NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: LOCAL VINYARDS START OPERATIONS; WINERIES BOOST STATE'S ECONOMY

When Joannie Gunther and Jerry L. Smith married earlier this year Feb. 17 they treated guests to Christmas Rose' wine, made by Smith.

Now the Smiths are bonded not only by marriage, but River Ridge Vineyards is a bonded winery.

Smith has been working more than a decade to perfect River Ridge Vineyards. He will introduce his new wine to the retail market next year, joining a growing domestic wine industry.

"We received all of our official ~bonding papers to operate a winery recently," said Mrs. Smith.

Wine-making is becoming an important agricultural industry in Missouri, contributing an estimated $15 million to the state's economy. Sales of Missouri wines increased 31 percent last year the largest increase in 15 years.

"These figures indicate a gain in the market share for Missouri wines," says Jim Ashby, supervisor of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Grape and Wine Program.

Statistics show almost 246,000 gallons of Missouri wine were sold in 1992, compared to about 188,000 gallons in 1991. However, state figures show that wine consumption in Missouri fell, from 6.98 million gallons in 1991 to 6.86 gallons.

During the past six years, sales of Missouri wines have grown 63 percent, while sales of competing European and California wines have fallen 19 percent.

"Missouri wines have improved in quality," says Ashby. "The state's wineries are making a much better product. Missouri wines won 92 medals in 1992."

Smith agrees.

"It takes eight to 10 years to get a vineyard to the quality that it will produce grapes for quality wine," said Smith. "I have two acres of French grapes here, which are grown and cultivated for the sole purpose of making a fine dinner wine."

Smith said the two acres would produce about 6,000 pounds of grapes, which translates to about 500 gallons of wine.

"We have other varieties of grapes and will be planting more this year," said Smith.

The Smiths started picking white grapes earlier this month. "We have seven varieties of grapes," said Mrs. Smith.

"People are learning that Missouri wines have good quality and value," said Smith. "Growers have learned that you can't make good wine from bad grapes."

Most Missouri wines are sold from the state's wineries. However, a big portion of the increased sales has come from restaurants and retail outlets in the eastern half of the state, where the majority of Missouri's 40 wineries are situated.

Wineries work hard to promote their products.

"Visiting wineries has become a cultural, entertaining and affordable outing popular with thousands of Missourians," said Smith. "In many cases, winery locations provide some great views."

The Smiths' winery is no exception; it is located near the Mississippi River near Commerce.

"The River Ridge name is derived from two geographical factors" said Smith. "The winery is located on the north end of Crowley Ridge about a mile and a half from Commerce and overlooks the Mississippi River. The vineyard and winery are situated on an 80-acre farm."

The Smiths will produce a Christmas Rose' wine, which will be available at the River Ridge Christmas Tree Farm during fall 1994. White wines will be available about April 1.

Smith, a native of Central Arkansas, is a graduate of Central Arkansas University at Conway. He was in the Navy for more than seven years and flew fighter planes in Vietnam.

Smith bought a farm near Commerce in 1980. "In my travels with the Navy, I developed a taste for fine dinner wines while in California and Athens, Greece," he said. "Our winery in Missouri will be a family operation."

To go along with the wine operation is a Christmas tree operation open each winter. Joannie (Gunther) Smith has been selling Christmas trees since 1985 at her farm off Route N, five miles south of Scott City.

"When we open our log cabin gift shop this year, it will mark the seventh year for it. The River Ridge Christmas Tree Farm, formerly Gunther's Christmas Tree Farm, has about nine acres of Christmas trees.

The River Ridge Winery is one of three new wineries scheduled for opening within a year. Other new wineries will open at Liberty and Lee's Summit. In addition, several vintners are planting more acres and gearing up for expansion to keep up with the Missouri wine demand.

---

A lot of groundwork is going on in the 1600 block of North Kingshighway near the Rhodes 101 Stop at 1610 N. Kingshighway. Gene Rhodes is developing the property and will announce plans for it in the near future.

---

Elfrink Truck Lines, headquartered at Advance, has been sold. Wintz Freightways Inc. of St. Paul, Minn., recently announced purchase of the 50-year-old Elfrink company.

"Service will remain the same and customers probably won't notice any change," said Steve Elfrink from the Advance office.

Wintz, in a wire-service report, said the purchase included assets of 300 trailers and the terminal network. Several of the Elfrink employees will be retained, the report said.

Wintz operates 22 terminals in 14 states.

---

A new Italian cuisine restaurant opened recently at Jackson.

Charles and Mary Meyer are owners of the new restaurant, called A Taste of Italy, at 214 W. Main. Meyers' son, Chad Meyer, is manager.

The restaurant features a wide variety of pasta dishes, pizza, salads and sandwiches.

---

The Way, a business that features bibles, books, music, Precious Moments, jewelry and figurines, has expanded at Jackson.

Judy Leist and Joyce Ross, owners of The Way, say the move from Schapers Shopping Center to 110 S. High has tripled their space.

A special wedding section has been added to the business. It includes invitations, bulletins, and wedding and anniversary gifts.

The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

---

Jeannie's Boutique has opened in Lorimont Place, 840 S. Mount Auburn Road.

Lorimont is part of a multimillion-dollar retail-professional office complex and corporate home to Health Services Corp. of America.

The new business, which features jewelry, handbags, hair accessories, watches and other items, opened Friday. It is the first retail shop to open at Lorimont.