Despite the heat, Labor Day is the symbolic end of summer and the return of fall. Â For me, the fall is one of the more glorious seasons in our area, as the temps get cooler and the leaves change. It’s also my favorite time of the year to visit our region’s wineries.
In Missouri, the wine community has been growing yearly as more locals not only discover the beauty of the area but that our wineries do make some real quality product and with more than 130 wineries to visit throughout the state, there are countless unique experiences to be had. Wine fans have a wide range of styles and sweetness levels to choose from in the tasting rooms of Missouri, but thatâs not all.
Recently, I contacted the Missouri Wine folks to find out which wineries were also brewing their own beer.  Remarkably, there are more than I thought.  Here are seven must-visit wineries that also brew beerâŚ
Arcadian Moon Winery & Brewery in Higginsville is the first brewery in Lafayette County in nearly a century. They have a variety of beers to enjoy ranging from porter to pale ale and update their offerings seasonally.
Bias Vineyards and Winery in New Haven is also home to Gruhlkeâs Microbrewery, named for the âGerman gnome who shares his secret formulas for great micro brewed beer.â It was the first winery in Missouri and second in the nation to operate as both a winery and brewery.
Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve is home to several beers under the S.I.L.âs moniker which stands for sons-in-law. The family joke is that the sons-in-law of the owner have found a way to fund their hobby. Currently, they have three brews available by the bottle, but occasionally, they brew up something fun to put on tap.
Charleville Vineyard Winery & Brewery in Ste. Genevieve has seen great success with their brewery, recently opening an additional location for the brewery in St. Louis. They recently brewed batch #1 in St. Louis while batch #1000 brewed in Ste. Genevieve. The views at the winery and brewery location in Ste. Genevieve is hard to beat though.
Crown Valley Winery, Brewery & Distillery in Ste. Genevieve offers a plethora of tasting options. They make a wide range of wines, including sparkling, while their brewmaster produces beer made in a state-of-the-art 15-barrel microbrewery. Their Fizzy Izzy root beer has its own devoted fans as well.
Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard in Potosi now has Edg-Clif Brewing Company on site offering a selection of six different beers on draft to try or take home in a growler. If youâre looking for a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle, the wide-open spaces on Edg-Clifâs century farm are perfect for you.
Steele Crest Winery and Microbrewery sits on five acres in Jackson near Cape Girardeau. The winery and newly expanded brewery feature ample indoor and outdoor seating. Plus, who can resist wood-fired pizza to go with their wine or beer?
Wineries that are closely partnered with breweries:
St. James Winery and Public House Brewery have partnered up to offer award-winning wine and beer as well as delicious food at the Public House Taproom in St. James, next to the winery. The Gardens is a welcoming outdoor space where you can enjoy the best of both worlds (wine and beer), yard games, and fire pits.
Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport works closely with Broadway Brewery of Columbia which utilizes space at the winery to brew. You can enjoy their beers at the newly expanded tasting room or overlook the Missouri River at the A-Frame or Bistro.
Whether youâre a wine fan, a beer connoisseur or you like both, Missouri wine country has plenty to offer. Get out and enjoy!
