When you think wine, your first thought is Missouri, right? No? Well, it doesn’t have to be your first thought, but it should certainly be on your radar. I’ve visited a lot of local vineyards around the U.S., and admittedly, I’m rarely impressed. The one I visited in Rocheport, Missouri – Les Bourgeois Vineyards – was a real treat.
Just a 15-minute drive from Columbia, Missouri, Rocheport has several wineries you can visit. It’s on the Katy Trail, the longest trail in the U.S., which follows an abandoned railroad system along the Missouri River.
The second largest winery in Missouri, Les Bourgeois is located right on the river in a beautiful setting. Its rustic Blufftop Bistro has high ceilings and plenty of glass so that you can overlook the river and the surrounding forest while you dine. I was there in early spring, but I’m sure it’s especially colorful in autumn.
Missouri varietals include Chardonel, Seyval, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, and Vignoles among the white grapes. Reds are Catawba, Cambourcin, Concord, and the state grape, Norton.
My party and I were provided a special tasting menu that was indeed special. We started with a Brie flatbread on naan with poached cranberries, walnuts, and rustic honey syrup. It was paired with the vineyard’s Vignoles, which is an award-winning citrus white that’s fresh and light. It was one of my favorites.
Our salad course consisted of micro greens, apples, red onions, dried figs, golden raisins, apricots, goat cheese, and rosemary balsamic reduction. This was paired with a bottle of red – the Norton that is Missouri’s official state grape.
I’d love to go back and have our entrée again. I’m generally not a fan of catfish, but this was a particularly delicious dish – a Tempura po’ boy catfish sandwich with micro greens, pickled red onion, Sriracha remoulade, house-made focaccia, lemon pepper fries, and country slaw. It was paired with a fresh sparkling LBV Brut made primarily from Vidal Blanc grapes.
As a special treat after our lunch, we had wine and chocolate pairings with artisanal chocolates from Columbia’s nearby Candy Factory (pictured at top). My favorite wine of the day was a particularly sweet one – a collector’s edition Vignoles and Traminette blend, also an award-winning bottle for the vineyard. Light and acidic, this white is both floral and fruity.
Les Bourgeois’ tasting room is open daily from 11-6, and the website has an online store. Part of the Missouri River Wine Trail, Les Bourgeois is hardly the only game in town. Wines in Missouri are a 150-year-old tradition that has been growing with leaps and bounds. The Missouri Wine website has a wealth of information for you if you’re in the region.
While you’re in the area, check out the foodie scene in Columbia. It’s quite impressive. Columbia and Rocheport are located only a couple of hours east of Kansas City and just over two hours west of St. Louis. The region can easily be added to a trip to either of the more well-known cities in the state, or visit during one of Columbia’s festivals like True/False in February/March or Roots ‘n Blues ‘n BBQ in September.
Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.
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