Beer, Wine & Spirits in Tinley Park

Crown Valley Winery, nestled on a small hill amid prolific vineyards and rolling greenery, beckons for passersby to peruse its flourishing grounds and sample its inimitably crafted libations. Couples and especially friendly strangers stroll along hand in hand on a 30-minute guided tour, gleaning tidbits on the winemaking process. After the tour fills ear canals with interesting facts about adult grape juices, visitors gather at the wood-ensconced, naturally lit tasting room or on the outside patio overlooking the verdant estate to sample splashes of vino. Swill tastes of Crown Valley’s Estate and Museum Collection before departing with three flavorful bottles of wine, which can be popped open during special occasions such as family get-togethers or graduation from Rubik’s Cube University.

There's more than one way to appreciate a bouquet. That's the idea behind Avenue Flower Shop & Wine Bar, a successful floral shop that has recently opened a tasting room where visitors can sample wines from Europe, South America, South Africa, and the Columbia Valley. Perhaps unsurprisingly, flowers decorate almost every corner of the space, from the hardwood bar that rests atop small neoclassical columns to the tables that stand draped in black tablecloths. On some nights, wine flavors and floral aromas mingle with live harmonies from local blues and jazz ensembles, which creates a casual atmosphere and teaches lilies music theory. Avenue Flower Shop & Wine Bar also recently branched out into gaming with the addition of five video poker machines.

For the past 14 years, the knowledgeable beverage aficionados at Fine Wines & Liquors have carefully selected palate-spanning spirits and wines from around the world to bring their customers a versatile selection. The passionate staff samples 90% of their wines available for purchase, giving them an intimate familiarity with nearly every wine's bouquet, mouthfeel, and credit rating. Tasty vinos from Spanish, American, French, and Argentine vineyards tempt customers with the fruity notes of pinot noir, crisp sweetness of chardonnay, and pleasant pepperiness of garnache. Smoky scotches, oak-aged rum, and bottles of juniper-kissed gin also furnish social gatherings with delicious pours of spirits from distilleries such as The Speyside, McDowell's, and North Shore.

Just Grapes brings the passion of wine country to Chicago by simplifying the world of wine for local consumers. A wine shop supporting the idea that wine education should be simple, fun and functional, Just Grapes specializes in private and corporate wine-tasting events, wine retail and wine education.

WineStyles Belmont’s Dionysian staffers dazzle palates with a globe-spanning array of world-class wines served at stylish private tasting events. Customers can select 14 lucky friends aged 21 and older to join them for the two-hour tasting, which can add glamour to holiday parties, casual comfort to corporate get-togethers, or refinement to rugby-match after-parties. At each tasting, guests mingle in cask-filled crannies of the elegant Belmont shop as they sample six unique, complex vinos. Knowledgeable staffers highlight each wine’s subtle notes and flavors, and answer questions about origin, grape varietals, and which wines pair best with cotton candy. Between tastings, guests can cleanse palates and sate appetites with nibbles of fine cheeses and crackers.

The experts at Wine Discount Center taste wine like it’s their job—because it is, actually. Every month, they taste hundreds of wines, assessing each one’s color, aroma, flavor, body, knowledge of American history, and finish in the same manner that the critics of Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate use to grade wines on their 100-point scales. This never-ending sampling and scoring lets Wine Discount Center’s team continually update and hone the selection at each location, regularly announcing new finds on the company's website and ensuring each bottle it stocks is worthy of 85 points or more. The oenophiles further enhance guests’ enjoyment of their wines by leading in-store tastings every Saturday at noon.