Our Partners

In 2011, Mike and Laura bought as much land as they could of Mike’s family farm. Laura suggested that they start with 100 vines just to see what happened … Well, the vines took off, and the small vineyard of 100 vines turned into Wilke Vineyard of more than 900 vines. As the vines grew, the dream of having their grapes in a bottle of wine sold commercially also grew for Mike and Laura. The reality of their dream grew more than they could have imagined!

With the friendship and partnership with Doug and Jodi at Twelve Oaks Vinyard, Mike and Laura’s lovingly cared-for grapes have been bottled into award-winning wines at Twelve Oaks Vineyard. These award-winning wines include Vidal Blanc, Marquette Rose’ Sweet, Marquette Rose’ Dry, Christmas in Carlyle, and Caribbean Sunset. In June 2023, Mike and Laura’s Marquette grapes were used to produce Marquette Rose’ Dry which won Double Gold and Best Rose’ Wine in any Appellation at the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition!

Congratulations to Mike and Laura for receiving the award for “Grape Growers of the Year 2023”.

Twelve Oaks Vineyard is blessed to have the partnership with Wilke Vineyard!

In 1981, as Greg was working in the mines and showing an interest in wine, he met Donna at a party. Their friends thought they would be a great match. Their friends were correct; Greg and Donna were married in 1985. Greg loved that Donna was a lady who was open-minded, and he loved her genuine honesty.

Greg and his friend found it frustrating to travel to find great grapes. Greg and Donna decided to embark on their dream to plant a vineyard at their home in southern Illinois. In the spring of 2005, on Mother’s Day, Greg and Donna started making their dream come true and planted their vineyard, Red Cedar Vineyard.

In 2005, they joined the Shawnee Winery Coop. At this time, there were 13 members in the winery.
During the 10 years when they were a winery, they traveled throughout Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky and sold their wines. Their money maker was a sweet wine called Dream Catcher.

In 2015, Greg and Donna sold their winery. Greg continued to make wine and helped others to make wine. Greg enjoys thinking out of the box.

Greg and Donna have been in the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance, IGGVA, since its inception. IGGVA does training, classes, events, ventures, etc.

As the Chair of the southern region, Greg visited new startups and informed them about the benefits of IGGVA and discussed available resources. He is constantly thinking of improvements or of new ideas that could benefit the growers and winemakers and is not shy about reaching out to office holders to inform them about the economic impact and enlighten them to the needs of Illinois wine makers and vineyard owners.

For years, Donna has put her organizational skills to work at conferences and events where she promoted Illinois wines. She created and organized the Bucket Raffle which has raised thousands of dollars over the years at the annual conference, and she also organizes the Buffalo Tro, an annual fundraising dinner for the southern region, ensuring a wonderful evening of camaraderie and networking, bringing winemakers and members of the public together to showcase and celebrate Illinois wines.

Recently, Greg and Donna were awarded the IGGVA Lifetime Achievement Award. They have been an integral part of the Illinois grape and wine industry since its infancy. Greg attended the first meeting of IGGVA many years ago, and both he and Donna have been unfailing in their support of not only the industry, but also in offering help to individuals with advice on grape growing and wine making. They understand the struggles of those in the industry and empathize with the various challenges. Greg and Donna have been growers, winery owners, tireless volunteers, board members and ardent advocates for those in the vineyard and winery business.

As a couple, they exemplify commitment, perseverance, and passion directed toward the advancement of the Illinois wine industry.

Greg and Donna’s grapes are used to make award-winning wines at Twelve Oaks Vineyard. Their Norton and Chambourcin grapes have helped to produce double gold Best in Class wines for Twelve Oaks Vineyard!