Explore Missouri's Thriving Wine Country Along the Katy Trail
Exploring Missouri wine country is a cinch on the Katy Trail, a 240-mile state park that reaches across most of the state. It’s built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad – hence the name. Thanks to Missouri’s German immigrant communities, this section was also once the second-largest wine producing region in America. Prohibition temporarily severed the industry, but revival efforts in the 1960s eventually restored winemaking in towns across Missouri. The leg between Rocheport and Defiance might be the most scenic stretch of wine country in the state, and there’s no better way to see it than by biking the Katy.
It’s a route rich with viticultural history, limestone bluffs and tranquil river views. (Heads-up, history buffs: The trail often follows the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 1800s.) The Katy’s flat, hard surface makes for easy cycling, and it’s open year-round, dawn to dusk. With 18 wineries and vineyards located five miles or less from the trail, this is a perfect weekend outing for both sweet- and dry-wine enthusiasts.
Need we say more? Hop on the trail, follow our guide and sip away. –Rose Hansen
Must Try: Sweet lemon-pecan-walnut linguine
Highlights: Eat fresh and local at Abigail’s, where the menu changes based on seasonal produce and the cuts of meat available. Menu items range from Thai watermelon soup to lamb chops with spiced plum sauce to spinach-artichoke ravioli. Diners can always expect beef, pork, seafood and pasta entrées, plus rotating offerings of lamb, duck or veal. For dessert, try a slice of the chocolate-cinnamon-chile cake. Or gooey butter. Or chocolate-raspberry pie. Planning on biking the whole Katy? Well, that justifies a slice of everything.
Abigail's, 206 Central St., Rocheport, Missouri, 573.698.3000, rocheport-mo.com/abigails.html
History: Curtis Bourgeois started making wine in his home in 1982 before opening it as the winery’s A-frame tasting room in 1985.
Must-Try Wines: 2014 Merlot, 2015 Brut Rosé and 2015 Vignoles
Highlights: After a tour and tasting, dine at the on-site Blufftop Bistro, which dishes up gourmet meals with seasonal vegetables from the vineyard’s greenhouse. Les Bourgeois also offers cocktails and beer thanks to a partnership with Rocheport Distilling Co. and Broadway Brewery. Finish your visit with a drink on the original A-frame’s terrace and enjoy views of the Missouri River below. Sample the latest of the Collector’s Series wines during the July 15 Release Party and Art Show, or kick off the harvest season at the annual fall Crush Festival October 7 to 8.
Les Bourgeois Vineyards, 14020 W. Hwy. BB, Rocheport, Missouri (tasting room), 573.698.2716, missouriwine.com
Rundown: Much of the Katy Trail overlaps with the same route Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled on their westward expedition. On June 5, 1804, Clark made an entry in his Corps of Discovery journal describing a “figue” on the rocks above the Missouri River. Four miles outside of Rocheport, those same rock carvings await visitors today just off mile marker 174.4. With a bit of patience, you should be able to spot them from across the river. They hover near a cave and above a rock ledge frequented by birds.
Native American Petroglyphs, Missouri River buffs, mile marker 174.4, Huntsdale, Missouri
Must Try: Black walnut ice cream
Highlights: For a taste of life from simpler days, stop by one of Missouri’s oldest ice cream parlors. Central Dairy has used the same ingredients and formulas since 1920. You’ll feel like a kid again at this nostalgic creamery, which serves up huge scoops for just $2. Although Central Dairy is best known for ice cream, the shop also sells sherbet, frozen yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and milk. (Photo by Travis Duncan)
Central Dairy, 610 Madison St., Jefferson City, Missouri, 573.635.6148, centraldairy.biz
Rundown: Ready for a serious dose of state history? Tour the historic Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, which opened in 1836 and closed down in 2004. Tours explore the dungeons, housing areas and gas chambers, plus you’ll learn about the prison’s most famous inmates and executions. For the best shot at seeing a ghost, sign up for an overnight investigation. Most of the guides are former employees of the prison, and, if you’re lucky, you might even book a warden.
Missouri State Penitentiary, 115 Lafayette St., Jefferson City, Missouri, missouripentours.com
History: D.J. Drury reopened the former Summit Lake Winery as the Canterbury Hill Winery in 2013. Now it’s a medieval-themed locale that promises guests the royal treatment.
Must-Try Wines: Blue Mist sweet white and King’s Choice semisweet
Highlights: The winery plays up its medieval theme with castle-inspired décor and wines with names such as Excalibur and Medieval Mist. Canterbury’s famous Red Dragon and Blue Dragon wine slushies grant cool relief on hot summer days. The tasting room and dining room share the same space, so ordering food is a breeze. Options range from snacks, sandwiches and burgers to steaks and seafood, including pork belly nachos and king crab legs. An outdoor patio offers sprawling views of the state Capitol and Missouri River.
Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant, 1707 S. Summit Drive, Holts Summit, Missouri, 573.896.9966, canterburyhill.com
History: Gary Hoover has been both a dairy farmer and a professional chef, and for years he also made wine as a hobby. In 2011, he turned that passion into his profession by opening Endless Summer Winery.
Must-Try Wines: Pecan wine and semisweet pineapple wine
Highlights: This cozy hidden gem aims to push your palate into the world of unconventional wines. Here, you’ll find wines made from raspberries, strawberries, cherries and more. During a free tasting, ask the Hoovers for recipe advice about how to cook with their fruit wines.
Endless Summer Winery, 11 Grosse Lane, Hermann, Missouri, 573.252.2000, endlesssummerwinery.com
Rundown: This historic stop in Hermann is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Missouri’s 19th-century German immigrants, many of whom developed the local wine industry in the region. An onsite winery contains one of the last remaining German-carved wine casks in the country, and a century-old grape arbor still thrives in the backyard. The guided tour will lead you through private houses dating back to the 1840s, demonstration gardens that showcase heirloom vegetables, and a gift shop full of unusual delights like springerle cookie molds or imported German pop-up cards.
Deutschheim State Historic Site, 109 W. Second St., Hermann, Missouri, 573.486.2200, mostateparks.com/park/deutschheim-state-historic-site
Must Try: Lobster and shrimp fettuccine
Highlights: Load up carbs for your ride on the Katy at downtown Hermann’s Black Walnut Bistro. Chef specialties include fresh housemade pastas such as chicken Florentine and gluten-free fusilli, plus steak and seafood pastas. There’s also no mystery for pairing wine with your meal: Every menu item features a recommendation, and many are local favorites from Stone Hill Winery, Adam Puchta Winery and Hermannhof Winery.
Black Walnut Bistro, 222 E. First St., Hermann, Missouri, 573.586.3298, facebook.com/blackwalnutbistro
History: This vineyard’s stone cellars and brick buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Initially designed primarily as a brewery in 1848, Hermannhof currently produces some 15,000 cases of wine each year.
Must-Try Wines: 2013 Vignoles; 2012 Chambourcin Vin Gris, a dry rosé; and White Lady, a Riesling-style white blend
Highlights: Step back in time for a tour of historic Hermannhof Winery. Its stately brick tasting room and 10 carved stone cellars below more than justify the stop. An on-site store offers a variety of cheeses and German sausages. Snack and sip wine on the outdoor patio above Frene Creek or, if the day is cool, cozy up next to a crackling fire in the winery’s weinstube, or tasting room.
Hermannhof Winery, 330 E. First St., Hermann, Missouri, 800.393.0100, hermannhof.com
History: George Husmann, an internationally renowned horticulturist, first planted grapes on this property in the mid-1800s. Five rows of his original vines are still tended today by owners Glenn and Carol Warnebold.
Must-Try Wines: Sweet Caroline, a sweet sparkling rosé
Highlights: A bustling live music calendar makes OakGlenn one of the liveliest wineries on the Missouri River bluffs. An enormous outdoor seating area boasts great views of the vineyard and the river below. Don’t miss the five-mile Bagel and Beer Cross-Country Race on Aug. 5.
OakGlenn Winery, 1104 Oak Glenn Place, Hermann, Missouri, 573.486.5057, oakglenn.com
History: Established in 1855 by Adam Puchta, the winery has the unique claim of being the oldest continuously owned family winery in the nation – it’s been owned by the same family for five generations. Puchta’s great-great-grandson, Tim, continues the tradition today.
Must-Try Wines: 2009 Estate Norton, Signature Port and Hunter’s Red, a Norton-Chambourcin-Noiret blend
Highlights: The tasting room walls are lined with portraits of the Puchta family’s generations of winemakers. Sip wine under their gaze, or enjoy a picnic outside in the shade. During Hermann’s annual Wurstfest Weekend in March, taste the old country with traditional German fare such as local sausages and spätzle, plus Puchta wine pairings. Need a place to rest your head? Book a stay in Adam Puchta’s original homestead, the Guesthaus.
Adam Puchta Winery, 1947 Frene Creek Road, Hermann, Missouri, 573.486.5596, adampuchtawine.com
History: Originally founded in 1847, Stone Hill was revived by Betty and Jim Held in 1965. Today Stone Hill lays claim to being Missouri’s oldest and most-awarded winery.
Must-Try Wines: 2012 Governor’s Reserve Holden Vineyard Norton
and 2014 Vidal Blanc
Highlights: Grab lunch or dinner at Stone Hill’s on-site The Vintage Restaurant, where classic German fare is blended with modern American favorites. Be sure to research upcoming events at the winery, as Stone Hill frequently hosts celebrations with live music and food pairings. The winery also hosts signature events throughout the year, including Maifest from May 20 and 21, the Wine Country Shrimp Boil on June 24 and Cajun Concert on July 8.
