7 years, 8 months ago Mike Moyers
Earlier this week the Illinois Department of Tourism named Spirit Knob Winery as an official Illinois Maker.
The Illinois Made program is ongoing and highlights the depth and diversity of Illinois’ makers, creators and artisans.
Matt and Karen Schulte, founders, owners and operators of Spirit Knob, fit that description perfectly.
We were neighbors with the Schulte’s for 12 years and during that time saw Spirit Knob grow from a “we’re making wine as a hobby in the basement” endeavor to the popular destination and entertainment spot it is today. Matt Schulte always knew he could make great wine-even back then. He had a passion (which is the name of one of his products) for the craft and, even though he was working a full 40 hours as a pattern maker, he continued learn and experiment and take his craft to a new level.
And the Spirit Knob product and facility of today is the result.
Matt has done an outstanding job promoting his product; winning numerous state and regional awards as well as a few of the national and international variety. He makes great wine. You see it just about everywhere.
There was many a Sunday morning back in the early 2000’s that the Moyers family would head to the house at the end of the lane and help set up bag chairs and pop up tents for those patrons who would make their way north on Illinois 96 and left on route 2250 for a taste of something good from Spirit Knob. And there was Matt out front of it all; talking the talk, answering questions while Karen was in the basement showroom helping customers pick something they liked and ringing up the sales.
Through all that Matt and Karen managed to raise 4 wonderful kids, all of whom have popped a cork or two for the customers and helped entertain the patrons of Spirit Knob.
It is a pleasure to see someone REALLY put their heart and soul into something and see it work out for the best.
The Schultes and Spirit Knob are prime examples of just that. Feel free to raise a glass just about now….
But please make sure it contains something from Spirit Knob in it.
