River Ridge Winery celebrates a decade

Business Today

COMMERCE -- On Sept. 17, 1994, Jerry and Joannie Smith opened a winery on an 80-acre farm two miles north of Commerce. Over the past decade, River Ridge Winery has grown internally and externally, but the Smiths are keeping their mission the same: to provide a homey and friendly place for their patrons to enjoy wine, food, nature and friends.

When River Ridge started, it was a two-person operation in a small century-old house where about 500 gallons of wine were made every year. The only food offered was a cheese and bread basket. Today, the winery has expanded with the addition of the Fermentation Room Cafe, with an adjacent enclosed patio dining area where a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees are served year-round.

The Smiths have also added a separate production facility where more than 4,000 gallons of wine are made, some of which is shipped for sale at Schnucks and other local wine shops. They've also built a pavilion and a fire pit where patrons can enjoy the rest of their homemade drink. The seasonal Yule Log Cabin Holiday Shop opened several years ago.

Joannie Smith said they have more plans for expansion in the coming years. One plan is to develop some overnight units on the farm where patrons can stay and enjoy the environment for more than one day.