St. James VIP Wine and Food Paring

For our final Missouri Wines Passport Program reward we were hosted at St. James Winery's Cottage. Level 3 included a private Food and Wine Pairing. We met with Calli Collier, St. James Winery's Event Coordinator at the tasting room in St. James, MO. Our group followed her into the countryside to the cottage in the middle of their vineyards. The cottage was quite quaint and inviting.  It featured a long bar, patio and swimming pool. We were greeted by our bartender, Tony and a full spread of cheeses, fruit and chocolates. The presentation was flawless.

Our tasting included: St. James Winery's Pioneer Red, Cynthiana, Pioneer White, Riesling, Blackberry, and Mango wines. Our most notable pairings where the Espresso BellaVitano cheese with the Pioneer White and the Mango wine with the fresh peaches. Calli did a nice job of walking us through the taste and giving us lots of background information on the winery. We took a walk out to look at the vines and enjoy a glass of wine. It was a perfect day to be among the vines enjoying great wines and fun conversation. 

 

Calli offered to give us a tour of the cellars back at the tasting room which we eagerly accepted. We have been to the tasting room many times but have never had time to take a tour. We were able to see lots of barrels and fermenting tanks which was impressive. This is by far the largest winery that we've ever toured, and the amount of wine they produce is breathtaking. 

We had a fabulous time at our food and wine pairing and our tour of the winery. St. James offered us some top-notch hospitality. Later that evening, we attended St. James Movie in the Vineyard event. It was a bit chilly but the food from CrepEscape was fabulous, the movie was a classic (Casablanca), and the wine was flowing (we were enjoying the Pioneer Red)! Overall, our day at St. James was very unforgettable. We are sad that all of our Missouri Wine Passport Rewards have been used up, but we are hopeful that a new program will be introduced soon. Until then, we'll continue to explore Missouri Wine Country on our own! 

See all of the photos from our day at St. James Winery here. 

Missouri Wines Century Club Dinner

We did it! One-Hundred Missouri wineries visited in 2013. We cannot lie, we are very proud of ourselves. It was by far one of the most enjoyable yet challenging goals we have ever accomplished. The Level 4 prize for the Missouri Wines Passport Program was an exclusive dinner for all of the participants who made it to at least 100 wineries. This Century Club Dinner took place May 31st at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia, MO. The event was superb!

The evening started with a cocktail hour in the lobby of the theatre. We had a large selection of familiar Missouri wines to choose from and delightful appetizers to snack on as we mingled with the other Missouri wine lovers. We ran into some familiar faces including  Kraig and Becky Keesaman, owners/winemakers of Windy Winy Company, and Jacob Holman, head winemaker at Les Bourgeois Vineyards. We made the acquaintance of a couple fellow Missouri Wines Passport conquerers, Brandon and Erin Wisemore. They reside on the West side of the state, so it was interesting discussing their thoughts on our local wine trails and vice versa. It was also great being able to chat about wineries with people who have been to as many as you. The level of passion for Missouri wines was extremely high in the room, and we knew the night was off to a great start.

The dinner was served on the stage of the theatre with Missouri winery owners or makers placed at each table. We had the honor of having Tony and Cindy Kooyumjian, owners/winemakers of Montelle and Augusta Wineries at our table. It's always a pleasure getting to converse with some of our favorite winery owners. We were served a stellar three course meal with each dish paired with a Missouri wine. We started with a salad made of baby greens and lollo rosso laced with a Les Bourgeois Vineyard sparkling wine vinaigrette served next to a fried Goats Beard cheese that gave the salad great texture and added tremendous flavor. The first course was served along side Montelle Winery's 2012 Seyval Blanc. Secondly we were poured a Chambourcin from Stonehaus Farms Winery and served a pan-fried Missouri pork tenderloin with stone ground grits and Adam Puchta Signature Port balsamic reduction. The last course was St. James Winery "Norton 42" braised Missouri beef shorts ribs with mashed yukon potatoes paired with the St. James 2012 Norton 42. This was by far the most "Missouri Wines" of a meal you could ever imagine, and it was delicious!

After dinner, the 19 Century Club members were honored with awards, and we heard speeches from influential people in the Missouri Wines industry including Dr. Peter Hofherr and Glenn Bardgett. The dessert course was served on the roof of the theatre and included lavender creme bruleé, Belgium chocolate Chambord tortes, raspberry macaroons, and opera cakes. There was a plethora of Missouri Wines such as the Adam Puchta's Signature Port, OakGlenn Winery's White Port, Montelle Winery's 2012 Vidal Icewine, Stone Hill Winery's Cream Sherry,  and Windy Wine Company's White Chocolate Strawberry and Raspberry wines. The entire evening was perfect and more than we ever expected. It was an amazing journey, and we are somewhat sad that it's over. 

