Your guide to drinking wine in and around St. Louis this summer

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The weather is finally warming and it’s time to wine and dine. From gorgeous wineries and tasting rooms in the heart of Midwest wine country to wine-centric restaurants and bars closer to the city, here are some great spots to sip some wine this year.

Augusta Winery and Sisters 
Located in the Augusta American Viticulture Area (AVA), the first AVA designated in the U.S., Augusta Winery, along with sisters Balducci Vineyards, Montelle Winery and Mount Pleasant Estates, are vital stops for the wine connoisseur and amateur alike. Each winery has its own unique style of charm – from the creature comforts of deep dish pizza and vineyard views at Balducci's to Augusta Winery's laid-back vibe and vine-covered patio. Find live music on weekends at Augusta, Balducci's, and Montelle. Take in the history at Mount Pleasant in their centuries-old hand-carved cellars and try their international award-winning ports. Need sustenance while you sip? Both Balducci's and Montelle will satisfy that hunger into the evenings on Saturdays. Wanna hit all four? Easy! We suggest hopping the Saturday trolley with stops at the wineries and downtown Augusta. 
Multiple locations in Augusta, visitaugustamo.com/wineries

Basso 
As you descend the steps, you know you have found a restaurant that will delight your senses and lift your spirits.  Basso is home to an extensive wine list that pays homage to Italy and provides a wide array of palate-pleasing varieties. Home to the best happy hour in St. Louis and nestled within The Cheshire complex, this is a stop everyone needs to make. See you downstairs.
7036 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, 314.932.7820, basso-stl.com

Copper Fire Bar & Eatery
Copper Fire has a wonderful assortment of wines to sip on, including nearly a dozen red varieties and another near dozen whites, along with a few rosés. The rest of the bar menu is quite expansive, with signature craft cocktails, plenty of beer, and one of the largest liquor selections in the metropolitan area. Don’t miss the delectable food items, like the crispy eggplant caprese stack, Buffalo chicken queso dip, an array of sandwiches and burgers, build-your-own personal pan pizzas, specialty salads, build-your-own pastas, plus entrees like chicken, steak and pork steak. Don’t miss Wine & Wing Wednesdays when  bottles are the price of two glasses with a food purchase.
200 E. Main St., Belleville, Illinois, 618.235.5010, thecopperfire.com

Defiance Ridge Vineyards
Nestled in 42 sprawling acres of vineyards, lush gardens and a tranquil lake just 30 minutes west of St. Louis in the hills of Historic Missouri Wine Country, Defiance Ridge offers vineyard-to-table cuisine, live music and succulent estate wines, as well as exclusive varietals from the West Coast. The winery is open seven days a week year-round. Looking to host your next private event? Defiance Ridge is also the perfect spot for weddings, private parties and corporate outings. The facility offers a spacious layout featuring a wide array of options for guests of all sizes. It was also a winner of The Knot’s “Best Of” Weddings Hall of Fame 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2711 S. MO. 94, Defiance, 636.798.2288, defianceridgevineyards.com

 

 

Edera Italian Eatery
At Edera Italian Eatery, you'll find an impressive list of dozens of small- production, handmade Italian wines, as well as Italian varietals from around the world. The list features crowd-friendly, modern styles of wine, with a colorful description of each provided for those who are unfamiliar. The 2017 Costanti, Brunello di Montalcino is sure to be a crowd pleaser: "powerful but elegant, great structure and perfect balance, showcasing how great Sangiovese can be." Feel free to ask one of Edera's knowledgable servers for a recommendation based on your taste and they will point you to what is sure to be your next favorite bottle. Sip in style on their stunning courtyard patio this season-you may just think you're in Italy.
48 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, 314.361.7227, ederastl.com

McKelvey Vineyards
Enjoy your stay at McKelvey Vineyards, a historic estate in Franklin County, Missouri. McKelvey Vineyards features a variety of Missouri wines as well as exclusive varietals from the West Coast, farm-to-table fare and live music every weekend. Tour the 1871 stone farmhouse, wander through the vineyards, walk the trails through 62 acres and experience breathtaking sunsets. There are also beautiful patios for all sizes of weddings and special events as well as lodging in Steeple View Manor.  Join McKelvey Vineyards for their annual artisan cheese and wine festival in New Haven from noon to 6 p.m. June 1. All cheese enthusiasts will have the opportunity to indulge in a delightful cheese-tasting event, complemented by the perfect pairing of fine McKelvey Vineyards wine, local distilleries and breweries. Explore a rich array of meticulously crafted Missouri cheese, each offering a unique taste experience. 
8901 State Hwy YY, Leslie, 573.459.6123, mckelveyvineyards.com

Porter’s Steakhouse 
Just east of St. Louis, in Collinsville, Illinois, rests an old-school American chophouse with a casually elegant dining atmosphere. Known for their famous tenderloin sandwich, Porter’s offers a wide variety of wines to pair with your meal. Recognized by Wine Spectator for providing an ample assortment of international wines, Porter’s offers a break from the common path with a casual approach.
1000 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville, Illinois, 618.345.2400, porterscollinsville.com

Robust Bistro & Wine Bar
Robust Bistro & Wine Bar is an award-winning restaurant that offers eclectic entrees, small plates, cheeses and charcuterie that can be paired with wines, craft and import beers, and handcrafted cocktails. The food menu is seasonal and uses local ingredients whenever possible. Robust offers a wide selection of wines by the glass, wine flights and full bottles. All wines are “clean,” using sustainable, biodynamic practices, with little or no preservatives; they are better for the environment and your body. Wines are listed by Robust Factor™, a user-friendly method of categorizing wines by body style profile, rather than country or region. Robust also offers a line of wellness and better-for-you-beverages, featuring cold-pressed juices and probiotic waters. Private parties, catering, retail wine and gift baskets, along with live music on the patio Tuesday through Saturday, are additional features that have made Robust Bistro a unique gem in the Webster community for more than
16 years.
227 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.963.0033, robustwinebar.com

