absolutely spectacular food. it's LOUDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDERRRRRRR THAN SH T IN HERE.... EARPLUG ALERT EARPLUG ALERT EARPLUG ALERT... AMAZING food. spectacular desserts. great salads, wraps, sandwiches. did I mention the volume in this place. they desperately need soundproofing or acoustic tiles. if you sit by bar area you won't hear anything but massive noise. it's ok. people drink here but it gets loud. I mean Rush or Metallica concert loud. Deafening. read more

Went here Saturday nite for trivia. This was our second time 1st time was absolutely perfect . This time not so much. Trivia was great . Very clean and staff is great . The food this time was not great at all. I had chicken salad on a croissant with their Cole slaw. The chicken salad had like nothing in it. Maybe 2 pecans 3 grapes, the chicken was huge chunks just not that great at all very very dry. Cole slaw is very unique in itself this time a lot of the core of the cabbage was in it. Very dry. My husband got The Ruben was good and a huge portion. They have so much swine in their food it's just nasty. Unless u want to do their Veggie sandwich not to bad. Just not real happy this time ... a beautiful place... ! Drinks were good ..... pricey $$$$$ ! Take a chance ! read more

I was able to visit defiance Ridge on a wine tour. We came with a group of over 40 and we're able to book our tastings in advance, which was great! There's a pretty large parking lot outside and we had plenty of space for our charter bus to come through and drop everyone off. Plenty of seating outdoors and their inside seating is a bit smaller, but there are some tables for those colder days. The service was pretty good, especially having such a large group. They tried to make sure we are all served at the same time and also ensure we were able to visit the wine tasting bar in groups. They have a large menu selection as well as another on site food truck to get some additional offerings from their kitchen. The wine tasting was great, plenty of sweet and dry options. For lunch, I tried the trout sandwich which was just OK. It could've used a little more flavor, but I appreciated having a few different options as a pescatarian. It was definitely a beautiful place to visit. read more

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One of my favorite wineries of all time! I've been coming here over the past several years and every single time have a wonderful experience. All of the wine is fantastic and something you would expect on the West Coast, not in middle Missouri. The food is also really great with lots of variety for different people, their trout sandwich is fire. Most importantly, their outdoor patio is ginormous with tons of seating and they often have life entertainment on the weekends. It is also dog friendly! Which is unfortunately a rarity in the Missouri wine region. Defiance Ridge is so great that I would recommend taking a drive out here from the city just to visit it! No need to visit anywhere else in Defiance or Augusta IMO. read more

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This place was very nice. Friendly staff. Plenty of seating. Nice dining menu options. Beautiful views. Great wines. read more

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80+ degree weather on a Friday afternoon had my husband and I looking for something outdoors to enjoy. We decided to venture out to Defiance Ridge. We began with the wine tasting. We were able to chose 5 non reserve wines of our choice for just $10. We both tried different things so we could taste each others. They offer some very good wines. It also gave us a chance to try a taste before ordering a glass to make sure we enjoyed it. We then headed to that patio for lunch. We shared the Smoked Trout board and The Ridge Salad with grilled chicken added. I have never had trout but I love fish and this board was delicious. I'm not big on capers but my husband likes them, and there are a lot but I was able to get around them. And honestly the ones that I didn't get around didn't bother me at all. That salad was really good and the portions were so plentiful. I love that there menu has a lot of choices. Our waitress was really nice and took really good care of us. We would definitely come back! read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - The Ridge Salad with grilled chicken, Smoked Trout board, and the suggested sparkling wine paired for the trout. - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

We visited Defiance Ridge while celebrating my SIL's birthday. After weeks of hot/humid weather, we had a incredibly nice day and were able to enjoy their patio. The view from the patio is great. We were here for lunch. The service was very good and efficient. I had their burger, my wife had the sliders, my BIL had a Reuben and my SIL had the chicken salad sandwich. All of the food was good but the chicken salad came with really big chunks of chicken, not the more finely chopped chicken found in most chicken salad. The waitress explained that the owner wants it made with big pieces of chicken and she said "you have a knife and can cut it smaller". The only negative on service was when the waitress handed my wife the check and said "wow, you got off cheap". We thought this was somewhat inappropriate. Overall - good food, service and view. read more

