Cedar Lake Cellars, a year-round winery and event venue, recently added four new wines to its existing inventory of 50.
3 Swans Chardonnay, Napa Valley Reserve (2016) – Buttered citrus, marmalade, and hints of brioche and white flower nuances are apparent in this full-bodied wine. The name and label refer to the winery’s three swans that grace the property’s three-acre lake.
Pomegranate Sparkling Wine – A semi-dry wine with aromas of cherry, blackberry, and strawberry.
Cedar Lake Cellars Moscato (2018) – This wine features sweet aromas of peaches, fresh grapes, orange blossoms, and crisp lemons.
Cedar Lake Cellars Rosé (2018) – The newest Rosé is a versatile crisp, dry wine with bright acidity and structure.
The winery currently sells craft and domestic beer, as well as 16 Cedar Lake Cellars California or Paso Robles wines, 3 Swans handcrafted wines from the West Coast, 25 wines of the world, and signature wine slushies. A mixed drink menu features a wide assortment of liquors and mixes to choose from.
Cedar Lake Cellars is open year-round Fri. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for those 21 and older with live music scheduled throughout the weekend.
One of my main goals on my wine journey is to take the “snobbery” out of wine, and have fun with it! I’ve always loved everything vintage, and have a love for the pin-up style! That is where the idea to host a pin-up contest at a winery came from!
Whimsical Wine Woman-Photo by Megyme Productions
When Hidden Lake Winery owner Angela Gorazd contacted me saying she wanted to make some sort of “pin-up” event happen at their winery, we sat down for a brainstorming and wine session. I wanted to host a fun event mashing wine and pin-ups together that everyone could enjoy…that’s when “Miss Hidden Lake Winery” was born! After months of planning and tons of excited interest and support from the community, we soon realized wine and pin-ups go PERFECTLY together, and make for a fantastic time!
Hidden Lake Winery owner Angela Gorazd(Miss Ruby Rosé for the evening) and ME! ready to take on the event!
At 8pm on the dot fifteen beautiful ladies graced the stage competing for the following titles:
“Miss Off Duty” – one of the wineries own wines (3rd place)
“Miss Old Hippie” – also another one of the wineries own wines (2nd place)
“Miss Hidden Lake Winery 2019” (1st place)
Pictured in order: Miss Margo, Miss Swannie, Miss J Marie, Miss Cha Cha Ooh La-La, Miss Loosie Lovegood, Miss Millie Manhattan, Miss Roxie Heart, Winery Owner; Miss Ruby Rosé, Miss Stella Noir, Miss Ruby Steele, Miss Lady Haha Hotwheels, Miss Maria Divine, Miss LuLu Le Papillon, Miss Aurora Borealis, and Miss Kiki Rose
The competition was fierce as all of the ladies brought their best outfits, poses, and unique stage presence to engage the audience! In the end the judges had a hard time narrowing down the winners! After plenty of math checking followed by more math checking just in case…the final scores had been tallied up and the winners were finally selected!
3rd Place- Miss Stella Noir 2nd place- Miss Millie Manhattan and 1st place- Miss Cha Cha Ooh La-La
Our three beautiful winners graced the stage! Miss Stella Noir took home the 3rd place Off Duty title. Miss Millie Manhattan took home the 2nd place Old Hippie title.
Photo by Andrew Dobson
Miss Cha Cha Ooh La-La was crowned Miss Hidden Lake Winery 2019! She graced the stage and won over the judges hearts for the evening! Winning comes with some extra perks too! Miss Cha Cha will get an overnight stay at one of the Hidden Lake Winery Cabins to relax and kick back after all of her pin-up shenanigans! Congratulations Miss Cha Cha Ooh La-La!
All fifteen of the beautiful contestants and the host of the night!
All of these beautiful ladies brought their best and it showed all night long!
After the pin-up competition, the crowd was kept up and on their feet dancing all night long thanks to CHAMPAGNE FIXX who’s musical talents kept us going well past 11pm!
Champagne Fixx rocking out with the crowd!
If you needed a break in between dancing, you could also head back to the Barrel Room for some pin-up style shopping with our hand picked vendors for the night!
The winery was packed and it will always be a night remember! We can’t not wait until the next one AND hopefully eventually work this into a Miss Illinois Wine Event at the Illinois State Fair!