Stone Hill Winery, 1110 Stone Hill Hwy., Hermann, Missouri, 573.486.2221, stonehillwinery.com
History: Brothers Tom and Steve Frichtel spent nearly a decade growing grapes for other winemakers at Lost Creek Vineyard before finally opening to the public in 2011.
Must-Try Wines: Proprietor’s Choice, a dry Noiret-Norton blend, and Whistle Stop White, a Chardonel-Seyval Blanc blend
Highlights: Lost Creek is an apt name for this quaint winery on the outskirts of Warren County. A farmhouse acts as the tasting room, and its wraparound porch offers stunning views of the family’s nearly 12-acre vineyard. Weather permitting, hitch a seat on a wagon ride through the vineyards or, during the summer when the winery is open late, down to the river to view the bluffs and watch the sun sink. In October, ask about the “pumpkin chucking” into the winery pond.
Lost Creek Vineyard, 21356 Gore Road, Marthasville, Missouri, 636.932.4142, lostcreekvineyardmo.com
Must Try: Frog legs
Highlights: Need a break from wine tasting? Hit the historic Treloar Bar & Grill in Marthasville for a cold beer. It’s a bit of a dive, but that’s part of its charm. The burgers are as big as your head, and the vibe is so welcoming that you’re just as likely to mingle with fellow pedal pushers as you are with leather-clad throttle twisters.
Treloar Bar & Grill, 16698 Texas St., Marthasville, Missouri, 636.932.4220, treloarbarandgrill.com
History: Blumenhof Vineyards was established in 1979 in the historic village of Dutzow, one of Missouri’s oldest German settlements.
Must-Try Wines: 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 Valvin Muscat and Katy’s Blush
Highlights: With a modest tasting room and wine list, Blumenhof favors quality over quantity. Tastings are free, and visitors are welcome to bring their own food, although Dogtown Pizza pies are available year-round. On the weekends from May through October, the on-site Brathaus Grill sells sandwiches and sides, including bratwurst and German potato salad.
Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery, 13699 S. Hwy. 94, Dutzow, Missouri, 636.433.2245, blumenhof.com
History: Balducci Vineyards was established in 1987 by Rick and Carol Balducci, St. Louis natives with deep Italian roots and a long family history in winemaking.
Must-Try Wines: Fortified Time Signature, a Norton-Chambourcin blend fortified with brandy, 2016 Natalia, a Vidal Blanc-Vignoles blend and 2016 Dry Rosé
Highlights: Covered outdoor seating, two bocce ball courts and live music every weekend April through October (and often in November) makes Balducci Vineyards a fun stop for large groups. Fans rave about the baked Brie appetizer and pizzas, although patrons are welcome to bring their own cold food, too.
Balducci Vineyards, 6601 S. Hwy. 94, Augusta, Missouri, 636.482.8466, balduccivineyards.com
History: Founded in 1859 by German immigrants Friedrich and George Muench, Mount Pleasant is the oldest winery in Augusta. It was forced to close during Prohibition; Lucian and Eva Dressel reopened the winery in 1966.
Must-Try Wines: Vignoles Augusta and Norton Augusta
Highlights: Visitors will find plenty of elbow room in Mount Pleasant’s 4,000-square-foot tasting room. Choose your vintage, buy cheese and crackers for lunch from the on-site café and take in the views of the lush Missouri River Valley from the terrace.
Mount Pleasant Winery, 5634 High St., Augusta, Missouri, 636. 482.9463, mountpleasant.com
History: A working farm found a second life when Robert and Lou Ann Nolan bought the property and planted a vineyard in 2005.
Must-Try Wines: 2015 Norton, 2016 Dry Rosé and 2016 Noblevescent, a sparkling made with Vignoles that’s available in early summer
Highlights: Perched on a hilltop, Noboleis offers a tranquil refuge. The tasting room is open year-round and offers lunch daily. We like the idea of a warm Bavarian pretzel, but vegetarian and meat pizzas are also on the menu. Enjoy your meal with a glass of wine on the large patio, where you can take in verdant views. Noboleis hosts live music every weekend from May through October.
Noboleis Vineyards, 100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, Missouri, 636.482.4500, noboleisvineyards.com
History: Third-generation grape grower Tony Kooyumjian founded Augusta Winery in 1988. The self-taught winemaker has earned numerous awards and also owns the nearby Montelle Winery.
