Home

Download

NO BAD **RECOMMENDATIONS**.

London, England

Red Room

Copenhagen, Denmark

Delphine

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Chez Nina Green Brasserie

The most popular restaurants in Nova Circle right now

TRENDING NOW

Guide to

During Winter

Prague 

in Finland

The Northern Lights

Winter Edition

Paris

Best bars

New York Cities

Explore curated travel guides filled with hidden gems and top recommendations to inspire your next adventure.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Discover standout moments and top picks from our vibrant community of travelers and explorers.

USER HIGHLIGHTS

Meet our most active and inspiring community members sharing unique recommendations and insights.

TOP USERS

On A Budget

5 Star Luxury Travel

You Must Visit

Eco-Friendly Hotels

Avoid Bali belly

How To:

That Are Worth The Trip

Dining Concepts

The World Is Slowing Down

Soft Travel

Stay updated with the latest travel tips, trends, and exciting updates from the Nova Circle community.

NEWS

Explore

Copenhagens Boutique Hotels

Discover

Tokyos best Ramen

Travel philosophy

The Rise of ‘Soft Travel’

Dublin Best Pubs

 Find fresh ideas and experiences to discover, from must-visit spots to unique activities.

MORE INSPIRATION

Connect with trusted partners who share our passion for unforgettable experiences and quality travel.

OUR SELECTED PARTNERS

Nova Circle is your single space for saving and sharing top recommendations around the world while getting inspired by likeminded people.

Nova Circle - No Bad Recommendations

As a valued Nova Circle member you can enjoy our exclusive partner discounts. Simply just sign in to claim the deals.

Partner Discounts

Enjoy exclusive travel partner discounts with Nova Circle.

Nova Circle Benefits - Travel Partner Discounts

Benefits

Chicago, IL

North America

United States

# Second Glass Wine Riot – Chicago's Premier Wine Tasting Experience

The Second Glass Wine Riot, held in Chicago, IL, is an exhilarating wine tasting event that brings together wine enthusiasts and novices alike. Located at the iconic Union Station, this festival offers a unique opportunity to sample over 250 wines from various regions while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere filled with educational activities and social interactions. Since its inception, the Wine Riot has garnered rave reviews for its engaging format, knowledgeable vendors, and the lively ambiance that makes it a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the world of wine. Attendees appreciate the accessibility of the venue, making it easy to enjoy a day of wine tasting without the hassle of parking in downtown Chicago.

## History
### The story of Second Glass Wine Riot
The Second Glass Wine Riot was founded with the vision of making wine tasting accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their level of expertise. The founders aimed to create an event that demystifies wine, encouraging attendees to explore different varieties without the pretentiousness often associated with wine culture. By focusing on education and enjoyment, the Wine Riot has successfully attracted a diverse crowd, fostering a community of wine lovers.

### Milestones and growth
- **2010**: The inaugural Wine Riot event took place, setting the stage for future festivals.
- **2014**: The event expanded to multiple cities, including Chicago, Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, increasing its reach and popularity.
- **2016**: The event moved to Venue One, showcasing its adaptability and commitment to providing a great experience.
- **Annual Growth**: Each year, the Wine Riot has seen an increase in attendance, reflecting its growing reputation as a premier wine tasting event.

### Cultural and local influence
The Wine Riot has become a staple in Chicago's cultural calendar, attracting a mix of locals and tourists. By hosting the event in Union Station, a historic landmark, the festival not only highlights the beauty of the venue but also integrates itself into the fabric of the city. The event promotes local wineries and businesses, contributing to the local economy while fostering a sense of community among wine enthusiasts.

### Continuing the tradition
As the Wine Riot continues to grow, it remains committed to its founding principles of accessibility and education. The event regularly updates its offerings based on attendee feedback, ensuring that each festival is better than the last. By incorporating new features such as interactive workshops and themed tastings, the Wine Riot maintains its relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of wine culture.

