RIVERWOOD ESTATE VINEYARD LOCATION

Our main vineyard is at our winery situated on our farm in the beautiful Missouri River bluffs north of the Snow Creek Ski Area. Although we didn't know it at the time we purchased the farm in 1996, some of those vines were already in the ground. Someone had pulled the trellis posts from the vineyards, presumably to be used for fence posts, and left the trellis wires on the ground. The fields had not been tended in several years and the ground was overgrown and brushy.

Historic Tobacco Barn with new vineyard planting and bluffs in the background

​As we began to clear the ground in preparation for mowing we discovered trellis wires. We then spent two winters rolling up wires, which we had to do before we could mow. Finally, we rolled up all the wires and were able to mow. That spring, grape vines began to sprout up all in a row! We decided at that time that we should try to renovate those vineyards. We spent years working on those grapes but ultimately plowed under all but the hardy native Norton vines. Those decades old Norton vines continue to produce for us! We have since planted additional acres of vines which are now producing and from which we make our hearty Estate Wines such as Marechal Foch and Frontenac. ​

Our good dog Penny overlooking the vineyards. We miss her.