Must-Try Wines: 2014 Norton, 2014 Chambourcin and 2015 Vidal, a dry white wine
Highlights: This destination winery offers live music on the weekends, wine courses, a gift shop and a variety of packaged cheeses, sausages and crackers. After sampling the award-winning wines, take a bottle onto the outdoor terrace, which features a stunning 10-foot-tall grape arbor. It’s the perfect setting for enjoying a snack with a glass of wine. What better place to sit and sip than in the dappled shade of grapevines?
Augusta Winery, 5601 High St., Augusta, Missouri, 636.228.4301, augustawinery.com
History: The winery was founded in 1970 by Clayton Byers, an early revivalist of Missouri’s wine industry after Prohibition. Today it’s owned by Tony Kooyumjian, also of Augusta Winery.
Must-Try Wines: 2016 Seyval Blanc, 2014 Norton and 2015 Chardonel
Highlights: Montelle’s priorities include pairing wine with food, and its Klondike Café serves food designed to complement its wines. Enjoy it all on the scenic deck, which is nestled into the forest’s edge and offers views of the Missouri River Valley. Don’t miss the sunset dinner series on Friday and Saturday evenings, from May through September.
Montelle Winery, 201 Montelle Drive, Augusta, montelle.com
Must Try: Quiche of the day
Highlights: Sober up with a coffee at Kate’s in Augusta after a long day on the trail. Located in a restored 1905 home, Kate’s brims with small-town charm. Cyclists rave about the coffee shop’s buttery from-scratch pecan mini-muffins. If it’s hot out, opt for a scoop of hand-dipped ice cream and savor it under an umbrella on the patio. This little hidden gem is perched at the top of a hill, but it’s well worth the climb.
Kate’s Coffee House, 5525 Walnut St., Augusta, Missouri, 636.482.4022, facebook.com/kates-coffee-house-664960516905291
History: The property was originally purchased with the help of animal skins and pelts in 1805. Although much more refined today, it remains a historical anchor in St. Charles.
Must-Try Wines: Vignoles and Norton
Highlights: The winery is tucked among the quaint shops and cobblestone streets of historic downtown St. Charles. The restaurant serves a little bit of everything – from breakfast omelets to Boursin cheeseburgers to lobster mac ‘n’ cheese boule – with dishes designed to complement the wines. Be sure to hit the gift shop before you leave: Whimsical bottle holders make a cute memento from the trail.
Little Hills Winery, 501 S. Main St., St. Charles, Missouri, 636.946.9339, littlehillswinery.com
History: Dale Rollings decided to make the leap from “basement winemaker” to professional vintner with the opening of Yellow Farmhouse Vineyard & Winery in Defiance. He planted vines in 2005 and opened in fall 2007.
Must-Try Wines: 2012 Biker Bar Red, a Norton, and 2012 Defiance Station Traminette
Highlights: Just 75 feet from the Katy’s center line, Yellow Farmhouse is the closest winery to the trail. Friday Night at the Movies events are hosted one Friday a month, from May through October. On weekends, pack a lunch and rock out to live music. For more privacy, Adirondack chairs nestled into the hillside offer views of the namesake yellow farmhouse and its surrounding vineyards.
Yellow Farmhouse Vineyard & Winery, 100 Defiance Road, Defiance, Missouri, 314.409.6139, yellowfarmhousewines.com
History: The vineyard is named after Joseph Chandler, a freed slave who planted grapes on the property in the late 1800s and purchased acres there after the turn of the century. Today, the winery and tasting room stand on the site of Chandler’s original cabin.
Must-Try Wines: 2014 Savage Norton and 2015 Grey House Vignoles
Highlights: For wine with a story, Chandler Hill is a must-visit. Every wine name nods to the property’s history, and displays in the tasting room showcase Joseph Chandler’s shotgun, tools and other belongings. The 5,000-square-foot deck is a great place to relax, but the beautiful grounds beg to be strolled, too. If biking the Katy didn’t get your buns burning, sign up for Yoga at the Vineyard on Sundays. The post-cooldown sipping session is a great motivator.
Chandler Hill Vineyards, 596 Defiance Road, Defiance, Missouri, 636.798.2675, chandlerhillvineyards.com
History: Ken and Becky Miller reopened the former Boone Country Winery as Sugar Creek Winery in 1994. Their son, Chris Lorch, is head winemaker.
Must-Try Wines: 2016 Boone Country White, a semisweet Delaware-Chardonel blend and Michael’s Signature Red, a dry Cynthiana-Chambourcin blend
Highlights: The Millers converted the farm’s original house into a tasting room for their wines. A gazebo, covered decks, pavilions and indoor seating with fireplaces promise a down-to-earth vibe. Check out live music at Sugar Creek from 1 to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, from April through early November.
Sugar Creek Winery, 125 Boone Country Lane, Defiance, Missouri, 636.987.2400, sugarcreekwines.com
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Gather ‘round at Katfish Katy’s to get a taste of fresh food and music.
The new, larger location also features a patio and bike parking.
