Last weekend, we had a mini road trip to Central Illinois. We attended a wine tasting event supporting the As Good As Gold Rescue Group. It was held at White Oak Vineyards, Carlock IL. It is owned by Mary and Rudi, originally from Germany. Their 2 dogs Max and Mortiz are the official vineyard assistants. Typically the vineyard does not accept dogs on their property but its a special Golden Day Occasion.
It was a long drive but its worthwhile. What a lovely place.
There are variety of grapes planted on the property. PAWsome that we were allowed to walk around the property. Due to the wind mills from the distance, mom says it felt like we were in Europe (Holland). Beautiful country side setting.
Dogs were not allowed in the tasting room but I got to enjoy the view of the vineyard on their wrap around porch. I had a DELISH! Tasty smoked cheese. I Woof n Woof for more!!!
We enjoyed meeting As Good As Gold Rescue volunteers and some senior dogs needing a forever home. My peeps fell in love with one. It is so sad to hear stories how these Senior Goldens end up at the rescue. Golden Happy to hear they are currently in a foster home.
Has a PAWsome Golden Day at the Vineyard. Golden Enjoyed the tranquil beautiful scenery and Golden Good to support the As Good As Gold Rescue Group.
If you plan to visit Illinois, a trip to White Oak Vineyards, is a must. An unexpected winery in the MidWest. Wines at the White Oak Vineyard are made with Lots of German LOVE, Deutsch Liebe.
Hope you enjoyed another edition of Sugar’s Golden Tours, Carlock, IL
Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR
Ruckus the Eskie says
September 17, 2013 at 12:24 AMNice review of the winery! If ever in IL, will definitely go check this place out. Thanks for sharing Sugar!
Daisy says
September 17, 2013 at 2:20 AMYou had us at smoked cheese!
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
urban hounds says
September 17, 2013 at 6:29 AMlooks really cool!!!! dog friendly wineries are great
urban hounds
Sue at Talking Dogs says
September 17, 2013 at 6:46 AMSounds like a really fun outing and loved the photo tour! Of course, we’re up for anything involving cheese. Woofs from Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie
emma says
September 17, 2013 at 7:17 AMThat looks really nice there Sugar. Mom used to live on Lake Constance in Southern Germany. There were vineyard on the hills all over there and she said they looked just like that place only on a hill. She used to walk around them a lot with her previous dog. Germany lets dogs go just about everywhere. Did they have any dog wine?
joann stancer says
September 17, 2013 at 7:22 AMAnother great adventure, I like visiting vineyards. Great pictures!
Goose says
September 17, 2013 at 7:44 AMHow pawsome it that!! What beautiful place. And woo hoo to the owners for allowing dogs for this important cause.
Blessings,
Goose
Amy and Toby says
September 17, 2013 at 8:11 AMI grew up near there! There were certainly no vineyards back then, though! It does look beautiful. I was surprised the climate in Illinois would be suitable for growing wine grapes. You had a fun trip Sugar; bet your mom was sorely tempted to give you a golden Senior Sibling! (I keep lobbying for dog rescue#2 for a friend for Toby – so far to no avail but I’m not giving up hope!)
Flea says
September 17, 2013 at 8:35 AMSmoked cheese?!? OM NOM NOM!!!
So glad the Goldens are being fostered in their golden years, but so sad that they have to be. Thank you for this post, Sugar!
2 brown dawgs says
September 17, 2013 at 8:37 AMIt looks like you had a great time. I hope those seniors find homes. What a good idea for an event!
Oz the Terrier says
September 17, 2013 at 9:03 AMSugar, it looks like you had a fabulous time! How fun that you got to walk around the vineyard and see all the grapes. I am happy to hear those senior Goldens are in foster homes and not a shelter. I wish they find their forever homes soon. Such a shame for them to be alone in their Golden years.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
Two French Bulldogs says
September 17, 2013 at 9:22 AMWhat a fun get together. Hope you were the designated driver, BaoL
Benny & Lily
stella rose says
September 17, 2013 at 9:37 AMMy mom used to live in Germany and loved visiting the wineries over there, she is going to look it up to see how far away from us that it is. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures with us!
stella rose
BeadedTail says
September 17, 2013 at 10:06 AMWe’re glad you were able to visit the vineyard since it looks like a beautiful place! We hope the senior Goldens find furever homes soon!
Madi and Mom says
September 17, 2013 at 10:18 AMSugar what a fine day for 2 and 4 leggers and such a good cause too.
My peeps love vineyard tours too
Hugs madi your bfff
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
September 17, 2013 at 11:27 AMWhat a great day, and a great cause, too!! Like Flea, I’m glad that they are all in foster homes but sad that they have to be. If I had the space and the funds, I would rescue/adopt every homeless senior Golden Retriever in the entire state of South Carolina!
A Husky Life says
September 17, 2013 at 11:55 AMI’m sure the drive was worth just for the smoked cheese!! What a beautiful scenery AND a great cause, sounds like the perfect trip 🙂
Jodi says
September 17, 2013 at 12:47 PMYou have great adventures Sugar, you really do!
Sarge says
September 17, 2013 at 2:50 PMHey Sugar!
Wow, what a fun place to explore and it is really beautiful! Hey, your pretty purple booties match that purple wine bottle. BOL I bet the smoked cheese was delish. YUM
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP
Murphy & Stanley says
September 17, 2013 at 3:06 PMThat was a wonderful cause. And of course the vineyard got more beautiful with you in it!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Kirby the Dorkie says
September 17, 2013 at 3:22 PMHow lovely! I know you couldn’t taste the wine but cheese is good!
Molly The Wally says
September 17, 2013 at 3:32 PMSmoked cheese….wine and a good cause in a beautiful setting. Win/Win we say. Have a terrific Tuesday Sugar.
Best wishes Molly
GizmoGeodog says
September 17, 2013 at 3:43 PMHow special…looks like a lovely day at the winery Sugar
Diane @ To Dog With Love says
September 17, 2013 at 4:15 PMThis looks like so much fun! We’d love to try it sometime!
Your pals,
Diane and Rocco
Nichole says
September 17, 2013 at 4:59 PMBeautiful photos… there’s nothing like a relaxing trip to a vineyard!
Pam | Words With Wieners says
September 17, 2013 at 5:00 PMWhat a beautiful place to visit, Sugar! That was pawsome that they let you tour all around the vineyard. Smoked cheese??? YUM! We would’ve been woofing for more too.
And how nice to visit with some other beautiful Goldens while you were there! Glad those seniors are in foster homes, and not in shelters. I’m sure they’ll find great homes soon.
Ann says
September 17, 2013 at 5:06 PMwhat a beautiful place and how nice that dogs were allowed for such a special occasion.
Ann Paws says
September 17, 2013 at 5:28 PMOh how pretty! I think I’d love to have some wine and cheese right about now 🙂
Dawn says
September 17, 2013 at 6:52 PMWhat a fun event! It involves three of my favorite things – rescue dogs, wine, and cheese! 🙂
Ruby says
September 17, 2013 at 8:15 PMOh, how cool is that?! That sure was pawsome that they let you visit! Goose (Freckles) took us on a virtual tour of some dog friendly vineyards here in Northern California earlier this year….I loved them!! So cool and beautifuls!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Hailey and Zaphod says
September 17, 2013 at 9:06 PMDo the dogs help make the wine LOL! What a beautiful spot! Lee and Phod
Jan K says
September 21, 2013 at 9:50 AMWhat a fun time, and what a beautiful place. I really need to visit a vineyard one of these days, and it would be nice to bring the dogs too! That sounds like a wonderful rescue group…it is always especially sad to see the seniors in need of homes.