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Best Wine Evar
I'm a wine drinker. End of story. These places get the job done.
Angela S. said: "This was my second visit to Chandler Hill and it was just as good as the first time. It's such a gorgeous place. The tasting room is huge and beautiful and even when crowded, there are places to get away and enjoy the view. Personally,…" read more »
10 reviews for Balducci Vineyards
10 reviews in English
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Review from Justin W.
Fenton, MO
2/9/2012 1 photo
I grew up working at the Balducci restaurant in Saint Louis, so when it came time for my wedding, what better place than their winery!
First of, let me start by saying that Karen, their event planner, was extremely helpful throughout the whole process. We had a very small wedding, only 25 people, and she was very accomodating and worked with us.
For our wedding, we had the Italian Salad and Chicken Con Broccoli which were both delicious. I knew the food would be good though having grown up around similar recipes.
As for the wines: The port wine they carry is a very strong port and it is wonderful. So much so that when we went for our tasting before the wedding, I had to drive home because my father in law had too much. Which was suprising to me since all he had was his tasting portion, as well as most of mine.
The Dolce Bianco is one of the best sweet white wines I have ever tasted. We ended up buying multiple bottles to take home and I am planning on taking a trip out there very soon to get more.
The only downfall to Balducci wines is they are not carried in local grocery stores like most of the other local wineries. I would like to see that change so I do not have to drive to Augusta. Some wines are carried at the Saint Louis restaurant, but only a limited few. -
Review from Aimee K.
10/9/2011
Oh! Oh! Oh! I can't believe I've been going to Montelle over and over and completely ignoring Balducci. Never again will that happen!
This winery is a really nice size and parking was very easy, but granted, we got there around 11:30am... any later and it might have been more difficult to get a great spot. The first thing I noticed was the scenery, and WOW is it breathtaking! Out of all of the wineries in Augusta, this one (in my opinion) has the best views, the trees this time of year are gorgeous. We're lucky to have places as relaxing & peaceful as Augusta so close to St. Louis.
The guys behind the counter doing the wine tastings today were so fun and friendly, and took us through every single kind they had (from the awful, sweet, cavity-inducing varietals to the dry chards and pinot grigios.) I really like what they had to offer, but oddly enough I decided to spend the day drinking O'Fallon's Pumpkin Ale. Loved that they had it!
The food we had was great and definitely was better than I've had at any winery around here. They had great salads, cheese and sausage platters perfect for a group, and the pizza we had was perfect! So many good things...
My only complaint is the only bathrooms they have are porta-pottys, and NO thank you. If you really have to go that bad, drive down to the biker bars.
Can't wait for another trip before Jack Frost graces us with his presence!Listed in: Five Whopping Stars!, Best Wine Evar
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Review from Katherine M.
Harrisburg, PA
9/16/2011 5 photos
We drove out here on a Saturday around 4pm, and it was already pretty crowded. Located in basically a lot of cornfields, the place is open and has a lot of room. There was a large tend with tables and a band, then more tables scattered about. We made our way to the main building where we tried some wines.
We ended up with the Sonoma (a bottle) and one pumpkin beer (it was in season) and a cheese and meat tray (summer sausage and some cheeses in one of those plastic carryout boxes) and went on our merry way to find a table. You get plastic cups to pour the wine into. It's not high class, but it's cute. It seems like a place where a lot of people go to get a bit crazy, evident by the large amount of young brides-to-be with their girls. It's an amazingly movie like bachelorette party thing - I felt like I was watching some chick flick - I heard a girl talk about how her husband didn't actually wanna marry her or something while downing a glass of wine and a lot of drunken dancing. It was better entertainment than the band I gotta say.
The live music was nice. It's just good in the background, but we sat far enough away to not really have it be the center of the night. The music wasn't anything I was really wowed by, more of just a mention.
The wine isn't truly worth the price, but it's good, and I think you're more paying for the experience (which...I guess...actually...isn't much) and crowd.
Still partying in a cornfield is a weirddd thing to me. -
Review from Jenny P.
4/13/2011
Balducci's is one of my favorite Missouri Wineries! Not only do they have great wines, but the views are beautiful and open, it is never too crowded as the tables are very spread out, the outdoor seating area is HUGE, and you have the options of sitting with a large group in the sun or cozy up in the shade of one of the barns or under a tree. They have great live music on the weekends including blues and jazz, as well as some food items including their delicious pizza. Although, you are still more than welcome to bring your own picnic basket full of goodies!
