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- 🏡 Porch Stories & Park Paths: East Portage Park Walking Tour 🌼City News Cafe, Chicago, IL
🗺️ Explore East Portage Park: A Chicago for Chicagoans Walking Tour!
“A Pay-What-You-Can Tour with Chicago for Chicagoans – Discover the history, homes, and hidden gems of Portage Park’s east side!”🏡 Porch Stories & Park Paths: East Portage Park Walking Tour 🌼
📅 Saturday, June 28, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (approx.)
📍 Start: City News Café, 4018 N Cicero Ave
🎯 End: Biagio Banquets, 4242 N Central Ave
👟 Approx. 2 miles of walking | Tour ends ~1.2 miles from start
***
✨ About the Tour:
Join us for a special public walking tour of one of Chicago’s most underappreciated neighborhoods—Portage Park! This is part one of a two-part series and focuses on the East Side of the neighborhood.
This unique walk is presented in collaboration with Chicago for Chicagoans, a local nonprofit dedicated to educating residents about their own communities. Unlike my usual private tours, this one is open to the public, and we welcome both Meetup members and newcomers!
💸 This is a Pay-What-You-Can event, with donations collected at the end of the tour, per nonprofit policy.
✅ Registration is required to attend – secure your spot here:
👉 Register for East Portage Park Tour
***
🏘️ What You’ll Discover:
We’ll explore the history, architecture, and community of East Portage Park. Stops will include:- Bungalow-lined streets of the “Bungalow Belt” 🏡
- Former movie palaces & classic shopping districts 🎬
- Historic churches and beautiful parks ⛪🌳
- Fun local trivia and lesser-known neighborhood gems
📸 While not a formal photo walk, there will be plenty of Insta-worthy stops!
***
🍽️ Optional Post-Walk Meetup:
Join us afterward for a casual bite at Legno by Suparossa – all are welcome!
Menu: https://www.legnochicago.com
***
📚 Why Portage Park?
Named for the ancient “portage” route linking the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, Portage Park is a neighborhood packed with immigrant heritage, mid-century charm, and rich architecture. It was annexed in 1889 and blossomed into a family-friendly working-class area after the Kennedy Expressway opened.
🏊♀️ Home to the iconic Portage Park Pool, which hosted the 1959 Pan-Am Games and 1972 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, the area also boasts:- National Veterans Art Museum
- Portage Theater & Patio Theater
- Six Corners Shopping District
- Merrimac Park
- And so much more!
***
🤝 About Chicago for Chicagoans:
Founded in 2016 by Patti Swanson, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit uses tours and lectures to connect residents with their neighborhoods. Learn more or donate:
🌐 www.chicagoforchicagoans.org
💖 Make a tax-deductible donation
***
🚇 Getting There:
Use CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps.
🚗 Driving? Metered parking available on Cicero, Irving, and Milwaukee. Free side street parking nearby—but watch for permit signs.
⚠️ Remember: The tour ends 1.2 miles from the starting point! Please park accordingly.
***
🔁 Attending Sunday too?
The West Portage Park Walk will take place on Sunday, June 29th—each tour is listed separately on Meetup, and you’re welcome to join both!📲 Please RSVP and update your attendance if plans change—no-shows hurt planning.
Can’t wait to walk with you in my neighborhood! 😊
—Giovina - Al Green with special guest The O'Jays at RAVINIA in Highland Park (TIX AVAIL)Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
Do you love soul, R&B, and the smooth sounds of legends like Al Green and The O’Jays? Then this is the show for you! Let’s see the iconic Al Green and The O’Jays live at Ravinia! We’ll sit on the lawn and turn it into a party — bring your chairs, blankets, food, and wine. We’ll picnic under the stars and groove the night away to timeless hits! These shows tend to sell out quickly, so I recommend grabbing your tickets soon — you don’t want to miss this unforgettable night of music and memories!
**Tickets are $57 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12.Just add before checkout. I already rented 1 table, so maybe we only need 1 more table? Go here to purchase a ticket, Pick SATURDAY 6/28/25, GENERAL ADMISION LAWN
"Al Green with special guest The O’Jays"
https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/al-green#showing_81REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT, YOU CAN ADD A CHAIR AND/OR A TABLE SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LUG ONE ALONG ON THE TRAIN!