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If you're looking for wine with a side of "YES, PLEASE," Defiance Ridge absolutely delivers. This spot is gorgeous--think lush hills, a dreamy patio, and the kind of backdrop that makes even your camera roll feel fancy. We came with a big group of fabulous women, and the staff handled us like pros--friendly, efficient, and totally unbothered by how many glasses we ordered. (It was... a few.) Let's talk food: I had the wings and fries--crispy, hot, and just spicy enough to make you reach for another sip of wine. My friends devoured the chicken & waffles, cheesy fried bites, Caesar salad, croissant sandwich--you name it, it was on our table. And every single thing was a hit. The wine? Refreshing and easy to love. I went for the Vignoles and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Bonus points for their wine glasses--they're adorable and make every sip feel like a celebration. Between the live music, beautiful grounds, solid food, and flowing wine, this place is an easy "yes." Perfect for birthdays, brunches, bachelorettes, or just a Saturday where you feel like being your fabulous self in a sundress. ‍ Pro tip: Bring your girls, your appetite, and your best group photo game. And if you're into food, wine, STL fun, and a little sass--follow me for more recs. #SassySaintApproved #VineyardVibes #DefianceDoneRight read more

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Parking: free parking lot on premise, including bus parking Experience: had a lunch here on a Friday. We sat ourselves down and a host came by to get us set up. Note: flights or tastings are only at the bar Seating: we sat indoors but we saw a lot of patio and outdoor seating available too. It seems there's also an indoor event space. Looked like they were setting up half the place for an upcoming party of some sort. Menu: lunch menu was mostly various sandwiches with appetizers and shareable items. They offered a soup of the day too, plus fish and chips as an off-the-menu item since it was during lent. I got the smoke salmon on rye sandwich. Comes with a slaw (or other side, I forgot what it was) and a pickle. My sandwich was solid. It came with red onions and capers too. The bread held up really well, and it was not toasted. Slaw was yummy. I chose a non alcoholic Sauvignon blanc. That was refreshing and crisp. Tasted like a wine minus the alcohol flavor. Total came out to be around $30. Overall: nice place. Slightly expensive? Had a good, pleasant experience. I had brought my cup of coffee from earlier that morning in and they thankfully didn't bat an eye. Was worried they'd make me put it back in the car, but they're chill! read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

Took a drive to Defiance, MO and visited Defiance Ridge Winery. Just a short drive from STL and located on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. Defiance Ridge (DR) has plenty of space to host any type of event as well seating inside and outside . Several friends have recommended DR for lunch or dinner on select days of the week. Wine tastings can be arranged based on interest. I highly recommend the $8 tasting that provides a total of wines of your choice. Dr also has an impressive food menu that compliments your palette as well as delicious food. We ordered several sandwiches and didn't disappoint. Food prices were reasonable and service was excellent. Didn't get the chance to visit the entire property but will be coming back when the weather is warmer to enjoying sitting outside and enjoy live music on the weekends. read more

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We came in for my Mom's birthday and wow! This will definitely be a normal spot for my family. Beautiful facility with tons of seating all over the back area. We loved all the big tables perfect for big groups. Service was pretty good, we always had water refills and food came out in a timely manner. The food was all super delicious, we had a split of brunch and lunch and no one had any complaints. Definitely something for everyone on the menu. The tasting bar was perfect, I love that for a fee you can try pretty much any of their wines. I could spend hours here trying everything, they had so many tasty options. The bartenders were super informative too. We loved the live band and that people were up dancing, such a cool atmosphere. Such a fun spot!! read more

It was such a beautiful day to head out to defiance ridge. Great day! Terrific wine selections and ours was great. The Oregon Pinot Gris is a delightful choice. Our server was so nice and made our day great! Love coming out here! Thanks to everyone at defiance ridge for making our day fantastic! read more

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What an absolutely great way to spend Valentine's Day! Relaxing romantic music. Great for dancing. Food off the menu was incredible. Service at your table was great! We split the Farmer's Board , but I didn't get a picture The four of us just gobbled it up too fast. Later on we split the Frisco Melt. The other couple got the Barnyard burger and the Greek chicken salad. We had a really awesome bottle of Cab. read more

