I'm so happy our hosts decided to bring us to Balducci Vineyards on our weekend trip to St. Louis. It was the perfect place to spend a beautiful summer day -- we brought a picnic, bought a few bottles of wine (following the tasting), played some frisbee in the field, and danced to the awesome 50's style band. Laid out on a gorgeous open field, Balducci Vineyards is not your average winery. Guests are welcome to bring their own food (no drinks though -- even water!) and spend the day lounging on Balducci's extra large patio in the sun or shade. They have a free tasting available (for about 5 or 6 wines) and a place where you can buy bottles and select glasses. Make sure you come prepared; ice and wine glasses will cost you extra! I believe the "doors" open at 11, so make sure to get there early -- it was pretty packed by the afternoon! Truly the perfect spot for a lazy Saturday or Sunday! read more

Went to Louis P. Balducci Winery on Saturday. The view is beautiful just like most all the wineries in Augusta. There was a $1 cover charge to get in since they had live music...not a big deal. They still allow you to bring in food which all of them should allow people to do. The only slightly annoying thing is the mark up on their wine: $15.99 for a bottle of Sonata. While delicious, you can buy Sonata in the grocery stores for $5.99. I realize the mark up comes with the territory and you're paying for the experience more than anything else but a $10 markup seems rather drastic. Anyway, the parts of the day I remember were fun. Good times were had by all. read more

I'm always confused why everyone absolutely loves this place. I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that I want something different from a winery than these people rating this place at 5 stars. As a disclaimer, I tend to like wineries that are quiet and picturesque with staff that talk with you at length about their wines. Therefore, if you tend to be more like me, this place will not be for you. However, if you're more into the band scene and like free tastings, then this may be your place. The scenery is generally nice. I wouldn't say that the scenery is as nice as Montelle, Chandler Hill, or Mount Pleasant, but it is nice nonetheless. Other nice things about this place....they have TONS of seating, including some seating inside. I've tried their pizzas and brie. I would highly recommend both. Their cafe has covered seating and I've never had to wait long to get food. I also appreciate that this place is open late, has tons of parking, and a good number of restrooms. I think the real reason I can't get behind this winery is that their tastings are in mouth wash glasses off to the side. Furthermore, the staff doesn't really engage you during the tasting and I hate loud bands. read more

Balducci's is one of my favorite Missouri Wineries! Not only do they have great wines, but the views are beautiful and open, it is never too crowded as the tables are very spread out, the outdoor seating area is HUGE, and you have the options of sitting with a large group in the sun or cozy up in the shade of one of the barns or under a tree. They have great live music on the weekends including blues and jazz, as well as some food items including their delicious pizza. Although, you are still more than welcome to bring your own picnic basket full of goodies! I recommend their sweet or semi sweet white wines as I prefer them on a warm sunny day over reds, but I still need to try their reds! Their wines are a bit more pricey than some of the other wineries, but it is worth it! I can't wait to spend more time at Balducci's this summer! P.S. Check out their restaurant (Balducii's) in Maryland Heights! read more

This is my favorite Augusta winery. They always have a live band and you can watch some questionable dancing. The tents are great for any type of weather. The wine selection is commendable and you can always bring your own food. Down to earth with excellent view and customer service. read more

Not a big selection of wines, but you can be your own food. This winery has an expansive field to drink your wine. Lots of tables and picnic tables. The wine selection is minimal, particularly if you like sweet wines(they only have one). They do have a kitchen with pizza, chicken fingers, some cheeses and other items. The food was actually pretty good. There are two hidden bathrooms under the building where you buy food, otherwise there are several porta-pottys. A band was playing when we were leaving, a cover band, and it was pretty good. Overall, the whole reason I visit these wineries is for the wine selection and views, and Balducci's severely lacks in both those areas. read more

Was a neat place, however since the Hoffman buyout, it is just a commercialized boring place. Support the wineries in the are that didn't SELL OUT. read more

