19 wineries in 2.5 days- Day 1 Winery #2

After our stop at Wildlife Ridge, we headed east on 50 highway to a small town called Westphalia. There, we arrived at the Norton Room of Westphalia Vineyards. We were greeted by owner, Mary as she told us to pull up a chair. Along side us were a Westphalian couple and all three enriched us in their stories of Westphalia. They had never tried a lick of wine until Mary and her husband Terry introduced them!

We started off with a 2015 Norton (red) that had been aged in MO oak barrels for 6 months. Aaron really enjoyed it but it was on the drier side for me. Next was a 2017 Cabernet Franc (red), a California based wine. Still dry but with bursts of berry tones. As we're not Cabernet fans, we thought it was ok. Prodigal Son (red) was a blend of Norton and Cabernet Franc. It was an interesting mix, still dry with a hint of spices and berries. We both thought it was ok as well. Renaissance (white), made with the Riesling grape was super dry and fruity. I was definitely not a fan and Aaron thought it was ok. Renaissance Sweet (white) was just the sweeten version of its red counterpart. Neither one of us were too impressed but it was a taste-twist on how Riesling grapes can be used. Osage Innocence (white) was a semi-sweet Vignoles blend with grapefruit and tangerine flavors. I'm not big on citrus-y acids but Aaron really enjoyed this one. Anna Rose' (rose') is a blend of Riesling and Cabernet Franc, it was sweet at the beginning and then dry at the end. I quite enjoyed it but Aaron was not a fan. 2015 Maries River Bend (red), made with Chambourcin grapes, was absolutely delicious. A little bit vanilla with hints of blackberry and cherry. We loved this one! 2013 Sweet Success (red) was a rare sweet Norton and it went down smooth. Another favorite we liked. Naughty but Nice (red) could best be described as their desert wine (or port). It was a combination of chocolate and Norton grapes and as the name decrees, it was very Naughty But Nice.

We may have also overstayed our 30 minute time frame here as well. It was a blast talking to everyone and seeing how close the small town can be. Just across the street is a pizza place and they were delivering orders to the customers at the Norton Room. They do not offer live music or other events (just yet!) but the atmosphere strikes as a place to come gather and have a drink or two with friends.