We would like to thank and give a few shout outs to people and wineries who helped make this event possible. Biggest thank you to Danene Beedle and Christa Holtzclaw from Missouri Wines for all their help with the Passport Program and for throwing the Century Club Dinner as well as everyone on the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. Thank you to the wineries who sponsored the event and served their delicious wines: Stone Hill Winery, Augusta Winery, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Stonehaus Farms Vineyard and Winery, Montelle Winery, St. James Winery, Adam Puchta Winery, Chaumette Vineyard and Winery, Wenwood Winery, Baltimore Bend Vineyard, Noboleis Vineyards, Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard, Meramec Vineyards, OakGlen Vineyards and Winery, Windy Wine Company, and Bommarito Almond Tree Winery. And of course EVERY winery we visited last year! We couldn't have done it without you, and we hope to visit again soon!

The sweet swag bag we got at the end of the night! 

Chandler Hill VIP Tasting and Tour

We took advantage of our first Missouri Wines passport program reward this month with some friends at Chandler Hill Vineyards.  The Level 2 prize for visiting 30 wineries last year included a VIP wine taste and tour for up to eight people.  We chose Chandler Hill Vineyards because they have a large variety of wines to sample and was within a close vicinity to where we reside.

We didn't know what we would experience, but all of our expectations were blown out of the water when we were greeted with a private seating section and a glass of sparkling wine.  The next thing that surprised us was the amount of food that they served with the taste.  From gourmet cheeses to bbq pulled pork sandwiches as well as an assortment of cheesecake, it truly was a feast fit for kings.  

Our hostess customized our wine tasting based on the overall palette of the group, which was dry to sweet Missouri whites.  The favorite of the group was most definitely the dry Vignoles that was poured first, though the Cold Spring Rosé came in at a close second.  We were served five generous tastings, in addition to our sparkling wine starter, which paired splendidly with the canapé.  

Following our exquisite wine tasting, we were hosted to a winery tour by the CEO, Chuck Gillentine.  It wasn't a far journey, just downstairs to the cellar under their tasting bar.  Chuck explained what wines they produced on-site and the process they utilize.  For our last taste we opted for a barrel sampling during the tour.  The wine of choice was our favorite Missouri red, the Chambourcin.  It was delightfully smooth yet still had potential given more time in the cellar.  The taste and tour were an enlightening glimpse at the inner workings of this winery.

Overall, we could not have been more pleased with our choice of Chandler Hill for our VIP Taste and Tour. The service was impeccable, the food was well paired, and the wine was superb.  Visiting 30 wineries wasn't easy, and this award felt well deserved.  We look forward to our Level 3 reward of a Food and Wine pairing which we chose St. James to host coming up in May, stay tuned.

Our Top 10 of 2013

What a crazy year we ended up with!  We made it to our goal of 100 wineries in 1 year and what a sigh of relief when we finished.  It was the experience of a lifetime to visit the wineries we did, try the wine that we sipped, and speak with the people we spoke with.

Here is the list of our Top 10 wineries that we visited in 2013.

Bommarito Estate Almond Tree Winery

We weren't sure what to expect when we pulled into the small parking lot hugged by vines, but Bommarito Winery surprised us with its cozy warmth, friendly service, and tasty Norton.  Cathy Bommarito-Manley has done an amazing job with creating wines that please all palates and helped capture our first 'ahhh' moment with her Norton. This boutique winery may be small, but its wines left a big impact.

Apple Creek Winery

One of the more recent wineries to open in the state, Apple Creek Winery has shown that it can compete with the best and most mature wineries around.  Pulling up to the winery you find yourself surrounded by the vines, further back, the tasting room is nestled next to a creek, surrounded by trees.  Though the day we visited was slightly chilly, the fire place was going on inside and the live music was still playing.  Matthew Gamel gave us the rundown of the wines offered and how the place came to be.  Needless to say this will be a regular stop for us from now on, especially to indulge on the Seyval Blanc and a slice of their 'famous' pizza.

