There are so many fun things to do and see in Kansas City Missouri including a visit to wine country. With over 40 wineries and tasting rooms in Greater Kansas City Missouri, it’s hard to choose where to start. Whether you only have one day or a weekend, here is how to best plan your visit to Kansas City Wine Country. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Read 72 Hours in Kansas City Missouri, Day by Day Itinerary
Missouri is a Leading U.S. Wine Region
Did you know Missouri is one of the leading wine regions in the United States? It was actually the second-largest wine-producing state before Prohibition and is on the way back up. In 2017 Missouri wine generated 3.2 billion dollars and 28, 052 jobs. Currently, there are over 130 wineries and vineyards in Missouri and 875,000 wine tourists came to the state for their award-winning wine.
German settlers began producing wine in the Hermann area in the 1850s and Italians in the St James area during the late 1800s. Today, there are four wine regions in Missouri: Augusta, St James, Missouri Ozark Mountains, and Ozark Highlands. Augusta became the first federally recognized AVA in 1980, it beat Napa! The remaining three regions are also AVA designated. Presently, Missouri produces 12 grape varietals and the Norton (Cynthiana) became the official state grape in 2003.
You may be wondering why you haven’t heard of Missouri wine. Most of the vineyards were destroyed during Prohibition and did not return until the 60s and 70s. In comparison, Prohibition was not enforced in California and Napa did not destroy its vineyards. Think about that, even after having to restart, Missouri beat Napa to an AVA designation.
Fun Fact: Missouri saved the French wine industry! You read that right. France began losing its vineyards to the Phylloxera pest in the 1860s. Missouri winemakers shipped approximately 500,000 Native American rootstocks resistant to the pest to France in the 1870s. France grafted the rootstock to their vines and the crisis was over. Unfortunately, the crisis had begun after Missouri had shipped vine cuttings to France that were infected by Phylloxera. It wasn’t purposeful so I don’t think that part of the story counts.
How to Spend a Weekend in Kansas City Wine Country
The Elms Hotel and Spa, Excelsior Springs Missouri
Book your stay at the historic Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs. The Elms have quite a history. It has been destroyed and rebuilt three times, almost went bankrupt a few, almost became a sanitarium, closed for 8 years at one point, and still survives with the most recent renovation in 2011. The Elms has had many famous guests including celebrities, politicians, and mob bosses. You will find 153 guest rooms, an onsite restaurant, bar, and coffee shop, an outdoor pool and hot tub, gorgeous grounds with a gazebo, a full-service spa and grotto, a lap pool, fitness center, shuttle service, and a nightly paranormal tour. Why not splurge and stay in the Truman or Al Capone Suite?
Things to Do in Excelsior Springs Missouri
Excelsior Springs Missouri has the most groupings of mineral water in the world. The area became popular in the late 1800s for its healing water. By the 1900s Excelsior Springs’s healing mineral waters were being sold worldwide. The resort town remained a popular destination until the 1950s.
Today Excelsior Springs is the perfect location for exploring the Kansas City Wine Region. Go for a walk in Isley Park Woods Natural Area, check out the buildings downtown, and stop for a selfie with the Meet Me in Excelsior Springs sign. Although the historic Hall of Waters is closed for renovation, there are guided paranormal tours on the third Saturday of the month.
While in the area, do not miss stopping at Willow Springs Mercantile in downtown Excelsior Springs. This boutique retailer carries a large selection of hand-picked Missouri wines from all four wine regions. The downstairs bistro is open for lunch daily and hosts a four-course Wine Dinner once a month. I was served seared salmon with lemon Dijon butter, white bean cassoulet, fresh asparagus, and tomato salad for the main course, and chocolate cake paired with an old vine Norton wine for dessert.
