A. St. James Winery - 540 Sidney St.
B. Ferrigno Winery - 17301 State Route B
C. Meramec Vineyards - 600 State Route B
D. Heinrichshaus Winery - 18500 State Route U
E. 4-M Vineyard & Rosati Winery - 22050 State Road KK
As may
be deduced from the winery names, the Saint James area was settled by
Italian immigrants. They planted their own vineyards and by 1922 there
were 200 vineyards in the area with more than 2,000 acres of
production. Many were under contract to Welch's in nearby Arkansas.
When these contracts ended, many went out of business. Those remaining
turned to planting grapes more suited to wine making. You will see
vineyards everywhere around you.
Started in 1970 by James and Pat Hofherr, the St. James Winery offers
over 20 different wines and juices aged in premium European and
American oak barrels. St. James wines have been consistent winners in
Missouri, national and international competitions. As you arrive
on MO-68 turn left on the slip road on the north side of I-44.
The St. James Winery and tasting room is immediately on your
left. Less than 1/2 mile farther along the slip road is the
Meramec Winery and tasting room.
Meramec Vineyards tasting room offers an attractive gift shop and an
art gallery with works from nationally known local artists. Their
Bistro D'Vine has been mentioned in "Southern Living" magazine and
serves European style lunches and tasting plates with their wines.
From the I-44 north slip road continue north on State Route B about 4
miles to the Ferrigno Vineyards & Winery. Pronounced
"Fur-EEN-yo", the winery boasts rustic tasting room and deli are housed
in an old dairy barn surrounded by 12 acres of vineyards. The majority
of Ferrigno wines are sold directly from the winery.
Easily the most difficult to locate but at the same time one of the
most beautiful and refreshing wineries in the area is the Heinrichshaus
Vineyard and Winery. From the State Route B on the north side of
I-44 follow the road past the Meramec Winery and turn right on Route
KK. Follow KK for 4 miles to Route U and turn left (north).
Three miles along Route U there will be a white post on your
right with the Winery name vertically on the post. Turn right and
continue up the tree covered drive to the winery.
Grohe Heinrich emigrated to the US from Germany in the 1950s. He
learned to experiment with Missouri grapes to get a wines to suit his
old country taste and in 1978 opened the doors of his winery.
Heinrichshaus wines have won many gold, silver and best-of-show awards.
Their specialty is dry wine, but you may find a semi-sweet or semi-dry
to suit your tastes. Visit the winery and meet Heinrich himself and his
charming and vivacious wife, Gina. Located in a shady Missouri Ozarks
forrest the tasting room drips of old world charm.
The 4-M Vineyard and Rosati Winery is located on Historic old Route 66,
The Mother Road! From St. James follow I-44 east to Route F (exit
203). Exit here and pass under the interstate turning right on
the south service road. Continue west on the service road for two miles
and you are there. The Rosati winery is a standing reminder of
the Italian heritage of Rosati. The winery started in 1933 and the
early vats and oak barrels are there to be seen. The winery features a
country store with a variety of handcrafted Ozark products. Picnic
supplies are available at their quiet wine garden.
