The Pirtle Winery in Weston, Missouri

When thinking of Missouri one does not usually think of wineries. However Missouri actually has over 50 different wineries. Pirtle Winery is actually housed with a church building that was built in 1867. The wine is actually made, aged, and bottled in the basement of the once Evangelical Church. The church is rather small and on a corner lot in a residential neighborhood. To get to the winery you have to follow a rather twisting path through tiny streets within this even tinier town. However the trek is worth it once you get there.

The entrance is at the top of a steep flight of steps. This is actually the second floor and it's where you can do some wine tasting, purchase wines, and wander through their gift shop. You can also purchase bread and cheese baskets and retire outside to the narrow vine covered seating area where you can taste the delicious wines and nibble on the cheeses and breads you purchased. They even have someone who plays piano while you eat. After wine tasting there is also a lovely little restaurant within a Victorian style home right across the street.

Being such a small winery it is surprising all that they offer. They have a wide range of wines such as Apple Wine, Mellow Red, Sparkling Whites, and Meads. If you have ever tasted Mead you prepare for grainy flavors, however the Meads produced at Pirtle are smooth and sweet without the grainy texture. They have a rich Blueberry mead that would be great with any dessert. Their Apple wine is actually not very sweet, more crisp and dry. They have won many awards for their Meads specifically. They are produced by 92 % of the fruit and 8% honey, and absolutely delicious. One of my favorites is the Mellow Red, it is rather sweet for a red wine and is great for people who usually love white wines but are making the transition over to reds. When wine tasting they do not have a cap as to how many wines you can taste, they will let you sample them all if you like. They also usually have a special wine or mead flavor that is new, recently they came out with a Blackberry Mead.

The wine or mead purchased at the winery itself is a bargain at $9.00 - $12.00 a bottle. They also have salsas, wine cheese dips, t-shirts, and recipe books for sale if you need something else. You can also bring your kids because they will pour them ice cold water or lemonade into a wine glass for them to sip as well. If you would like a tour I would suggest calling ahead, this is a family ran business and most of their efforts go into the wine tasting table and production. You can usually purchase this wine over the internet as well, or local liquor stores in and around Kansas City. However the wine always seems sweeter once you have visited where they harvest and produce such delicious creations. Although small this is a must see when your in the mood for a good bottle of wine.

502 Spring St
Weston, MO 64098
Phone: (816) 640-5728