John,

SOuthern Illinois is hot as cold as the Chicagoland area becomes. Temperatures, ob average, are about 10F higher for any time of the year, possibly warmer. And they also don;t get the Lake Effect that we do since we are near Lake Michigan. Summers can be really hot here and Autumn / Fall is also warm right upto the end of October. I guess that since these people use native American grapes, their grapes have somehow adapted to the weather here . . .

Yes, these are not the sophisticated wines that are made in Australia, France or to an extent even in California, but I liked them as nice, budget table wines. I am now one of their loyal customers!

Cheers!