BIG FLAVOR TINY CHEF,
Tiny Chef STL turns simple ingredients into extraordinary Korean-inspired comfort food at the Silver Ballroom in South City.
NOVEMBER 2025 • VOLUME 25, ISSUE 10
OWNER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OWNER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lucas Farrell
Kyle Stevens
Lauren Healey
Kelli Jones
Haimanti Germain
Aspen Smit
Julia Fallert, Danni Eickenhorst, Lauren
Healey, Brad Henderson, Jamie Korenblat, Charlotte Vieth
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kiana Fleming, Lauren Healey, Jamie Korenblat
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THE FOUNTAIN ON DELMAR // PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE VIETH
The turnout for the Delish on Delmar event in October proved that the Delmar Maker District remains resilient despite the challenges brought by the recent tornado. Learn more on p. 14.
Photo by Brad Henderson, STL Aerial Arts
Tucked inside South City’s punk-rock landmark, the Silver Ballroom, Tiny Chef STL has been quietly serving some of the city’s best Korean-inspired comfort food for more than six years.
Chef-owner Melanie Hye
Jin Meyer’s bibimbap bursts with color and texture. Amply seasoned rice is layered with house-made vegan kimchi, pickled radish batons, sesame cucumber-carrot pickled salad, a sunny-side-up egg, plus a generous smattering of scallions and sesame seeds. Add your choice of protein: Bulgogi steak is the standout, with crisp caramelized edges and melt-inyour-mouth tenderness. Don’t skimp on sauce: The Dragon is creamy and fiery, while the Pixie is a sweet and savory plum sauce; together they’re perfection.
Pro tip: Go on a Monday night when the Silver Ballroom offers free play on all its pinball machines.
4701 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis Instagram: @tinychefstl
Editor’s note: Dishes pictured are for artistic purposes only; all meals are served in disposable dishes on-site.
From the team behind Yellowbelly and Lazy Tiger, Extra Wavy makes a splash in Lafayette Square with a coastal-inspired menu, perfectly made cocktails, and a space that feels like vacation meets date night. The newest On Point Hospitality concept transforms the historic Centennial Malt House into a lush, tropical escape with green and coral tones, layered textures and plenty of charm.
Seafood takes center stage here, but the creativity stretches well beyond the raw bar. The lobster donut – a crisp sweet potato and molasses donut filled with chilled North African–spiced lobster salad – is a showstopper. Pork belly skewers melt in your mouth with a tangy glaze, and the fried polenta with zucchini and currant pepper jam is an unexpected hit. Even the
fries impress, dusted with salt-and-vinegar powder that lends just a hint of tang without overwhelming the senses.
Drinks are every bit as dialed in as the food. The Skinny Dipper, a coconutty rum-and-Aperol cocktail, is refreshing with a touch of effervescence, while the Harmony Circus offers a fun, lightly salted riff on a strawberry Negroni. Confetti Cowboy, a complex and velvety amaretto sour, is another winner. (Let’s be real: They’re probably all winners.) Don’t skip dessert either: the pistachio praline ice cream, made in-house, is rich but perfectly balanced.
Extra Wavy
Lobster donut
EXTRA WAVY
PROHIBITION
Tucked inside the historic Centennial Malt House, Prohibition is the kind of speakeasy that makes you forget what time it is – in the best way. The moody bar is surprisingly spacious and feels cinematic with high ceilings, stone walls, gold frames, and flickering light that flatters everyone in the room.
The cocktails deliver on both craft and character. Liquid Gold – a velvety whiskey sour with a silky foam topper – lives up to its name, while Poetic Legs, tropical and bright, hits all the right notes. The Jungle Bird is as classic and balanced as they come.
Era-appropriate music hums through the space, the lighting is just right, and the overall vibe is immaculate.
Prohibition shares its 19th-century building with Extra Wavy, making it the perfect companion stop: ideal for a pre-dinner drink if your table isn’t ready, or a nightcap afterward (our preferred move). Either way, once you find the secret entrance, you’ll want to linger.