## Community
### Community involvement
The Second Glass Wine Riot actively engages with the local community through partnerships with local wineries, businesses, and organizations. By collaborating with these entities, the festival not only showcases local talent but also creates a platform for community members to connect and share their passion for wine. The involvement of local vendors enhances the festival experience, providing attendees with a taste of the region's unique offerings.

### Community notion about the place
Attendees often describe the Wine Riot as a welcoming and inclusive event. The atmosphere encourages interaction among participants, breaking down barriers and fostering friendships. Many reviews highlight the friendly nature of the vendors, who are eager to share their knowledge and recommendations. This sense of community is a significant draw for both first-time attendees and returning guests.

### Events and gatherings
Throughout the year, the Wine Riot hosts various events and gatherings that bring the community together. These include pre-event tastings, educational seminars, and social mixers that allow wine lovers to connect and share their experiences. The festival's commitment to community engagement ensures that it remains a beloved event in Chicago's cultural landscape.

## Offerings
### What Second Glass Wine Riot offers
The Second Glass Wine Riot offers a diverse range of experiences for wine enthusiasts. Attendees can sample wines from around the world, participate in educational workshops, and enjoy interactive activities that enhance their understanding of wine. The festival's layout allows for easy navigation between booths, ensuring that guests can explore a wide variety of options at their own pace.

### Dining and food experience
While the primary focus of the Wine Riot is on wine tasting, there are also food options available for purchase. Local food vendors provide a selection of snacks that pair well with the wines being sampled. However, many attendees express a desire for more substantial food offerings to complement their tasting experience. The availability of cheese and other light bites enhances the overall enjoyment of the event, making it a more complete culinary experience.

### Events and packages
The Wine Riot features various ticket packages that cater to different preferences and budgets. Attendees can purchase tickets in advance for a discounted rate, or opt for same-day admission. Additionally, volunteer opportunities allow individuals to attend the event for free while contributing to its success. Special workshops and crash courses are also offered, providing attendees with the chance to deepen their wine knowledge.

### Facilities and features
- **Interactive booths**: Each booth features knowledgeable representatives who guide attendees through the tasting process.
- **Educational workshops**: Short presentations on specific wines or regions enhance the learning experience.
- **Photo booths**: Fun photo opportunities allow attendees to capture memories from the event.
- **Temporary tattoos**: A unique and playful feature that adds to the festival's fun atmosphere.

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of the Second Glass Wine Riot consistently highlight the event's vibrant atmosphere and the variety of wines available for tasting. Attendees appreciate the opportunity to explore different wines without the pressure of making a purchase, allowing them to discover new favorites in a relaxed setting.

### Compliments and strengths
Many attendees commend the knowledgeable vendors and the well-organized layout of the event. The accessibility of Union Station is also frequently mentioned as a significant advantage, making it easy for guests to attend without the hassle of parking. The festival's commitment to education through workshops and tastings is another highlight that resonates with participants.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
Some reviews note that while the wine selection is extensive, the food offerings could be improved. Many attendees express a desire for more substantial food options to accompany the wine tasting experience. Additionally, while the event is generally well-received, some guests have reported long lines at certain booths during peak hours.

### Summary evaluation
Overall, the Second Glass Wine Riot is celebrated for its engaging atmosphere, diverse wine offerings, and community-oriented approach. While there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding food options, the festival remains a highly anticipated event for wine lovers in Chicago. Its commitment to accessibility and education ensures that it continues to attract a wide audience year after year.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
The Second Glass Wine Riot takes place at Union Station, located at 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606. This central location is easily accessible via public transportation, making it convenient for attendees traveling from various neighborhoods in the city. The surrounding area is rich in cultural attractions, including the Chicago Riverwalk, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Millennium Park, providing ample opportunities for visitors to explore the city's vibrant offerings before or after the event.