Spencer Manor Winery
Deep in the heart of Missouri wine country, Spencer Manor Winery offers a wide array of delicious handcrafted wines, plus plenty of craft cocktails and craft beer. The full-service restaurant offers delightful bites such as elote fritters, crispy Brussels sprouts, fried gnocchi, hot honey flatbread, several sandwiches, and great desserts like bread pudding and tiramisu. Come enjoy this perfect blend of tradition and innovation on their beautiful estate, and don’t miss the large patio overlooking six sweeping acres of vineyards. Tours are available upon request.
15064 N. Hwy. 68, St. James, 573.899.8265, spencermanor.com

 

 

St. James Winery
St. James Winery was established in 1970 in the heart of the Missouri Highlands. Since then, the winery has grown to be Missouri's largest and most awarded winery, with nearly 185 acres of grape production. Visitors enjoy wine tastings, wine by the glass, and wine slushies made from the expansive wine list. The winery offers the opportunity to spend your afternoon in The Gardens at St. James, a beautifully landscaped outdoor space that is shared between the Public House Brewing Co. and the winery. The Gardens are the perfect place to gather and relax, and enjoy the locally inspired Public House menu with the best beer and wine that Missouri has to offer.
540 State Route B, St. James, 800.280.9463, stjameswinery.com

Stone Hill Winery
Established in 1847, Stone Hill Winery is dedicated to crafting world class wines and is proudly the Midwest’s highest awarded winery. Visitors experience the history of one of the nation’s oldest and most storied wineries on the free guided tour through North America’s largest cellars, taste innovative and internationally awarded wines in the tasting rooms, and take in panoramic views and food on the hillside vineyard overlooking Hermann. Pioneering the re-establishment of Midwest wine after Prohibition, Stone Hill Winery remains a family-farmed and -owned winery committed to continuing the legacy of excellence in winemaking and sustainable native grape growing.
1110 Stone Hill Hwy., Hermann, 573.486.2221, stonehillwinery.com

The Blufftop at Rocheport
Founded in 1985, the Blufftop at Rocheport is a gorgeous trailside vineyard retreat featuring three brands – Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Blufftop Cellars and Rocheport Distilling Co. – and multiple venues: The Tasting Room, The A-Frame Winegarden, The Bistro & Lounge, the Guesthouses-Founder's Point, Trailside Suites and The 1912. With a lavish estate and over 25 delectable wines, the Blufftop is a lively and picturesque place to host special events. Don’t miss the Collector's Series, an annual release of three small-batch wines featuring stunning labels with winning artwork from the Wine Label Art Competition. The Collector's Series Wine Release Party & Art Show is slated for July 13 this year.
Multiple locations in Rocheport, 800.690.1830, missouriwine.com

Noboleis Vineyards
Noboleis Vineyards is a family- and female-owned winery located in Augusta, home of the first AVA in the country. Grab a wine flight or a bottle of award-winning wine that is grown locally and produced and bottled right on their 84-acre property. Order pizzas or appetizers from the café menu or pack your own picnic basket to enjoy at your leisure. Whichever route you choose, Noboleis is there to ensure that you have the best time. The tasting room, which is open daily, has live music on the first and third Fridays and on every Saturday and Sunday during peak season. Noboleis wines can also be found all around the St. Louis area. In fact, be sure to check them out at CityPark Stadium, where Noboleis is the Official Wine Partner for St. Louis City SC.
100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, 636.482.4500, noboleisvineyards.com

Vangel’s 
Vangel’s is a concept from owner Louie Vangel, the grandson of beloved St. Louis restaurateur Charlie Gitto Sr., and a few items on the menu are ported over from the now-closed Charlie Gitto’s restaurant in downtown St. Louis. At Vangel’s, you’ll find a long yet well-curated list of wines, including some unique Italian vinos and even a few off-menu selections. Expect heavy pours for a great value, and don’t miss the yearly wine-focused events they host. Grab a bite from the Italian-inspired menu and have a glass of wine or one of their delicious cocktails on the spacious, shady patio at this
friendly neighborhood spot fit for any occasion.
10017 Manchester Road, Warson Woods, 314.698.2060, vangelsrestaurant.com

Wild Sun Winery and Brewery
A Readers' Choice Favorite Winery
In addition to award winning wines and craft beers, this beautiful 10-acre estate, 30 minutes south of St. Louis in Hillsboro, boasts magnificent trees that are hundreds of years old, majestic rolling hills, a park-like setting and an iconic historic main house originally built in 1870. Founded by co-owners Ed Wagner, an Anheuser-Busch alum, and Mark Baehmann, a renowned career winemaker, Wild Sun opened to the public in September 2015 and has become a premier destination for dry wine and craft beer enthusiasts. Choose from a variety of wines ranging from cabernet sauvignon to fan-favorite Radiance, a dry white wine similar to a Pinot Grigio. Or you can choose from one of the amazing craft beers such as the American Blonde Ale, Sky IPA or the Wild Citrus Ale, a unique, refreshingly crisp beer with hints of lemon and grapefruit. Complement your beverage choices with delicious food from the kitchen or feel free to bring your own picnic basket. Open year-round, Wild Sun features live music Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons May through October or as weather allows. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram or check out the calendar of events at wildsun.com. 
4830 Pioneer Road, Hillsboro, 636.797.8686, wildsun.com