The wine here is good, though not a ton of selections; I'd recommend the off-dry "Natalia." The pizza is also very good, and I would recommend the meat lovers. The biggest perks about this place are: you can bring your own food, there is a lot of seating and tables available, and a LOT of room to spread out and not feel like you're imposing on anyone else. We went here for Mother's Day, and every spot in the shade was already taken, so we set up a small tailgate tent, as had some other groups. Nice place for families to gather and spend an afternoon. However, fair warning, while you can bring in food you cannot bring in any sort of beverages, even water. Bags are searched and they will make you take it out before entering. read more

I guess you can't really credit Louis P. Balducci Vineyards for the beautiful fall foilage and crisp fall weather we had, but I have to say, we had an absolutely PERFECT afternoon there. I've had only a limited experience with wineries in Augusta, but this one was a really good and laid-back time. I'm not the biggest fan of Missouri wines, but I've found they have several different (and tasty) wines for you to taste. They do not charge for tasting (though you should always tip the bartender) and if you do decide to buy a bottle, they don't make you pay for a glass (or put down a deposit like other wineries we've gone to) - they have lots of plastic ones available. You're welcome to bring in food, but are not allowed to bring in any type of liquid, which includes bottles of water (and they will search your purse). So make sure you either hydrate before you go, or plan on spending a few bucks on the bottles of water they have for purchase. They also have beer available for those that don't enjoy wine (like my husband) but like to go for the company. The wine is a bit pricey, especially for Missouri wines, but I always keep in mind that you're paying for the overall experience. They day we went they had a live band (and they still didn't charge a cover, whoo hoo!) which wasn't too loud to be enjoyable. There's also a small indoor area in case you don't enjoy beautiful scenery (and are, by my calculations, insane.) On busier days I'd suggest bringing a few extra chairs or blankets. My group got there early and secured enough tables and chairs for us, but several other people were walking around trying to scrounge up some chairs the whole time. Our favorite vintage that we tasted (and subsequently bought 2 bottles of) was the Chiaretto. It's a semi-dry red wine which is a less oakier version of one of their dry reds. I'm usually a freak when it comes to any kind of sweet wine because it gives me an instant headache (so it's usually the drier the better), but the Chiaretto was INCREDIBLE. I wasn't even going to try it when she told me it was "semi-dry," but I'm SO glad I did. It reminds me a lot of a Rose (which you should definitely try one sometime, if you can find it). And no headache! Not to mention, even my non-wine-drinking husband LOVED it. I'd definitely go back ANY time (especially in the fall, the leaves were AMAZING) especially to go buy some more bottles of our new favorite wine! read more

I had lunch with the fiancé here a couple weekends ago. We live in the area so we occasionally hit up a different winery for lunch. He is not much of a drinker, and I am pregnant so I can't review their wine selection right now but we both really enjoyed our lunch. My fiancé had the baked brie appetizer and it was awesome! Two HUGE pieces of Brie, one smothered in apricot jelly, the other in strawberry. I had the tomato basil wrap and it was excellent! The tomatoes were ripe and juicy and they didn't skimp on the chicken. Also their baked potato chips are amazing! Apart from the food, we really enjoyed just sitting outside and enjoying the view. I've been to Balduccis winery a few times and it's never been so busy I couldn't find a table and I've never been there when there were really loud, drunk crowds which is really nice. It's always been a quiet, pleasant place to enjoy the weather and scenery and now I know they have good food too! read more

I went to a party and the owner was very nasty to some of the people in our group. She talk to people like she had no experience with a mix group and we spent a lot of money on food and wine .. The staff was great! But I will not return due to the owner Carol was rude and she made us feel like she did not want us their. Ive gone to other vineyards in Augusta and never experienced unwelcome feeling by owner. I will tell everyone I know not to visit due to Carol being rude and unpleasant to our group and for a Birthday occasion!!!Everyone in our group acted like an adult we even had other guest at the vineyard join in our birthday party . It's a shame in 2016 some people still live in their own racists world !! read more

New ownership. Same service & quality but much higher $$$. Not worth the drive anymore.

