In The Beginning
Matt Schulte turned his passion for winemaking into Spirit Knob Winery. The vineyard initially produced chardonel, chambourcin and norton grapes. The frost of 2024 reduced the yields to just the red grapes. Matt won several awards with his wine and is an Illinois Vintner of the Year.
A New Chapter
In 2026, Jeffrey Allen purchased the business and rebranded to Butterfly Spirit Winery. The “Spirit” was kept to honor the legacy and show commitment to the wines people have grown to know and love. The “Butterfly” is a sign of a metamorphosis to something new.
Meet the Owner
Jeffrey is a chemical engineer who spent 25 years working for a large construction equipment and engine manufacturer in Peoria, Illinois. He and his wife, Janet, have been making wine as a hobby since 2016 and always knew a winery was in their future.