A sense of peace pervades Hidden Creek Estates, a 77-acre, family-owned and operated property that’s snuggled in a rural setting, which is part of the Rockford region. But, despite its proximity to urban buzz, guests, whether couples or families, find it easy to chill. According to Kerry Frank, co-owner with her husband, Dude, and children, Kim and Jared Malavolti, “We try to preserve an environment where people can notice things again: birds returning to restored habitats, quiet trails through the woods, sunsets over the pond, or how peaceful it feels at night without constant noise. I think when people experience nature in a slower and more personal way, they naturally begin to appreciate it more.” She explains that her guests are enthralled with Hidden Creek’s simple pleasures, whether it’s sitting around a fire, walking the trails, fishing at the pond, watching birds move across the water, listening to the frogs at night or just having coffee outside in the morning without rushing somewhere. The eco philosophy behind Hidden Creek Estates makes it easy for guests to be mindful of these and other sensory delights. After all, the Frank family is dedicated to preserving this historic land — which had been slated for development — so it can be enjoyed by all (including future generations) while also bringing people together to celebrate life.

Eco Consciousness

The land dates to the frontier era. In fact, says Kerry, “Our family is only the eighth family to care for this land.” The Frank family believes that it’s their responsibility to be good stewards of this land. “We’ve partnered with the American Bird Conservancy, enrolled parts of the property into conservation programs, restored native habitats and protected some of the oldest oak trees in the county,” says Kerry.

Oftentimes, when visitors think about landscaping, it’s simply about the aesthetics. But Kerry explains that at Hidden Creek Estates it’s so much more than that. “The oak and grassland restoration is really about bringing the land back closer to what naturally existed here years ago…” before invasive species had moved in. They’ve also restored native wildflowers, something that attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators. “This also changes the wildlife experience. You start seeing more birds, butterflies, deer, and other species that thrive in those environments. In the summer, those areas are filled with color and movement…,” says Kerry.

And while so many property owners prioritize development at all costs, says Kerry, “When we do build, we take a low-impact approach” and that includes their most recent addition, the Wine Barrel Homes. “Their placement and design were carefully considered so they integrated into, rather than disrupted, the landscape,” she adds. Rather than overdevelopment, the Frank family’s priority is maintaining open spaces and natural views.

The eco ethic carries through to their culinary scene. According to Kerry, “We prioritize seasonal ingredients and incorporate what we can from the land, allowing the property to influence the menu rather than forcing consistency year-round.” She explains that the chefs curate menus by focusing on the whole ingredient. “That’s why you may find candied lemon peel as a garnish or carrot-top pesto incorporated into a dish. Rather than discarding these elements, they are thoughtfully repurposed to enhance flavor while promoting sustainable dining.”

Interestingly, Hidden Creek cultivates their own mushrooms by inoculating the spores into hardwood logs on the property. “We grow varieties like shiitake, lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms,” Kerry says. Of course, this not only maintains consistency but also keeps a connection to the land. Where it makes sense, “the kitchen also incorporates other seasonal ingredients sourced from the property,” she adds. And that can include herbs from the garden, apples from the trees, berries, wild asparagus, rhubarb, honey from their bees and other small-batch ingredients.

Upcycling and Recycling

Whether it’s the furnishings in the accommodations, the doors of the restaurant or the decor of the wine bar, guests will notice that the atmosphere is warm and inviting without being overpolished. Throughout the property, this vibe along with the sustainability focus is achieved by repurposing and upcycling where possible, “incorporating existing materials into new uses rather than replacing them,” says Kerry. One example is the mismatched china in the restaurant. “It actually started because I began going to estate sales and secondhand shops and realized how many beautiful family china sets were sitting unused after spending generations around someone’s table,” she adds.

This, like so much on this property, brings people together. Kerry mentions that a guest became emotional when she realized that the plate she was eating on in the restaurant matched her grandmother’s china pattern that she hadn’t seen in years. “Once we started sharing stories like that, guests actually began donating their own family china because they said they would rather see it used and appreciated than sitting boxed up in storage.”

Aside from estate sales and secondhand shops, the Frank family also sources furniture and architectural pieces from old homes, churches or people who simply didn’t want to see meaningful pieces discarded.

Among the many treasures found at Hidden Creek Estates is a cast iron fireplace in the wine bar stamped “Milwaukee 1864” that, according to Kerry, had been sitting forgotten in a basement for years. Other gems include Hungarian doors that pre-date Napoleon; reclaimed stained glass windows from churches and historic homes; antique woodwork that’s over a century old and a large Tudor door from a historic Chicago home that was being torn down.

Says Kerry, “For us, upcycling is bigger than design or sustainability. It’s about preserving craftsmanship, honoring family history, and making sure meaningful things continue being appreciated instead of forgotten.”

The Restaurant and Wine Bar

A restored, 86-year-old barn is home to both the restaurant and the wine bar. But rather than creating a contemporary interior, Kerry explains that they were intentional about preserving the character of the original building. And that informal vibe extends from the pale yellow painted exterior to the subdued interior. Says Kerry, “We never wanted it to feel overly formal or intimidating. We wanted people to feel comfortable lingering over dinner…” like they’re at someone’s home.