Oh the beautiful views and delicious food made this a great day! So many seating options, great service and yummy food! But the view steals the show here! read more

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Had a girls day at Defiance Ridge. Overall was a fun place, the food was ok, great service. Very loud music. Would have been alot better if we were able to sit outside. read more

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We were there on Mother's Day and had a terrible experience. I should add this was our second terrible experience, but we also like to give a business a second chance in case the first time was a fluke. We were unable to reserve a table because we are not wine club members. We got there shortly after they opened and all of the tables that offer service were already taken so we had to sit in the "no service" area. No big deal we can walk to the counter to order. We were given menus at the bar. After us all deciding what we wanted to eat we went back to the bar to order, but we were told we weren't allowed to order food bc we were at the "no service" tables. Why did you give us a menu then? We were embarrassed bc we brought our mother there to celebrate her and we couldn't even get food. They did have a walk up window for food, BUT none of the food we had chosen on the menu was offered at the window. Ultimately we decided to leave and go to another winery that provided much better service. My advice to patrons would be there to get there the moment they open and fight for a "service" table. My advice to Defiance Ridge would be to have more help and provide all of your paying customers with the same service. read more

Fantastic view of the river area and a beautiful place to hold a wedding large gathering . They have delicious food and a nice drink option menu plus live music on the weekends and special events like trivia at times . The Ozark Burger was great grilled perfectly and loaded with pimento cheese, bacon and fried jalapeños served with hot crispy fries. The pulled pork was doos but the star of the plate was the Cole slaw tasting almost like a broccoli salad loaded with celery, raisins cabbage, broccoli and a wonderful dressing. Fried dill pickles were great crisp salty pickle chip in a light batter and fried crispy not soggy. My only suggestion if that I wish they had fans outside to help circulate the air. read more

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Fabulous winery afternoon! The food was great. Better than other winery restaurants we frequent but not 5 star worthy. The wine was on par with other Missouri wineries and they partner with west coast vineyards to offer a full range of options. What I think sets this winery apart is the atmosphere. We sat on the back deck but were struck by the enormity of the space. This winery boasts 42 acres of property. The scenic vista over which we ate lunch was so relaxing. I felt like I was on a one day vacation. They definitely cater to large parties with a huge amount of seating and large tables. They have live music on Saturday and Sunday. They are kid friendly, dog friendly, and are big enough to also create an intimate space for a romantic meal. Gorgeous venue for a private event. Definitely a new addition to our winery love affair! Service was quick and attentive. I love when kitchen staff serves the food so nothing sits under a warmer waiting to be served. read more

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Having recently visited a neighboring winery, our expectations were a bit elevated (though we never expected Napa level hospitality). In any case, the Wednesday dinner experience here was ok. It was a casual, walk in and please seat yourself situation. Ok, at least we got to pick our seats, which was at the edge of their patio overlooking some vines; that was pretty nice. Service was a bit slow; I'd hate to imagine how it is like on a popular weekend. It appeared that each server had 2 or 3 tables each. In any case, once we settled in, we ordered a wide selection of things off of the menu. It is unfortunate that they do not do wine tastings at the table, and only do so at the bar. I think that is a missed opportunity and quickly tempered our evening's expectations. In any case, we got a bottle each of the Missouri Vidal Blanc and their reserve Cab Sauvignon from Sonoma. While they were both not complex, they were still enjoyable. The dinner itself was a bit mediocre. We did like the smoked wings and their French fries. Everything else was not so memorable. A lot of people ordered the fried chicken; maybe we should have gotten that. Another suggestion to this place is to serve actual metal utensils. We were initially given plastic forks and knives which not only cheapened the experience, but also did nothing to the food. We were eventually given metal ware after the server saw us struggling to cut the rib eye, but metal utensils should have been standard. Oh well. I'm glad we got to check the place out, maybe we'll be back in a year or three. read more

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Come back for Friday band play. Ordered pizza and steak Pennie's, no pictures though. 80s band is great. People are dancing in the rain! read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Afternoon - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

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Parking is ample and plenty of seating to relax inside or outside on the patio. I wanted to do a 5 wine tasting which was a good price for $8. I'm pretty disappointed considering I couldn't find enough sweet wines that were an option to try. I decided on a glass of Frenchie's Peach mango and beignets that were pretty tasty and cooked fresh to order. The views were not as picturesque as i hoped but not worth getting mad at either. Staff was friendly and speedy so that helped boost up a star. read more

