Ste. Genevieve County: A great place to taste the flavor

Marty and Mary Jo Strussione never expected to open a winery when they purchased a piece of land on the rolling hills of Ste. Genevieve County in 1995.

After a brief stint with retirement (and subsequent boredom), Marty found the land was perfect for growing grapes, and the idea for Cave Vineyard was born. Since its opening in 2004, the entire family has gotten involved with the winery, including the Strussiones' eldest daughter, Laura Oliver.

Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

The winery property includes a natural 100x35-foot cave where guests can take their wine and relax. Guests also can check out the winery loft, which overlooks the production area and gives a front-row view of all the tanks and barrels used for making the wine. Original craft beer also is available.

"Often times, we're down there working in the winery and people can yell down questions or ask what we're doing and things like that, so you actually get to see everything right where it's done," Oliver says.

Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

The winery also offers homemade biscotti, which they bake on Saturdays. It started with Oliver's grandmother's almond biscotti recipe, and they've branched out to eight to 12 different kinds. And rather than dunking their biscotti in coffee after dinner, the Strussiones like to dunk theirs in wine.

Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

Ste. Genevieve County has rich roots in wineries, with nine total in the county and six of those on the Route Du Vin Wine Trail.

"It's a good opportunity for people to skip around to each winery and get a flavor of the county," Oliver says.