We held the rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding in the barn at Balducci Vineyards. It was everything we had hoped for: an atmosphere that was a nice mix of rustic elegance; great food presented nicely and on time; and plenty of great wine and other beverages, all at a reasonable price. Carol Balducci set our minds at ease throughout the entire planning process, giving us good counsel on food combinations, setups, etc., and even attending to the needs of several of our guests with dietary restrictions (they couldn't have been happier with their special dishes). The workers who were tending the bar and tables were very attentive and pleasant--lots of smiles all around. I would highly recommend Balducci's to anyone who would like an outstanding and memorable venue for a function. It is truly one of the best winery experiences Missouri has to offer. read more

Everything from the laid back atmosphere to the barn decor and beautiful rolling hills of Missouri wine country bespeak of the Midwest hospitality and charm. The short walk from the parking lot to the winery was pleasant on an unseasonably cool afternoon in July. As most Missouri wineries, the semi-sweet white wines are excellent, especially the Sonata. My party ordered some pizza and I selected a Chambourcin to pair with it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Missouri wines, most of them are notoriously sweet. This stems from the grape varietals that grow well in the region and large German influence on the wine making. That being said, the Chambourcin was one of the most well-balanced semi-dry red wines I have ever had out of a Missouri winery. I would highly suggest it both as a sipping wine and table wine. I am giving this a five-star review for the service, which was extremely friendly, the quality of the food and wine, as well as the laid back and easy going atmosphere. This is a great stop on a tour of the Augusta area or just to have a nice lunch away from the office. read more

Excellent outdoor winery where you can enjoy an entire day. Wine not your thing? They have beer also! Along with different cheeses, breads and even pizza. Seriously? How awesome is that. Don't like any of this? You can bring your own food. But don't try to sneak drinks in, because they have a security guard at the entrance from the parking lot. And yes. He checks your bags, coolers, etc. The have small wine tastings that are free, and their wine prices are very reasonable. The gift shop is filled with wine paraphernalia, so be careful. Don't drink and shop like I did. read more

Had so much fun at this vineyard! Ended up meeting the owner and she was amazing! Super nice and so sweet to check up on us, such an amazing view and one for the books!! read more

It's a beautiful view out there! I would encourage anyone to go there. It's very calming, peaceful, cozy and has a lovely feel of down to earth place to be at. Driving up to the winery, was greeted by this awesome chocolate lab outside who appears to be happy, wagging tail in greeting customers. The service was very friendly, the food was incredible and their wine selection (small) but was very tastable. I would love to return to this place if I had a chance in the future! read more

Extremely friendly staff and good pizza. The wife and I aren't into dry wines so the Missouri wines are perfect for us since they're sweeter than most. We picked up a bottle of the Dolce Bianco. It is delicious if you like sweeter wines. read more

Balducci Vineyards - Wine tasting house. - Wineries Near Me - Augusta, Missouri

Had everyone spread out. Lots of signs explaining process. Good wine at reasonable prices.

I used to love this place. Augusta in general used to be a favorite weekend attraction. Now it's just all about the almighty dollar . This time we were told that we could bring in a picnic basket but no drinks. Not even a bottle of water on a 95 degree day. Yes their covered tent area is nice, plenty of tables and outside big fans BUT having to buy a semi chilled small bottle of water for $4 and not even getting to taste the wine for free (it's 5$ now to even taste), it ruined our experience. They won't even give you ice to chill your $20 bottle. Apparently frozen water costs too. Our wine was warm before we could even finish it. What's next? Charging to use the bathrooms ? Seriously disappointed in the ways this place has changed. read more