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Came here for a wine tasting, and the venue was great! I ordered a turkey club from their kitchen, and it was so yummy. Portion sizes were large. I would definitely recommend the fries. They were crispy and fresh. Service at the bar and sit-down area was great as well! read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Turkey Club - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

Beautiful space with beautiful views and beautiful, welcoming folks running the show. I was thrilled to find this spot off of the Katy Trail on a recent trip out to the STL area. I popped in to see what it was all about right as they were opening, and it was already a steady stream of people coming in. You can tell it's a popular spot, perched atop a hill with loads of indoor and outdoor seating. I was in the middle of a workday, not drinking but did want to at least order something -- so I ended up ordering a cup of Ted Drewe's strawberry custard. When in STL, right? The staff was so welcoming, which was nice as I was flying solo and loaded with questions. I took a few pics, wandered around the grounds, and set up with a relaxing 15 minute break here. So while I can't speak to the food & wine, I can say the vibes, energy, and people here are great and I'd definitely return when in the area. read more

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I absolutely love this winery. It offers the best views that Augusta has to offer. Their multiple outdoor patios are great for small and large gatherings. They offer bands playing on a regular basis to add to the fun. The food, drinks and service are top notch! read more

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Great food service and live band. Enjoyed dancing and singing along to the old songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s Will definitely return. read more

Beautiful location with a nice food menu. The pimiento fritters were to die for! Decent priced wine and wine tastings. read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Pimiento Fritters with Bacon Jam - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

Kid friendly place for food and tasting. The wine selection was good and I brought some to take home with us. Must try the smoked trout board and burger with the slaw. I will try to remake the slaw at home it was that good. read more

Defiance Ridge is a gem! I've been coming to Augusta/ Defiance since my brother moved out here around 4 years ago, and I've been to a lot of spots around here. It's one of my favorite places! However, I had never been to Defiance Ridge before last Thursday- so happy I finally made it! We went for dinner and arrived around 630. I'd suggest checking dinner hours before going, I believe the vary from day to day. We took a seat outside on their amazing and big patio. View was wonderful- great place to be when the sun is setting. They have more than wine. They also serve beer and cocktails, which is nice for variety. In true traditional fashion, I ordered a cab because it's fall and it's red wine season. My brother ordered an old fashioned and my SIL ordered bubbly Prosecco. My wine was wonderful smooth and full bodied and fed hit the spot! To eat I got the brisket French dip and we split an order of the Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were super unique- made with grapes, goat cheese, and bacon. The serving size was massive and I probably could have just had that for my meal! They were delicious. My French dip was super tasty- bread was soft and cheese was melted perfectly. Fries were the battered kind (my fav) and were a great accompaniment. Inside you can purchase wine and little goodies that are local. Loved coming here and will absolutely be back! read more

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This is our favorite winery/restaurant spot in the area. Been here many times and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The grounds and facility are just beautiful with a nice view from up on the hill. Mainly have been here for lunch or just relaxing afternoon. Lunch has always been great. Last night was our first time for dinner. We came with our good friends. Everyone really enjoyed their dinner. Have to say some of the best fried chicken I've had. Really good!! So add that to all the other reason to love Defiance Ridge! Great experience!! read more

Good wines and food - great service - nice view - beautiful setting did I mention great service at both the tasting room and restaurant.

We have been to DRW many, many times this year, including the Friday night music shows. We always get the table service and the servers are outstanding! They don't miss a beat regardless of crowd size. The food is amazing either from the menu or the To Go window, which has wine slushies! Yes! DRW has it going on! Recommend 100% read more

Took my mom to lunch here. She loved it. The food was great and the view was amazing. Friendly server who accommodated our special requests.