Bushwacker Bend Winery

The drive North from Booneville is well worth the beauty of the country-side, but knowing their is a winery in Glasgow makes it all the more enjoyable.  Gene Marksbury, wine maker and owner, took us on a tour not just of his wines, but his facility as well.  Parked in a historical building within the heart of downtown Glasgow, Gene took every precaution to keep the historicity of the building intact.  The cellar was an excellent experience and a site to behold, especially when paired with Bushwacker Bend's Chardonel!  After the tour, Davina and I sipped on the rest of it on the patio overlooking the up close and personal, Missouri River.  Take a drive north as soon as possible!

St. James Winery

It is hard to make a list of the best wineries in Missouri without acknowledging the one that is creating a hype across the country for Missouri wine!  St. James has a strong list of delicious wines and produce not only Missouri varieties, but go beyond that to provide a plethora of others made from numerous fruits and other varietals from around the world.  St. James Winery leads the state in its ability to meet consumer demands with its high quality product, while at the same time offering visitors to the winery in depth knowledge of the wine making process, friendliness, and a look into their facility. We do wish they had a setting more conducive to enjoying the wines at the actual facility, but the availability of their wines is such that you can enjoy them pretty much anywhere!

Ladoga Ridge Winery

Tip-toe away from Kansas City, just to the north, and you find a treasure of a winery.  Ladoga Ridge Winery welcomes you with their custom door to the wonderful world of wine that Galen and Leinda Haddock have created.  Experience their quaint tasting room with views of their wine-making facility.  Make your way out the back to the best sunset you'll see in the state, Ladoga Ridge Winery has the oenophile drooling.  Their taste offers some of the best samples of wine that express each varietals' potential. Galen seems to do it so effortlessly, sharing with us that it is "a non-stop battle, BUT with great rewards."  Well, it is paying off for the Haddock's because their winery is one of our favorites.

Augusta Winery

A particular favorite of ours, Augusta Winery is within the range of our own stomping ground and thus has the opportunity to be graced with our presence at least once a month.  Bragging rights are allowed as well for their "Terroir Award" an award that goes to the winery that displays the best regional character in its wines from the 2013 Riverside International Wine Competition.  Truth be told, Augusta Winery in fact displays a rich assortment of varieties, but our true pleasure comes from sampling their Icewine.  Normally, we are not a huge fan of Icewine, but Augusta aims to please with it and we aren't complaining.  For an old world take on new world varietals, do not miss the opportunity to try wine from Augusta Winery.

Röbller Vineyard and Winery 

Little known fact about Röbller Vineyard and Winery...their tasting room is situated on top of their rustic wine cellar. We just recently got a private tour of this cellar where all of their wine is produced. Robert and Lois Mueller have always shown us great hospitality and enjoy sharing stories of their travels to Germany and their son's Air Force experiences. They are also fabulous winemakers! Our favorites include their Seyval, St. Vincent, and Vignoles. Enjoy their top-notch wines on their deck and take in the stunning view of their vineyards.

Jowler Creek Winery

Last year was our first visit to Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery, and it will not be our last! Located just 30 miles North of downtown Kansas City, you'll come across the green winery and sustainable vineyard of Jowler Creek. Jason and Colleen's philosophy focuses on quality, not quantity. Their tasting room is situated on a lovely piece of countryside where you can see the chicken and sheep handling the weed control in the vineyards. We really loved the theme they went with for their marketing. They have a "critter" to represent each bottle, and Michael even got himself a t-shirt to represent the brand back home. When you visit, be sure to sample the Nort and stock up on a case to get you through the winter.

Blumenhof Winery

We are lucky enough to have Bluemhof Winery less than 40 minutes from our house. We always tell people that this is the winery you want to go to if you're a fan of Missouri Whites. All of their wines are superb, but their whites are all flawless. If we had to narrow it down to our top three, we would have to say Vignoles, La Charrette, and the best, Valvin Muscat. Visiting this winery is like taking a mini vacation to Germany with the German-style wines to the quaint coco-clock styled building. They have a large patio with lots of picnic benches and umbrellas for you to enjoy the snacks you bring or buy a brat from the food stand while you take in the live music. This winery embodies the essence of what a Missouri winery should be... great wine, good atmosphere, welcoming staff.

West Winery

We came across this gem on our way home from Kirksville. We never knew Macon, Missouri would be the home of one of Missouri's best wineries. Downtown you'll find an 1880's building housing this urban winery. You may be in the middle of the state, but this winery could fit in on Washington Ave. in St. Louis or on The Plaza in Kansas City. Modern and sleek with a highly-knowledgeable staff, West Winery is an experience every Missouri wine lover should try.  They produce the wine in the back of their building, and we were lucky enough to meet the owner, Chris West, and do some barrel sampling. We were most impressed with their red wines, but enjoyed everything we sampled. This winery really broke the mold and serves an impressive product.  One word describes the wines we were privileged enough to indulge, Chambourcin!

