McHenry County Board To Decide Whether Vineyard Can Sell Product
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (CBS) -- A suburban vineyard's request for a liquor license is more than ripe enough for a vote, according to one McHenry County board member.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, McHenry County Board member Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) says Jeff and Sue Pankow have waited long enough on their request to be able to bottle their Blue Star Vineyards wine, hold wine tastings, and sell bottles of their product at the vineyard.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports
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"Basically, it allows what the state allows," she said.
Wheeler says the vineyard could bring extra tourists to McHenry County "who will gas up in our gas stations… eat in a local restaurant, who may stay a night at one of our hotels and take advantage of our rivers and our parks."
Wheeler says a couple of McHenry County Board committee members who oppose the move are afraid the vineyard will become a bar.
Blue Star would have to agree not to be a bar, which Wheeler says has already happened.
If the request is approved, it could be another year before Blue Star is able to begin offering tastings, Wheeler said.
The vineyard is located southeast of Hebron.