I recommend their sweet or semi sweet white wines as I prefer them on a warm sunny day over reds, but I still need to try their reds! Their wines are a bit more pricey than some of the other wineries, but it is worth it!
I can't wait to spend more time at Balducci's this summer!
P.S. Check out their restaurant (Balducii's) in Maryland Heights! -
Review from Jill L.
7/28/2008
Went to Louis P. Balducci Winery on Saturday. The view is beautiful just like most all the wineries in Augusta. There was a $1 cover charge to get in since they had live music...not a big deal. They still allow you to bring in food which all of them should allow people to do. The only slightly annoying thing is the mark up on their wine: $15.99 for a bottle of Sonata. While delicious, you can buy Sonata in the grocery stores for $5.99.
I realize the mark up comes with the territory and you're paying for the experience more than anything else but a $10 markup seems rather drastic.
Anyway, the parts of the day I remember were fun. Good times were had by all. -
Review from liz d.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2009
Excellent outdoor winery where you can enjoy an entire day. Wine not your thing? They have beer also! Along with different cheeses, breads and even pizza. Seriously? How awesome is that. Don't like any of this? You can bring your own food. But don't try to sneak drinks in, because they have a security guard at the entrance from the parking lot. And yes. He checks your bags, coolers, etc.
The have small wine tastings that are free, and their wine prices are very reasonable. The gift shop is filled with wine paraphernalia, so be careful. Don't drink and shop like I did. -
Review from Amanda C.
O'Fallon, MO
10/27/2008
I guess you can't really credit Louis P. Balducci Vineyards for the beautiful fall foilage and crisp fall weather we had, but I have to say, we had an absolutely PERFECT afternoon there.
I've had only a limited experience with wineries in Augusta, but this one was a really good and laid-back time. I'm not the biggest fan of Missouri wines, but I've found they have several different (and tasty) wines for you to taste. They do not charge for tasting (though you should always tip the bartender) and if you do decide to buy a bottle, they don't make you pay for a glass (or put down a deposit like other wineries we've gone to) - they have lots of plastic ones available.
You're welcome to bring in food, but are not allowed to bring in any type of liquid, which includes bottles of water (and they will search your purse). So make sure you either hydrate before you go, or plan on spending a few bucks on the bottles of water they have for purchase. They also have beer available for those that don't enjoy wine (like my husband) but like to go for the company.
The wine is a bit pricey, especially for Missouri wines, but I always keep in mind that you're paying for the overall experience. They day we went they had a live band (and they still didn't charge a cover, whoo hoo!) which wasn't too loud to be enjoyable. There's also a small indoor area in case you don't enjoy beautiful scenery (and are, by my calculations, insane.)
On busier days I'd suggest bringing a few extra chairs or blankets. My group got there early and secured enough tables and chairs for us, but several other people were walking around trying to scrounge up some chairs the whole time.
Our favorite vintage that we tasted (and subsequently bought 2 bottles of) was the Chiaretto. It's a semi-dry red wine which is a less oakier version of one of their dry reds. I'm usually a freak when it comes to any kind of sweet wine because it gives me an instant headache (so it's usually the drier the better), but the Chiaretto was INCREDIBLE. I wasn't even going to try it when she told me it was "semi-dry," but I'm SO glad I did. It reminds me a lot of a Rose (which you should definitely try one sometime, if you can find it). And no headache! Not to mention, even my non-wine-drinking husband LOVED it.
I'd definitely go back ANY time (especially in the fall, the leaves were AMAZING) especially to go buy some more bottles of our new favorite wine! -
Review from Matt H.
Brooklyn, NY
7/13/2009 1 photo
Bring a picnic lunch, and all the food you want to this scenic vineyard. A fine winery, especially if you enjoy sweet table wines.
The service here is polite and friendly. There are plenty of tables and a tent near the stage, where they play music on the weekends. This vineyard has one of the best views of any in Augusta, wine country in Missouri.
Word on the street is that this winery is for sale (so that the owners can concentrate on their restaurant). -
Review from Jean P.
7/30/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I'm going to be honest, if it weren't for the food, this place would get 2 stars. The wines are overpriced and not THAT great. I usually will get a bottle of the Sonata with food, and this is usually our lunch stop on an Augusta trail day. I do enjoy their nice lawn and view. We've never really gone for the live music. I also always feel like I'm gonna get frisked at the entrance, as they check for outside drinks. Seriously...I can bring outside food, but you INSIST I buy a bottle of water from you instead of the one I already have?!
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Review from Scar G.
Chesterfield, MO
6/2/2011
like! (see how much I like http://vimeo.com/24552381)