## FAQs
**What is the Second Glass Wine Riot** The Second Glass Wine Riot is an annual wine tasting festival held in Chicago.  
**How many wines can I taste at the event** Attendees can sample over 250 wines from various regions.  
**Is food available at the Wine Riot** Yes, there are food vendors offering snacks for purchase.  
**How do I get tickets for the event** Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door on the day of the event.  
**Is the event suitable for beginners** Absolutely! The Wine Riot is designed for wine lovers of all levels, including beginners.  

## Visit Second Glass Wine Riot Today
The Second Glass Wine Riot is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of wine while enjoying a lively atmosphere and engaging community. With its rich history, commitment to education, and diverse offerings, this festival is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring new wines and connecting with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the Wine Riot promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you eager for the next event.

002ced8d-303c-43da-96e9-66646854beb9

What a freakin blast!!! Wine Riot was an amazing event! The location of Union Station was perfect. A great central location to accommodate the event. You know what that means - the typical annoyance of Downtown Chicago parking, but whatever, it's Chicago, get over it! The place was PACKED! There were so many booths to go and sample wines from, as each worker educated you on the brand that they were representing. Wines were from all over the world and varied between whites and darks, drys and sweets. Maps located by most stations gave a direct look at where the wine was from as well as other facts about the brand. Every representative I interacted with was very patient and cheerful. There was a Bubbly Bar that was strictly for champagnes, mini classes were taught on wine knowledge, temp tattoos were cool, and went well with your pic if you decided to jump in the picture line. The amount of people stumbling around due to being tipsy?! HUH-LARIOUS! One chic fell flat on her face and tried to blame it on the floor being slippery. Yeah. Okay. Then as she walked off, someone mentioned that she'd been there drinking since the event started..... almost 5 hours ago. Sheesh! This was totally worth the $55 I paid. Only thing is, I wish there were Port and Ice wines. That would've been awesome. Needless to say, I will be back when the event returns in October. #ChiTownFoodieChic #WHONEEDSLOVEWHENYOUHAVEBOOZE

c75c3cd7-1332-48ea-be76-5125593fabc8

Wine Riot Chicago May 2014 - 5 Stars: what a treat for those who like wine and like to smooze a little on a weekend. Maybe two dozen wineries gather around a number of booths putting their wares on display for unlimited tasting by the imbibing public. Situated in the Great Hall of Union Station in downtown Chicago, this two-day, three-session event was well planned and carried off seamlessly. The Great Hall has enough room to gather hundreds without crowding ... there were a lot of people but enough room to really pass from booth to booth with ease. Four ways to get in ... Entrance is $60 per at the door, $55 if you bought early online, Free if you volunteer to work a session, and Free if you got YELPed in by Community Kingpin Candice G (Thanks again). No matter how you get here, the price point is worth it. The process is you pick up a little plastic glass on your way in and begin working your way around any booth, each of which has four or so different wineries stylin their stuff. Each winery offers a couple to a half dozen wines...usually half red and half white. You get a tasting of what interests you, talk with the merchant/representative if you like, spill any leftover into the containers provided on each table, and move on. While the sip you get with each wine is small - just a tasting - remember that you'll probably taste 50 to 100 before you are done. While this event is really a millennial smooze fest, absolutely any age will feel comfortable. Maybe 75% of the peeps were between 25 and 35 - and many of the younger set came in groups and had a ball working their way around the Great Hall. Great event for couples also. This event was also a lot of fun for geezers like myself. PS: Don't forget to stop at the YELP stand and check out their swag, especially the red socks for Elite YELPers. The hit for me was the Crash Courses. Since they bill this event as the antithesis of being a wine snob, the Crash Courses they offer fit in perfectly. These crash courses are put on by some of the Wine Riot movers and shakers (in particular, co-founder Tyler Balliet who was wonderfully engaging) where they showcase a particular wine or region in a short 15 to 20 minute presentation with - as if you couldn't figure this out - a tasting of each wine discussed...usually four. I sat in for the Italian wine course (learning the differences among and tasting a Chianti, a Barbera, a Nebbiolo, and a Lambrusco). I also sat in for a course on Saki and Spanish wines - each of which also had four tastings. Two notes - 1. There is very little food here - I saw one cheese tasting table and there was a stand selling a variety of tamales...so have something to eat before you show up...everyone needs a foundation. 2. Since it is in a train station, try and take the train to get here ($7 round trip to Union Station on weekends); while you still have to exit the building and come in on the Jackson Street side...it is not a big deal and the benefit is you won't be driving when you shouldn't be. If Union Station doesn't work for you, Northwest (Ogilvie) Station is just a few blocks down the street. Take the train. Lastly - Wine Riot has tasting shows in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago every year. The second Wine Riot for Chicago will be at the same place on October 17 & 18, 2014. This was fun, give it a try. Highly recommended.

