Chandler Hill Vineyards, Defiance Mo

Feb 28, 2010: Okay, two words really - really awesome!  We went back to Chandler Hill today.  They have three generous packages for wine tastings, and as we wanted one of their glasses for our collection - we tried the middle one, $10 with a glass to take home for your very own (very nice, large, etched with their logo) for 8 tastings - 1 oz each.  Of course we tried the Missouri wines the Lake Hawk Vignoles (very very nice with a great banana creme, kiwi nose and a crisp yet honied finish.  Also the Great Heron Vidal Blanc and then we tried several West Coast wines, several of which blew us away.  Most notably the 2008 Oregon Pinot Gris - worth every penny of the $22.99 price let me say!  This pleasing wine has a golden straw color, a fruity nose with a hint of exotic citrus, and a lasting honey finish - smooth and velvety on the tongue.  Also, a pleasant surprise and one we would not mind having at home for a porch wine, or with food the 2007 Lodi Syrah, made by the Chandler Hill West vineyards.  This wine took home several of the Ca best in state awards, and one taste will tell you why -  the berry bouquet with just a touch of oak combines with white pepper finish is a win in our book!  We enjoyed a sunny day on the glassed in terrace watching the sunset with yet another glass of the 2007 Crimson Arrow Port - made in the best tradition of the finest Portuegese ports, and closed the day in fine fashion despite the chill in the wind. All of this brought to us by the letter J- FOR JAMIE OUR WINE CONNISEUR FOR THE DAY (also the same fine fellow that served us just last week).  We meet the nicest people tasting wines!

Feb 21, 2010 Today One word - Beautiful! Today we went to Chandler Hill Vineyards - a lovely place to be, if I do say so myself.  The Brew Crew and I arrived to find several couples enjoying a live musician (and a very good one too), a well appointed tasting room, smiling faces and in spite of the cold rainy day - breathtaking views.Obviously with its rich decor, comfortable furnishings, and spectacular views this would be a wonderful place to enjoy a day alone with someone you love, a family celebration or even to host a corporate event. This destination winery also offers private motor coach transportation to and from the winery - according to the website (of course we did not need to be accomodated in this way since we have our own ride, and driver too!). My crew and I declined to do the tastings offered.  They had three tastings, at the $5, $10 and $15 dollar levels.  Since for the most part on our forays out into the local countryside we prefer local wines, and this one offered a limited selection of them - mostly drys - we opted instead for a nice glass of 2007 Crimson Arrow Port to enjoy the music instead, and I must say this PORT did not disappoint in any way.  The portion was generous, the wine delicious, full bodied and well rounded - and at $29.00 for a full size 750 ML - a genuine value in my book!While enjoying the port (did I mention the generous portion?) we also surveyed the menu and had we not been hungry for a steak with all the fixings we might have stayed too.  The menu had a very tempting selection of appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches.  We noted several of our fellow revelers enjoying varying selections from the menu - all generously portioned, and looked downright tasty too!The crew and I will DEFINITELY go back to this beautiful winery again, and hopefully very soon!