ALSO KEEP IN MIND THERE IS A $24 SERVICE PROCESSING FEE, BUT IT IS FOR THE WHOLE CART, SO IF YOU ARE ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE SHOW, IT IS STILL $24! OR SEE IF YOU WANT TO BUY TICKETS WITH OTHER MEMBERS TO SAVE FEES! ALSO, YOU CAN GO TO THE HIGHLAND PARK BOX OFFICE FOR NO FEES!We are doing the following shows this season at Ravinia, so click on the link here Windy City Wine+ Meetup Events to sign up for any of those shows as well:
- 6/6/25 An Evening with Heart
- 6/28/25 Al Green with special guest The O'Jays
- 7/5/25 Chicago with special guest Stevie McVie /
- 8/21/25 Lenny Kravitz
All of these are posted on Meetup, so sign up for one or all of them! Best to purchase all at once to save fees if attending several shows! It will be a fun summer!
Please try to come early so it is to meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when the gates open!
If you drive, it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they may send you to satellite lots, so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise, you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. Can also park at the Highland Park Metra station after 4 pm for free & shuttle over. More details here:
https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#trainI will most likely take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc. If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station, or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer, we can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info go here
https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#trainPLEASE, BRING FOOD OR DRINKS TO SHARE. WE DO THIS PICNIC POTLUCK STYLE SO ALL MUST BRING SOMETHING! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT AS TO WHAT YOU WILL BRING! I WILL RENT A TABLE, BUT BRING A TABLE IF YOU CAN, SO WE CAN SET UP EVERYTHING!
Al Green is a legendary American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor, best known for his smooth vocals, emotionally rich delivery, and timeless love songs. Rising to fame in the early 1970s, Green became one of the defining voices of Southern soul, blending gospel, R&B, and pop into a deeply expressive and sensual sound. His most iconic hits—such as “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” “I’m Still in Love with You,” and “Love and Happiness”—cemented his place in music history as the “Prince of Soul.”
Born in Arkansas in 1946 and raised in Michigan, Green began performing with his brothers in a gospel group before transitioning to secular music. His career took off after teaming up with producer Willie Mitchell at Hi Records in Memphis, where he developed his signature sound. By the mid-1970s, after a string of chart-topping successes, Green experienced a spiritual awakening and shifted his focus toward gospel music, eventually becoming an ordained pastor and founding the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis.
Despite this change, Green continued to record and perform both sacred and secular music, and his influence spans generations of artists across genres. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and remains one of the most celebrated soul artists of all time. His voice, often described as both tender and electrifying, continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of passion, vulnerability, and grace.
https://www.al-green.com/Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
https://ravinia.org/If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
If you drive, see the info I gave above on parking, or check Ravinia's website
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- 🏡 Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells: A West Portage Park Stroll! 👻🌳5400 Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL
🗺️ Explore West Portage Park: A Chicago for Chicagoans Walking Tour!
“A Pay-What-You-Can Tour with Chicago for Chicagoans – Discover the history, homes, and hidden gems of Portage Park’s west side!”🏡 Bungalows, Bells & Cemetery Spells: A West Portage Park Stroll! 👻
📅 Sunday, June 29, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (approx.)
📍 Start: Southeast corner of Portage Park, 4100 N Long Ave
🎯 End: Mount Olive Cemetery, 3800 N Narragansett Ave
👟 Approx. 2 miles of walking | Tour ends ~1.4 miles from start
***
✨ About the Tour:
Join us for a special public walking tour of Chicago’s historic Portage Park neighborhood! This is part two of a two-part series focusing on the West Side of Portage Park.
Presented in collaboration with Chicago for Chicagoans, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting residents with their communities, this walk is open to the public — all are welcome!💸 This is a Pay-What-You-Can event with donations collected at the end, per nonprofit policy.