1dcfa9a8-e6c7-4ce4-9546-5ca0ec284387

Great event. Not pretentious! How frustrating is it to go to the store and not know what wine you like or which wine you want to buy? Wine Riot can help you with that! They have 250 wines available for tasting and you can learn while you are at it. Everyone is easy going and friendly. Food was available for purchase. And because it is in a Union Station, which is a train station, well, it is easy to get home after trying a lot of wines.

fb7208ac-722a-415b-b24d-d22aebd0698d

After almost 2 years of wanting to go to this event, I finally went this past weekend. During previous years, this event was held at Union Station, but the October 2016 event was held at Venue One. Venue One is a beautiful venue, and provided more than enough space for the amount of people that attended my Saturday night Wine Riot session. I had some fears about obnoxiously long lines and packed rooms, but this wasn't the case for the most part. The longest lines were the bathrooms during the last 2 hours of the event. There were a couple of bathroom attendants in the bathroom that helped keep things moving along smoothly, which was good. The wines were mostly organized by countries and states. Each of the representatives I encountered were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the wines. Most of the wines offered would not be considered "fine" wines by any means, but most of the ones I tried were great. Second Glass is very upfront about the fact that most of the wines are under $30, so you have to come here with that in mind. If you are someone that likes at least 2 or 3 different varieties of wine, there is more than enough to choose from. $60 is seemingly steep for a festival, but having unlimited access to around 250 wines during a 4 hour period makes it worth it. My friends and I had a great time, and I would probably go again.

1d319e2f-1b2f-4d31-8457-d85fb9183bd1

My friend and I went to Second Glass Wine Riot last weekend and we had a great time! We weren't too sure what to expect but I really enjoyed the event. Some booths were better than others, some wines were better than others. Tattoo Booth - really friendly workers and got a cool drinking octopus temp tattoo. The lady told me it was the most popular one of the day, so silly! Photos - super fun sayings, great background and quality. 3 for $10 or $5 each. The guy taking the photos was kinda eh. He took the pix while on his cell phone, printed them while on his cell phone, 'twas a bit off putting. However the girl helping us view pix and explaining costs and such was super nice. We ended up with a super awesome picture! hehe The Naked Grapes ladies were the most friendly, most informative and I loved their wines! My friend and I seeked them out following the event and they are surprisingly super cheap! Less than $10 a pop! Their moscato and summer white blend are delicious! Mionetto's booth had a ton of options to try and we really loved everything we tried. Lynfred Winery is a tried and true favorite of mine so I was happy to see them reppin'. Loved the comparison booth. Everyone there was super nice (shoutouts to the girl with the cute boots who complimented my cheap purse haha) and helpful in their teachings. I really did learn a bit at the booth. Props to the vendors that had little cards or papers we could take to remember the wines we just tasted. Tamale Spaceship was there, but more food options would have been a plus for me. Their app which they were promoting the heck out of didn't work for Androids. Lame! I don't know why they didn't fix it so we could actually use it...would have been very helpful to keep track of our wines. Thanks, Candice and Yelp for the tickets!!! :D It was great talking to some of my fellow Yelpers. Overall a lovely afternoon event that I'd attend again.