2017 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, stlprohibition.com
Poetic Legs, left, and Liquid Gold cocktails
Prohibition bartender Nick Digiovanni
MANGIA BELLA
Housed in the historic Elijah McLean mansion in Washington, Missouri, Mangia Bella (“eat beautifully”) brings a new fine-dining destination to Franklin County. The 1839 Southern Colonial-style estate offers a striking backdrop for dinner or drinks, with elegant chandeliers, antique mirrors, and multiple dining rooms that make it easy to spread out and settle in for the evening.
The menu leans classic with comforting standbys done well. The garlic steak bites are tender and flavorful, and the bruschetta is a standout starter. You can also go lighter with a soup-andsalad combo; the cranberry-orange salad, with its bright dressing and crunchy pecans, was the table favorite. French onion soup hits the spot too, even if it didn’t deliver the dramatic cheese pull we hoped for. We also enjoyed the French dip, though we realized after the fact that it is satisfying enough on its own to not need the giardineira we added. To drink, the raspberry mojito is on the sweet side but undeniably refreshing. Overall, Mangia Bella isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it’s delivering solid, satisfying dishes in one of the most atmospheric dining settings around.
600 W. Front St., Washington, mangiabellamo.com
PHOTOS BY LAUREN HEALEY
Mangia Bella offers many spacious dining areas.
Cranberry-orange salad
French dip
Café Amalia in Kirkwood offers a warm, Mediterranean-inspired dining experience rooted in Greek hospitality. During our visit, we tried a few items from the rotating lunch menu. The salad is fresh and light, with a nice mix of sweet elements, though we longed for a crunchy component. The tartine is tangy and flavorful, with fresh tomatoes and basil, but it was a bit messy and best eaten with the provided golden fork. Coffees were good, with the fall iced coffee packing plenty of fall flavors without the sweetness so often present in an autumnal latte. We wish we had gotten there in time to try the breakfast menu too, which looks promising.
10907 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, amaliaculinaryart.com
CAFE
AMALIA
PHOTOS BY LAUREN HEALEY
Cafe Amalia Tartine Fall iced coffee
STRONGER THAN THE
BY
PHOTO
BRAD HENDERSON, STL AERIAL ARTS
THE DELMAR MAKER DISTRICT TOOK A BIG HIT FROM A TORNADO – BUT BETWEEN NEW RESTAURANTS, RETURNING NEIGHBORS AND A WAVE OF CREATIVE ENERGY, IT ’ S FINDING ITS RHYTHM AGAIN.
BY LAUREN HEALEY
When a tornado tore through the Delmar Maker District in May 2025, it didn’t just damage buildings – it disrupted a neighborhood in the middle of a major transformation.
The area, tucked between the Central West End and the Delmar Loop, has long been seen as a bridge between two of St. Louis’ most bustling districts. For developer Doug Auer – co-founder of the Maker District’s anchor business Third Degree Glass – that location is what makes it so full of potential. “It’s right between two thriving areas,” Auer said. “It should be a connector – a vibrant link that brings people and energy between them. That’s what we’re building toward.”
Auer said that vision has guided every part of the district’s redevelopment. “We did our very best to make this easy and attractive to all of our tenants,” he said. “We paid for the full buildout for all of the development work in the district. Tenants handled their furniture and equipment needs on their own, with some of them being given low-cost loans as needed,
in addition to the lease payments. Tenants were not asked for any other capital up front, other than security deposits at time of occupancy.”
A CULINARY ANCHOR
No one embodies that vision more than restaurateur Ben Poremba, whose restaurant group now anchors much of the district’s culinary energy. After more than a decade shaping the dining landscape in Botanical Heights, Poremba made the bold move to shift the majority of his restaurant group to Delmar.
“I was looking for a neighborhood that had a lot of growth potential,” Poremba said. “There were vacant buildings, yes, but more importantly, there was a budding enterprise and community forming there. It felt like the right kind of thing, a neighborhood still taking shape, with the right partners and the right energy.”
He found those partners in Auer and Jim McKelvey, the
creative minds behind the Maker District, who shared his belief that Delmar could become one of the city’s most dynamic and entrepreneurial corridors. “We liked the idea of the Maker: people being creative and doing things with their hands,” Poremba said. “We didn’t just want to open one restaurant. We wanted to move three and open a couple more.”
