Winemaking on the Mag Mile, Lincolnshire, Oct. 20 & 26

The Marriotts on Michigan Avenue and in Lincolnshire are hosting two grape-crushing events, with tons of pinot noir, cabernet franc, sangiovese, zinfandel and Illinois Norton.grapes to be crushed into the start of wine right in their lobbies. Attendees get to sample sample unlimited pours wines made from last year’s crush and munch on house-made charcuterie, artisanal American cheeses (including some made by Marriott chefs) and chocolates.

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BTW, the restaurant in the Marriott downtown, Harvest, is a pretty interesting spot that hasn't gotten nearly the attention it deserves. Besides making their own wine, they brew their own beers and soda pop (a really excellent cherry cola that they make from Door Co. cherries down at Filbert's) and they have a rooftop garden on top of the hotel, complete with apiary. They also sponsor an acre of farmland at Heritage Prairie Farm and work extensively with other area farmers and local purveyors. (On the other hand, when I was there in September, for a dinner whose selection I left up to the chef, they served me asparagus, and could not tell me where it came from. But I do think they're more locavore-friendly than most hotel restaurants, and the food was great.)