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QUINCY, ILL. -- Downtown Quincy got a taste of something sweet this weekend, or dry depending on individual tastes.

The 7th annual Great River Grape Escape brought hundreds to Clat Adams Park.

Eleven Illinois wineries brought out their best bottles for the wine tasting, which is a big event for the Illinois grape and wine industry.

The event co-organizer and a winery owner, Gordon Cantrell explained, "This is a way we can help our industry grow and possibly promote more wine drinking and grape growing in our region."

For those attending the festival, it was all about having a good time and trying new wines.

"The wines are great, you get to try them and it's not very expensive. You get a glass to keep and you get to try stuff. Then, you know where you want to go later," Debbie Tafling said.

Wineries were sure to accommodate newcomers to wine tasting. For those who were unsure what type of wine fit their taste, winery booths were willing to educate.

"You're not stuck doing the same wines over and over because you don't know any better. You get to try stuff, and they have pamphlets at every table that tells you what your tastes are. We know we're sweet wine people so that's what we try and we love it," Tafling said.

Besides having nearly a dozen wineries to choose from, this weekend's wine purchases kept money right here in Illinois.

"We grow grapes locally, I buy most all my grapes locally and we promote all local wines," Cantrell explained.

The Great River Grape Escape also featured food from the Maine Course in Quincy and live music.