‘MO Wine, ‘MO Fun

If you know us, you know visiting different wineries across our home state (and on vacation) has become one of our favorite things to do.

I never thought I’d be a “wine person” - most were always too dry or bitter. It wasn’t until I left college and tried more than Barefoot that I realized there were so many varieties out there. We grew up right amidst one of the biggest Midwestern wine regions, only to fall in love with it later. It is definitely one of our favorite get togethers to do with friends and family back home!

Here is our on-going list of Missouri wineries visited. Most tastings were between $5-$10, but there have been a couple free ones. We are sweet wine drinkers, so keep that in mind with our suggestions.

Below is a personal review & account of wine selection, atmosphere, and pricing at the time (visited between 2019 - current). Please view official websites for latest details.

Suburban St. Louis

Hermann:

• Stone Hill - one of the most expensive tastings (above $10) but it included large pours and a large souvenir glass. One of the most popular to visit in this area

• Endless Summer - in 2021, tastings were free! These were all fruit meads, which I personally loved. (This is wine made with honey). The owner was super friendly and also let us try some of his homemade steak sauces and Jalapeño cooking wine.

• Adam Puchta - specializes in tasty wine slushees

• Hermannhoff - indoor tasting counter

Augusta & Marthasville:

• Noboleis Vineyards - favorite wine: Two Posts Red (sweet)

• Montelle - favorite hometown winery! Beautiful outdoor deck and large indoor tasting room and usually. has music outdoors. They have a large selection of wine from dry to sweet. Favorites include Himmelswein, Red Raspberry, Blackberry, Peachy, and St. Wenceslaus (Christmas).

• Balducci - serves food with mostly dry wines. Favorite wine is the Sonata (semi-dry white)

• Augusta Winery - indoor tasting counter

• Lake Creek Winery - indoor/outdoor - had a really unique giant outdoor chess game!

• Lost Creek Winery - small tasting counter in a residence-like setting (was $6 for 5 wines & wine glass in 2022). Small wrap around deck with sprawling views. Favorites included Raspberry, Peach Sangria, and honey Port.

• Blumenhoff - free tasting with live outdoor music

Defiance:

• Defiance Ridge - great food & elegant indoor tasting counter and outdoor patio! Mostly dry wines, but favorite is the imported Italian Mosketto (red).

• Chandler Hill - also a large selection of mostly dry wines

Other:

• Triple 3 Vineyard (Washington) - mostly dry wines, but beautiful, expansive outdoor area & tasting room with food. Favorite wine was Farm Table Red (semi-dry). Also has a gorgeous wedding venue!

• Cedar Lake Cellars (Wright City) - big outdoor seating area

Northwest Missouri

Kansas City & Suburbs:

• Ambigoni Urban Winery - all dry wines - we drank champagne here. Very upscale & classy small indoor tasting area with chairs/tables

• Odessa Country Winery (Odessa) - one of Hunter’s favorite wineries. Rustic property with a friendly owner. We came home with the Apple Wine, which tastes like pie in a glass

• Stonehaus Farms Winery (Lee’s Summit) - indoor tasting counter with some barstools/tables and outdoor area with picnic tables. Free tasting. Favorite wines were Apple Cranberry and the white Port wine.

• Belvoir Winery (Liberty) - unique old inn. Probably our least favorite atmosphere for the tasting counter, but tasting was free (tiny 1 sip samples) and wine was around $5 per glass. Favorite wines were Lucky Pierre (red) & Naked Pink.

Other:

• Pirtle (Weston) - one of Ashley’s favorite wineries. Large selection of fruit meads, loved almost every one we tried. Unique favorite is Cherry Chocolate.

• Weston Wine Company (Weston) - indoor seating area

• Jowler Creek (Platte City) - tasting “to go” during COVID. Favorite wine was the Vignoles
  

Southwest Missouri

Branson:

• Lindwendel - indoor seating with amazing Blackberry wine

• Mount Pleasant - indoor tasting counter with Hunter’s favorite Port wine

• Ozark Hills - newer wine store with tasting counter. When we visited at the time, they were working on making their own wines. We tasted retail wines from across MO.

• St. James - still the best winery we have visited! While it doesn’t have the vineyard atmosphere (indoor wine store), the wines were incredible. They had a great selection of sweet & dry wines - our favorite is the Velvet Red. We buy this in the store regularly :) We remember loving the Blueberry, Strawberry, and the Port wine as well.

Other :

• 7C’s (Walnut Grove) - free tasting of meads & wines. We remember liking the mix of Chuckwagon (red) & Roundup White

• Tyler Ridge Vineyards (Springfield) - dry wines, but a gorgeous small garden area where you can walk through the vineyards and enjoy your wine. Only open part of the year.

• Bear Creek Wine Company & Brewery (Walnut Shade)

• Vineyard Market (Ozark) - not exactly a winery, but was such a fun, antique yet classy brunch spot. They serve a large selection of wine, mimosa flights, and even have a cigar lounge

Mid-Missouri

• Canterbury Hill (Jefferson City) - great wine slushees and lots of food!

• Shawnee Bluff (Lake of the Ozarks) - Favorite Wine: I’m A Sweetie Too (red)

Wine Guide for Apple Maps (link for iPhone)