Wind ‘Round to Mount Pleasant, Where Everything Is, Well, Pleasant

The winding roads of mid-southern Missouri’s slowly rolling hills remind me of Juicy Fruit gum. As a kid, my family would vacation at Bennett Springs State Park near Lebanon, Mo. It was a long drive, so when my brother, sister and I would awaken from our Dramamine-induced coma, we’d be well into the road trip and well into the boonies. Outside the car, the billowy, deep-green hills of the northern Ozarks; inside, the nauseatingly sweet smell of Juicy Fruit gum that mom brought for the ride. When we stopped for gas, the 95-degree heat seared the gum’s scent into our minivan’s cabin.

I haven’t been to Bennett Springs in decades, but even now, I can’t chew Juicy Fruit. Still, I road trip through Missouri’s picturesque foothills every summer. Not for trout, but for award-winning Missouri wine.

The look …
German immigrants George and Frederick Munch founded Mount Pleasant Winery in 1859. For the brothers Munch, the Missouri River valley and surrounding hillsides at Augusta conjured images of their homeland’s beauty and topography. Closed by Prohibition, Mount Pleasant reopened in 1966 and, in 1980, Augusta became America’s first wine district when an American Viticultural Area (aka appellation) was created, noting the unique geography, climate and soil of the area as well as the historical precedent for wine production there.

Eighteen miles of the afore-mentioned mid-southern Missouri winding roads – in this case Highway 94 – takes you to Augusta. The drive is most definitely part of the winery experience, as it truly is a beautiful, scenic route. Highway 94 meanders over, beside and between the summertime’s greener-than-money hills just north of the Missouri River valley.

Much more than a lone building, Mount Pleasant is a wine-making and -tasting compound. The grounds hold more than a dozen small-to-large buildings. Pass through the 4,000-square-foot tasting room to step outside into the beautiful and incredibly large, multileveled, shaded, landscaped courtyard that seats 600.

Surrounding the centerpiece courtyard: a fenced patio with umbrellas and table service (often reserved for special events), the newly added Crush Crew Sports Lounge (the only building showing Cards games), the large banquet facilities, the small stage, a wine shed, the grocery/grill and, most spectacularly, the Missouri River valley.

The scene …
When the weather turns warm, Mount Pleasant draws very well from metro STL every weekend day. For social scene, Saturday rules. It’s not uncommon to see all 600 seats taken. If you’re here on Saturday, you’re probably a party member – bachelorette party, couples shower, birthday, baby shower, etc. For women, Mount Pleasant is a top destination for such events. Each weekend, party buses deposit dozens of young ladies (21 to 55) so they can congregate at courtyard tables of 20+ to drink wine, open presents, eat cake, gossip and try to stay sober – face it, wine buzzes sneak up on you. While ladies, many single, are more than plentiful, groups of guys have not caught on. The crowd is greatly female.

On summer Saturdays and Sundays, bands ($5 cover) like the Urban Jazz Naturals or Soulard Blues Band soundtrack conversations that turn louder as sobriety lessens. Many people dance.

Tips: 1) Arrive pre-11 a.m. if you want a great spot. If you want to come after 1 p.m., call ahead and reserve a table ($5/head). 2) Take the free tour at Saturdays and Sundays at 1 or 3 p.m. to see how Night Train turns mean. The best tours are in early fall with harvest. 3) Sip water with your wine. Be sure to have designated a driver. 4) The hill overlooking the river valley is darn romantic. 5) Dress comfortably. You’re outside.

The products …
Mount Pleasant grows 16 grape varieties on 85 acres of hillside vineyard and produces all of its wine in Augusta. All varieties are for sale (most $10 to $30) on the grounds and ready for on-site consumption (i.e., the whites are chilled).

While familiar selections like Chardonnay and Merlot are offered, I suggest sticking with grapes specifically bred for Missouri weather/soil conditions like the Norton or Chardonel varietals.

You may bring your own food (all wine must be purchased on site), but the Grocery & Grille sells wine-accompanying solids at grocery-store prices – quality cheeses, salty meats, crackers and fruits. Fresh sandwiches are also available. Other than wine, the only liquids on premises are water, soda and beer (sold exclusively at the Crush Crew Sports Lounge.)

The straight 411 …
For a spectacular river valley view and homegrown Missouri wine consumed on a courtyard neighboring the vineyards where the wine began, head to Mount Pleasant.