Warm weather just makes you feel like drinking wine, and let’s face it: it’s always wine o’clock somewhere. Here are some of our top picks for places to enjoy a little vino this season.
Mount Pleasant Estates
Mount Pleasant Estates is rich in history with more than 150 years of winemaking excellence. Experience the serenity of relaxing on Mount Pleasant’s patio with views of the sweeping vistas. Discover the charm and history of old world winemaking in the richness and variety of Mount Pleasant’s award-winning wines. Enjoy live music on weekends in the summer and fall along with tasty treats from their Appellation Café open daily. Keep an eye out for cellar tours, wine dinners, holiday-themed events and more through the year. With the rolling hills of the Augusta Appellation, beautifully landscaped grounds, historic structures, recently renovated ballroom, and impressive cellars — Mount Pleasant is an elevated event venue unlike any other. Visit for the day, the weekend, or book a private event to make memories in America’s first wine region.
5634 High Street, Augusta, 636.482.9463, mountpleasant.com Credit: photo courtesy of Mount Pleasant EstatesMontelle Winery
Situated 500 feet above the Missouri River Valley within the Augusta AVA, Montelle offers a breathtaking view of rolling hills, forests and the river valley just a few minutes down the road from its neighboring historic town, Augusta. The winery café offers daily lunches with items like fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and pizzas. Melodies of live music dance on the Osage mountainous air on weekends during spring and through the fall. In the winter months, the music moves indoors by the cozy, stone fireplace. With covered and climate-controlled seating, Montelle can be enjoyed year round. That same indoor seating area is a perfect setting for micro-weddings and other memorable events.
201 Montelle Drive, Augusta, 636.228.4464, montelle.com Credit: photo courtesy of Montelle WineryDefiance Ridge Vineyards
Nestled in 42 sprawling acres of vineyards, lush gardens and a tranquil lake just 30 minutes west of St. Louis in the hills of Historic Missouri Wine Country, Defiance Ridge offers vineyard-to-table cuisine, live music and succulent estate wines, as well as exclusive varietals from the West Coast. The winery is open seven days a week year-round. Looking to host your next private event? Defiance Ridge is also the perfect spot for weddings, private parties and corporate outings. The facility offers a spacious layout featuring a wide array of options for guests of all sizes. It was also a winner of The Knot’s “Best Of” Weddings Hall of Fame 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
2711 S. MO. 94, Defiance, 636.798.2288, defianceridgevineyards.com Credit: photo courtesy of Defiance Ridge VineyardsBasso on the Plaza
Like Basso’s original location, Basso on the Plaza offers a sommelier-curated wine list that showcases the best of Italy. Expect an approachable and affordable selection, with a focus on small producers and unique pours. Highlights include Franciacorta, Prosecco, and an esoteric program more than a decade in the making.
545 W. Port Plaza Drive, St. Louis, 314.683.2338, basso-stl.com/westport Credit: photo courtesy of Basso on the PlazaEdg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery
Pack a picnic basket and head south to this third-generation, family-owned farm, which boasts an array of award-winning vinos along with a tarmhouse brewery and plenty of craft beers. Three vintage farmhouses (all over 100 years old and furnished with family antiques) on the 725-acre property are now available on Airbnb. The venue also features live music every Saturday through December, the Winemakers Dinners, Handpicked Wine Club and Grape Friends harvest events in September. Check out the website for details.
10035 Edg-Clif Drive, Potosi, 573.438.4741, edg-clif.com Credit: photo courtesy of Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & BreweryBalducci Vineyards
A sprawling vineyard on 76 acres of rolling hills and vistas, Balducci Vineyards has been voted favorite winery for over a decade in past years by a local readers’ poll. The winery also boasts numerous award-winning wines featuring Missouri grown grapes. Enjoy live entertainment weekends spring through fall, life-sized games, a bocce ball court, and plenty of room to enjoy a day outdoors. Plan your special events and weddings at Balducci’s to wow your guests in the rustic chic barn. Don’t miss the craft beer options aplenty, along with a full menu of sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and handmade pizzas — order the deep dish; it’s worth the wait! Visit the website for hours, directions and events including their Pasta Fridays (the second Friday of every month) featuring their signature pastas and live music while the sun sets over the patio.
6601 S. Hwy. 94, Augusta, 636.482.8466, balduccivineyards.com Credit: photo courtesy of Balducci VineyardsMarconi Mercato
Marconi Mercato brings the flavors of Italy to life with a curated wine list that perfectly complements its rustic, seasonal menu. From crisp pinot grigio and aromatic vermentino to bold chiantis and rich super Tuscans, each glass is selected to enhance dishes like wild boar pappardelle, branzino piccata, and Saratoga ribeye. Whether you’re sipping buttery chardonnay with chicken rollatini or a dry nero d’avola with arancini, the pairings are thoughtful and satisfying. With a warm, inviting atmosphere and a focus on quality, Marconi Mercato is one of the most exciting new spots on the Hill.
