for the Wall Street Journal in 2008 that hybrid wines were the state's "strong suit." American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) Shawnee Hills AVA One of the foremost grape-growing regions of Illinois is the Shawnee Hills, in Jackson County and Union County near Carbondale, Illinois in far southern Illinois. This region was designated the Shawnee Hills AVA in December 2006, becoming the first American Viticultural Area within Illinois. Besides the benefits of appellation recognition, this designation allows wineries to use the term “Estate Bottled” for wines produced on the same premises on which the grapes are grown. As of 2006, the Shawnee Hills AVA included 15 wineries and 55 vineyards. Jackson and Union Counties were the two foremost wine-producing counties in Illinois. Characteristics that contributed to this decision are the lack of glaciation, as well as the bordering rivers. The heightened elevation (400 ft above neighboring land) in concert with sandstone and limestone subsoil offers satisfactory drainage, and summer breezes reduce fungal infestation. The climate of the Shawnee Hills AVA, within the Illinois Ozarks region, resembles several areas in Missouri known for their wine (see Missouri wine). The climate also resembles certain regions in Spain and Italy. Upper Mississippi Valley AVA The Upper Mississippi Valley AVA, which primarily covers Driftless Area regions in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, also covers the Galena region of Illinois. Wine trails As of 2009, there are four wine trails in Illinois. Part of Illinois Route 127 south of Carbondale, which passes through the Shawnee Hills AVA, has been designated by the Illinois General Assembly as the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The Northern Illinois Wine Trail passes through the Galena subdistrict of the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA. The Illinois River Wine Trail centers on wineries in the upper drainage of the Illinois River, and the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail centers on wineries in and around the mouth of the same river.* Categories The Illinois State Fair, operated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, recognizes ten distinct categories of Illinois wine: Dessert wine Fruit wine Generic blended wine Hybrid red Hybrid white Native American red Native American white Sparkling wine Vinifera red Vinifera white In addition to grape-based wine, several wineries in the Illinois Ozarks ( part of the Ozarks ) and other regions of Illinois make fruit wine from apples, peaches, and berries. Fruit wine is an officially recognized category within the Illinois wine industry. Promotion In addition