Missouri Wines Pair Up with Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras Wine, Whiskey and Beer Tasting has been one of our favorite St. Louis events for many years now. It offers a plethora of international wines, craft beers, and unique whiskeys all under one roof. Mardi Gras brings in high-energy DJs to set the tone as well as traditional creole cuisine to put you in the Mard Gras spirit.


This year will provide an extra special experience for the event goers. For the first time, Missouri Wines will be included at the Wine, Whiskey, and Beer Taste! This is long overdue. I genuinely believe a large event like this, that brings in people from around the country, should highlight the local wines that make Missouri great!

Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard, Westphalia Vineyards, and Peaceful Bend Vineyard will be sampling their wines this Friday night, and I couldn't be more pleased. Michael and I volunteer at this event every year and help pour the wines. This year we will definitely show up early to ensure that we get the honor of helping at one of these wineries' tables. Each of these wineries has award-winning, stellar wines that highlight the potential and depth of Missouri wineries.


If you've never attended this event, we highly suggest you give it a try. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door and include all the samples you can drink of beer, wine, and whiskey (over 50 vendors) from 7-11pm. Tickets also include complimentary samples of award-winning barbecue from Pappy’s, Bogart’s, Salt + Smoke, and Sugarfire from 7:30-9:30pm. Rockstar DJs will be supplying the tunes and getting the late night dance party started.

This year, they are also offering a VIP Experience which includes special whiskey and food pairings and hand-crafted Jack Daniel's cocktails for an additional $35.

Purchase your tickets here.

Midwest Wine & Brew Festival

If you're like me you love more than just wine and events like the Midwest Wine and Brew Festival are the perfect spot to get your winery AND hoppy!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

2 - 6pm

The Country Club Hotel & Spa

301 Carol Road, Lake Ozarks, MO 65049

The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Midwest Wine and Brew Festival.  This event brings together a wide variety of wineries, breweries, vendors, and area restaurants that are sure to please even the most picky of pallets.  $15 in advance or $20 at the door, gets you all the wine, beer, and food you can handle, as well as a keepsake wine glass.

Wineries include:

Adam Puchta Winery - Visited Adam Puchta recently and enjoyed every single one of their wines (the Vingoles still dances on my tongue).

Les Bourgeois - Les Bourgeois is one of those wineries that you can't go wrong with and their table will be one that'll be hard to leave.  Please oh please bring the Brut!

Peaceful Bend Vineyard - We don't know too many people that have met the pleasant winery owners, but we've been there numerous times and their play on the Missouri varietals is one worth enjoying.

Seven Springs Winery - Seven Springs is a beautiful place and their wine matches it splendidly.  Did I mention their Chardonel is rediculously good?

Serenity Valley Winery - The winery is absolutely gorgeous and their wines match the place beautifully.  Looking forward to another go around with their line-up.

Summit Lake - We are extremely excited about the prospects of enjoying Summit Lake again.  We were under the impression it had gone extinct.  Good news for us!

Wenwood Farm Winery - Wenwood is still on our places of need to visit, but perhaps this tasting event will compel us to make haste!

Westphalia Vineyard - Sulfite free and complex; Westphalia never fails to impress

Breweries

Horseshoe Bend Brewing Co - Excellent, small brewery near Osage Beach, swing in for a chat with the brewer and a pint of his delicious beer.

Missouri Eagle LLC

Ozark Distillery - Never been to this place, but cannot wait to try some delicious spirits!

Piney River Brew Co - We have had the chance to sample Piney's beer (try the Missouri Mule IPA) 

Springfield Brewing Co - Enjoyed some of Springfield Brewing Co's beer at a taste back in the spring and are eager to enjoy it again!

There will also be live entertainment by Shawn C so get your friends and family together for a fun evening on the lake.

For more information, check out www.lakeareachamber.com or call 573-964-1008.  Hope to see you there!