2030 Marconi Ave., St. Louis, 314.380.9003, marconimercato.com Credit: photo by Ed Aller DesignThe Blufftop at Rocheport
The Blufftop at Rocheport is a vineyard retreat along the Katy Trail. It features The Tasting Room with wine tasting and tours, The A-Frame Winegarden with breathtaking views of the Missouri River and live music every Friday evening throughout the summer, The Bistro, a beautiful event center for all your celebrations, and Guesthouses for a perfect escape. With 40 years of experience, it has become one of the largest wineries in the state of Missouri. They currently offer over 25 wines, including the popular Collector’s Series, an annual release of three unique small-batch wines featuring labels with artwork from the Wine Label Art Competition. Don’t miss the 2025 Collector’s Series Wine Release Party & Art Show on July 12.
Multiple locations, Rocheport, 800.690.1830, missouriwine.com Credit: photo courtesy of The Blufftop at RocheportAugusta Winery
Located in the Augusta American Viticulture Area (AVA), the first AVA designated in the U.S. (in 1980), this winery is a vital stop for the wine connoisseur and amateur alike. The winery specializes in estate-bottled wine, meaning the entire process, from growing the grapes to bottling the blends, takes place on the property and within the Augusta AVA. Their knowledgeable, friendly staff members take customers on a tasting tour of their award-winning wine list daily. Enjoy live music Saturdays and Sundays at their open-air Wine & Beer Garden April through October. Watch the website for events throughout the year. Make a weekend of it! The winery is within walking distance to many popular B&Bs and hiking and biking on the Katy Trail.
5601 High St, Augusta, 636.228.4301, augustawinery.com Credit: photo courtesy of Augusta WineryNoboleis Vineyards
Noboleis Vineyards is a family and female-owned winery located in Augusta, home of the first AVA in the country. Grab a wine flight or a bottle of award-winning wine that is grown locally and produced and bottled right on their 84-acre property. Order pizzas and appetizers from the café menu or pack your own picnic basket to enjoy at your leisure. Whichever route you choose, Noboleis is there to ensure that you have the best time! The Tasting Room, which is open daily, has live music on the first and third Fridays, and on every Saturday and Sunday during peak season. Plus enjoy plenty of on-site events throughout the year ranging from outdoor movie nights, to wine pairing evenings, to sangria + sourdough classes and everything in between.
100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, 636.482.4500, noboleisvineyards.com Credit: photo courtesy of Noboleis VineyardsCarnivore
Carnivore on the Hill is a wine lover’s haven with a curated selection of 22 reds and 12 whites, including standout bottles from Napa, Sonoma and Columbia Valley, plus international gems from Italy, Argentina, France and New Zealand. Sip the best-selling “C.M.S.” Cabernet from Washington — rich, bold, and unforgettable — or the crisp, fruit-forward “Grayson” Chardonnay from California. With non-alcoholic options available, there’s something for everyone in this thoughtfully designed tasting experience.
5257 Shaw Ave., Suite 100, St. Louis, 314.449.6328, carnivore-stl.com Credit: photo by Ed Aller DesignRobust Bistro & Wine Bar
Robust Bistro & Wine Bar is an award-winning restaurant that offers eclectic entrees, small plates, cheeses and charcuterie that can be paired with wines, craft and import beers, and handcrafted cocktails. The food menu is seasonal and uses local ingredients whenever possible. Robust offers over 45 wines by the glass, wine flights and full bottles. All wines are “clean,” using a minimum of sustainable organic biodynamic farming practices, with little or no preservatives; they are better for the environment and your body. Wines are listed by Robust Factor™, a user-friendly method of categorizing wines by body style profile, rather than country or region. Private parties, catering, retail wine and gift baskets, along with live music on the dog-friendly patio that seats 70 Wednesday through Saturday, are additional features that have made Robust Bistro a unique gem in the Webster community for more than 16 years.
227 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.963.0033, robustwinebar.com Credit: photo courtesy of Robust Bistro & Wine BarHerbie’s
Herbie’s has earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence six years running thanks to a thoughtfully curated wine list by Director of Operations Dan Rolf. With a focus on accessibility, the list features a broad range of varietals and price points, plus rotating by-the-glass options to suit every palate. Guests can explore unique wines from lesser-known regions, alongside new and older vintages from around the world. Staff wine education ensures knowledgeable, engaging service.
8100 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.769.9595, herbies.com Credit: photo courtesy of Herbie'sCredit: courtesy of Defiance Ridge Vineyards
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