It's so worth it to go the extra couple of miles to get to Balducci. Yes, it's smaller and not as well known, but the upside of that is smaller crowds and more personalized service. We pulled in with a bus full of 18 folks recently, and they could not have been more kind. Plenty of samples, friendly service, and they allow you to bring in your own food and picnic items. Like any winery or drinking establishment, they do not want you to bring your own beverages in, and I totally get that. Speaking of beverages, we went with the vidal blanc, just a basic Missouri white along the lines of a pinot grigio. It was dry and light, perfect for the sunny day. Prices are very reasonable, a little lower than the more popular wineries in this area for a very similar product. With it being a cooler day, some of our group did go with dry reds that were also enjoyed, but I'm not big on drinking red outside in the sun. Blotchy skin and red lips- no thanks! The views are absolutely stunning! Rolling hills, deep valleys, and loads of trees create a dynamic backdrop, The grounds themselves have a lovely farmhouse that either has live music or Sunday sports on the big screen. A bocce ball court gets a lot of use. In addition, there is so much land that it's easy to find a spot for a blanket if all the tables are taken or you just want to relax on the grass. In addition to some johnny on the spots outside, there are a few indoor restrooms that are in decent condition. I appreciate this option! This was my first visit to this winery, and I am so glad that I know it's here. I will be back next year! read more

A great place to enjoy a taste of fine wines. Anywhere from semi-dry to fruity. We did not eat but there was a place for eating. Looks like a great place for large parties, plenty of outside seating if you choose. Staff was very inviting and knowledgeable. Will return if ever in the area. read more

Nice place to sit around with a group of friends in a beautiful setting. The pizza was okay, it tasted a little milky to me. There was a live band the day we were there which was great. The wine tasting price is very reasonable. We'll be back. read more

This is also my favorite winery in Augusta. Live music, nice view, decent pizza, decent wine. Not sure it gets any better here. Be careful on the drive home (winding country highway). read more

Not enough food selection, they have a SECURITY gaurd upon entering, they do not allow you to bring in your own water (on 100 degree days)... Go to Noboleis! read more

I'm going to be honest, if it weren't for the food, this place would get 2 stars. The wines are overpriced and not THAT great. I usually will get a bottle of the Sonata with food, and this is usually our lunch stop on an Augusta trail day. I do enjoy their nice lawn and view. We've never really gone for the live music. I also always feel like I'm gonna get frisked at the entrance, as they check for outside drinks. Seriously...I can bring outside food, but you INSIST I buy a bottle of water from you instead of the one I already have?! read more

Beautiful scenery! The wines here have come a long way over the past decade since they opened. Their pizzas are amazing! This is the perfect location for a winery wedding! read more

The Aria is my favorite wine. The people there when doing a tasting are extremely helpful

Stayed in Augusta this past weekend with my parents, and our first stop was Balducci restaurant on Friday evening. Even though we popped in 30 minutes before their tastings were over (and an hour and a half before the restaurant closed), the girl who helped us was super friendly and helpful. I wish I would have gotten her name so that I could thank her personally! We ordered pizzas to go and she did a tasting for us while we waited. We settled on a bottle to purchase and ended up staying to eat there-- which, again, everyone was super nice about! She brought our wine to the table and brought our pizzas out for us as well. They all seem like trivial little things, but years of working in restaurants makes me appreciate the people who go out of their way to take care of customers who are a little bit pain in the butt ;) The place was pretty quiet ( when we drove past on Saturday night at that time it was VERY busy!) and a great place for a relaxing dinner after rushing to get there. Pizza was delicious. If I am back in the area I will definitely be back to try more of the menu! read more

My family has gone to Balducci Vineyards for Mother's Day for the past 4 years and boy do we love it here. Great food, music, plenty of space for kids to play and great wine! This year, I became a mother myself and was worried about where I would go to "take care of business" while there. I asked one of the workers if they had anywhere I could go and although they didn't, they directed me to a spacious room and let me pump (and cool down since it was in the 80s) in privacy. I was wowed by this gesture. What an amazing Mother's Day thanks to their staff! read more

