'The Gateway To Missouri Wine Country' Is A Charming Town Outside St. Louis With B&B's And Local Eats

When it comes to wine in America, the Midwest can be overlooked, but many states like Missouri are brimming with quality vineyards. The Show Me State boasts over 1,700 acres dedicated to growing grapes that produce around 1 million gallons of wine annually. While Missouri was famous for being "The Gateway to the West," there's one town that's known as "The Gateway to Missouri Wine Country," and that's Defiance. It's a tiny community a stone's throw from the Missouri River, and it has quaint B&Bs, quality eats, vineyards just outside of town, and opportunities to explore the rolling hills and forests of the river valley.

Located 45 minutes west of St. Louis, Defiance would probably be best described as a hamlet, with a full-time population of under 100 residents. It's a tiny, few-street town, yet Defiance is a community that is open and ready for visitors, with historic bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and a dozen wineries within 15 miles. It's the balance of rural relaxation, stunning nature, and high-end amenities that makes Defiance and the surrounding countryside unique.

There are historic inns on quiet streets with trendy breweries a few blocks away. Outside of town, the area is full of rolling hills covered in grape vines and vineyard restaurant patios serving high-quality cuisine. Meanwhile, state trails and county parks offer deeper exploration of the beautiful wilderness in eastern Missouri. For quality wine sipped at a table overlooking the rows of vines, luxurious accommodation, and hiking through deep nature less than an hour from St. Louis, the tiny town of Defiance defies expectation and punches well above its weight in visit-worthy attractions. 

There are a number of charming, historic bed-and-breakfasts in Defiance, like The Ruebling House. In the heart of the village, it's in what was once the general store and home of August Ruebling, a founder of the town. Built in 1906, the renovated home has four full-service units that can be booked separately or as one large Ruebling House experience that sleeps up to 22 guests. Just down the road, The Merry House Inn is a large, recently renovated spot that gives a higher-end experience and luxurious feel, with a shared kitchen and three large suites offering plush towels, robes, and high-thread-count sheets — one suite even has a jacuzzi.

A little more out into nature, The Enchanted Owl Inn is 10 minutes outside of Defiance and tucked into the forest with a back porch facing the trees. It offers three guest rooms and a more catered experience with breakfast, dinner upon request, and even fully-stocked picnic baskets if you're going to spend the day adventuring Missouri wine country. As an area centered on vineyards and welcoming visitors, there are naturally quality dining options in and around Defiance.

Circle 6 is on the main street and looks like a general store that would be easy to drive past, but it's actually a quaint local restaurant with burgers, wings, portobello fries, and a back patio to go along with its convenience store side. Good News Brewing is right down the road and has a modern feel, with craft brews, wood-fired pizza, and a rooftop terrace. Finally, a few minutes outside of town, the Sunflower Hill Farm Cafe is another spot worth visiting for its fresh eggs, homemade bakery, and small market of local goodness.

This part of the Missouri River valley has a long history of winemaking, and America's first wine region is even located in Augusta, 15 minutes from Defiance. And there are many more vineyards throughout the area offering tastings of local varieties, quality dining, and events in rustic settings. Defiance Ridge Vineyards is a 42-acre property a mile north of town and offers flights of their wines and a restaurant menu with salads, sandwiches, and shareable plates like the charcuterie board, all served on a patio overlooking the vineyard.

A similar vibe can be found at Chandler Hill Vineyards, a few minutes west. Built at the site of a late 18th-century cabin, this vineyard sits on a hill with rolling wine country vistas and serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as exclusive tastings with the sommelier. They often host events as well, like sunset dinners with live music. For deeper history, the Stone Hill Winery is an hour west and is one of the oldest wineries in America that's still worth visiting.

Sitting under the sun on a vineyard terrace is a lovely way to enjoy the fresh air in Missouri, but there are more opportunities to get into nature in this rural region outside of St. Louis. Matson Hill Park is a 475-acre nature area nearby that is crisscrossed with miles of paths for hiking and gravity flow trails for mountain bikes. The Katy Trail is another option for walking or biking that passes through town, stretching over 200 miles across Missouri, making it America's longest developed rail-trail. Defiance is an early stop on the popular path, and some of the aforementioned B&Bs even offer pick-up and storage services for bikers on multi-day journeys.