DAY TRIP story and photos by Vicki Wood
Kimmswick Wine Trail
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ot too far outside the quaint town of Kimmswick, famous for its history on the Mississippi River, Levee High Apple Pie at the Blue Owl Restaurant, and many seasonal festivals, lies a hidden wine trail. Between Hillsboro and Kimmswick down Highway A at the 135 exit, off of the interstate 55, one will find country roads, leading to small lanes. Those rambling roads open into surprises of estate wineries, one that rivals those in the famous Sonoma and Napa Valleys in California. Villa Antonio Winery
3660 Linhorst Road, Hillsboro This Italian Estate Winery sits on top of a small lake with ducks gliding across still waters, with their heritage Italian grape vineyards surrounding the lake to the east, and a large vineyard sitting high on a glade above the lake. There is a serenity to the Villa Antonio when sitting on their covered pavilions that is helped along by the calming of the smooth wines. A tasting is highly suggested for five dollars, which includes seven varieties of whichever tastes one fancies, from dry to sweet, white to red. Instead of bland tasting crackers, Villa Antonia offers the owner’s homemade biscotti. The tasting is worth getting those biscuits. The tasting also includes a logo wine glass. Upcoming event: Movies in the Vineyard, Oct. 28th, Hocus Pocus If wine isn’t your thing, walk through the glass doors up the stairs to their microbrewery where food is also served.
12 VACATION NEWS
Above: The Old House Steakhouse is located in a 1770s cabin at LaChance Winery. Below: Stop by any of the wineries for a free tasting. Wild Sun Winery and Brewery
4830 Pioneer Rd, Hillsboro Ten minutes away from Villa Antonio, Wild Sun Winery and Brewery sits on a 10 acre estate with pizza, gourmet Angus burgers, and meat and cheese baskets for enjoying in the outdoor areas. Wild Sun Winery boasts 14 varieties of red and six white wines, along with a brewery featuring 5 in house crafted brews. Wild Sunset Nights Fridays are a regular event hosted at the winery from 6pm to 9pm thru Oct 30th. Then the seasonal events begin at Wild Sun with the approach of Witches, Warlocks,, and Wine on October 29th and Yoga and Wine is Fine on October 31st.
Persimmon Ridge Winery
7272 Sheppard Dr. Barnhart, Missouri 63012 15 minutes down the road from Wild Sun Winery, one will find Persimmon Ridge Winery in the Hillsboro/ Kimmswick area. Persimmon Ridge is all about focusing on their seven varieties of home grown wine, with Norton being the favorite, and the list rounding out with Persimmon. It’s an unusual offering but makes sense in these parts, due to the overwhelming availability of November 5 - December 2, 2021
