Stone Hill Winery

Hermann,  MO

It was predicted to be very hot and humid today.  As high as 93.   So we decided we would just sit around at the campground.   But by 11 am it was only in the low 80's so we decided to drive about 17 miles over Hermann to Stone Hill Winery.    The first time I was there was in 1980.   Leonard and I visited again a few years back.  

Once we got to the winery we only had to wait about 15 minutes for a tour.  There were only 4 of us on this tour.   When the guide told us the original owner originally had a winery in Philadelphia, we found that the other couple were from Holland, Delaware County, right outside of Phila.   And since we lived only 30 miles from Philadelphia, we found AGAIN what a small world this is.

Inside this 1870's building is the gift shop and tasting room.

Most of the grapes are grown in the surrounding countryside, some even on the property.  These vines grow the grapes for their signature Norton wine.

The wine cellar was a joy.  The scent of the wine, the coolness.   The appearance of this old, stately building.

Some of the oak barrels are made in Missouri, some even in France.  The cost of a good oak barrel can be from $500 to $l,000.

An example of the owners private stock and an antique grape press.

At this point our camera needed a charge.  When WILL we remember to keep the thing charged?

After the tour, we went inside for a tasting.   We tasted a few we did not like, but a few we did.  We bought two bottles for us and a bottle for our friends who live nearby and invited us to dinner tomorrow night.

As both my daughters have fond memories of touring Stone Hill as children, I called them to ask what wine they would like.  Amy answered and was in the middle of feeding Abby (1) and Charlotte (4) lunch.  Her reply was two bottles would be great right then.  She decided on a Port.   Terri,  was in a meeting at work, did not answer.  She will get what we chose for her.

Stone Hill has a lovely restaurant that used to be a barn and stables.   We decided to lunch there and invited our new tour friends to join us.   This couple moved to the States from Germany in 1960.   They are on the way to Houston to see their granddaughter graduate High School.   Now neat - we are going to Houston to see our granddaughter graduate on June 2.   Different schools though.  

We never got the names of these nice people.  But we talked of our travels.  They love to RV also but have not done it for years.  They once spent every vacation  RVing the country.   This is a part of RVing we love.  Meeting new and interesting people, if only for a short visit as we all go to our own destinations.