Spectacular views and delicious wines close to home.
photos courtesy of Tia Woods
When you think of wine country, your first thought is California. But you don’t have to go so far from home to experience beautiful wineries and delicious wines — Missouri has wineries that rival any in California, or anywhere else. To help you have the full experience, the Missouri Wine Association puts together several wine trails throughout the year.
The Missouri River Wine Trail includes Bushwhacker Bend Winery, Serenity Valley Winery, Cooper’s Oak Winery, Canterbury Hill Winery, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, and Westphalia Vineyards, six wineries all along or near the Missouri River.
Bushwhacker Bend Winery, in Glasgow, is known for their wine and cheese pairings. Located on the river, their river-view deck is the perfect place to enjoy lunch with a River Rat Rosé, Grape Shot Red, or Wheelhouse White.
Serenity Valley Winery, in Fulton, is situated on Serene Lake, providing a tranquil environment to enjoy one of their 20 award-winning selections. You can also watch their wine being made at their continuous winemaking facility.
Cooper’s Oak Winery, in Higbee, is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the views of the sprawling farmland, where the fruit for the wine is cultivated. Stop next door to see A&K Cooperage, where fine American oak barrels have been made for over 40 years.
Canterbury Hill Winery, in Holts Summit, sits high on a rock bluff overlooking the hills of Callaway County and the Missouri State Capitol. Enjoy a glass of King’s Choice in the Capitol View Room, Medieval Mist in the barrel room, or Noble Norton on the Vineyard Patio.
Les Bourgeois Vineyards, in Rocheport, sits on the top of a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley. This spectacular view pairs perfectly with a Riverboat Red or White, Chardonel, or Merlot. Take your glass out to the A-Frame for a scenic picnic spot.
Westphalia Vineyards, in Westphalia, “The Pearl of Osage County,” boasts time-honored, natural wine making processes. Sample their award winning Sweet Success, Norton Reserve, or Cabernet Franc from this historic farmland.
Each year, the wine trail has about three ticketed food and wine events that follow a theme. This year, the theme is Irish-influenced food. Each location provides a food and wine pairing based on the theme. Guests purchase a ticket and start their adventure at any of the participating wineries. At the first winery, participants present their ticket for a free wine glass. The tickets are good for two days, so guests are welcome to spend a leisurely weekend exploring much of Missouri’s wine country.
This year’s final wine trail event is called Sip & Soup, which takes place November 5 and 6 at all six wineries. Six different soups will be paired with Missouri wines during a casual weekend of good food, good wine, and good company.
Visit missouririverwinetrail.com for more information on the trail and individual wineries.
