What we’re about
The Windy City Wine+ Meetup is a group of friends who enjoy wine, food, spirits and social activities throughout Chicagoland. We're primarily based in the city but will take excursions from time to time in search of new venues & events. However, we are more than just wine tastings & festivals with lots of varied events!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. As of 9/10/23, I have taken over this group from Tom Besore as he moved out of state. I will continue with the weekly wine meetups in the summer at Millenium Park as we all love those gatherings. I will add a lot of year-round events like dinners with wine pairings, wine classes, wine tastings, wine festivals and maybe an out-of-town trip to nearby vineyards in Michigan.
I run another meetup group called, 1001 Things to See In Chicago Before You Die since 2018 so I am an experienced organizer. We will do a lot of events together with our above sister group so please consider joining that in addition to the wine group. That group is extremely active with 4-5 events a week with all kinds of different events like walking tours, historical sites, museums, live music, festivals and unique experiences! Click here to join: https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via meetup.
Giovina Romandine (organizer for Windy City Wine+)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Steps & Steeples: Explore Ukrainian VillageSaints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chicago, IL
Warm weather is finally here (sort of), and we’re kicking off another great neighborhood adventure! This week, we’re exploring one of Chicago’s most architecturally rich and culturally vibrant areas—Ukrainian Village. We'll stroll past stunning churches, museums, and schools, taking in the intricate details that make this neighborhood a true gem. And since it’s a Sunday, we’ll have the special opportunity to step inside some of the beautiful churches while services are open to the public. Come walk, learn, and enjoy the spring sunshine with us!
The walk promises to be delightful on a beautiful late Sunday morning. Not a dedicated photo walk, but you’ll definitely want your camera! This is a multi-meetup group event, so it's a great way to explore Chicago and meet some new faces.
Join us for a private walking tour of Ukrainian Village and discover one of Chicago’s most charming and culturally rich neighborhoods. For just $20 per person, this guided tour offers a deeper look at the area’s unique architecture, fascinating history, and vibrant community. We’ll explore everything from magnificent churches and historic schools to hidden residential gems that give the neighborhood its distinctive character. Led by a knowledgeable and passionate guide, this tour promises to bring Ukrainian Village’s story to life. Spots are limited, so reserve your place today and treat yourself to an unforgettable Sunday stroll!
Beginning at the Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, this walking tour will take you on a journey through the heart of Ukrainian Village. We’ll explore the neighborhood’s rich history, charming business district, fascinating museums, striking architecture, and, of course, its beautiful churches.
This is an outdoor walking tour covering approximately 2.1 miles, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for Chicago’s warm weather. We’ll be moving at a relaxed pace—just bring your curiosity and enjoy the experience!
Please keep in mind that the tour ends about 1.5 blocks from where we start, so park accordingly if you drive. We start at Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, 739 N Oakley Blvd., and end at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago Ave., so it is an easy walk back to your car, depending on where you park
To join this engaging experience, a $20 fee is due at the start of the tour (cash, PayPal, Zelle or Venmo accepted). Discover the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture of Ukrainian Village. Whether you're a local or a first-time visitor, this experience will leave you seeing the neighborhood in a whole new light. Come walk with us and make your Sunday unforgettable!
After the walk, some of us may grab a bite at Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen, 2201 W Chicago Ave. All are welcome to join! https://tryzubchicago.com/
All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES DON'T ACCEPT SEPARATE CHECKS!
Ukrainian Village began as farmland and was originally home to a large population of German Americans who arrived in the mid-19th century. By the turn of the 20th century, however, new waves of immigration had transformed the area into a vibrant Slavic enclave. Ukrainians, drawn by their cultural ties with neighboring Polish communities, began settling in the district in large numbers. The neighborhood’s growth accelerated after the construction of an elevated train line along Paulina Avenue in 1895, which provided convenient access to jobs and the city center, though the line was decommissioned in 1964. In 1983, Mayor Jane Byrne officially designated the area as "Ukrainian Village," recognizing its cultural significance as the first such neighborhood designation in Chicago
Since the early 20th century, this central area has been the heart of Ukrainian life in Chicago, and it continues to serve as its cultural and spiritual hub today. The neighborhood is home to three major Ukrainian churches, a Ukrainian-language grammar school, and an impressive array of cultural institutions, including the Ukrainian National Museum, the Ukrainian Cultural Center, and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. It also supports two Ukrainian youth organizations, Ukrainian-owned financial institutions, and a wide range of restaurants, shops, and businesses that proudly preserve and celebrate the community’s rich heritage.
