October 1, 2019

Of grapes and wine

The River Ridge Winery's final grape pick of the year took place Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard at the winery in Commerce, Missouri. The winery recently marked its 25th anniversary after opening Sept. 17, 1994. “Basically you put your heart and soul into the whole thing and then you hope your heart and soul tastes like good wine,” winery co-owner Rob Bullock said.

Bill Martin of Sikeston, Missouri, works to lift netting covering Norton grapes Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. River Ridge Winery co-owner Rob Bullock said the nets are to keep the birds away. Without the nets, he said birds will consume 500 pounds of grapes a day or more.

Connor Bullock, 17, son of Denise and Rob, puts a load of Norton grapes in a container during picking Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. "Basically you put your heart and soul into the whole thing and then you hope your heart and soul tastes like good wine," Rob said. 

River Ridge Winery co-owner Rob Bullock works with others picking Norton grapes during the winery's last pick of the year Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard at River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Denise Bullock, Rob's wife and fellow co-owner, said she and her husband stared coming to the winery in 1995 and took over ownership from founders, Jerry and Joannie Smith, in May 2016. 

The Rev. Robert Taliaferro of Sikeston, Missouri, works at picking Norton grapes Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri.

Norton grapes are seen after being picked Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Rob said Norton is the state grape of Missouri.

Yellowjackets are seen on a Norton grape during picking Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Rob said when picking grapes they have to tolerate things like sunburns and bug bites. He said the picker has to want the wine more than the yellowjackets want the grapes.

River Ridge Winery co-owner Denise Bullock works to pick Norton grapes Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. "We're truly farm to table," Denise said. "You don't get more farm to table than what we're doing here."

Kristian Troxel of Jackson, Missouri, carries buckets for grapes while picking Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri.

Norton grapes are seen in a container after being picked Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Rob said it will take about three or even four years before the wine from the grapes picked Tuesday will be at a point where he wants it to be consumed. "Good wine takes time. That's what we always say," Denise said.

Rob walks along rows of Norton grapes while picking Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard of River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Missouri. Rob said after picking they had plans to eat lunch and then crush and destem grapes.

Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

The River Ridge Winery's final grape pick of the year took place Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in a vineyard at the winery in Commerce, Missouri. The winery recently marked its 25th anniversary after opening Sept. 17, 1994. “Basically you put your heart and soul into the whole thing and then you hope your heart and soul tastes like good wine,” winery co-owner Rob Bullock said.

Story Tags

Local News

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

Shopping

Links

Submission Forms

Sitemap Terms Privacy