More than sausage and cheese

COMMERCE, Mo. -- Drive by River Ridge Winery on a spring, summer or fall afternoon and you'll see that, despite its isolated location, River Ridge is no secret.

On a warm, sunny weekend, people fill the patio outside the quaint former dwelling that houses the winery, tucked away on a Scott County road nearly two miles from the river town of Commerce.

In January business is a little slower, but just because it's cold outside doesn't mean River Ridge isn't serving. And if you're hungry, there's plenty more on the menu than just cheese, sausage and crackers.

Keller Ford, general manager of River Ridge Winery, stood in the tasting room with some of the winery's offerings. (Fred Lynch)

River Ridge's restaurant, The Fermentation Room, is open for lunch and dinner daily. The place is known for its wine, but River Ridge also offers a menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees to fill the stomach with something besides fermented grapes.

Weekday diners in January or February can usually expect a peaceful atmosphere -- sometimes you might be the only one in the restaurant, though weekends can get busy.

It's this way every year, but the winery's doors remain open through the slow times, said River Ridge general manager Keller Ford.

"That gives us a little time to get the wine made," said Ford, only half-joking because the winery makes 24 styles of wine, most of which are for sale at the winery itself.

In the beginning River Ridge owners and founders Jerry and Joanie Smith only served a "picnic basket" with wurst (from the now-closed Esicar's Smokehouse, a trusted vendor for River Ridge food products), crackers and cheese. That was 1994. Fourteen years later, the menu isn't as big as restaurant-only operations, but offers far more than the picnic basket. The Fermentation Room is full-service, with servers taking orders and delivering food in large portions.

"You aren't going to be hungry when you leave here," Ford said.

River Ridge also accepts reservations for parties, offering three-, five- and seven-course meals with a menu tailored to the customer's request. The Fermentation Room also serves a special multicourse dinner Valentine's Day night.

To learn more about River Ridge Winery call 264-3712 or go to www.riverridgewinery.com.