Peaceful Bend Vineyard & Eatery

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 05, 2011

Favorite Wine: 08 Norton

I went back to Peaceful Bend after a few years have passed, and glad I did. Mark my words, there's no better way to spend an afternoon than in a comfortable woodstove-heated room drinking wine with a fantastic Missouri winemaker. Clyde Gill makes the list of my top ten favorite people in Missouri, and for good reason. He's making terrific wines, and has been infatuated with Missouri wine culture for over 30 years. He's passionate about his work, and his offerings are among some of my favorites in the Ozarks. Try the Meramec, a nice blend of Norton, Chambourcin and possibly other grapes. I bought a bottle to put away for a couple of years, though plowed through the 08 Norton. Great place, earnest folks, and well worth the trip away from St. James.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 23, 2011

Favorite Wine: Forche Renault

This winery had some very nice wines and the winemaker seems to enjoy trying some non-traditional (at least to us) varieties and blends than are usually found at most other Missouri wineries. I really liked their dry red blend called Forche Renault comprised of the St. Vincent and Noiret varieties. Their Meramec blend of Chambourcin and Norton was noteworthy in its smooth delivery. Their Norton was very unique. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this one. I passed on buying any of it and now I regret it. They also had another Chambourcin in a semi-sweet style called Yadkin Creek. It had a Chambourcin nose, a semi-sweet start and then a more typical dry Chambourcin finish. Nice. I was delighted to try their Dry Creek (Lot#3) which was an oaked Traminette. A very nice surprise. None of the bitter, metallic traits I usually find offensive in too many whites. Yet it had nice dry, oakey, buttery flavors. I would not have guessed this was a Traminette. Finally to the semi-sweet portion of the spectrum, we liked the Whittenburg which was a blend of three varieties of which the Vignoles was most prominent to us.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 17, 2010

Favorite Wine: Meramec wine (Chambourcin-Norton blend)

Norton Wine Review: While visiting Peaceful Bend Vineyard we got a twofer; first an introduction to well made Missouri wines and second having the opportunity to meet owner and vintner, Clyde Gill. Peaceful Bend Vineyard reflects what is going well in Missouri’s wine industry, good wines and learning opportunities while visiting a vineyard first hand. This site had been the location of a former successful vineyard which had unfortunately turned hands unsuccessfully over the years and now is being resurrected by Clyde and his wife. Starting anew, original old grape vines are being ripped out now for replacement with select varietals. To make ends meet at this time, two-thirds of all PBV wines are being packaged under other labels, but unlike other vineyards catering to the public’s demand of sweet wine, Peaceful Bend Vineyard is successfully producing seven out of their twelve offerings as dry wines. Well described in their wine listings are top food pairings with each wine. After tasting each wine, we could easily envision the culinary suggestions as not only reasonable, but imaginative. Their Courtois (Cayuga with a splash of Chardonnay) was pleasantly dry. We were introduced here to Cornell University’s Noiret wine with PBV’s ’07 Forche Renault. Dry with a suggested pairing of pasta with marinara or portabella mushrooms. Keeping with the label tradition of naming PBV’s wines with surrounding rivers, we encountered their Meramec wine, a wonderful barrel aged Chambourcin-Norton blend which was appropriately described as “aromas of pepper and dried fruit flavors.” I really don’t know if I’ve ever tasted a better Chambourcin blend. Though we enjoyed and picked up other wines here, the last mention I’ll give is to Peaceful Bend Vineyard’s homerun, three year aged Norton wine. Again borrowing from their wine list description, “the tannin level is round and smooth – delicious!” Sorry, I can not describe it any better. Drink now or age a few more years (I bet that you’ll not have the constitution for putting this Norton away for long). ADDENDUM: Yesterday we treated ourselves opening a gift $$ 2003 complex Silver Oaks Cab Sauv as our afternoon wine followed with a smooth Pleasant Bend Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany our dinner. The PBV Cab did not have a strong nose, but was perfect for the Hungarian goulash meal. In spite of costs and Silver Oaks' reputation, several guests preferred the Missouri Pleasant Bend Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Feb 28, 2010

Favorite Wine: Fourche Renault

Located in the beautiful Central Plateau region of the Ozark Highlands, Peaceful Bend's grounds and log cabin represent the region. Several of their wines are named after local waterways, creeks, streams. The Fourche Renault is an elegant dry red with a brambly start. Their Norton wasn't as bold as others found in the St. James region, but it may be young. A very nice little winery with snacks, good dogs, and a great little porch designed for whiling away the afternoon over a bottle of their fresh dry wines.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 28, 2007

as always, katy is a wonderful hostess. very informative. classy lady. the wines are wonderful.