PRIVACY POLICY
How the Illinois Valley Wine Trail collects, uses, and protects information.
Last updated: September 5, 2026
Illinois Valley Wine Trail (“IVWT,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect when you visit our website, purchase tickets, participate in Illinois Valley Wine Trail programs, subscribe to our emails, submit a form, or otherwise interact with us, and how that information may be used.
Information We Collect
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, event registration or ticket information, Passport-related information, survey responses, and other information you choose to submit through our website, forms, landing pages, or communications.
We may also collect limited technical information about visits to our website, such as browser or device information, referring pages, and website activity through cookies, analytics tools, or similar technologies.
Purchases and Payment Information
When you purchase event tickets, Passports, or other products or services, payments may be processed by third-party payment providers such as Stripe. IVWT does not directly store your complete credit or debit card information.
We may receive information related to your transaction, such as your name, email address, products or tickets purchased, transaction amount, payment status, and other information necessary to administer your purchase.
How We Use Your Information
We may use information we collect to:
• Process purchases, registrations, and event tickets.
• Send confirmations, itineraries, event updates, and other information related to your purchase or participation.
• Administer Illinois Valley Wine Trail programs, including the Passport program.
• Respond to questions, requests, or messages.
• Send newsletters, Trail news, upcoming event information, and promotional communications when appropriate.
• Improve our website, events, programs, marketing, and visitor experience.
• Maintain records and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
• Comply with applicable legal obligations.
Email Communications
If you subscribe to Illinois Valley Wine Trail emails or otherwise consent to receive marketing communications, we may send you information about upcoming events, participating wineries, Trail programs, tourism experiences, special offers, and other IVWT news.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in our emails.
Please note that if you purchase a ticket or participate in an IVWT program, we may still send communications necessary to administer your purchase or participation, such as confirmations, event instructions, itinerary information, schedule changes, or other service-related messages.
Third-Party Service Providers
IVWT uses third-party service providers to help operate our website, communications, marketing, payments, events, and other services. These providers may process information on our behalf only as necessary to provide their services.
These services may include website hosting and website tools, email marketing and landing-page platforms such as GetResponse, payment processors such as Stripe, analytics providers, and other technology or administrative service providers.
These third parties maintain their own privacy practices and policies.
How We Share Information
IVWT does not sell your personal information.
We may share information with service providers that assist us in operating the Trail, processing transactions, communicating with participants, administering events, maintaining our website, or providing other services on our behalf.
We may also disclose information when required by law, necessary to protect our rights or the safety of others, or necessary to investigate fraud or misuse of our services.
Wineries and Event Partners
Some Illinois Valley Wine Trail events and programs are conducted in cooperation with participating wineries, food providers, makers, tourism partners, and other local businesses. We may share limited information when reasonably necessary to administer an event or program, such as guest names, attendance information, assigned starting locations, dietary information voluntarily provided by a guest, or other logistical information.
We do not provide our general email marketing list to participating businesses for their independent marketing purposes unless you have separately consented to such sharing.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website and third-party services may use cookies or similar technologies to help the website function, understand website traffic, remember preferences, measure marketing performance, or improve the visitor experience.
You can control certain cookies through your browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect the functionality of portions of the website.
Data Retention and Security
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide our services, administer programs and transactions, maintain appropriate business records, and meet legal or operational requirements.
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect information in our possession. However, no website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Your Privacy Choices
You may contact IVWT to request that we update or correct personal information you have provided to us or to ask questions about how your information is used.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link included in those communications.
Children’s Privacy
The Illinois Valley Wine Trail website and online purchasing services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.
Youth participation in specific IVWT programs or events may require information to be provided by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as our services, technology, or practices change. The current version will be posted on this page with its most recent update date.
Questions About Your Privacy?
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how Illinois Valley Wine Trail handles personal information, please contact us.