Open: Year-round
Buck Mountain Winery and Vineyard began with an eighty-acre farm and move to Missouri in 2002. Gary Carmichael grew up in Nebraska and Melissa Ring grew up in Missouri. We met at St. Louis University, have been married since 1983, and have lived in Texas, Arizona, Mississippi and New Mexico. Gary has a doctorate in biology and worked for the U. S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service). Melissa has a doctorate in psychology and worked in public service in state hospitals, tribal and county community mental health, and Indian Health Service settings. We reached a crossroads when Gary retired and Melissa wanted to move back to Missouri. We found the farm before a job, but we were certain it would be our destiny!Â
Original parts of the farm date to the early 1900s and include a hand-dug, granite-lined well and spring house. Gary spent the first two years clearing the neglected fields and tearing down wire cross-fences. He discovered 8 very old, neglected, Concord and Niagara grape vines and felt compelled to save them. Around the same time, we reconnected with a SLU friend who had worked at another friend's vineyard and winery and found a cousin who worked at Chaumette winery nearby. These events led our current endeavors.