The inviting, low-key wine bar, says Kerry, “…was designed to feel a little like a hidden speakeasy…a place where people settle in, stay awhile, and naturally start talking to the people around them.”

Guests at the wine bar can expect to see the Franks’ son and son-in-law, who are the sommeliers. They’ll gladly work to find the perfect wine to suit even the most discerning tastes. No wonder, considering the Frank family travels around the world, visiting vineyards and meeting winemakers and listening to their stories. The wine list is quite varied, consisting of hundreds of bottles along with a rotating by-the-glass menu. “We source wines from wine regions throughout the United States as well as countries that include France, Italy, Spain, Argentina and New Zealand…,” says Kerry. But, she adds, “The wine bar is really about connection more than the wine itself.”

Next door in the restaurant, every six weeks or so, they host a multi-course wine dinner, which is anything but pretentious. Each wine dinner is different, from guests gathering at a communal table with a convivial, family-style atmosphere to more intimate affairs with individual tables to a harvest moon and other outdoor dinners. Guests are thrilled to learn that the winemakers are regularly hosted at these wine dinners. Says Kerry, “…guests have the opportunity to hear directly from them, about their vineyards, their families, and the history behind each wine. It adds a level of depth and storytelling that makes the evening feel personal and connected.”

The warmer summer months make the experience even more special because guests can enjoy dinner on the patio and the terrace overlooking the pond. “Between the sunset views, live music and wildlife moving around the water, the setting naturally becomes part of the dining experience,” she says.

Accommodations

Wine Barrel Homes

Opened just a few short weeks ago, these represent the most intimate accommodations on the property. (Think of them as five wine-themed tiny homes.) The Frank family designed them from scratch, with each resembling a cedar-clad wine barrel and given a name from one of the world’s renowned wine regions: Barolo, Napa, Champagne, Tuscany and Rhone. The pine wood interior with textiles in earth tones is calming and feels luscious without being overdone. Among the lovely amenities and services in each: a curated selection of high-end coffee and teas, locally handmade coffee mugs, handmade bar soaps, a yoga mat, irregular textured wall hangings in the bathroom that are part of the wabi sabi design concept, aka life doesn’t have to be perfect. And room service includes delivering a bottle of wine and charcuterie.

Each Wine Barrel Home comes with an outdoor patio where the guest could sit in a luxury robe with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy the surrounding gardens and woods, while the five share an outdoor infrared sauna.

Other Accommodations

Aside from the Wine Barrel Homes, guests can choose to stay in any of the other four homes on the property; each has a distinct personality.

Originally an old farmhouse, the Cottage has a decor that’s mostly sourced from a Rockford couple who lived into their 100s. Says Kerry, “Their family wanted the pieces to continue being loved instead of discarded.” Guests are interested when they find out that some of the antiques are connected to homes that were part of the Underground Railroad.

Those guests who gravitate to retro will be thrilled with The 70s House that's complete with a velvet couch, vintage posters and a disco ball. Adds Kerry, “One of the writers from That '70s Show actually lived nearby, which makes the whole thing feel even more fitting.”

Nature lovers will be especially enchanted with Oakview that’s aptly named: it’s surrounded by massive oak trees. The huge windows in the private suite — it comes with a fireplace and soaking tub — affords stunning views of the trees. According to Kerry, “One of the most popular spaces is the custom bunk room with four twin XL bunks that families and groups love.”

And The French Hen has a much loved sunroom overlooking the woods as well as a large dining room that’s ideal for bringing people today. “Guests especially love renting it during the holidays because it feels like the kind of home where family traditions happen,” says Kerry.

ACTIVITIES

Guests at Hidden Creek Estates can engage in an array of activities that bring people together and allow them to connect with the land.

Learning About Mushrooms

Kerry explains that in season they offer guided mushroom foraging tours where the guest can learn about how, where and when different mushrooms grow on the property. The rest of the year, guests can engage in self-guided mushroom tours where they learn about the planted spores only.

Walking the Trails

About five miles of trails wander through the property, around the pond, across the creek, beside farmland and through open meadows and woodland areas. Explains Kerry, “Some trails are wide open with tall native grasses and seasonal wildflowers like goldenrod. Other sections take you deeper into the woods where the canopy becomes thick and quiet.” Among the trees found on the property — many have been growing for generations: black walnut, mature oak, elm, hickory and black cherry.

Guests are given a map but Kerry says that simply wandering about and discovering is all part of the experience. Among the hidden treasures that beckon guests to sit awhile: hammocks tucked in the forest, wood swings and benches near the water.

And, because of all the verdancy, guests who stroll about in the early morning or evening might spy all sorts of wildlife, such as deer, wild turkeys, foxes, rabbits, cranes, owls, wood ducks and many other kinds of birds. “We’re only minutes from Interstate 90, but once you’re out on the trails it feels like you’re much farther away from everything,” she adds.

Stargazing

Though there’s no official stargazing on property, the limited ambient light allows the stars and other celestial objects in the night sky to shimmer like they can’t in the city. Guests enjoy gazing at the night sky wherever they may find themselves, whether sitting beside the pond, ambling along the trails in the evening or just stepping outside their accommodation maybe with a glass of wine and enjoying the serenity.

Says Kerry, “One of my favorite memories was last year when we had a rare night where the Aurora Borealis was visible.”