and improving the grounds.

• 2007

  Participation in ART in the Park

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The winery participated in the ART in the Park Festival in Belleville, Illinois.

• 2007

  Joins Heartland Rivers Wine Trail

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Hidden Lake Winery joined the regional wine trail created by Southern Illinois wineries to promote wine tourism and related local businesses.

• 2007

  First Illinois Wine Festival hosted

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The winery hosted the first Illinois Wine Festival, a two-day event featuring regional businesses, wineries, artists, photographers, and musicians.

• 2005

  Public opening

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Hidden Lake Winery opened to the public on June 1, 2005, with a two-story cedar building, an existing lake, and the initial winery operation.

• 2004

  Initial winery operation begins

  [1]Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Dale Holbrook acquired the wooded property, obtained an alcohol distribution license, and began producing wine in a warehouse while developing the future winery.

A regional wine-tourism and events destination that combines small-scale wine production with lodging, dining, woodland scenery, and group hospitality.

• Wine · 2004

  Wine

  Wine is the core product associated with Hidden Lake Winery. The business began production in a warehouse before opening a dedicated public winery facility in 2005. The available reference material confirms on-site wine production and tasting but does not identify specific varietals, labels, production volumes, or distribution channels.

• Wine tourism · 2005

  Wine tasting

  The property includes a wine-tasting room intended to let visitors experience the winery directly. Tasting is part of a broader destination model that also includes the restaurant, grounds, event venues, and cabins.

• Hospitality

  Cabin accommodations

  Hidden Lake Winery has offered ten cabins as bed-and-breakfast-style lodging: eight deluxe cabins and two honeymoon cabins. The accommodations extend the winery's appeal beyond day visits and support weddings, celebrations, and leisure stays.

• Events and hospitality

  Events and banquet services

  Banquet, pavilion, and event facilities allow the property to host weddings, receptions, festivals, and other gatherings. The event business is supported by the winery's restaurant, woodland setting, lakes, sculpture garden, and overnight cabins.

• 2007Heartland Rivers Wine Trail

  Southern Illinois

  Hidden Lake Winery joined a cooperative wine-tourism initiative formed by Southern Illinois wineries. The trail promoted participating wineries and encouraged visitors to travel throughout the region, with associate membership also open to other businesses.

  Outcome. The winery became part of a regional promotional network focused on tourism and local economic activity.

  Source
• 2007ART in the Park Festival participation

  Belleville, Illinois

  The winery participated in Belleville's ART in the Park Festival, connecting the brand with a broader local arts and community event.

  Source
• 2007Illinois Wine Festival

  Illinois

  Hidden Lake Winery hosted the inaugural Illinois Wine Festival as a two-day event with wineries, local businesses, photographers, and musicians.

  Outcome. The winery reinforced its role as a regional gathering and wine-tourism venue.

  Source

• 2016

  Acquire and expand the winery propertyM&A

  Background

  The winery property was placed on the market in 2016.

  Action taken

  Angela and Steve Gorazd, founders of Got Wine, purchased the property and initiated improvements, including a new venue.

  Aftermath

  The property continued developing as a combined winery, hospitality, and events destination.

  Reported purchase price. $1.5 million (2016)

  Source

• 2005

  Open as a public winery and destinationStrategy

  Background

  The winery had been developed from a private rural property and warehouse operation.

  Action taken

  Hidden Lake Winery opened to the public on June 1, 2005, beginning its visitor-facing business.

  Aftermath

  The operation expanded into tasting, hospitality, dining, lodging, and events.

  Source

• 2004

  Begin wine production on the propertyStrategy

  Background

  Dale Holbrook had acquired a wooded property containing a residence and warehouse and sought to establish a winery operation.

  Action taken

  He obtained an alcohol distribution license and started making wine in the warehouse before developing a public winery facility.

  Aftermath

  The initial warehouse operation became the foundation for Hidden Lake Winery's public opening in 2005.

  Source

1. 1Hidden Lake Wineryen.wikipedia.org