Grape Destinations

For more than half a century, Lake of the Ozarks has been one of the hottest destinations for summer fun in the Midwest. Added to the list of water, greens, shopping and entertainment is a growing number of vineyards and wineries in and around the area. Load these addresses into your navigation system and take a trip in search of truth. In vino veritas!

Seven Springs Winery 
846 Winery Hills Estates
Linn Creek, MO 65052
573.317.0100
www.sevenspringswinery.com

Seven Springs Winery is the latest addition to the cadre of Lake-area wineries. On 160 acres just off Y Road in Linn Creek, Mike Bleile and fiancé Jennifer Summary recreated their favorite nuances from many different wineries they have visited.

Making wine has been in Mike's family for generations. As a young boy, he watched his grandfather and uncle make wine in stone crocks out of everything from blackberries to dandelions. Today, he is a vintner-in-training, producing nine wines under the Seven Springs label with the assistance of Crown Valley Winery.

“What we've worked to create is a laid-back atmosphere where friends and families can come and enjoy good food, fine wine, beautiful scenery, and just relax and have a good time,” he says.

Casa De Loco Winery
442 Redbird Lane
Camdenton, MO 65020
573.317.9695
www.casadelocowinery.com

Casa de Loco Winery is located just west of Camdenton on a bluff high above the Big Niangua River. The three buildings that now house the winery, guest rooms and the reception hall were constructed in 1930. Nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, great care has been taken to preserve the historic integrity of the structures.

According to local history, the property has been a private retreat, fishing resort and health care facility for the elderly and mentally ill until it closed in the late 1970s. Today, Casa de Loco Winery offers many wines, some with amusing names like Schizo Bianco, Strait Jacket Syrah  and Labottleme in reference to the winery's past.

It's open daily for wine tasting, tours and reservations. Several decks have been added overlooking the river. Guests are encouraged to bring their picnic supplies and spend the day or even the night in luxury accommodations.

Grey Bear Vineyard and Winery
25992 Highway T
Stover, MO 65708
573.377.4313
www.greybearvineyards.com

Grey Bear Vineyards and Winery's owners David and Marschall Fansler aren't new to the business. David's been growing grapes since 1986, when he worked at -- and owned -- Rocky Hill Winery in Montrose, Colo. There, he won three gold, three silver and four bronze medals for his wines. He brought his skill under the Grey Bear label in 2003, when he and Marschall purchased the winery, and has won more recognition in Missouri, garnering eight more medals.

“If you get 20 people in a room, you'll get 20 different opinions about wine,” David says. “I try to make a variety of wines so everyone will find something they like.”

Full of ideas and plans for the future, the Fanslers have continued to expand over the years. The latest addition of Black Canyon Ale House Microbrewery & Bistro, on the first floor above the winery, has been a huge success.

“We want everyone who visits to relax and enjoy themselves so we offer something for everyone,” Marschall says.

Eichenberg Winery 
103 N. Olive St.
Cole Camp, MO 65325
660.668.3511
www.eichenbergwinery.com

Eichenberg Winery is nestled in the heart of historic Cole Camp in what was once a blacksmith shop built in the early 1900s. Proprietors Rodger and Theila Luetjen wanted the winery to reflect the rich German heritage of the area, naming it Eichenberg, which loosely translates as “Oak Hills.”

The building was recently nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, but the vineyard is a relatively young venture, starting in 1996. With the help of the entire family and many friends, the Luetjens cultivate 10 varieties of grapes for production.

Visitors are encouraged to chat about various topics in addition to learning about wine at the tasting counter. Gardens on the property are there for enjoying a full bottle, and the historic town is filled with antique and gift shops for browsing.