Contrary to the popular lyric brought forth by childhood Muppet, Kermit the Frog, sometimes it IS easy being green…or at least Riverwood Winery makes it look easy. This Weston winery was built and designed with sustainability in mind. From recycling, restoring, preventing and planning, all steps went into mind for the Naatz family.

In 1996, owners David and Ginah, along with their son Andrew, purchased an antebellum farmhouse in Weston, Missouri. During the restoration process of the house and surrounding lands, they discovered an old vineyard. This interesting find started the ideation for what is now Riverwood Winery.

Building beyond

The winery opened in 2007, housed in a former Weston school constructed in 1954. Both the house and schoolhouse lend way to the truest form of recycling – taking living history and transforming it into new buildings to live and enjoy.

Both of these buildings utilize green practices. The house has updated geothermal heating and cooling, energy efficient appliances and several old techniques for energy saving implemented in the restored home.  David and Ginah even utilize a hybrid car.

The winery uses rooftop solar panels to provide more than 30% of its energy for the tasting room and production facility. Floor drains in the facility lead to a septic system which allows wine byproducts, such as the lees, to be consumed by flowers and plants outside the winery. The facility has LED lighting and motion sensors installed to reduce electricity consumption. All 2400 acres were created with intent to lower their footprint and reduce waste.

Home to many

The Naatzs have done more green thinking than just their winery and home. They realize they share a home with a vast array of wildlife and have accepted the responsibility of maintaining the shared space. These quiet contributions to conservation are imperative to local wildlife.

Native grasses, wildflowers and other plants thrive in the marshy wetland area behind the tasting room. During 2020, they eradicated any non-native species and restored the space so that local pollinators can thrive. Bees, insects and butterflies all enjoy this space and it is listed as an official Monarch Waystation by the University of Kansas Monarch Watch organization. Winery visitors can go on walks and enjoy the wildlife scenery as well.

Birds also enjoy this space, as both native and migratory species find it a safe haven in the wet marsh and bottomland forest. The tasting room and vineyard are both located squarely within the National Audubon Society’s Iatan/Weston River Corridor Important Bird Area. Geese, trumpeter swans, bluebirds, meadowlarks, bald eagles and more enjoy this carefully curated space.

The vineyard is located three miles from the Missouri River bluffs. Next to the vineyard, there is a twenty-two-acre space that complements the same intent and likeness of the habitat area behind the tasting room. This ecological diversity allows for the growth of great fruit. In addition to sowing wildflowers and other native grasses across an additional fifty-plus acres of undisturbed meadows, there are forty acres of second growth woodlands. This area was part of a 2022 forest improvement project to thin growth and girdle trees, allowing more sunlight on the forest floor for improved wildlife shelter.

Shades of green

Riverwood Winery grows varietals that are native to Missouri such as Norton, Frontenac and Marechal Foch. The grass between vines is mowed to prevent erosion on any sloping terraces. No synthetic pesticides are used on their vines and in 2023 they plan to eliminate the use of herbicides beneath the trellises. Instead, the growth will be burned, allowing the nutrients to return to the soil and vines.

Other sustainable practices they have implemented include going paperless with their receipts and recycling their tasting room bottles with local facilities. All of their wines have natural corks, which is 100% renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. Natural cork also reduces waste and harmful processing materials that can harm wildlife and the environment. It is a good environmental solution for wine closures, showing the smallest CO2 footprint.

Riverwood Winery believes that although they are a small winery that they can make a big impact by being a leader in the sustainability movement. This winery has offerings that all species can enjoy and benefit from, not just humans. They celebrate Earth Day, every day.

Visit Weston and enjoy the tasting room, accompanied by their carefully curated wildlife habitat. Share your wine and wildlife pics with us by tagging #missouriwine #mowine and @missouriwine on social media. Cheers!

Dwight and Jean Anne Crevelt are passionate about providing the best customer experience. So much so, that when they decided to open their own winery they made a point to travel to more than 500 wineries nationwide, researching how to create the best layout and business for their future patrons to enjoy.

