Wine country

Wine Time: Few things are better in the summer than enjoying a nice glass (or bottle) of vino outdoors. Living in Southeast Missouri, you're in luck. There are numerous wineries within a short drive of Cape Girardeau. Here's a guide to some of them.

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River Ridge Winery

With a picturesque location in Commerce, Mo., River Ridge Winery has much to offer. Open daily 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., they offer food, entertainment and gifts.

River Ridge offers 30 different wines, their most popular being their Villard Blanc, a semi-dry white wine. Dinner is served daily from opening until 6 p.m., and you may choose to dine on the pavilion by the bonfire, in the dining room or anywhere out on the vineyard. "We have a full service restaurant," said owner Jerry Smith. "Wine goes with food and food goes with wine."

Live music and entertainment can be enjoyed 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday from March to October. They also offer catering services, the Christmas Tree and Yule Cabin, and the Little Log Cabin. The Yule Cabin is a popular spot from September through December and is located four miles from the winery. The cabin offers many different Christmas decorations and celebration ideas. The Little Log Cabin is open just around the corner from the Yule Cabin and is available to rent for the night. It sleeps six and everything you need from dishes to firewood is provided.

"At River Ridge we have a motto, come as a customer and leave as a friend," said Smith.

For more information contact River Ridge at (573) 264-3712 or on the web at www.riverridgewinery.com.

Tower Rock Winery

Located in Altenburg, Mo., Tower Rock Winery is a place for music and wine. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., they not only offer a friendly face and wine but a garden, lake and tours of the vineyards. If the lake view is not for you, they have a screened-in patio.

Tower Rock offers a cheese and sausage basket with their 10 different wines. Their most popular wine is their red Chamboureine. Fun for the children may be had with Casper, the big white dog. The children can also feed the many fish in the lake or hike along the trails. During their festival weekends, Tower Rock offers live music, food and wine.

"Our wine is award winning," said owner Robert Breuer, "We've won many awards and hope to continue."

For more information contact Tower Rock at (573) 824-5479 or on the web at www.tower-rock-winery.com.

Hemman Winery

Hemman Winery, located in Brazeau, Mo., is set in an original country store from the 1800s. Family owned and operated, the location has been in the family for years. Open Saturday and Sunday year round from noon to 6 p.m., Hemman offers wine, snacks and entertainment.

For more information contact Hemman Winery at (573) 824-6040 or on the web at www.hemmanwinery.com

Shawnee Hills Trails

The Shawnee Hills Trails offers eight different wineries in Southern Illinois. The wineries may be found in Alto Pass, Makanda, Cobden and Pomona. Seven of the wineries offer picnic areas. You may start the trail anywhere and visit all eight of the wineries or you may just visit your favorite, it's up to you. All Shawnee Hills wineries offer free soda and water to all designated drivers. Just ask for a sticker at one of the wineries on the trail.

Alto Vineyard and Winery

Alto Vineyard, located at Alto Pass, is one of the largest and oldest wineries in Southern Illinois. The 10-acre vineyard has won over 300 medals since deciding to make wine in 1988. They produce many different varieties of wine including hybrids of different grape varieties and ports.

Picnic baskets filled with sausage, cheese, and crackers are available to purchase with your wine. Gift baskets, wine accessories and T-shirts are also available at the gift shop. Alto Vineyard is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact Alto Vineyard at (618) 893-4898 or on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.altovineyards.net

Blue Sky Vineyard

Blue Sky Vineyard is new to the Shawnee Hills Trail, having only opened in July 2005. Blue Sky, open year round seven days a week, offers free wine tasting and tours. They offer a variety of sandwiches and snacks as well as wine alternatives such as beer and mixed drinks. Blue Sky has a large indoor seating area and two outdoor terraces that overlook the vineyard and countryside.

The Tuscan Sun Event Facility and Gazebo was completed in March of 2006 and may be rented out for special events. Blue Sky also offers two suites that are available year-round for an overnight stay. Working hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to sunset, Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Blue Sky Vineyard at (618) 995-WINE or on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.blueskyvineyard.com

Hedman Vineyards

Hedman Vineyard is more than just wine. They also offer antiquing, walking the Shawnee Trails, picking fruit in their orchards and watching the hummingbirds and barn swallows flitter about on their patio. You may also taste the authentic Swedish cuisine in the Peach Barn Café or look around their Scandinavian gift shop. Stay overnight at the Peach Barn Bed and Breakfast for only $115 for one night. The bed and breakfast can accommodate two to four guests at a time.

The winery is open seven days a week Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The cafe is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Hedman will stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays with reservations.

For more information visit Hedman on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.peachbarn.com or call 618-893-4923.

Owl Creek Winery

Owl Creek is family owned and operated by the Genung family. Founded in 1995, it is one of the oldest wineries on the Shawnee Trail. According to their website, they offer the most local foods and live music of any winery on the trail. They offer free tasting year-round of their 10 different wines. Owl Creek has two exterior decks and an exterior patio so that you may enjoy your wine in the beauty that is Southern Illinois. Their gift shop and winery are open March through December, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

For more information visit Owl Creek on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.owlcreekvineyard.com or call 618-893-2557.

