Spoon River Junction opened to the public in Dec 2020 at the corner of IL 9 and 97 on the site of an old service station and “greasy spoon” diner formerly known as Teddy Bear Junction. Rumor has it that this establishment was so named because of a live black bear that was housed on site for a time, but these rumors have yet to be confirmed. Owner/winemaker Bradley Beam and his wife Sarah (Caudle) grew up in Fulton County and opened the winery as a means of working their way back because, as Sarah often says, “All Roads Lead to Fulton County”.
Spoon River Junction was started in 2020 as an answer to the many “what if we tried…” questions I’ve asked myself over the last decade or so, when I was the state enology specialist and advisor to the Illinois wine industry. SRJX is constantly trying out new ideas and wine styles, things we want to see in the world of wine that may not yet exist. In short, SRJX produces creative wines for adventurous people. The first wines of this project were all aged in used bourbon barrels, adding a softness to the overall character, some vanilla complexity on the nose, and a little weight to the palate. We’ve since rounded out the lineup with some unique red and white blends and even added a couple of award-winning Vermouths that have been very well-received.
Come join the official afterparty of the Spoon Valley Scenic Drive! We’re at the intersection of routes 9 and 97 in the heart of Spoon River Country! For more information, visit www.spoonriverjunction.com. 309.338.6568