After successful careers in the Las Vegas area, and raising their four children, Dwight and Jean were presented with an opportunity to move back to Missouri. They acquired the farm adjacent from Dwight’s family land in Walnut Grove, later securing the family farm as well. The six Crevelt’s (6Cs) joined with Jean Anne’s mother, whose surname was Cassins, to create the name 7CS. Rather than follow a nautical theme (Dwight was in the Navy), 7CS was modeled after a cattle brand, reflecting the county leading numbers statewide in cattle operations.

After researching the strong wine and grape past of Southwestern Missouri, and how well suited the family land was for growing grapes, the career option became evident for them. The winery was constructed in 2008 and opened for service in 2009.

After moving to Walnut Grove, Dwight and Jean Anne took classes through the Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) and were some of the first students of the program. This program equipped them with the experience and confidence to start producing the wine and mead their visitors love today.

At one time, they grew grapes in a 5-acre vineyard and had success, but just couldn’t keep up with the labor of both the winery and vineyard alone. Currently, they outsource the grapes needed for their wines. They make a range of dry to sweet wines, focusing on varietals such as Norton, Chambourcin, Vignoles and Vidal Blanc when they can source it. Currently, they focus on 40% wine production and 60% mead production.  Dwight says they have up to 10-12 meads in rotation at any time and customers really enjoy their wide range of flavor profiles. Dwight notes that the flavors pull from where the honey is sourced, picking up notes of the area and vegetation that surrounds the hive. This makes all of their meads a unique flavor and experience depending on the year, the hive’s production and the source of the honey.

Whether it is mead or wine, Dwight’s favorite part is tasting the end product with Jean Anne and discussing how to name them, as well as how to change up recipes for next time. They also enjoy creating new products from elderberries and aronia berries. They have dozens of acres of these superfood fruits and are proud to offer new kinds of wines in Missouri. Dwight says customers have fallen in love with these wines and 7CS is always working to create more.

Diversification is a large part of 7CS and the Crevelts take pride in their agri-tourism business. The Missouri Grown members grow a plethora of products through hydroponics and on their farmland. They grow an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables: Cucumbers, watermelons, lettuce, green beans, okra, garlic, horseradish, peppers and hot peppers, rhubarb, peanuts, tomatoes sunflowers and more. They utilize catfish in growing the produce as well, known as aquaponics, and have found a huge success providing fresh produce that you get to pick. This preference for consumers eliminates waste and ensures customer satisfaction. This focus on experience shows how Dwight and Jean often go the extra mile, no matter what the customer is shopping for.  

In addition to the large offering of products, 7CS also takes pride in hosting large events throughout the year. They have held events such as 5Ks, live music, cookoffs, themed gatherings, Paint Nites and annual Meadfests. They take pride in hosting new and exciting events that anyone can enjoy.

Dwight’s biggest goal as a winemaker is to expand and distribute their wine and mead on a larger scale. In their winery, the production capacity is set up to generate much more product, and distribution would allow them to grow into size and scale they have imagined.

“It’s a lifestyle as much as it is a business,” Dwight says. He and Jean Anne love their lifestyle of providing a one-of-a-kind experience for customers.

Visit Walnut Grove soon to try 7CS Winery’s wines, meads and whatever else that is in season to shop, enjoy or take home. Tag us in your travels with #missouriwine #mowine and @missouriwine.

Skip the artificial colorings this Easter and create deep purple eggs with your favorite red Missouri wines. Not to mention, you will be doing less dishes with this one-pot wonder, and the colorful (and very spill-able) cups of egg dye will be a distant memory.

Simply gather your supplies — one bottle of a red Missouri wine, a medium saucepan and eggs. Yes, that is really all you need.

Pour your bottle of red wine into the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently and carefully place raw eggs into the boiling liquid — a plastic slotted spoon works great. There should be enough wine in the pot to cover or nearly cover the eggs. Do not stir or poke at the eggs while they are cooking; it can leave marks or scratches on the beautiful purple shells. Leave the eggs to simmer in the red wine until they’re boiled to the desire doneness. (Approximately 8 minutes for soft boiled eggs and 15 minutes for hard boiled eggs.)

