Crown Valley Winery

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 23, 2011

Favorite Wine: Fine Old Ruby and Viognier

Approaching Crown Valley from any direction, this is the most “ginormous” looking facility we have ever seen. We’ve never been to California but this is what I would imagine the mega facilities anywhere must look like. The grounds, the building, all things here are very new, immaculate, manicured etc. Sterile or void of personality is a more cynical take but I am not sure it is fair. But it is tempting. We visited on a Sunday which we learned is the day to go to avoid the crowds we have heard about here. We almost had this huge place to ourselves. We liked their Fine Old Ruby as a very nice representation of a Norton Port. The bottle for this one is very unique and will be a keeper at our house. We liked all of the labels and packaging at this winery. The uniquely high in appeal find at this winery was their Viognier. A solid four stars. Very clean, crisp and refreshing. Nice floral nose. Dry on the first sip to a pleasant but brief semi-dry or semi-sweet note on the finish. We’re enthusiasts but certainly not experts. But we think we’re having our first experience with the difference of terroir. This was our first visit to the Ste. Genevieve / Farmington, MO area and all day long we sampled their Chambourcins and Nortons. We were immediately struck how these tasted different than offerings of these varieties in Hermann, Kansas City and Virginia. There was a common element to all of these that was different to us from our previous experiences. The Crown Valley wines seemed to express this trait most to us. At first it was off-putting. By the end of the day we were learning that it was simply something to appreciate for what it is. We’re still struggling to identify it but a first stab is to say it is something of a mineral nature. That said though, the Crown Valley reds were just too much in this direction for my tastes.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 12, 2011

Love the Peach and Blackberry! Huge place!

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: May 03, 2010

Favorite Wine: Petit Syrah

A megacomplex, but with a surprisingly long wine list including quite a few dry reds. The wines made with California grapes are extremely capable, notably the petit syrah. The Norton is decent, and will probably get better with aging. I can't imagine how crowded and loud this place must be during the busy season. I'm impressed with the dry wines here.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jan 05, 2010

Norton Wine Review: An incredible wine industry investment in SE Missouri with land and facilities by Crown Valley Winery. Though one of the newer Missouri wine producers, Crown is also one of the leaders in pushing for Missouri wines recognition. We were lucky in missing the reported throngs that get bussed into this setting. Tastings are based on a basic or premier schedule. Since we were not interested in wines using "imported" California grapes, we still got the handsome glass with our basic fee. Our host had such a clever demeanor, I'm sure we bought more wine than we had originally bargained for. Great shipping price for case purchases (1 cent ain't bad) and that's after the applied case sales discount. Back to the Norton wine. Very middle-of-the-road for a Missouri Norton, be it their Norton-Chambourcin blend (Crown Red) or their 44 months in French and American oak barreled Norton. A new Australian vintner is now on the Crown Valley Winery scene since we were there last and it will be interesting to watch and taste differences in their Norton wines in the years to come.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 12, 2009

Favorite Wine: Pinot Noir 2005

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Nov 11, 2009

One of my Favorite Winery in the state of missouri this is up there with Adam Puchta. Good music, and i cannot just pick one wine i like i love them all

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jun 22, 2009

Favorite Wine: all of the reds

The wines are great. Half are made from California grapes. Paid tastings, but you keep the glass and get large tastings. We love it. It's a mob scene in October. Go some other time.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Aug 26, 2008

This place, while I'm sure impressive to some, reminded me of an airplane terminal when we first arrived. It was very crowded, the staff seemed uninformed about the product, and they don't even recycle the empties. Maybe a visit on a weekday would be better, but it was just too commercial for us.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Sep 18, 2007

Crown Valley is my Favorite. They still allow you to bring your own snacks. It is relaxing and enjoyable. The bands they have are great.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 26, 2007

Favorite Wine: Vignoles Sweet

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 10, 2007

Crown Valley has become my favorite winery! My friends and I enjoy packing snacks and listening to the bands as we catch up. I have spent my last 3 birthdays at this winery with friends.