b206c716-d3b2-4aa2-a814-0bb4b1291034

Our ever so awesome CM, Candice G. rocks! So does being a Chicago 'Burbs Yelp Elite! I was able to snag 1 of the 10 pair of tickets for this event and so glad I did. One of the best thing about Wine Riot is that it's at Union Station so my cousin and I jumped on the local Metra and rode it in, no worries about looking for parking and paying an arm and a leg to park. Cost us $7 for roundtrip, whoot! It was a riot alright, so many vendors and wine where do we start? We walked the venue at least 2-3 times, since there were so many vendors and so many wines! I'm more of a white wine girl and a novice, so I tried to try a few more reds and other types of white and did find a few I enjoyed, but my favorite of the night was Madria Sangria - red. Not dry like most reds with a fruity flavor. Best part is the next day I found some at my local Mariano's for our early Mother's Day lunch! The food was very limited, I was hoping for great food options that would pair well with wines, even snack tables of meats and cheese. They did have one cheese booth and it was a big hit! There were 2 food truck vendors,Tamale Spaceship and The Flying Slider. We enjoyed the duck confit tamale with mole sauce and the sirarcha chicken slider, while the second option of each were meh. Personally when it comes to wines I crave charcuterie and cheese, but that could be my limited experience and exposure to wine. We were also able to get some fake tattoos, me with the drink more wine globe, while my cousin opted for the naked mermaid. We also took pictures at the photo booth, but skipped the line to buy them. I really enjoyed the app so I can remember which wine I loved, liked, or wasn't fond of, but some of the booths had different wines compared to what was listed on the app so that wasn't helpful. Definitely an event for wine lovers, but also an adventure for newbies like myself. Maybe more food next year and free photo booth pictures, that would be awesome.

d2d72a83-cea9-427e-8cfd-a0fea57a2b56

Special thanks to Second Glass for all the complimentary tickets they made available and another thanks to Yelp Chicagoland for making my dreams a reality. I won a pair of tickets to Wine Riot through Yelp's Event + Twitter giveaway and I had a blast! My friend Katy M and I met up with Lori L, Megan G, Maria F, Dallas H, and Jeff B for a fabulous way to spend a hot time in the city. We were all surprised at how open the venue was and that lines to try wine were never more than a few people long. It gave us a chance to try a little bit of everything and chat with the vendors without feeling rushed. We took the most advantage of the photo portion and I can't wait to see how the pictures turned out. I'm a sweet drink kind of girl, so St. James Winery was the clear cut wine-winner for me. I've seen their bottles at Binny's, so I'll make sure to pick up a few of the flavors next time I need a bottle for BYOV. We also enjoyed NV Charonge Wine with the orange slices and I won a bright orange shirt when I guessed how many gummies were in their jar (it's totally getting cut up and made into my new Zumba shirt). Andrew Quady was another favorite along with 90+, Lynfred Winery & Sweet Wines Limited. Thanks for the swag! I looked and felt like Mardi Gras. We were a little disappointed that we weren't able to take any of the wine home. A few wineries would have been more than willing to part with a few bottles, but apparently that was a big no-no. However, we drank more than our fair share after scoffing at the "how to taste wine" poster that suggests you spit or pour your wine out (amateurs). We were also sad when one of the employees came up to us and asked us to attend a seminar on Riesling and when we tried to go, it was full and we were turned away. But all in all, it was run very well and we learned more than enough about wine from each vendor. We liked the plastic tasting cups with the thumb mold and hope Wine Riot will maybe consider handing out glass souvenir cups when you leave next time. Again, thanks to Second Glass and thanks to Yelp! We had a great time and will recommend this festival to all our wine-loving friends! P.S. - Please, please, please have the temporary tattoos again next year. That was one of the highlights. I got the double glass Second Glass logo on my cheek. I call it my teardrop tat. It represents the glasses I killed at this killer party!