Valentine with Wine

Not sure what to do this Valentine's Day? Well, I've come up with the perfect V-Day for the wine lover in your life. All you need is some Missouri wines, a little prep time, and someone to share it with.

Step One: The Gift

Sure, you can't go wrong with flowers, but how about kicking it up a notch this year. Corks are all the rave. People are using them in furniture, decor, and much more. This V-Day give your special someone something unique from Etsy. I suggest some cork jewelry. You can purchase this Wine Cork Necklace (Bluebirds-up-cycled silver by Uncorked) and customize the charm with a bee, butterfly, or flower. This gift is precious, personalized, and helping to support small business owners. What's not to love? Or go with the Cork Cufflinks which are my favorite! They are truly unique and super  trendy!

 

Step 2: Cocktails

I know what you're thinking? Aren't we drinking wine? Of course, silly, but we are spicing things up this Valentine's Day. Style Me Pretty's Leah Bergman has come up with the perfect drink to show you love someone...Cherubs Cup Cocktail. And don't worry, it has wine in it!

Ingredients

• 1 part St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 2 parts vodka or Gin
• 3/4 part fresh lemon juice
• 1 part muddled strawberry
• Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine

For your Brut Sparkling Wine, I suggest using Les Bourgeois's Brut. It's not a rosé, but it's my favorite. You could also considering using one of Crown Valley's sparkling wines. If you're looking to make the cocktail even sweeter, I would use their Pink Sparkling Muscato, or change up the flavor all together with the Chardonel Brut. Find the instructions here and ENJOY!

 

Step 3: Dinner

It's time to really impress your date! Challenge your cooking skills and step out of the comfort zone. I have two options, both include wine. 

Tune au Poivre with Red Wine Sauce. 

This recipe calls for red wine. I would suggest Robller Vineyard & Winery's oak-aged, dry 2009 Chambourcin or Ladoga Ridge Winery's Galen's Red (Chambourcin). Don't forget to garnish your plates and break out the fancy China. 

Mustard and White Wine Braised Chicken.

You'll need a dry white wine for this recipe. My suggestions are Stone Hill's 2012 Vidal Blanc or Bushwhacker Bend Winery's Chardonel. This French dish will surly impress your date!

Step 4: Dessert

As the evening winds down, you have one more chance to pull out all the stops. I really like this dessert because it's fun and kind of sexy (if you want it to be). You'll need to prepare these Wine Gummies at least 2-3 hours before you plan on eating them, and you can use any kind of wine you want. Of course, if you want them red like hearts, you'll need a red wine. I can't think of a more perfect wine for this treat than St. James Winery's Red Velvet!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Hunt for Pumpkin

I do consider myself a connoisseur of pumpkin beers from the various microbreweries here in Missouri, but pumpkin wine...now that is something you have to hunt for.

Why is it that a state that is perfectly capable of producing pumpkins on a wide scale has yet to produce a popular pumpkin wine?  Perhaps it is the amount of change one must do to the pumpkin with regards to additives to get the yeast really pump(k)in'.  It's really hard to imagine why though a winery wouldn't at least try a seasonal wine such as this.

It already is a norm for a winery to go as far as to add spices to their wines during the holiday season.  This addition of what most wineries refer to as "mulled spices" can be pleasant, but for me can be  overwhelming and sometimes barely tolerable for more than a taste (in my opinion).  Though I will say we have had a few mulled wines that were palatable for at least a glass (Blumenhof is our favorite), however, I do not recall ever finishing a mulled wine bottle of any kind.  Endless Summer Winery in Hermann has posted they'll have a mulled Apple Wine (while supplies last) and they also have a Pecan Wine that is "fallish".

Some wineries do have seasonal wines that they carry, and that are primarily purchased during the fall and winter seasons.  St. James Winery for example carries a fall seasonal, their Cranberry Wine.   Also, Sainte Genevieve Winery has their Christmas Plum Wine that is made from fresh plums and is only available from November to December (though I have seen it lurking around a little before and a little after at times).  The Campfire Mead from Windy Wine Co. is also one that could be enjoyed in the fall and winter.

So far, we've only heard of a few wineries in Missouri that have attempted pumpkin in wine and that is Hemman Winery & Windy Wine Co., 7Cs Winery, and Wenwood Farm Winery's "Pumpkin Pie" that  I hope we have the opportunity to taste theirs before they run out of this seasonal rarity.