By the time Poremba closed Nixta, Olio and Elaia in Botanical Heights on Dec. 31, 2023, the buildout on his new chapter was already underway. Esca opened in March 2024, Florentin followed in June, and a revived Nixta began serving guests that December, fully reopening by February 2025. His Deli Divine, located just down the street, had already debuted in May 2023.
The momentum was strong. “Esca has been very busy since the beginning,” Poremba said. “Florentin’s weekends are solid, and Nixta had incredible energy when we opened. Those first few months were packed, and we’d started doing salsa and DJ nights.”
THE TORNADO HITS
Then came the tornado.
“It was surreal being there during the storm,” Poremba said. “We went to the basement – we were just getting ready for service – and when we came out, it was overwhelming to see all the destruction around us.”
The storm caused major damage throughout the district. Steve’s Hot Dogs and The Fountain on Delmar, both neighbors to Nixta, sustained heavy damage but have since reopened, a testament to the area’s resilience. Just down the block, however, Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar was hit so hard that it doesn’t appear it will ever reopen. Requests for comment from owner Dallas Holland were not returned as of press time.
PICKING UP THE PIECES
Danni Eickenhorst, co-owner of HuSTL Hospitality Group, which operates both Steve’s and The Fountain, remembers that day vividly. “I was in St. Charles when it came through,” she said. “We had guests on our patio, and one of our employees saw a tornado had touched down. They got everyone inside and into the walk-in. It was terrifying – but everyone was OK.” When she arrived afterward, the damage was extensive. “There were holes in the roof, windows blown out, HVAC ripped off the building –but because it was newer construction, the walls held. We were lucky.”
Eickenhorst and her team quickly shifted into recovery mode. “Because our buildings were in decent shape, we immediately started serving food and handing out personal supplies and opened space for nonprofits to provide aid,” she said. They
reopened just 31 days later, in June, with a Build Back the Block concert that raised $50,000, later matched by a private donor.
Still, the neighborhood has struggled to regain its footing.
“Almost every business on the street is significantly down because our regulars aren’t there,” she said. “Operating revenue is down 30 to 50 percent right now. We’ve reduced our hours to get through the winter – we’re just trying to make it to spring.”
RALLYING SUPPORT WITH DOLLAR$ FOR DELMAR
To help, Eickenhorst has launched a long-term effort called Dollar$ for Delmar, a regional fundraising campaign dedicated to the economic recovery of the Delmar Maker District and surrounding areas impacted by the tornado. The campaign officially launches on Dec. 11 and will be managed through Delmar Main Street and the Delmar Maker District.
Seventy percent of all funds raised will go directly to businesses that have reopened and have the greatest need, while the remaining 30 percent will fund marketing, events and placemaking initiatives designed to bring more people to the area. The goal is to raise at least $1.5 million, ensuring that the Maker District not only rebuilds but thrives, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the St. Louis arts and business scene.
“Our hope is that the entire region will rally behind this effort,” Eickenhorst said. “This neighborhood needs what we’re giving –safe spaces, affordable meal options, a sense of community. We want to be here on the other side when everyone comes back.”
REBUILDING AND REGAINING MOMENTUM
Poremba’s own buildings were battered too. The property that will eventually house Olio and Elaia collapsed entirely, while the others suffered extensive damage. “We worked very hard
to get everything cleaned up,” he said. “We didn’t even have all the windows in or power for a while. It took about five weeks to reopen.”
Even with the doors back open, recovery has been uneven. “The tornado killed some of that momentum,” he said. “A lot of people who lived nearby can’t move back yet or never will. Especially on weekdays, traffic has been down. Esca’s been affected too. It’s a slow go; the neighborhood still needs a lot of work.”
Still, signs of renewal are emerging. The Delish on Delmar event in mid-October drew big crowds, bringing fresh energy and visibility to the district’s restaurants and makers. For many business owners, it was a hopeful sign that people are ready to return and rediscover the area.
Despite the challenges, the district remains lively. On any given weekend, there’s still a steady hum of diners spilling out of Esca and Florentin, the smell of hot dogs wafting from Steve’s, ice cream sundaes clinking next door at The Fountain. “It’s still a bustling area,” Poremba said. “It just needs more people to come see what’s here.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Poremba is not done yet. “In addition to Olio and Elaia, we’re going to add a couple more concepts over the next year or so,” he said. “That’s part of the excitement: We’re fully committed to that neighborhood and to attracting more operating partners to make it the best it can be.”
