A Scenic Drive to Missouri Wine Country

October means it’s time for a trip out to Missouri wine country.  What better way to spend a day than sitting outdoors, sipping wine and enjoying spirited conversation.  This time of year is perfect for warm sun, cool breezes and enough fall foliage fireworks to rival the V.P. Fair. Grab your friends, load up the Ford and head down Hwy. 64, then Hwy. 94 out to Augusta for an Oktoberfest celebration.

Our first stop was at Mount Pleasant Winery.  Founded in 1859, Mount Pleasant is located right in the city center at the top of a bluff, overlooking a vast plain where the Missouri River once roared. The only winery that charges for admittance ($5), Mount Pleasant has a nice patio where tables and chairs encircle a cobblestone “dance floor” where a jazzy combo plays all day long. Mount Pleasant offers your standard cheese and sausage platters, but there’s also a grill for warm sandwiches. A popular destination for weddings, this winery offers a variety of amenities.  And if you have a nifty Ford sport wagon, you can load it up with a case of Norton wine.

Next up was a short drive down the winding scenic roads to Montelle Winery. Founded in 1970, Montelle has the best views, hands down, of any Missouri winery. With three staggered levels, surrounded by trees, there is plenty to see here. Overlooking a beautiful valley, you have a great 180 degree view of the Augusta countryside. However, if it’s sun you’re looking for, there’s an open hillside with picnic tables and room for blankets, that’ll get you a tan on a bright day. The Klondike Café offers some real food options. With gourmet sandwiches, salads and pizzas... the place might be worth a visit for the food and sights alone, but everyone knows the real reason to come out here and that’s wine, and plenty of it.

Now wine isn’t your only option in Augusta. If vino isn’t your thing, drive down to the bottoms where you will find the Augusta Brewing Co., a tucked-away microbrew and beer garden located right off the Katy Trail. The place is minimalist, with a small, open shack with your bar and a few tables to sit, and a tent set up to house a live band and more tables. Other than that, it’s wide open – sort of like being out on the farm. Tables are set up, staggered, and the key is to really get back to nature and drink some beer. The two go hand and hand, and perfectly so here.

At the end of a fun wine country day, be sure to do the responsible thing.  Give the keys to the Ford car to your designated driver before heading back to the city.