Open: Year-round
The groundwork for La Bella Vineyards & Winery was laid in the spring of 1997. The former winery, New Oak Vineyards, began trellising grapevines and developing a piece of land that at the time had no significant meaning nor ties to grapes or wine. They only had a vision to provide 'Missourians a treat by creating a destination that had the same unique feel of wineries you'd visit in their ancestral homeland: Italy.Â
But by 2010 the owners of New Oak Vineyards decided to divest the land that lay home to a beautiful vineyard & winery. This led to the Soendker family, unbeknownst at that time, to begin a dream they didn't know they even had. Ryan, the older brother, was a successful lawn and landscape entrepreneur. Cory, the younger brother, just over a semester's away from graduating from the University of Missouri and was yearning to start something new with his brother. Cindy, the mother, seeing an opportunity for her boys was all in with the vineyard & winery.
In November 2010, while studying in class, Cindy called Cory to inform him that he happened to be amongst the newest owner(s) of a Missouri vineyard & winery. The Soendkers were ecstatic as well as frightened. Even though they knew relatively little about the nurturing of the grapes and the production of wine they knew one thing- they loved quality wines. This created a strong desire to produce a wide variety of wines of only the utmost quality.
To do this our vintner, Ryan, has learned to on a daily basis tend to the grape vines during the coldest and hottest 10 months of the year to ensure grape quality. Missouri grape growers are presented with special challenges due to wide swings in temperate and rainfall. But that doesn't stop the Soendker's from growing some of the most recognized Missouri varietals: Vidal, Vignoles, Seyval, Traminette, Chambourcin, St. Vincent, and Norton.Upon harvest, the grapes are moved to La Bella's on site processing facility to begin the transformation of grapes to wine. Winemaker Cory then begins the meticulous process of deciding, based upon that years growing season, what grapes will be best suited for the different styles of wine. La Bella produces dry to sweet red and white wines as well as fruit and dessert style wines   Â
At LaBella, our family enjoys crafting wines from the grapes grown in our vineyard. Complimentary tastings are offered in our tasting room and we offer a gift shop filled with wine-related gifts and specialty foods. Enjoy our wood fired pizza while relaxing on our patio overlooking a 10 acre lake. Banquet facilities are available for weddings, receptions and corporate events or private parties.
