About Riverwood Winery

Riverwood Winery is located approximately thirty-five miles north of Kansas City midway between the historic towns of Weston, Missouri and Atchison, Kansas and approximately 2.5 miles north of Snow Creek Ski Area.  The Winery is situated at the foot of the scenic Missouri River bluffs.  The bluffs were formed millions of years ago as glaciers moved into the area.  As the glaciers slowly advanced, the ground was pushed aside, forming the hills along the river.  Those hills contain fine soil which is ideal for tree-fruit production, as well as for establishing vineyards.  Along the entire length of the Missouri River as it passes through the state can be found orchards, vineyards and wineries.  Indeed, prior to Prohibition, Missouri was one of the largest wine producing states in the nation.

Riverwood Winery is 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 south facing windows.

The building was designed by Joseph Radotinsky, a noted architect in the Kansas City and western Kansas areas.  Radotinsky designed several well known buildings, and served as the State Architect for the state of Kansas.

           

From the 1950’s through the early 1980’s the building housed Lakeview Elementary School.  After the school closed its doors in the early eighties, the building was purchased by a local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, (VFW) and used as the VFW meeting hall. An Atchison couple purchased the building from the VFW in the mid-1990’s and it was used as a consignment and antique shop.

In 2005, David and Ginah purchased the building for conversion into Riverwood Winery.

The Winery is set among agricultural fields and between the wooded bluffs which parallel the Missouri River.  It is located approximately one mile due east of the July 3, 1804 camp site of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  The Winery's location offers visitors wonderful views of the surrounding riverbluff hills as they change from season to season and the adjacent agricultural fields as the crops grow, ripen and are harvested. 

Late fall and winter visitors to the Winery have an opportunity to witness spectacular flights of thousands of snow geese as they fly from open water to their feeding areas, which, depending upon the crops planted the previous season, may be in the fields surrounding the Winery.  Bald eagles cruising along the riverbluff ridgelines are a common winter sight. 

In the spring and summer visitors can watch for bluebirds which nest in the boxes placed around the Winery property, or turkey vultures circling over the riverbluffs. 

The Winery is located on Missouri Highway 45, a major arterial highway for travelers to and from St. Joseph, Missouri; Atchison, Kansas; Leavenworth, Kansas; Weston, Missouri; Platte City, Missouri; and the Greater Kansas City Metro Area.      

The winery is located  2.5 miles from Snow Creek Ski Area, providing visitors the opportunity to combine a ski outing with a visit to the winery to experience our wines, and an overnight stay at one the of the local bed and breakfasts. 

About Weston, Missouri

Weston, Missouri is a delightful town with numerous charming gift and antique shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts.  It is home to Pirtle’s Winery, a brewery, and McCormick Distillery.  Numerous ante-bellum homes that have been restored and decorated are available for tour.  Many of the downtown Weston shops and restaurants are housed in original commercial buildings which date from the early to mid-1800s.  Among other festivals and celebrations, Weston holds the “Apple Fest” in October and several Homes Tours during the year.

Home | About Us | What's New | Events | Vineyard Information | Wines | Services | Links | Directions | Contact Us