St. Louis wine country

I know what you're thinking…nothing can surpass what I've heard about Tuscany or Sonoma. Well, for those of us in the Midwest, Highway 94 is dotted with many lovely wineries, many of which rival the West Coast experience in our opinion!

What do you visualize when you think of a day at the wineries? The wind blows the grass, a collection of delicate meat and cheeses in front of you, laughing with friends, and live music in the background. Maybe even some wide-brimmed hats or cowboy boots? I envision the sun wrapping around my back, deep comforting conversations, and a satisfied tummy with the sweet taste of wine still on my lips. My two favorite wineries are largely cherished in my heart because they, every time, set up the scene for a good and memorable day at the wineries.

Balducci- "The Orange Castle"

The Hoffman family, who has purchased a few wineries in the Augusta area, have obtained Balducci Vineyards and transformed the humble, family-owned company into an impressive indoor AND outdoor space. They make their own wine from Missouri grapes, and their restaurant features some of the Balducci families' signature dishes - including the best deep-dish pizza I have ever had. And yes, I've been to Chicago! The open-air barn houses the wine tasting where we meet with our host, the lovely Anne. Anne explained that the quirky, hand, painted wooden art behind her was actually the table tops from the Balducci's Italian restaurant that they owned for over 40 years! Anne provided thoughtful guidance for our wine tasting based on our taste preferences, as well as encouraging us to try some new wine varietals outside of our personal norm. We loved the unique white wine and brandy blend that was one of their Fall specials. Every weekend, a few of their wines go on special for $10! And the deep dish pepperoni pizza is a MUST. Listen, I am not a huge fan of sweet red sauces, but the way they dress the chunky red sauce on this pizza brings out the sweetness in the tomatoes leaving you with a pleasantly less acidic aftertaste.

Defiance Ridge- "The Friendly Garden"

My family has been going to this winery for a Sunday drive lunch stop for years! This is one of the first obvious wineries you encounter along highway 94, and the windy driveway and nearby grapevines always create excitement in my heart! The indoor tasting room is full of friendly faces to help you find a Missouri wine of your choice, or they have some select West Coast wines from which to choose. A former plant nursery, Defiance Ridge Vineyards is a fairly casual winery which invites locals, city folk, family, and old friends to sit and enjoy overlooking the vineyards outside, or there is also an inside patio. Being a former nursery, there are flowers and plants everywhere, and even a small pond with swans near the parking area. The full food menu (not just snacks) and the expansive wine list (including wine slushies!) cater to all kinds of palates. The sandwiches are extra generous, and a couple of my favorites are the Turkey Club with thick bacon and Pesto Aioli and the Grapevine Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Grapes. With a stage at the end of the large patio, the walkways are filled with live music pretty much every weekend. This family backyard environment is always an enjoyable day!