Missouri winery trip Spring 2019

Minnesota Watersheds Historical Marker, United States

Fri, 03 May 2019 17:53:58 -0500

Beautiful evening for dinner by the lake after watching Travis run in the rain!

Galena, United States

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 15:00:00 -0500

Wildwood, United States

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:00:00 -0500

Arrived near St. Louis after a long day of driving. Actually got to check in early at The Wildwood Hotel, which was very kind of them. Decided to head to Llewelyn’s Pub for a late lunch. It was kind of quiet when we got there. Probably not unusual for a suburban pub on a Friday afternoon. Bartender clearly wasn’t expecting guests as we scared her when we sat down at the bar. We think she was new. She offered us happy hour deals on food and drink. She couldn’t tell us anything about the beers and couldn’t figure out how to ring them up. After we put in our happy hour appetizer orders, she came back and informed us that happy hour didn’t start for another hour. She told us not to worry as she would cancel out our order and ring it up again after happy hour starts, just don’t let the boss know she did that. Our meal came about five minutes later. We had buffalo chicken flat bread with pretzel sticks. Food was nicely done. The beer cheese sauce was great. A few minutes later, she came back and informed Linda that her pint of Stout should have been served in an 8 oz tulip. (Don’t tell her manager). After she rung us out, she informed us that the happy hour appetizers she gave us were full sized rather than the 1/2 order happy hour sized. (Don’t tell her manager). The bill came to about $25 for 3 craft pints and two appetizers. The food and beer were good and the kitchen advertised “open til 10” so we decided to hit them up for supper later. It looked like rain coming in and we decided against going 40 minutes into downtown. It was time for a down day in the middle of vacation. Relaxed in the room for a couple of hours and decided to see Captain Marvel at the fancy theatre across the street. Good movie! The experience was magnified by leather recliners and a full service bar right outside our theatre. Got out of the movie shortly before 9:00 and walked to Llewelyn’s, arriving before 9. There was little business (about 6 people) and the floor was being mopped. We asked if they were getting ready to close. We were assured that the kitchen was open until 10. We went to the bar and ordered drinks and menus. The bartender informed us that she had the kitchen cleaning the grill, so we could only do fried. I was really in the mood for a burger, but asked what sandwiches would be available with the grill down. She informed me that they had some grilled chicken prepped. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with fries. Linda had a beet and kale salad. While waiting, the bartender regaled us on how they were closing and reopening under a different format. Apparently business is very slow at this location. We also watched as two groups of four came in. The bartender approached both and told them the kitchen was closed. I looked at my watch and saw that it was 9:10. Food came and it was ok. My fries were great, but my sandwich tasted like it was tossed together left overs. By the time we finished, it was still well before 10. The bartender had her coat on and was encouraging patrons to close out rather than order more drinks. I can’t help but think that this is why this location is slow.

Branson, United States

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0500

Second day in Branson. Went to Mount Pleasant Winery for our first tasting of the day. Signed up for a wine tasting class at 2 pm! Decided to hold off buying wine until after class. Next stop was Curling Vine Winery. With two wineries of samples under our belt, we went across the street to “Discount Show Tickets”. The sales guy tried to sell us 2 tickets to the show of our choice and a crappy steak dinner for two for a buck if we also sat through an hour presentation by Excursion Tours. I suspect they sell timeshares, which we could sell at “Timeshare Disposal” down the street We declined, politely, instead choosing 2 tickets to SIX for $75. After getting our tickets we took a ride out to the dams at Table Rock Lake for a picnic lunch of cheese, sausage and wine. It was very windy, but still fun. We took a short walk down the lake shore. Water was surprisingly clear for a dammed up river. After lunch we went to the Henning Preserve to take some hikes. Went to the observation tower. Four stories tall, very shaky. Did not go to the top. The tower consisted of bolted together angle iron and wire mesh railings. Not like the timber tower at Rib Mt. saw prickly pear cactus and collared lizards on the walk. No roadrunners, but they allegedly have them. Decide on Landry’s for seafood dinner. Surprisingly good for being so far from the coast. Started with a big salad with house mustard vinaigrette. We had an oak casked Chardonnay. Linda had the seafood stuffed flounder. I had bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp. Took home a piece of key lime pie for before bed snack. SIX was a good show, although I am not a fan of medleys. We had front row, just right of center. Six voices, no instruments, all music. They did everything from doo wop to patriotic gospel. Sound of Silence was fantastic as was Queen. The humor was corny and they destroyed The Eagles. As good as they were, the crowd really was not getting into it, but the show went on.

Branson, United States

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 15:00:00 -0500

Hermann, United States

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 09:00:00 -0500

Second day here and it is wine trail day! Adam Puchta Winery, Stone Hill Winery, Robller Vineyards, Oak Glenn Vineyard, and Hermanoff Winery were the stops today. Stone Hill is definitely the favorite. Had lunch at Stone Hill restaurant consisting of garden salad with Parmesan vinaigrette and bacon corn chowder soup, with the Hell bender red for wine. Great food!!! Supper was a wheat baguette, sweet bologna, and a abergele cheese with portabella mushrooms and chives, and Chamboursin wine. Very peasanty meal, but delicious!!!

Christine Hayes, what is this??? Hydrangea??

Hermann, United States

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 16:00:00 -0500

Milwaukee, United States

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 16:00:00 -0500

Book club!!! Started the day just relaxing at Mom’s. Realized we are past the point of staying at Mom’s. Having company is hard on her, especially when it comes to making a meal. Love spending time with her, but will definitely get a hotel room next time so we do not burden her with making a meal. Took a driving tour through Watertown. Realized there is absolutely nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon in Watertown! Stopped at Berres Brothers for a coffee, then went to Sprecher restaurant for a beer before meeting up with Kelly to drive to book club. Stopped at Coopers Hawk Winery to pick up our wine and did a quick tasting. Then on to Chrissy’s house for dinner. Chrissy is a phenomenal cook! Cheesy grits, collard greens, and chicken from KFC! Not bad for Where the Crawdads Sing! Dessert was grasshopper pie! Great discussion with the girls. Tentative trip planned for next spring! Next book club in Minneapolis!

Wine tasting at Coopers Hawk winery

Lake Mills

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 11:30:00 -0500

First stop - Lewis Station Winery. Fabulous wines!!! Lunch was Goat Crack, which consisted of goat cheese, fig ham, honey, and almonds spread on French bread, and Ooey Gooey Mushrooms with Melted Cheese on French bread. Yummy!!! Ended up buying a case of wine to go!

Third stop!