St. James Winery

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 03, 2017

Favorite Wine: 2014 Cynthiana

Norton Wine Review: St. James Winery has a similar mission as Virginia’s Horton Winery in that they want to educate and introduce to its public good, affordable value wines. Alas, the $6 Norton wines of eight years ago that we tasted & bought by the case are today $11 [and a whole lot better]. Their mid-priced Reserve Norton wines are bargain value wines and stand up well to the best-that-Missouri has to offer. Gone are the plastic tasting sippy cups of years past that you used as if you were going through a Southern restaurant buffet line. Today the staff not only greets you, but sizes up your interest amazingly quickly. We came with three knowledgeable Norton wine fans from Nebraska and Missouri plus a couple who has the bad luck of living in the middle of 121 Sonoma Valley wineries. Not only were we served in nice stemware, but our hostess rinsed each glass with the next wine to be tasted! Among St. James' possible 34 wines and four McIntyre ciders, look for the Missouri Governor's Cup Winning 2015 Vignoles ($15). I truly enjoyed their Podium (available only in their tasting room) Traminette wine produced in stainless steel which pleasantly did not have a typical grapefruit character. So which Norton truly got our attention and purchases, ~ not the interesting 12 vineyard block $25 Norton Cellar Podium wine, nor the 2016 Estate $15 Norton, but rather the $11 2014 Cynthiana [Norton]. St. James is Missouri's largest winery which produces consistent quality wines year in and year out. It maybe time to open our last 2004 and 2005 St. James Reserve Norton wines!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Oct 05, 2015

Favorite Wine: Reisling and Moscato

I thought this was a very nice winery. The staff were very helpful. There were LOTS of varieties of wine! I liked the atmosphere...you could spend time shopping, but also wine tasting. I really enjoyed my visit and the staff were very helpful!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 28, 2013

Favorite Wine: N/A

have not visited the winery as of yet... but I have tried the Blueberry Sweet wine (MOST AWARDED Fruit Wine in the USA) it is very good

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 16, 2012

Favorite Wine: Cynthiana

I agree with the Norton Travelers here. I just saw this winery off the side of the road while doing our "Norton tour" in Missouri and Arkansas and I'm really glad I stopped. Their "serve yourself" style is actually quite refreshing, a go at your own pace type deal, and you can sample everything for free. The wines are very reasonably priced. Their Cynthiana is made lighter than their Norton and is very nice after tasting all of the heavy Missouri Nortons. I particularly liked their Chambourcin as well. Highly recommended!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 23, 2011

Favorite Wine: Louis (Podium Series)

I still don’t like the plastic thimbles at the self-serve bar. Thimbles might work for tasting sweet wines but they are useless for tasting anything dry. Very frustrating. We learned today they have a new series of dry whites and reds called the Podium Series. More on those later. First up is what I will call the regular series of dry reds. The 2006 Norton was more complex than the 2008. The younger wine was still a little harsh and pepper was really the only flavor I could pick up. Their Cynthiana was okay but otherwise unremarkable to us. After discussing these with us, our hostess pointed out that they have a newer series of just dry reds and whites: The Podium Series. We tried their “Louis” which is a 2008 Chambourcin. It was in an entirely different league than their other Chambourcin and Nortons/Cynthianas. Much more complex and robust. One of the best things about the podium series is that for $5 you get to sample them from an actual wine glass. The Louis is the first dry from St. James that I can really say I like. We left with a couple of the Louis, a 2006 Norton and two bottles of their Cherry Wine. We really like it but don’t really think of it as wine. We think of it as Cherry Cider that has a nice alcohol bite in a smooth package.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 11, 2011

Favorite Wine: 08 Norton

The 08 St. James Norton is widely available in stores throughout Missouri, and it remains my most often consumed Norton these days. The winery is located on I-44, and the tasting room is large enough to accomodate even a tour bus. They have done a wonderful job of marketing local wine in Missouri, and while they probably sell more of their sweet wines, their dry reds and whites are terrific and a good bargain. In the fall, they make a blend reminiscent of a Beaujolais, called St. James Nouveau.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 18, 2011

Favorite Wine: Late Harvets Chardonel

Spring 2011

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 22, 2009

Large winery, makes lots of wine. Located off of I44. Many different kinds of wine. Most is very good.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 15, 2009

Favorite Wine: Velvet Red

We stopped in St. James outlet on our way back from Calf. They have a lot of great wines at a great price.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Dec 30, 2008

It was a fun place to visit... had lots of fun.