Excelsior Springs Chamber Trolley offers wine tours to neighboring vineyards or DIY a self-guided visit. Four Horses and a Dog Vineyard and Winery offer white and red wine, Sangria, Missouri Hard Cider, and local beer. The winery sells picnic packs on-site and is open F, Sa, and Su with live music Friday and Saturday afternoons. Van Till Family Farm Winery offers a large selection of handcrafted wines, including strawberry, pear, chai tea infused, and an award-winning Norton Dessert Wine. Wine Garden is open Tu-Sa, wood-fired pizza pairings Friday and Saturday. Stop at Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery and enjoy a tasting at the indoor Tasting Room, relax on the patio overlooking the vineyards, or in the Cellar Garden. Wine and dine events and cave tours are available, bring a love lock to add to the wall!
Belvoir Winery and Inn, Liberty Missouri
The Belvoir Winery and Inn is a beautiful property located on 170 acres in Liberty Missouri. This property was once the Odd Fellows Home, the grounds included an orphanage, old folks’ home, and medical hospital. There were approximately 450 children living here during the Depression. The children were not up for adoption and their families often visited on the weekends. It was understood the children would return when the family could afford to care for them.
Belvoir Winery is family owned. The family began growing grapes in 1994 and opened a winery in 2011. A third of the grapes used to produce Belvoir wine are grown onsite, and the remaining are sourced locally. Currently, the orphanage is the only building in use. It has been renovated into a winery and Inn. In addition to the winery, over 50 weddings and private events are held here yearly.
It may not surprise you to hear this is one of the most active paranormal sites in the Midwest and has been featured on 7 paranormal shows. Activity is playful in nature: footsteps and voices are heard, doors open and close, lights turn back on, pianos play, children run and play, and figures appear in the library and female bathroom. Each room of the Inn has a book in it to record your experiences, and, in the past 5 years, 23 rooms have been left either after reading the book or during the night according to the owner. Watch the website for future paranormal events.
TerraVox Vineyards, Kansas City Missouri
The owner of TerraVox Vineyards read the book Foundations of American Grape Culture in 1978 and a hobby was born. The hobby turned into a business in 1996 and TerraVox was born with the vision of creating modern wines using American Heritage Grapes. Grapes are harvested by hand at TerraVox and all wine is produced from vineyard grapes. Attend a wine dinner, enjoy a taste and tour, or simply grab a glass of wine and take a walk through the vineyard. The vineyard is a short 30-minute drive from downtown Kansas City, visits to the vineyard are by appointment.
Alternatively, TerraVox Tasting Room is located at Green Dirt Farm in Weston Missouri. Green Dirt Farm is a women-owned company that produced 40,000 pounds of cheese in 2022. Impressive! The farm’s sheep are all Lacomb sheep, a French breed known for making Roquefort cheese. 140 sheep and 150 lambs resided at the farm during the Spring of 2022. They are fed green grass and alfalfa. Because the grass changes with each season, the milk flavors also change. The 100% sheep milk Feta is award-winning and I fell in love with the garlic and peppercorn. Green Dirt Farm is a not to miss place for wine and cheese tasting.
Holladay Distilling Co, Westin Missouri
Move over Tennessee and Kentucky, Missouri Bourbon is on its way. Holladay Distilling Co was founded in 1856 and produced bourbon up to 1997 when the bourbon industry declined. The company pivoted and now boasts over 250 labels, including 360 Vodka and Five Farms Single Batch Irish Cream Liqueur. In 2016 the decision was made to return to the company’s bourbon roots. The first batch of bourbon was barreled on March 10th, 2016, and released on May 2022. Learn about Missouri bourbon on the facility tour followed by a tasting, the barrel house is incredible!
Tip: Make a day of it. Begin at Green Dirt Farms for a wine and cheese pairing followed by an afternoon tour of Holladay Distilling Company. Stop in Weston Mo and explore the downtown shops before returning to Kansas City.
Be sure to check the Missouri Wine Tourism Board for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Kansas City Wine Country
Many thanks to Visit Kansas City and Missouri Wines for providing such a wonderful experience! As always, all opinions are my own.
Plan Your Trip to Kansas City Wine Country
Missouri Travel Guide
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Kansas City Wine Country Attractions and Day Tours
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