4 minute read
Day Trip
story and photos by Vicki Wood
Kimmswick Wine Trail
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Not 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.
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
wild persimmons. Persimmon Ridge Wineries’ beautiful entrance is stunning, and a bit of a shock considering the gravel road and scenery down to this backwoods surprise. The road itself is not inviting. But the winery is, be patient and diligent the mile or so down the gravel to the estate. This is a place locals hang, alot know each other, and a fun place to sit and sip.
Heading back to Kimmswick, we tour LaChance Winery, with its location at Kimmswick is a 20 mile drive. Drink lots of water, because you are going to want to visit the covered bridge at Sandy Creek before you go. Sandy Creek State Park is just a few minutes from Persimmon Ridge.
It’s one of just a handful of true covered bridges left.
The Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The park sits on 9.9 acres, but you will spend a lot of time just walking the bridge, photographing it and the surrounding creek, and feeling the sand between your toes on the banks, because it really is sandy. Walking through the antique structure, you can smell the history in the dank boards it’s built out of, but it’s sturdy thanks to a restoration in 1986. 9001 Old Lemay Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050
lachance Winery
6035 2nd Street, Kimmswic
Housed inside a pre civil war building in the quaint tourist town of Kimmswick, The LaChance Winery is not only an excellent retail outlet for LaChance Vineyards of DeSoto, it’s a walk back in time. Log homes are not usually this magnificent from the era pre 1900s.
It dates to 1770 and is among the oldest structures in town. General Ulysses Grant drank here once when it was a tavern. The winery and restaurant is a more impressive location if you want to impress guests. The wait staff is polished but friendly and helpful. The Catawba melts in your mouth here. Vignoles, Sweet Caboose, and Covered Bridge are must trys and a novelty over other wineries. Dinner is an experience that one must indulge in the autumn months. Lowlights and candlelight in what feels like a log cabin mansion is somewhat cozy with the warming vintages and an excellent steak and seafood. Duck breast with orange reduction and risotto is a meal that you will not mind being so stuffed with that a stroll through Kimmswick’s downtown on a crisp fall evening is an unforgettable trip.
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