A few places we will stop at:
Saints Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, 739 N Oakley Blvd,
Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W Superior St
Ukrainian Cultural Center, 2247 W Chicago Ave
Ukrainian Village Mural 815 N Oakley Blvd
St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 835 N Oakley Blvd
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas of Chicago 2245 W Rice St,
Former St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church now condos 921 N Hoyne
Moorish Science Temple, 1000 N Hoyne Ave
St Stephen King of Hungary Ch, 2015 W Augusta Blvd
Shit Fountain 1001 N Wolcott Ave
Kenar Studios 1007 N Wolcott Ave
Former Public Bath House 1019 N Wolcott Ave
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, 1121 N Leavitt St
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago AveIf you are taking public transportation, please check their website for directions or use Google Maps or the CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you are driving, there is metered street parking along Chicago Ave, Damen & Western and free on surrounding side streets, but pay attention to parking signs, especially permit parking
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade/Service @Rosehill Cemetery (Part 1 of 2)Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, IL
We did this in 2018, 2019 & 2021, & 2022, and it was a lot of fun and very moving! For those not going out of town, perhaps new to the city or without holiday plans, please join us for the 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade & Service at Rosehill Cemetery, followed by brunch at Parson's Chicken & Fish. 2022's PARADE WILL BE MORE ELABORATE, LIKE IT WAS IN YEARS PAST BEFORE COVID, SO EXPECT A SPECTACULAR EVENT!
Tentative Itinerary:
9:30 - 10 - meet & greet inside Rosehill Cemetery - grab a spot to sit
10 - 12:15 - Watch the Memorial Parade, Veterans' Service & Civil War
12:30 - 2:30 - Brunch at Parsons Chicken & FishBRING A CHAIR & BLANKET TO SIT ON DURING THE MEMORIAL SERVICE. PARKING INSIDE THE CEMETERY IS LIMITED DURING THE EVENT, SO COME EARLY TO FIND A GOOD SPOT-ON NEARBY STREETS!
The annual Memorial Day parade presented by Rosehill Cemetery and Amvets Post 243 will kick off at 10 am Monday, May 26th, at Clark Street and Rosehill Drive. The parade will then proceed down Clark Street to Bryn Mawr, go west to Ashland, then march on to Rosehill Cemetery.
A ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden. Kids on decorated bikes join at the end of the parade. War re-enactments will take place after the service, followed by Hot Dogs & Chips provided by the Boy Scouts of America.I am scheduling the Memorial Day lunch as a separate event from the Memorial Day parade, to make it easier for all & since numbers are limited. If you want to join the lunch as well, please sign up for that here: https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wineaux/events/307863248/
The Rosehill Cemetery Parade has been a tradition in Chicago for more than sixty years, and it's the largest Memorial Day parade on the North Side. Helmed by The American Legion Tattler Post.
Rosehill Cemetery contains the graves of fourteen Union generals, six drummer boys, and hundreds of Civil War soldiers. Members of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, the unit that fired the first shots at Gettysburg, are buried here. Also buried here is a Chicago mayor who was charged with, and later acquitted of, assisting Confederate prisoners in escaping from Camp Douglas. A portion of the administration building is devoted to a Civil War Museum that features exhibits on the war, emphasizing the roles of those who are buried in the cemetery and the city of Chicago's part in the conflict.
https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/rosehill-cemetery-and-civil-war-museum
https://www.facebook.com/events/414674441448139 (from 2024)To start for best viewing & to catch all the action, we will meet inside the cemetery at the main gates around 9:30 am. We will gather under the big trees over to the right side of the main path from the entrance gates off of Ravenswood by the old train tracks/embankment. This way we can catch the parade coming in from the street and easily move to follow it to the Rose Garden for the service & re-enactments portions. Bring a blanket or chair to sit, as well some water or sunscreen if it is hot.
At 10 am, the parade starts from Clark & Rosehill Drive, making it way to the cemetery, passing through the main gates. After the parade, we will follow the crowd over to Veterans Memorial Rose Garden to watch the wreath-laying ceremony. After the wreath ceremony, we move over to the Civil War Memorial for the reenactments & the cannon firing!
