A Kansas City wine tour is a great way to spend a day sipping award-winning wine, nibbling on a cheese plate and listening to some live music. At Overland Chauffeured Services, a weekend doesn’t go by that we aren’t taking clients to many Kansas and Missouri wineries. But don’t limit your wine tours and wine tastings to the weekends. Most wineries are open during the week as well and usually less crowded. If you want some help choosing from some of best wineries in Kansas City, we can help.
History about Kansas & Missouri Wine
Area history buffs may already know this fun fact but by the mid 1870’s, Kansas and Missouri combined to lead the country in wine production. Before European immigrants settled in the Midwest, even Native American tribes cultivated grapes. Kansas was the first state to pass statewide prohibition in 1881. But that didn’t stop Kansas winemakers. They continued their bootleg operations or sold their wine across the state line in Missouri. Missouri is best known for the Norton grape, which is America’s oldest native grape. It is dry, full bodied with dark berry flavors and spice overtones. German style, semi-sweet wines tend to be popular, easy to drink and found at both Kansas and Missouri wineries in abundance.
Clearly things have changed since the heyday of wine production in the late 1800’s but we are still fortunate to have several great wineries right in and around the Kansas City area, which makes for plenty of great wine tasting almost year-round. The best wineries to visit in Kansas City offer beautiful tasting rooms, breath-taking scenery, incredible hospitality and most importantly great wine!
Planning Your Wine Tasting Experience and Winery Tour
Even given the current conditions due to COVID-19 (don’t forget your masks), it is possible to have an amazing wine tasting experience. Tasting rooms may have limited capacity and reservations could be necessary depending on your group size, so a little pre-planning is always suggested. There is likely something special going on at one of the area Kansas City wineries every week. Food trucks, yoga, special tastings, who knows! And what is better and more refreshing than wine slushies and sangrias on these hot summer days! Many wineries have ample outdoor seating with live music on the weekends. Some music events may require you to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
The most important part of enjoying a Kansas City winery tour is being safe. There is no better way to assure your safety than by hiring a chauffeured transportation service. Why limit your fun or take a risk driving after a few glasses of wine? If it is just you and your significant other, consider renting a chauffeured sedan. If you are going with another couple, enjoy the extra space in an SUV or stretch limousine. For larger groups, Overland offers a wide range of Mercedes Sprinters, Executive Vans, Mini Coaches and even 56 passenger motorcoaches. We always provide our passengers with a cooler of bottled water so everyone stays hydrated.
Getting the Most Out of Your Winery Tour
Typical wine tours are 3 – 6 hours, with the average around 4 hours if you wish to visit up to 3 wineries. Or you can visit 1 or 2 wineries and keep your rental time to 3 hours. To ensure you spend more time at the winery instead of in the vehicle getting to the winery, we suggest visiting wineries in the same part of town. For instance, for an Urban Wine Experience in the heart of Kansas City, MO, we suggest Amigoni, KC Wineworks in Downtown and Cooper’s Hawk on the Country Club Plaza. You could spend an entire day enjoying the wineries in Weston, MO. Pirtle Winery, Vox Vineyards and Jowler Creek are just a few of the wineries that stand out.
If Kansas wineries are more to your liking, Somerset Ridge Winery in Paola, KS is a fan favorite. Great wine, beautiful atmosphere, live music and food trucks on the weekends. Not too far away, we frequently combine Nighthawk Winery and Isinglass Estate, both excellent experiences. In Olathe, Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery and KC Wine Co are your top choices. KC Wine Co. hosts festivals like Cider Fest, OKCtober Fest and Mutts & Merlot every year.
Overland Chauffeured Services supports all Kansas City area wineries so these suggestions are by no means complete. That is what makes discovering wineries throughout Kansas and Missouri fun and exciting!
Make Sure You Plan in Advance and Know the Rules
Wineries have different hours of operation and restrictions due to the size of their tasting room and/or outdoor seating. Some may not have tastings but allow you to buy wine by the glass or bottle. Not all wineries have outdoor seating, so you may need to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets. During COVID-19, wineries will require you to wear a face mask inside their tasting rooms unless you are drinking or eating at your table. It is always best to call and check the winery’s websites for the latest information and make sure you know they are open.
Vineyard & Winery Wedding Venues
Getting married? Check for wineries that have venues to rent for your rehearsal dinner or reception. Some of Kansas City’s best wedding venues are definitely at wineries. Just a few that come to mind Mallinson Vineyard & Hall, Belvoir Winery and Inn and Bourgmont Winery. What could be better than having one of the most memorable days of your life take place in a beautiful Kansas City winery! Truly some of the best event venues in Kansas City will always be at a Kansas or Missouri winery. And when it comes to chauffeured and charter bus transportation, Overland Chauffeured Services will expertly handle all your guest shuttle services, the wedding party bus and of course the bride and groom getaway car at the end of the night!
Enjoying a day of wine tasting is one of the best activities to do in Kansas City. Overland Chauffeured Services makes it even more fun and safe for you and your friends to get the most out of your winer tour. Call us today to plan your winery tour and leave the driving to us!