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let rest as the wine cools. You may remove the eggs immediately, using a plastic slotted spoon, or you can allow the eggs to sit in the cooling wine for an even deeper color. The eggs pictured were removed from the wine within 30 minutes of completing their cooking.

You will notice the eggs have little crystals formed on their shells. This is natural and safe. Do not polish or wash the eggs after they are dyed in wine. Simply allow them to dry on a paper towel before safely stowing them in the fridge.

Experiment with different colors of eggs, wines and times left in the wine to have a beautiful array of purples and maroon eggs — from lilac to deep, dark purple, which can be nearly black.

Share your results online and tag #missouriwine in your Easter masterpieces.

There is no shortage of wineries and vineyards to sip Show Me State wines. With a long-history of offering diverse and exceptional experiences to wine aficionados throughout the state, we’re happy to welcome six more Missouri wineries — each with their own story and specialty — to the Missouri Wine family this year. Learn more about what makes the newest Missouri wineries unique.

Beckett’s Winery
515 1st St., Glasgow, MO 65254

Enjoy a sip of Beckett’s wine from their deck looking out over the Missouri River. In a charming river town, with delightful scenery and a relaxing atmosphere, Beckett’s Winery is a must-visit. Enjoy their delicious selection of cheeses and snacks to pair with your favorite glass of wine and stunning riverside vistas.

Fountain City Winery
1409 W 11th St., Kansas City, MO 64089

Visit Fountain City Winery in the artsy West Bottoms District, Kansas City, Missouri. Fountain City Winery boasts a fun, industrial-style space, a great atmosphere and awesome wine. The owners, Jay and Melissa, met at a winery and the couple share their love for Missouri wines with patrons.

Pennington Wines

11822 Elm Road, Carthage, MO 64836

Pennington Wines is uncomplicated, elegant and passionate. The small, family-owned winery’s mission is to inspire while nurturing quality grapes to make quality wine — one vineyard, one vine and one glass at a time. Pennington Wines is striving for perfection, and every glass tells a story.

Persimmon Ridge Vineyards Winery

7272 Sheppard Dr., Barnhart, MO 63012

Persimmon Ridge Vineyards Winery is perched on a ridge at the end of a winding country road in Barnhart, Missouri. The locally owned, family-operated winery offers guests a quiet experience at their four-season tasting area. Not only do they offer flavorful wines, Persimmon Ridge often hosts local music and other events. The venue is available to rent for special events like weddings and private parties.

Prairie Barn Winery
17301 State Route B, St. James, MO 65559
Get your kicks off Route 66, at the Prairie Barn Winery and Christmas Tree Farm. Taste their delicious wines in their historic barn just three miles from St. James, Missouri. Relax on their deck and patios overlooking the evergreen trees and vineyards and let Prairie Barn bring you joy no matter the season.  Take the trolley too, to travel safely and in style!

Reserve Cellars of Hermann

34 Reserve Cellars Lane, Hermann, MO 65041

Located on the historic Hermann Farm, guests can enjoy tastings in the former press house and cellars of George Husmann. Husmann, known as the “Father of the Missouri Grape Industry, built the cellar in 1847.

Walnut Creek Winery

90 Main St, Holt, MO 64048

_{Enjoy a true farm-to-table experience at Walnut Creek Winery in Holt, Missouri. They are dedicated to crafting great wine from their family-and-friend owned vines from small farms throughout Missouri. They believe that every bottle of wine will be a culinary adventure.}

Waves Cider Company

604 Nebraska Ave Columbia, MO 65201

Waves Cider Co. focuses on approachable, heritage-style cider with a lower sugar content than you see in most stores. The award-winning, mid-Missouri establishment is proud to have planted nearly 500 trees in their orchards. The owners, Judon Ball and Andrew Sharp, have long dreamt of creating a living library of heirloom apples.

Explore more wineries and find new favorites! Share your travels through wine country with us by tagging @missouriwine and #missouriwine.