✅ Registration is required to attend – secure your spot here:
👉 Register for West Portage Park Tour
***
🏘️ What You’ll Discover:
We’ll explore the rich history, architecture, and culture of West Portage Park, including:- Classic Chicago-style bungalows 🏡
- Historic churches and shuttered schools ⛪
- The 1920s Patio Theater movie palace 🎬
- Beautiful parks and the former Cook County Poorhouse site 🌳
- Century-old cemeteries
- And much more local lore and hidden gems!
📸 While not a formal photo walk, there will be plenty of photo-worthy spots along the way!
***
🍽️ Optional Post-Walk Meetup:
Join us afterward for a casual meal at Jolly Inn Restaurant — everyone’s welcome!
Menu: http://jollyinn.com/restaurant.aspx
***
📚 Why Portage Park?
Named for an ancient Native American portage route between the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers, Portage Park is steeped in immigrant heritage and architectural charm.
🏊♀️ Home to the iconic Portage Park Pool, which hosted the 1959 Pan-Am Games and 1972 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, the area also boasts:- National Veterans Art Museum
- Portage Theater & Patio Theater
- Six Corners Shopping District
- Merrimac Park
- And so much more!
***
🤝 About Chicago for Chicagoans:
Founded in 2016 by Patti Swanson, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit offers tours and lectures to help Chicagoans connect with their neighborhoods. Learn more or donate:
🌐 www.chicagoforchicagoans.org
💖 Make a tax-deductible donation
***
🚇 Getting There:
Use CTA Trip Planner or Google Maps.
🚗 Metered parking available nearby on Irving, Central, and surrounding streets — watch for permit zones.
⚠️ Remember: The tour ends about 1.4 miles from the starting point — please plan parking accordingly!
***
🔁 Attending Saturday too?
The East Portage Park Walk is on Saturday, June 28th — both tours are listed separately on Meetup, and you’re welcome to join both!
📲 Please RSVP and update your attendance if plans change — no-shows hurt planning.
***
Can’t wait to explore my special neighborhood with you! 😊
—Giovina - 🍷 Tuesday Wine Tasting with Phoebe @ Taste Food & Wine – Rogers Park 🍷Taste Food & Wine, Chicago, IL
🍷 Tuesday Wine Tasting with Phoebe @Taste Food & Wine–Rogers Park🍷
🗓️ Tuesday, July 1st, 2025
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Taste Food & Wine, 1506 W. Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
💵 Tasting Fee: $5 (donated to a different local organization each month!)Join us for a relaxed and flavorful evening at one of Rogers Park’s favorite neighborhood spots—Taste Food & Wine! Every Tuesday, Phoebe and the team host a fantastic wine tasting featuring a rotating selection of new, interesting, and delicious wines.
🍇 What to Expect:
– Taste several curated wines
– Expand your wine knowledge in a casual, friendly setting
– Support a local charity with your tasting fee
– No pressure—just sip and savor!Taste Food & Wine is known for its warm community feel and expertly curated wine, craft beer, and small-batch spirits. Whether you're a wine novice or enthusiast, this is the perfect way to unwind midweek.
🌟 Pro Tip: Come early if you want to chat with Phoebe and beat the crowd.
No RSVP is needed at the shop, but RSVP here so I know to look for you!
🚇 Steps from the Jarvis Red Line stop. Street parking is available but limited.
🔗 More Event Info
📞 Questions? Call the shop: (773) 761-3663
🌐 Shop Website🍽️ After the tasting, join us for a bite nearby!
Jarvis Square has several great options:
R Public House (next door)
🍴 Menu | 🌐 Website
Luzzat (across the street)
🌐 Menu
Anto’s Pizza (around the corner)
🌐 Menu🚌 Getting There:
Use Google Maps or the CTA Trip Planner for public transit.
🚗 Metered parking on main streets + limited free parking on side streets (watch for permit signs).⚠️ RSVP & No-Show Policy:
🚫 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze
⏰ Cut-off to update RSVP = event start time
📲 Missed check-in? Message the host directly
❌ Repeated no-shows = removal from the group🍷 Come solo or bring a friend—Phoebe always makes it a fun night! Whether you’re wine-curious or wine-obsessed, this is the perfect way to ease into your summer Tuesdays. Sip, swirl, and savor with great company in a laid-back neighborhood spot. 🌞🍷