Went to Balducci's for a family birthday; it was a 93 degree day and had my 84 year-old father-in-law in tow. First of all, they have a "gatekeeper" that will check your bags to ensure you are not bringing in outside drinks - not even water. Here's where I have the problem: on a hot day, if you are not allowed to bring your own water, then Balducci's should provide it FREE OF CHARGE. I don't care if it's straight from the tap, but don't tell me I can't bring in my own water and then expect me to pay $2 per bottle for something that should be free. Noboleis Vineyard is just down the road, as is Blumenhof. Nobeleis had two giant, ice cold containers of water sitting outside for their patrons. Blumenhof allows you to bring drinks in, but asks you to purchase alcoholic beverages from them - which is fair. I'd pass Balducci up for somewhere a little more considerate of their patrons (especially those who don't drink alcohol - like kids, older people and DDs) and less after the almighty dollar. read more

Beautiful view, delicious wine. I have never had a bad experience at this winery!! The music is usually so much fun and the atmosphere is overall just great!! read more

Balduccis offers a pleasant experience to be had by many. The winery is family friendly and the staff was excellent and knowledgeable about the wines and the Augusta area. It seemed everyone there was having a great time. As you look around you see groups dancing and others sitting enjoying the the wonderful views. I would recommend this winery to anyone owners and staff have out done themselves. I mostly enjoyed the fact that they did not nickel and dime you like most other Augusta wineries. Sure everyone can have an opinion but certainly make sure you have the facts first: Well Jill L. you are incorrect about your pricing of the wine at Balduccis. Balducci's is a family owned and operated winery that does not sell its wine to distributors. So you did not see the same wine at your local grocery store. However it is presented in a blue bottle like most semi dry Riesling style wines so you must be mistaken. read more

Outstanding red wine...that was all we tried, but I'm sure anything else would have been equally good. Wife and I each had a glass of the Chambursan (sp?); then sat at a table under a tree and enjoyed the view. Next time I'll have lunch, as well, because it seems that everything Balducci's offers is superb. Now trying to get my local store to "import" wine from Missouri! read more

As we crested the Hilltop entrance, and the Barn and Winery appeared, Balducci's was full of pleasant surprises. The wine tastings were informal and totally informative. The staff calmly walked our group through the wine selections while preparing a dinner table for 10.With wine selections in hand we ordered the full variety the menu offered. The Toasted Ravioli, soups, salads, pizza, and fish dishes were exception, We look forward for our next excuse to visit Balducci's and enjoy the relaxed staff and scenic space. And reward ourselves with a truly great meal. read more

It is a BARN people !! The tables are under a tent middle of a corn field without a grape vine in sight. That is the atmosphere. The food is upscale McDonald's at most. That's the cuisine, bring your own. And the Taste bar is a cramped steel shed with cooped up tables. Too bad I wont get that hour back. read more

Met some friends for dinner at Balducci Vineyards last Friday evening and had such a great time! Love the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful views. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, shared some delightful wine and chatted for hours. With the fall weather and the pleasant staff (our waitress was outstanding!), if you haven't been here yet, you simply must go! read more

Balducci's is one of the finest wineries in the area !! The views are breathtaking and the staff is always knowledgeable and pleasant. LOVE their pizza (which they are known for) and the baked brie is a personal fave of mine. I would highly recommend Balducci's and encourage you to visit - it's definitely worth the drive !!! read more

Winery was beautiful- First time here and have visited many others. Can bring your own food. They have a great tent area with a band. Also a great land to bring a blanket and just lay in the grass in the open area. Have plenty of tables. Tasting is $5 and you get to keep the glass and get 5 wine tastings (at least that was the price on a Sunday when we went) was not crowded at all which was perfect for me. Went around 3:30/4PM and was perfect. read more

My husband and I stopped in for a nice afternoon of wine and music, but waited for several minutes for wine tasting ( she was only waiting on ONE other small group of guys 2-3), with not so much as an "I'll be right with you" ( she saw us but ignored us) Then acteed as if we were an imposition when the guys left and we moved over to where they had been standing. We tasted two wines and left. (We were given a smirk as we left. ) So sorry Balducci, your loss. We live nearby so would have been regular customers. read more