The verdant hills of Jo Daviess County offer incredible views, from atop its apexes to the bottoms of its rolling ridges. But there’s more than meets the eye. Lying beneath the lay of the land is soil that makes for great grapes, and that makes for great wine.
Head to the small village of Hanover and follow the signs to a place with a name that’s easy to remember and scenery that’s hard to forget. It’s there that the Bruno family invites you to stop by their vineyard and winery to unwind, soak in the scenery and enjoy a glass or two. Or as they like to say, “Sit back.
Relax, and Fergedaboudit!” That rich soil has also helped something else grow: a family legacy. Rosario Bruno, a retired electrical contractor, started the Fergedaboudit Vineyard and Winery as a hobby after moving from Chicago in 2000. Since then, it’s grown into a full-fledged family operation, with wife Sandra, daughters Vicki Olson and Veronica Madsen and sons-in-law Jim and Ben pitching in, helping turn his passion into a business that started welcoming wine lovers 10 years ago to its tasting room, outdoor overlooks and event space for private parties and celebrations, as well as seasonal weekly concerts.
Veronica and Jim’s children, Chandler and ReAnna, have also helped out since they were kids. Now college-aged, Chandler has become Jim’s right-hand man in the vineyard: pruning and caring for the vines. ReAnna has taken an interest in the chemistry of winemaking, taking her talents to the .
