There’s no denying that Missouri wine country is full of interesting experiences, but did you know you can enjoy a glass of award-winning Missouri wine in a cave? Caves are a popular attraction in the Show-Me State and that includes caves located at wineries.
In the beautiful countryside surrounding Ste. Geneveive you’ll find Cave Vineyard & Distillery, a truly unique winery. Not only do they offer locally crafted wine, beer and spirits, they give you a one-of-a-kind place to enjoy them. A natural saltpeter cave – 100 feet wide by 35 feet tall – comfortably seats 100 wine enthusiasts and picnickers. The cave is particularly popular in the summer months since it maintains a comfortable temperature even on the hottest days.
And don’t miss out on the biscotti. The Strussione family, the owners and operators of the vineyard, shares a several-generations-old tradition – homemade biscotti. They encourage visitors to dunk it in their favorite wine. It might sound odd, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Travel back to your childhood when you visit the Mark Twain Cave Complex in Hannibal. Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote about this cave in five of his books, most notably The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. A guided tour will take you back in time through stories of early science experiments, bank robbers on the run and much more. After you’ve explored the cave, check out the local winery, just steps away. Cave Hollow West Winery invites you to enjoy a variety of wines, including several named for the area and its famous past.
Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery
The caves at Fence Stile Vineyard & Winery in Excelsior Springs aren’t your typical caverns. First and foremost, they were created rather than naturally formed. Being manmade does not diminish how impressive they are at all. Take a tour and find out all that goes into crafting local wines from vine to glass. Plus, who wouldn’t want to do a candlelit tasting in a wine cave?