Pomona Winery

Famous for their fruit wines, the Pomona Winery has been awarded the Illinois Governor's Cup in 2002 and 2003 for the best fruit wine from Illinois fruit. Pomona offers nine different wines, a deck and picnic area, and an adventure away from home. Close to the Little Grand Canyon River, the River Trail, the Pomona Natural Bridge and Pine Hills and Cedar Lake, Pomona Winery provides outdoor fun for everyone. Open April through December, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

For more information visit Pomona Winery on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at pomonawinery@hughes.net or call 618-893-2623.

Star View Winery

Family owned and operated by Scott and Kate Sensmeir, Star View Winery is a place for food, wine and music. Open year round, Star View offers a deck with a view of their pond and vineyards and a fireplace to enjoy wine. Their nine different wines are made on-site and go wonderfully with their sandwiches, pasta salads and picnic baskets.

If their food isn't what you are craving, feel free to bring your own to go with the wine. Live music is offered every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Open Monday through Friday noon to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday noon to dusk. Other times are available by appointment only.

For more information visit Star View on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.starviewvineyards.com or call 618-893-WINE.

Von Jakob Winery

Open for eight years, Von Jakob Winery offers 21 different wines for you to choose from, food and live music. From their famous and unique Honey Blush wine to their reds and whites, Von Jakob is a great place to sit back and relax. They offer lunch and snacks at their cafe and you may also bring your own picnic basket.

Von Jakob has decks, a pond, a walk through vineyard and beautiful countryside. A popular place for weddings and anniversaries, Von Jakob offers an in-house coordinator to plan all your events and a chef that will prepare any meal that you would like.

For more information visit Von Jakob Winery on the web at www.shawneewinetrail.com or at www.vonjakobvineyard.com or call 618-893-4500.

Ste. Genevieve County

Sainte Genevieve Winery

With 5,000 square feet, located in historic Ste. Genevieve, the Sainte Genevieve Winery has much to offer including original wines, snacks and music. "We were the original winery of Ste. Genevieve," said sales associate Renee Trautman.

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the winery offers 21 different varieties of wine, their most popular being the Lady Genevieve. "We also offer the most fruit wines of any winery in Missouri," said Trautman.

Sainte Genevieve offers picnic basket snacks with their wine consisting of cheese, sausage and crackers and live music can also be heard each Saturday afternoon.

For more information contact the Sainte Genevieve Winery at (573) 883-2800 or on the web at www.saintegenevievewinery.com.

Cave Vineyards

With a natural cave on the property, Cave Vineyards is a hit for families. Opening three years ago, Cave Vineyards has been popular ever since. With the cave, and not the wine, being the main attraction, Cave Vineyards attract a unique crowd of visitors. "People come down to hang out, drink wine and picnic in the cave," said wholesale associate Kendra Gibson, "The cave sets us apart."

The cave has been around since the founding of Ste. Genevieve by the French settlers who named it Saltpeter. The cave is only 200 yards from the tasting room and is cool inside with heaters for the winter.

The winery is on 14 acres and is owned by the Strussione family. The winery offers 11 wines and picnic baskets with a variety of cheeses, crackers and sausages. If a cave is not for you, there's a gift shop and patio to sit and sip the wine. Live music is just one of the many activities offered at Cave Vineyards during the summer. "We have what's called dinner and a movie in the cave," said Gibson, "For $20 a person you may come in and watch a movie and get dinner in the cave."

For more information contact the Cave Vineyards at (573) 543-5284 or on the web at www.cavevineyard.com.

Crown Valley Winery

With a variety of wines and activities to offer, Crown Valley Winery is a fun place to relax and enjoy some good wine. Open seven days a weeks, with live music every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., Crown Valley, part of Crown Country, offers food and wine. They offer 25 different wines including non-alcoholic wines.

Crown Valley has a champagne house, the only one in the Midwest, and they also offer a port house in Clarksville, Mo. They have a store in Farmington, Mo., and a new store opening in St. Louis. They also offer wagon rides for the family and, being part of Crown Country, they are also close to antique malls, many bed and breakfasts and the Tiger Sanctuary that is sure to impress anyone.

For more information visit Crown Valley on the web at www.crownvalleywinery.com.

Chaumette Vineyard

"We offer a diverse food and wine selection," said marketing director, Jennifer Johnson of Chaumette Vineyard. Offering everything from 25 different wines to homemade Classic Champion Chocolates, Chaumette is sure to please. Chaumette's Grapevine Grill is open Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The winery itself is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Belle Haven, the Spa at Chaumette opened in June. The spa includes traditional full service and medical ascetic spa treatments. These treatments will include facials, body treatments, therapeutic massage, steam room and sauna, life style coaches and wellness retreats, a styling salon, manicures and pedicures, Botox and collagen treatments.

"We decided to expand," said Johnson, "The spa is part of our development. We are in the middle of constructing a village based on colonial architecture that will have 26 areas, including things such as swimming pools and cabanas."

For more information on the Belle Haven or Chaumette Vineyard contact Chaumette at (573) 747-1000 or visit them on the web at www.chaumette.com.

Charleville Winery and Microbrewery

The Charleville Winery and Microbrewery is a refurbished 1860s log cabin. Open Wednesday and Thursday noon to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Charleville offers seven different wines and six different beers all made right on the property. Charleville has picnic baskets with cheese and sausage to eat with their wine and beer. They also offer hiking trails, a bonfire at night, and free tasting. The cabin also serves as a two-room bed and breakfast on the weekends. The cabin, opened in 2005, overlooks the vineyard. Live entertainment is offered during the weekends.

For more information, contact Charleville at (573) 756-4537 or on the web at www.charlevillevineyard.com.