This Concord sweet red wine is a tribute to the Concord grapes grown in the Ozark Highlands along Missouri’s Historic Route 66 for over 115 years.
When Italian immigrants settled in the St. James area, they planted vineyards. By the 1930s, over 1,000 acres of grapes dotted the landscape. When Prohibition started, grape vines across the state were ripped from the ground. The Italians in the Ozark Highlands region approached the situation differently and were key to keeping Missouri’s wine industry alive.
“Instead of destroying their vineyards during Prohibition like others in Missouri, the farmers formed a fruit grower’s association in order to keep growing and selling grapes, along with other fruit, to stores in St. Louis,” said Peter Hofherr, St. James Winery chairman and CEO. “During WWII, a long-term contract with a prestigious juice, jam and jelly company helped make the local Concord grapes famous. The farmers even negotiated to be allowed to sell small quantities or quarts of fruit to individuals. They set up grape stands and sold grapes to those traveling along the highways.”
Every year during harvest, Italian descendants from the St. James area still carry on this tradition by setting up Concord grape stands along Historic Route 66 to sell their fruit to travelers.
The Concord wine is juicy and sweet, with an intense grape jam flavor and light finish. Serve it at refrigerator temperature, over ice or mixed with a club soda to create a light, grape spritzer
Pair with peanut butter cookies, soft cheeses, or roasted pork chops.
Dive into St. James Winery's Sweet Rose - it's a fruit party in a glass. Velvety smooth, it's sweet but not overpowering, ending with a jammy finish that makes you want more. This wine is your go-to for relaxing or celebrating good times with friends and family.
Crafted from estate grown grapes grown in Welch's vineyard cooperative of 700 family farmers
St. James Winery Velvet Red - NV is made from 100% Concord grapes from Ozark Highlands AVA.
10.5% Alcohol by Volume
12.1% Residual Sugar
Tastes and smells like ripe, just picked grapes.
Velvet Red is fruity and mouth-filling and best served chilled.
Select Wine Competition Awards:
2011 GOLD Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
2011 SILVER San Francisco Chronicle
2011 SILVER Pacific Rim
2011 SILVER Finger Lakes International
2011 SILVER Grand Harvest
2011 SILVER Los Angeles International
2011 SILVER Critics Challenge
2011 BRONZE Florida State Fair International
2011 BRONZE New World International
2011 BRONZE Dallas Morning News
Made from Niagara and Chardonel grapes.
10.8% Alcohol by Volume
7% Residual Sugar
Delicate and sweet with intense fruity aromas and flavors. A blend of America’s best American and hybrid grapes.
Velvet White is superb served chilled by itself, with mild cheeses, or dessert.
Select Wine Competition Awards:
2011 GOLD Pacific Rim
2011 GOLD Critics Challenge
2011 SILVER Grand Harvest
2011 SILVER Florida State Fair International
2011 SILVER Winemakers Challenge International
2011 SILVER San Francisco Chronicle
2011 SILVER San Diego International
2011 SILVER Monterey
2011 SILVER Los Angeles International
2011 SILVER Tasters Guild
2011 SILVER Riverside
2011 BRONZE Finger Lakes International
2011 BRONZE Dallas Morning News
From the volcanic soils in the blocks residing at the summit of Stony Hill's vineyard, their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is showing beautifully. 2019 was a warm year with late spring rains and a true, dry fall finish. e late spring rains imbued wines with a characteristic freshness and tension, balanced by a generous fruit profile. Bing cherry, cassis, pomegranate seed, singed bay leaf, and cacao sings from the glass. The palate receives a structure showing breadth and presence with lacey tannins and a delicate, persistent finish.
Sun Bee evokes warm summer days by infusing natural mango flavors into a blend of California white wines. A strong golden color in the glass leads to a vibrant mango and tropical fruit basket on the nose. The taste is reminiscent of a puree of mango or a juicy, fruity Chardonnay. There are hints of Lychee and Passion Fruit rounding out the bright, inviting flavor.
Pairs remarkably well with spicy foods where many wines struggle. Try it with Savory Curry dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala or Tacos Al Pastor.
J. Christopher Appassionata Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Appassionata Chardonnay is the expressive summit of this classic Burgundian variety in the Willamette Valley. Fermented and matured in large (500-liter) oak casks, it rests on the full lees for two years before bottling. It then rests in our cellar for another year before its release, three years after vintage. The wine’s elegant texture, fine structure and extended maturation time ensure a long life for this vibrant Chardonnay.
Whole-cluster pressing; native yeast fermentation in 500-liter French oak barrels; natural malolactic fermentation; 21 months maturation on the lees.
Review:
Anyone questioning Chardonnay’s potential in the Willamette Valley should try this rich and sophisticated wine. A silky texture, is met with mouthfilling flavors of orange sorbet, pineapple and challah bread, as well as a hint of mint. The aromas of lemon curd and petrichor are equally delightful.
- Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
The 2020 Skycrest Vineyard Chardonnay offers fresh Meyer lemon, quince and pear fruit notes alongside subtle sea spray and white lily. A note of flint minerality runs through the palate balancing the wine along with a bright focused acidity that highlights the incredible texture and produces an exceptionally long finish.
Review:
A light hazy yellow hue, the 2020 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard is a bit reserved at the moment, with yellow apple, chamomile, and lemon pith notes. The palate is more expressive, offering medium to full body and a supple texture, with a soft floral expression coming through in its notes of vanilla spice, lemon pastry, and almond. A gorgeous wine, it will take some time to open in the glass. Drink 2024-2032.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Beautiful aromas immediately waft out of the glass, recalling coconut, white orchid, lily of the valley, sea salt salinity and white peach. The palate is driven by steely acidity softened by balanced alcohol. It incorporates additional notes of lime leaf, lemongrass and blanched almond. The challenge is to delight in each nuanced detail, since the wine is just too delicious to stop sipping.
Editors' Choice Wine Enthusiast 93 Points