Why you should visit Defiance wineries
Defiance is nestled in the rolling hills of historic Missouri wine country just 40 minutes west of St. Louis, Missouri.
Beautiful valleys and breathtaking views of the Missouri River Valley are this region’s calling card. And the Missouri wines (of course!)
Defiance is the gateway to the entire Missouri Wine Country Corridor that extends through Augusta, Dutzow, Marthasville, Washington, and Hermann.
Defiance can be the first stop on your journey through Missouri wine country. And we hope it won’t be your last!
How to access wineries in Defiance, Missouri
Defiance, Missouri is a relatively short drive from several neighboring cities and towns.
Defiance is only 40 minutes west of St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) serves the city. It would be super easy to fly into St. Louis, rent a car, and drive from the airport to Defiance.
Augusta, Missouri is also a super short drive from Defiance – only 13 minutes! If you’re already in the Augusta area you may as well stop by Defiance wineries too.
Defiance, MO is a 3 hour and 30 minute drive east of Kansas City, Missouri. That’s too long for a daytrip but perfect for a weekend getaway.
Which Defiance wineries to visit for a wine tasting
Chandler Hill Vineyards
Chandler Hill Vineyards is one of those family friendly wineries where you can relax for hours.
Their winery boasts an expansive tasting room, a full-service restaurant, and a huge terrace overlooking their tranquil lake and gorgeous vineyard.
It’s a tranquil setting with wine and great food. What more could you want?
Chandler Hill Vineyards works with a mixture of Missouri grapes and West Coast grapes.
Missouri-grown grape varieties include Vignoles, Chambourcin, and Norton grapes. The remaining grapes come from the Columbia Valley in Washington State, the Central Coast of California, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
Their upscale Guided Tasting Experience in the Barrel Room pairs small bites with six wines from four different wineries. Tastings typically take 45-60 minutes and cost $50 per person.
The winery offers tastings on a first-come, first-served basis for groups with fewer than eight people.
Chandler Hill Vineyards is a special place that’s definitely worth a stop.
Sugar Creek Winery
Sugar Creek Winery is a boutique vineyard nestled in the heart of Missouri wine country.
They craft award-winning wines (dry, semi-dry, and sweet) from a wide range of Missouri varietals.
Their Missouri-grown grapes include Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Norton, Cythiana, Noiret, Delaware, and Chardonel (a hybrid of Chardonnay and Seyval). Peach, Raspberry, and Blackberry wines plus a port round out their list of great wines.
Sugar Creek Winery has beautiful views of the Missouri River Valley and St. Alban’s Cliffs. A charming historic Victorian home is their tasting room.
Add the occasional live music event and you’ve got a winery that’s so comfortable and inviting you may never want to leave.
Defiance Ridge Vineyards
Defiance Ridge Vineyards is a 42-acre property nestled in the rolling hills of Missouri wine country.
The property boasts a tranquil lake, lush garden landscape, and a beautiful vineyard. From the terraces and veranda of the winery’s historic farmhouse you’ll find great views of the Missouri River Valley.
There’s even a full-service restaurant that serves vineyard-to-table cuisine. This Missouri winery is an amazing place to spend an afternoon.
Defiance Ridge Vineyards utilizes a wide range of Missouri varietals and West Coast varietals. Check out their wine menu, which includes a Defiance Vineyard cabernet franc from Napa Valley and a Defiance Vineyard cabernet sauvignon sourced from vineyards east of Paso Robles, California.
The tasting room offers a few wine tasting options. For $8 you can try five non-reserve wines. For $15 you’ll get four reserve wines. And if mimosas are more your thing there’s a mimosa flight for $20 for four samples.
The winery is open seven days a week year-round.
Defiance Ridge Vineyards has a waterfront wedding venue, which would be the perfect place for a wedding reception. They also have a spacious indoor and outdoor dining area that’s perfect for a variety of special events (and unique events of the non-wedding variety).
Other Missouri wineries worth a visit
Defiance is within driving distance of other Missouri wine country towns.
Check out the Augusta area for even more Missouri made wine. Augusta, Missouri is a short 13 minute drive away from Defiance. Montelle Winery and Augusta Winery are worth a stop especially if you’re already in the area.
Midwestern wine lovers should check out our list of the best wineries in Weston, Missouri. Weston wineries reflect the charm and good taste of this historic little town near the Missouri River. Weston is only 40 minutes northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, so it’s the perfect distance for a quick weekend trip.
Sainte Genevieve is a 90 minute drive southeast of Defiance. This unique town has a strong French influence and lots of historic buildings. These four wineries in Sainte Genevieve are a great addition to your trip.
Springfield is another good choice for a wine country getaway. Now, not many people associate the “Queen City of the Ozarks” with wine. But there are seven fun wineries near Springfield nestled in the hills just outside of town.
In Hermann, history is everywhere from its beautiful buildings built in the 1800s to its old stone cellars. Hermann wineries are some of the oldest (and best!) in Missouri.
Sounds like it’s time for a roadtrip…
