22 Missouri Wineries that Used to Be Something Else

Adaptive reuse is a popular term for the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than it was designed for. It’s seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and reduction of sprawl, but it also makes for some pretty interesting stories! The wineries listed below are just a few in Missouri that offer unique histories in the form of adaptively reused sites and buildings.

1. Cave Vineyard – Ste. Genevieve

Cave Vineyard sits atop a natural Saltpeter Cave, named by the early French settlers of the Ste. Genevieve area. Today, the cave is inhabited primarily by wine enthusiasts enjoying the sounds of a babbling brook and the taste of quality Missouri wines.

2. Amigoni Urban Winery – Kansas City

Amigoni Urban Winery is located in the historic Daily Drover Telegram Newspaper building in the Stockyards District of the West Bottoms in Kansas City. The building was constructed in 1909, and for 50 years was a daily newspaper for the livestock industry.

3. West Winery – Macon

West Winery is located in downtown Macon in an 1880’s building that primarily housed men’s suit shops and haberdasheries prior to finding new life as a winery. You can watch the wine making process right from the tasting room.

4. Pirtle Winery – Weston

Pirtle Winery is housed in a former Lutheran Evangelical Church that was built by German immigrants in 1867. On the first floor of the building is an indoor winegarden with wine bar and plenty of seating. The tasting room and gift shop are on the second floor, and a vine-covered wine garden is between the winery building and press house.

5. Adam Puchta Winery – Hermann

The land on which Adam Puchta Winery sits was purchased by the Puchta family in 1841. The original stone house has been restored and serves as the winery’s gift shop. The larger tasting area at the winery is one of the original barns. This winery has a lot of history to share.

6. Riverwood Winery – Rushville

Riverwood Winery's tasting room and giftshop are based in a 1950's era renovated school building located along the east bank of the Missouri River. The building is an example of classic 1950’s style architecture – single level, flat roof, lots of windows. The winery also features a re-fit 1930s tobacco barn where special events and weddings are held.

7. Terre Beau Vineyards & Winery – Dover

Terre Beau Winery is located within a pre-Civil War era church, circa 1858. It was built for pioneers and frontiersmen exploring the west. During the Civil War the building was used as a jail for confederate soldiers. Now you can come and go as you please, but you may not want to leave.

8. Sainte Genevieve Winery – Ste. Genevieve

The Sainte Genevieve Winery and tasting room in downtown Ste. Genevieve is housed in a four square turn of the century brick home that was converted into a temporary hospital after World War I. The house was also the home to the first radio station in the area. It was started by the son of the then owners with knowledge he brought back after the Vietnam War.

9. Belvior Winery – Liberty

The site that now houses Belvior Winery has a vast and varied history. Originally it was built as a hotel in 1887, it was then sold to the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows and served as a complex and home for many of its members and families in need. It’s even said to be haunted and has been featured on national paranormal TV shows.

10. Lost Creek Vineyard – Marthasville

The property where you will now find Lost Creek Vineyard was overgrown and in various phases of degradation when it was purchased by brothers in 1997. Through hard work and dedication, it has been transformed. They rehabbed the old farmhouse, and with the help of area architects, were able to maintain the original “footprint” and added a spacious wrap-around porch and picnic area.

11. Casa de Loco Winery – Camdenton

Originally erected in the late 1920s, the site that is now Casa de Loco Winery was built by a wealthy industrialist and frequented by well-to-do St. Louis residents and referred to as “The Millionaire’s Club”. Its next life was a similar use as The Mozark Club. However, it later opened as The Mozark Health Care Facility, caring for the elderly and mentally ill. This is from where the winery takes its name, Casa de Loco, which is Spanish for ‘crazy house’.

12. Les Bourgeois Vineyards & Winery – Rocheport

The Les Bourgeois Winery tasting room, located directly off Interstate 70 at the Rocheport exit, was once a restaurant attached to a hotel. The hotel space made way for warehouse and production facilities, but the brick building remains as a convenient place for wine lovers to experience Les Bourgeois’ award-winning wines.

13. Charleville Vineyard Winery & Microbrewery – Ste. Genevieve

Charleville Winery moved an 1860's log cabin from St. Mary's and re-erected on their property in Ste. Genevieve. They use it as a Bed and Breakfast. They also rent out the downstairs and porches of the historic building for private parties.

14. Baltimore Bend Vineyard – Waverly

Originally built with the intent of housing an antique mall, the building was also the site of an apple cider processing facility for some years before Baltimore Bend Vineyard took over. Waverly is known for being home to many apple orchards and an annual Apple Jubilee dating back to the early 1900s. Baltimore Bend makes an apple wine in homage to its home town.

15. Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery – Excelsior Springs

Fence Stile Winery’s existing tasting room is housed in a repurposed barn, original to the property. However, additional buildings are being built as the winery expands.

16. Stonehaus Farms Winery – Lee’s Summit

Stonehaus Farms Winery takes its name and a portion of its tasting room from the original stone house that was on the property. Additional facilities have been added, including event space and outdoor seating to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for customers.

17. Chaumette Vineyards & Winery – Ste. Genevieve

Chaumette Winery renovated an old barn and stable, now used for private events. It is particularly popular for weddings. The Barn at Chaumette sits just beyond the tasting room on a picturesque hillside surrounded by lush wood, with a covered porch and a brick patio.

18. Hemman Winery – Brazeau

The building housing the Hemman Winery was a general store built in the 1800s. The previous generations of the Hemman Family ran it as a general store before it was converted into the winery.

19. Viandel Vineyards – Mountain View

The site where Viandel Vineyards now resides was once The Apple House orchard and local market. The farmhouse and fruit stand have been remodeled into a sophisticated winery and comfortable tasting room.

20. Westphalia Vineyards – Westphalia

Once a hotel, the downtown building is now home to Westphalia Vineyards. The upstairs portion is the tasting room, called the Norton Room, named for the Missouri state grape. Downstairs is family style restaurant, The Westphalia Inn.

21. Horst Vineyards – Mountain View

A small boutique winery in the Southern Missouri Ozarks, Horst Vineyards found its home by re-purposing an old farmhouse into their tasting room. Enjoy the winery’s friendly casual atmosphere located just west of Mountain View.

22. Durso Hills Winery – Marquand

Durso Hills Winery is housed in a two-story brick building that had a past life as the Homan Mercantile, built in 1920. The second floor has a stage and seating area the winery converted for use during events and shows held on site.