Mount Pleasant Winery isn't Your Typical Missouri Winery

Pros

• Some of the region's best and most consistent wines
• Beautiful views overlooking the Missouri River valley
• Year-round entertainment, including popular local bands and winemaker dinners

Cons

• Admission and tasting fees ($5 each)
• Wine bought for consumption at the winery is expensive

Description

• Location: 5634 High Street, Augusta, MO
• Phone: (636) 482-WINE
• Hours (May - October):
  Monday - Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Hours (November - April):
  11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily

Guide Review - Mount Pleasant Winery isn't Your Typical Missouri Winery

In 1966, when Mount Pleasant reopened after sitting dormant since prohibition, it was one of only two wineries in the state. Today, even though there are now dozens of wineries within a two hour drive of St. Louis, Mount Pleasant is still the local favorite.

More Than a Pretty Face

Strangely enough, even as one of Missouri's oldest wineries, Mount Pleasant is not a typical Missouri winery. Of course it has the required great views and an idyllic setting for sipping wine and eating cheese. And for many regional wineries, that's enough to draw a crowd every weekend. But that's no longer good enough for Mount Pleasant. Over its 40 plus year history, Mount Pleasant has regularly produced wines good enough to win Gold and Double Gold medals at national and international competitions. Its most popular and award-winning wines are its Villagio (similar to a pinot grigio), Vignoles and, of course, its Norton (Norton is Missouri's state grape).

But once again, Mount Pleasant isn't content to focus on the varieties easily grown in Missouri. It also produces good Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. Other Missouri wineries do too, but very few do them well.

Tasting Fees? In Missouri?

Perhaps because of its consistent success, Mount Pleasant also sets itself apart from other local wineries by charging tasting fees, and when there's entertainment, admission fees too. For those looking for the usual Missouri experience, the fees can be a deal breaker. Even more so when coupled with some of the region's most expensive prices to open and drink a bottle on the premises.

And still, Mount Pleasant's unapologetic. They'll say you get what you pay for and they offer a better product. And while Augusta is a far cry from Napa, isn't it nice to have a few wineries more like those in California than others here in the bi-state area?