About Us

Kelly & Brenda Logan purchased the winery from the family corporation, Gem City Vineland Company in 1984 and re-opened the winery as Baxter's Vineyards in 1989 after going through the daunting task of bonding and licensing during the age of no electronic communication. Kelly is the 5th generation of Baxter's to grow fruit in the historic town of Nauvoo, Illinois. Brenda soon became one of  very few female wine makers in the state of Illinois and also took on the tasks of the general manager of the property. Today, Brenda remains as the general manager, while Kelly maintains all of our vineyards and orchards. In addition to Brenda and Kelly, their daughter, Kim, has returned to Nauvoo and assists Brenda in the general management of the property. Our staff includes Brenda & Kelly's sisters, nieces, nephews and a few local, Nauvoo residents. 

The Wine Maker - Brenda Logan

Brenda learned the art of wine making very quickly after purchasing and reopening Baxter's Vineyards in 1989. Today, Brenda oversees the production of our fourteen wines along with the daily management of Baxter's Vineyards. Brenda is very active in community projects and was a founding board member for the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA) in 1992. Brenda was the president of IGGVA from 1993-1995 and then continued her roll as a board member and the Treasurer of the IGGVA until 2013. She retired from the board of directors with honors from the IL legislature in 2015. 

The Viticulturist - Kelly Logan

Kelly has grown up within the fruit growing business and is extremely knowledgeable about many of the best practices utilized in this growing region. Kelly oversees the 12,000 grape stalks that are a part of Baxter's Vineyards along with the smaller production of apples and peaches. 

Brenda, Kelly, and Kim were recipients of the Industry Achievement Award in 2018 from the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association.