River Ridge Winery

I cannot say enough good about this place. The wine was good. The food was amazing. Very clean. Very friendly atmosphere. I can’t wait to go back !!!

River Ridge Winery, great atmosphere, great food, wonderful entertainment and fabulous wine.

We picked it on a whim while taking a long road trip. They had lots of signs on their route there from Benton. Food was Awesome and fairly priced. Wine was just ok because I prefer sweet and their’s are dry and semi dry. Gift shop was cute and also well priced. Terraced seating area was beautiful. They also had 2 large covered seating areas and a small indoor area. They even had a live band.. When we left I noticed their little garden of herbs, tomatoes and peppers. I’m certain they were using it.

This was our last stop on our SE Missouri winery tour. The selection is enormous! The staff is very friendly, good joke of the day, & risqué jokes were hilarious also! Will definitely stop back by if we are in the area again!

A little out of the way, but what a gem! Live music on the weekends and great selections of wine. They have a Yule Cabin in the winter, but I really enjoy sitting out on their patio in the summer. I have not eaten here yet, but they have a decent selection of wines.

I’ve been visiting River Ridge for the last 15 years. I remember the first time I visited and it was just the little white house. Anyone who has visited has probably heard Jerry’s jokes and he is quite the host. He loves his guests and has a passion for the business.
Recently I brought a car load of family down to Southeast Missouri hitting some of my favorite spots from when I went to SEMO. It is amazing how much they have grown. They have a dining room, small gift shop and tasting room, two pavilions and a large open air patio.
It was cold, so we shared a bottle of wine in their heated pavilion. One of the best parts of this winery is the remote location. It is in the middle of the woods basically, but you can walk up the hill to the vineyards too. Wine is not necessarily my drink of choice, but going here is always enjoyable.

I just don’t have enough good things to say about this gem! Every time I’m there I feel right at home. The owner, Jerry treats every single guest like they’re a close friend. The food is great and they often have live bands outside for entertainment.
No cell phone reception has never bothered me when I’m there… Who wants to be on the phone when you’re enjoying great wine and the company of friends?
A full day stay at River Ridge is hands down my favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday :)

Pros:
–Charming Locale
–Intimate Restaurant
–Outbuilding with live music
–Beautiful patio with crackling fire
–Good Wine (in fact, I’d say it’s the best Missouri wine I’ve ever tasted)
–Cute Gift Shop
Cons:
–Hard to find (and the website is more confusing than helpful – pick one address, and make sure it shows up on a GPS!)
–Third World Restrooms. If you have the wherewithal to make wine and run a restaurant, you should be able to sort out your plumbing (rural location notwithstanding). Having large, open containers of used toilet paper in the stalls is not only unsanitary, it kills the mood.
–Cranky staff (ahem, older woman who works in the tasting room, I’m looking at you).
–Stingiest pour I’ve ever seen in my life. If you want people to buy your wine, make sure they can actually taste it.
–Hordes of drunk women with a bachelorette party stumbling around the tasting room chirping «I like sweet wines! I like sweet wines! I WANT SANGRIA!!!»
–Raunchy gifts in the gift shop (a ring shaped bar of soap called «Weener Kleener»…what kind of gift shop is this, exactly?)
Overall, if I lived in the area, I’d most likely be back.

Everything about this place is fantastic! Jerry and Joannie treat all of their guests like an old friend. The food and wines are great. I could spend all day here (and I have before). It’s in a very peaceful location right by the Mississippi. There’s no cell phone reception, which some might see as an inconvenience, but who needs technology when you’re surrounded by awesome friends, food and wine?
I love River Ridge Winery! You’ll feel right at home.

The food is outstanding u have to try the nachos and burger! Another must is a bottle of there garlic grapeseed oil. I cook with it all the time instead of olive oil

This is indeed a great find. I guess I always knew there was a winery in Commerce, but I didn’t have any interest in wine until I moved to California… because I live in California. Duh!
The café has tasty food (I remember something about a grilled cheese focacia concoction with grilled onions and fontina cheese), and the wine tasting is generous and informative on Missouri wines.

What a great find this little winery was. Wonderful wines!!! I try to make a visit here every time I am back in the area. Several years ago they added a small café that has a wonderful selections of items for lunch. The owners are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. While the location is off the beaten path it is certainly worth a visit.