Cave Vineyard is exactly what it sounds like: a winery built into a natural limestone cave in the bluffs south of Ste. Genevieve. The cave maintains a constant cool temperature year-round, which makes it useful for wine storage and also makes it an unexpectedly pleasant place to taste wine on a hot Missouri summer day. The operation is small and unpretentious — the cave itself is the attraction.
The vineyard produces wines from Missouri-grown grapes, and the tasting room serves biscotti and cheese alongside the wines. The setting alone — medieval-European in feel, distinctly un-Midwestern — makes it worth the short drive from town. It is a favourite local destination for weddings and private events, so call ahead if you are planning a visit on a weekend.