Where do you go after an exhaustive bike ride on the Katy Trail? Well, Defiance Ridge of course! My wife and I stopped in at this lovely winery as we were driving out of Defiance, eager for a cold libation and beautiful views. We scored big time here! My wife enjoyed a simple, yet delicious Vodka w/Cranberry and I opted for a glass of yummy, refreshing Rose. We also ordered the Defiant Wings....which were delicious....chambourcin vine smoked, brined and fried with their signature rub. We nearly ordered more wings, but felt we should get up before our bodies locked up (yes, it was that kind of ride). I would have included a picture of the wings, but we were so hungry and they were so good, I forgot all about it! In summary, our server was excellent, the food was great, the beverages cold and views were gorgeous. We'll be back again. read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - What do you do after a 16 mile bike ride on the Katy Trail? Stop at Defiance Ridge for a snack and libations! - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

Still love this place. The trout sandwich is so good. It is a great sandwich to have on a warm day since it is a light. I also enjoy the chicken littles with Buffalo sauce. Their Buffalo sauce here has a bit of sweetness so it is perfect! In addition, the staff here is always so nice and helpful. Even on super busy days they get to every table and check in often. read more

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Beautiful patio, food, and service! They have Missouri wines and they also have vineyards in Oregon that sends grapes back to Missouri for processing. Don't sleep on this place. It's worth the drive, especially on a sunny fall day. read more

Really good wines! Fun events for members. Servers are very nice! Cool vibe inside and really pretty outside.

Why would you have a sign that says "dinner on Wednesdays & Thursdays" and "open until 9" and then tell us when we arrive at 7:55 that the kitchen closes at 8. And, the server did get to our table at 8:01. Terrible way to treat your customers. read more

We did not eat here just had wine tasting. Restaurant looked very cool as well as indoor banquet seating. Was middle of the week and off season. They bring in CA wines as well and we bought several bottles. Service & ambience we great. read more

We love this winery! It's a perfect stop off the Katy trail! We have come here the last two years in a row for lunch. The views are beautiful. The drinks are good and the food is, too! We have had good service both times and have enjoyed the live music. I highly recommend coming here, whether it be for a stop on your Katy Trail ride or a nice lunch at a winery. read more

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Lunch menu - Wineries Near Me - Defiance, Missouri

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Our niece suggested we visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards (DRV) while visiting them in St. Charles, Missouri. DRV is a restaurant and full-service bar operating on a first come, first serve basis. The only reservations taken are for members of their wine club. Exceptions are made for large groups who can call ahead for reservations. We planned to arrive when they first opened due to the popularity of the Vineyards and no reservations. Lunch is served Monday - Sunday 11:00a - 4:00p. The drive to Defiance Ridge Vineyards was so beautiful and relaxing with all the curvy country roads and lush green rolling hills overlooking the Missouri River Valley. As we drove up to the large, white farmhouse, I could see why it was a destination point. We received a warm welcome from the staff and were seated immediately indoors. The high temperature and humidity outdoors were staggering, so we chose to dine indoors. We still had the lovely views of the rolling hills, vineyards, and terraces from inside. The lunch menu offered some unique and intriguing options we don't often find in Indy. We started with the flavorful, breaded, beer-battered fried pickles. Our second appetizer was the buttermilk fried chicken called Chicken Little Bites that were extremely tender and served with a buttermilk herb dressing. Both appetizers were terrific and devoured. Our entrees were the uncommon Smoked Trout Sandwich with cucumbers, red onions, lemon capers dill spread on marble rye. Our niece found it unique and savory. Both our husbands had the chambourcin vine smoked brisket with crispy onions, chambourcin bbq sauce on brioche bun. It received rave reviews. I had the awesome grapevine chicken salad made with shredded chicken breast, grapes toasted almonds, and Dijon mustard on a large, fresh crossiant. All the sandwiches are served with chips, slaw, or fries for a $2 upcharge. After lunch, we checked out the restaurant, bar, wine selection, and oudoor terraces and veranda. The bar was surrounded by folks enjoying wine tasting or simply having a glass of their favorite wine. Defiance Ridge Vineyards is nestled in the rolling hills of historic Missouri Wine Country. You could spend hours wandering this 42-acre property. On the property are their vineyards' used for their award winning wines they are super proud of, a tranquil lake and lush garden landscape. We found breathtaking views of the sweeping Missouri River Valley from the terraces and veranda surrounding the historic, white farmhouse. A stunning location for any type of event from a wedding, bridal shower, anniversary, or birthday party. We loved visiting for lunch and hope to visit again on our next trip. read more

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