About Village Vintner
Village Vintner combines a winery, a brewery and a sit-down restaurant at its Algonquin location on Esplanade Drive. The business has made wine since 2005 and bottles about 35,000 a year at its winery in Huntley, using grapes and fruit it buys in. Inside the restaurant, a 7-barrel brewhouse turns out small batches for 12 rotating taps.
Tastings change every month and come in two menus. The September dry list ran from a Blanc de Noir made from Grenache to Lodi Merlot and Malbec and a Clement Hills Petite Syrah, while the sweet and fruit list included Moscato, Mango Citrus, Watermelon, Blue Moon blueberry and a raspberry-chocolate port called Cocoa Razz. House beers range from a Vanilla Cream Ale and a Helles-style Naughty Blonde to a Schwarzbier and an 8.5 percent Bourbon Ale.
The kitchen makes its pizza mozzarella daily and lists dishes such as a hot honey pizza with burrata, a bacon jam smash burger, cedar plank salmon and, Friday through Sunday, smoked baby back ribs. A gluten-free crust and vegan cheese are available. On most Fridays and Saturdays, the 88 Social piano bar hosts live music, and the restaurant also arranges private tastings, wine pairing dinners and parties.
Maria's Farm, a lavender farm near Marengo that welcomes visitors by appointment, is about 30 minutes west, so a booked farm visit can be followed by dinner here.
What to do
- Order the month's dry or sweet/fruit wine tasting
- Try house beers from the 7-barrel brewhouse
- Have the hot honey pizza made with house mozzarella
- Book a table for live piano at 88 Social on a Friday or Saturday
- Ask about private tastings and wine pairing dinners
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Restaurant open year-round; live piano most Fridays and Saturdays through the year
- Hours
- When checked in October 2026 the restaurant listed noon–10:30 p.m. for the day; the wine tasting bar and kitchen close one hour before the restaurant
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Recommended (strongly recommended for 88 Social)
Tips for your visit
- Tasting menus change monthly, so check their website for the current list
- Call ahead to reserve for the piano bar on weekend nights
- The tasting bar closes an hour before the restaurant
- Plan a designated driver before you head out
Pair it with a lavender farm
Maria's Farm · about 30 minutes away
Maria's Farm near Marengo is about 30 minutes west; book a lavender visit there, then come back east for dinner and a tasting.
Getting there
Questions
Is Village Vintner in Carpentersville?
No. The restaurant and tasting bar are at 2380 Esplanade Dr in Algonquin; the wine is made at their winery in Huntley.
Do they brew beer too?
Yes. A 7-barrel brewery inside the restaurant makes small batches for 12 rotating taps.
Are there gluten-free options?
Yes. A gluten-free pizza crust is available for an extra charge, and some entrees can be made gluten free.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Marengo & Woodstock, Illinois
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
