In 1900, nineteen years before the Prohibition Act put a sharp halt to production, Illinois was the fourth-largest wine-producing state in the nation. Nearly a century later, when former high school teachers Rick and Maria Mamoser established Prairie State Winery in 1999, they were one of only 16 of their kind operating in the state. Today, more than 100 wineries operate in the Prairie State, but the Mamosers' endeavor—to produce award-winning wines with 100 percent Illinois-grown grapes and natural complementary ingredients—makes each of Prairie State Winery's 35-and-counting vino varietals one of a kind. Their unique wine-tasting experience takes place in their friendly tasting room, where food is served from Thursday to Sunday and live musicians frequent their cozy corner stage.