2186e670-1f5f-4ee1-98da-b53d64cf9922

Huge THANK YOU to Yelp for the pair of tickets to this shin dig. My sisters and I had planned to attend for months, literally, and I had tickets burning a hole in my pocket. The extra tickets I scored went to friends who shared in the boozy delights. First of all, this was so easy to get to from the suburban outpost I occupy. Train it in, train it out, everyone's happy. Checking it was a breeze and I was immediately hooked up with a glass and free reign on a huge arena of wine purveyors. The swag was awesome - my sisters loaded up on sunglasses, playing cards, reusable bags, wine stoppers and coasters. I was far more interested in the temporary tattoos and photo options. I loved that if you used #WineRiot on Instagram, your photos automatically printed out for free. I also appreciated that you could tweet your photo booth pics to yourself. Someone is smart with this social media stuff. Kudos. But let's talk about why we're all here: the wine. We really got our drink/education on. I appreciated that none of the wines were super pricey, so I could totes pick up all my favorites at Binny's without breaking the bank. I found a few new favorites and a few that I wouldn't buy if it was the last wine on earth, so I'm glad I did this all in a setting where we could come and go and taste and enjoy. My sisters et al had an awesome time. This was the perfect girls afternoon and the crowds weren't prohibitively heavy. I would have like to see more food options (as the booze increased, so did my visits to the Cabot cheese table), especially for the price tag of this event. They could have at least sent me home with a bag of pretzels to soak up all that vino. That said, the siblings and I are already planning to attend next year. It is quite expensive at $55, but we certainly got our money's worth.

85182b89-61f1-4df1-b3e9-ecac90cd836f

Oh my goodness, this was SO MUCH FUN. How could you not have fun drinking various wines for four hours straight and hopping on the train afterwards so you don't have to worry about driving!? YES. This is my kind of thing. Wine Riot had a tattoo booth (I might have gone a little crazy there), a photo booth/Instagram station with fun quotes and props, a cool phone app to keep track of all the drinks you liked (and didn't like), and dozens of wine to sample. The cheese sample table was pretty sweet, too. Somewhere, a DJ was playing music, free bottled water was given away, and a food truck had food to purchase. All in the beautiful setting of Union Station. It was a great place for this event -- close to public transportation and not too crowded or chaotic. Some of the vendor spokespeople were very sweet, sharing information with us about the wine/company and pouring us generous samples. Others were standoff-ish, not saying anything and generally ignoring us. You can bet my friend and I returned to the tables with the nicer workers (and generally preferred those wines anyway). I thought that the four hours that Saturday afternoon would be more than enough time, but my friend and I ended up staying until closing (and could have stayed longer)! I left the event with a nice buzz and a list of new favorite wines. Thank you so much for the tickets, Candice/Yelp!! Much love! They were definitely put to good use. ;D

5c6d8f16-ad65-4d32-9076-49019de8ed72

This is one of the best wine events. My second time coming and loved it. Besides all the different wines from all over the world they have tasting of other things as cheese, beef jerky and other stuff. I always seem to have an amazing time at this event. Always seem to find really good wines. Perfect place to meet new people. I'm definitely coming again next year.

Discover Second Glass Wine Riot in Chicago's Loop for an unforgettable wine experience. Savor unique tastings in a vibrant setting. Book your visit today.

Second Glass Wine Riot in Chicago - Unique Wine Experience

Chicago

Second Glass Wine Riot

Illinois

Discover Second Glass Wine Riot in Chicago! Enjoy fun wine tastings, interactive experiences, and explore nearby attractions. Book your spot today!

Second Glass Wine Riot, Chicago - Unique Wine Experience & Tasting Events

Learn about Second Glass Wine Riot in Chicago! A premier wine tasting venue offering fun events, interactive experiences, and a vibrant atmosphere. Visit us!

About Second Glass Wine Riot, Chicago - Wine Tasting & Events Venue

Opening hours for Second Glass Wine Riot, Chicago. Find opening hours for Second Glass Wine Riot, 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL on our website.

Second Glass Wine Riot Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

Experience the Menu at Second Glass Wine Riot

Pazzo's

FARE - Franklin St.

95 Chicago