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive, there are usually plenty of free spot
s on Ravenswood & nearby side streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs. Due o the holiday weekend, we may need to park a few blocks away. DO NOT PARK IN THE CEMETERY ON MEMORIAL DAY, AS THAT IS SAVED FOR PARADE STUFF!PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festival-type of events)
- continual no-shows will result in removal from the group!
- Memorial Day Potluck PicnicFoster Avenue Beach, Chicago, IL
We'll have a POTLUCK picnic on Foster Ave. Beach area. Bring chairs, tables, blankets, food to share, and your beverages of choice. This will be a joint Meetup with the Chicago Dining Out Meetup, other Meetup groups, and friends. Nelson is the host for this event!
A small GRILL and charcoal will be available for those who wish to grill veggies, meats, seafoods, etc 🌽🥒🦐🐟🍗 . . . It's GYOB -- Grill Your Own BBQ🔥
If you have an extra grill and charcoal, feel free to bring it too.
We're tracking the weather. Updates will be posted as we get closer.
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We are at the north end of the beach under the trees, east of the (Berwyn) pedestrian underpass.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/86HJX8HX%2BWH/@41.9798125,-87.6532512,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.9798125!4d-87.6510625
Or enter: X8HX+WH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
in https://www.google.com/maps
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This event is also posted in other Meetup groups; the more the merrier!
OFFICIALLY, Alcohol is not allowed on Chicago Park District property. Should you choose to ignore that, please be discreetNOTE: This is an outdoor activity. In case of inclement weather, we may change the details of this event.
Parking is available but come early. If parking lot is full, CPD may not allow any more vehicles inside the parking lot. If that happens, please find parking elsewhere in the side streets.
For those taking Uber/Lyft, use the address:
950 W Berwyn Ave., Chicago IL 60640
...Then walk further EAST on Berwyn. Follow the path and walk THRU the underpass. We will be under the shade trees a few yards EAST of the LSD underpass (See map above)
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Closest CTA transport are (See map above):
http://www.google.com/transit- Buses 147, 146 & 151
- Red line L Argyle stop. (BERWYN STOP IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION)
Yes, you can bring BIKE! The venue is along the Lake shore path.
Friendly dogs (and cats) are welcome too!Potential food/drinks supplies: Argyle Ave. is walking distance away. Same with Jewel-Osco and Mariano's grocery stores.
Be seeing you!
- Brunch @Parsons Chicken & Fish AFTER 60th Memorial Day Parade (part 2 of 2)Parson's Chicken & Fish, Chicago, IL
Part 2 of 2 MEMORIAL DAY LUNCH - only 4-6 people per table. I have 4 reservations (6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24 ppl)
PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF YOU ARE 95% SURE TO ATTEND! I HAVE TO KEEP OUTDOOR DINING EVENTS SMALL, AS SEATING IS LIMITED!
If you are joining us for lunch, please BRING CASH, AS THEY CANNOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS FOR GROUPS. I kindly ask that everyone take what you ordered (the total dollar amount) & add 32% to that amount, which includes 12% for Chicago taxes and 20% for tip. A bunch of credit cards will not work, since we are a large group. CASH is easier & quicker!
I am scheduling the Rosehill Cemetery Memorial Day Parade as a separate event from brunch, to make it easier for all & since numbers are limited. If you want to join the parade portion as well, please sign up for that here: https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wineaux/events/307863043/
The wildly popular chicken and fish joint dreamt up by the folks at Land and Sea Dept never disappoints with its baskets of succulent fried fish and chicken. It’s easygoing, satisfying dining at its best.
Chicken & fish & slushies & cold beer & good times & moreTHEY HAVE A NICE OUTDOOR PATIO TOO, SO IF THE WEATHER IS WARM, WE CAN SIT OUTSIDE!
https://www.parsonschickenandfish.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ParsonsAndersonville/
MENU: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6216bcd9928b8d3154aa3c78/t/628c0fc2fd0f8370d405456f/1653346242615/05+23+22-Parsons.pdfIf you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive, there is usually plenty of free spots on Clark & nearby side streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs. Due to holiday weekend, may need to park a few blocks away.
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festival-type of events)
- continual no-shows will result in removal from the group!