For Poremba, the investment is about more than food, it’s about reimagining what Delmar represents. “Delmar has had a bad stigma as a divide,” he said. “But it’s really one of the city’s main arteries: It connects the county to downtown, it’s close to the airport and the universities. If we’re serious about rebuilding and rebranding St. Louis as a fun, active entrepreneurial city, the focus should be on Delmar."
Eickenhorst shares that belief in the district’s potential. “This is where healing and partnership can happen,” she said. “When people come together in community – that’s when the momentum starts to benefit both sides of Delmar. The Maker District facilitates that creativity and connection, and we want to see it thrive.”
Auer agrees. For him, every new storefront, every restaurant reopening, and every mural or maker space is part of that bigger mission. “This district has always been about creativity and collaboration,” Auer said. “The tornado was a setback, no doubt – but it also reminded us how strong this community is. What’s happening here isn’t temporary. It’s rebuilding, it’s reimagining and it’s just getting started.”
A COZY ALFRESCO
From intimate hideaways to lively rooftops, these St. Louis patios let you enjoy the crisp air without the chill.
BY JAMIE KORENBLAT
s fall settles in, there are some seasonal sacrifices that need to be made to adapt for the changing season and colder weather climate. Fortunately, giving up the option for outdoor seating does not need to be one of them. With this list of eight outdoor patios equipped with heaters, you can continue to sit outside in comfort.
Bar Italia Ristorante
If you’re a true St. Louis foodie, you know Bar Italia Ristorante in the Central West End for their passion for delicious pasta and inviting staff that make you feel truly welcomed. Their spacious patio is perfect for dining with an Aperol spritz in one hand and a fork filled with pasta in the other, but that experience doesn’t have to end when it gets colder due to heaters that get placed out and turned on for guests dining outdoors. Surrounded by greenery, this patio will make you feel transported out of the city. Bar Italia Ristorante is a great St. Louis Italian experience that does simple cooking at its best with many great options to choose from.
13 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, 314.361.7010, baritaliastl.com
Esca
Esca is one of chef Ben Poremba’s newer restaurant additions. Located in the Delmar Maker District, Esca is known for its upscale vibe and charcoal and wood cooking. With green grapevine draped along the fence, the outdoor patio is an intimate, relaxing space that makes you feel transported to a coastal destination. There are a variety of tables for groups of all sizes with a few large heaters above the space. The drink menu consists of a large selection of wines, aperitifs, amari and anisettes. Their food menu is designed for family-style dining with coastal Mediterranean options. The name Esca is inspired by Escalivada, a popular dish on their menu that consists of fire-roasted eggplant, peppers and onions.
5095 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.365.2686, bengelina.com/esca
Olive + Oak
Known for their stunning interior and wide range of creative drink and food options, Olive + Oak offers a heated patio shared with their sister location, Perennial on Lockwood, which is located directly next to Olive + Oak. Perennial operates the outdoor patio during lunchtime until 4 p.m. Then when dinner service begins at Olive + Oak, they have half of the patio until close. Although it is cut off to half of the full space, there are a wide range of seating options available. There are heaters conveniently placed above almost every table and large tarps covering the outdoor space. Try Olive + Oak for their seasonal dishes, but stay for the inviting atmosphere.
216 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.736.1370, oliveandoak.oohosp.com
Russell’s on Macklind
Russell’s on Macklind is a Southampton neighborhood local favorite. After entering the cozy indoor space, you will find a pastry case that’s hard to miss, filled with everything from the St. Louis classic, gooey butter cake to their assortment of layer cakes. Taking a step outside into their patio space, you will find an upper and lower deck equipped with standing heaters. Although, when the colder months arrive, the lower patio will eventually close up. Along with heaters, the staff will place warm blankets at each table as an additional way to keep guests warm. Known for their seasonal farm-to-table style of cuisine, this place and the people will make you feel right at home.
5400 Murdoch Ave., St. Louis, 314.553.9994, macklind.russellscafe.com
Square One Brewery and Distillery
Square One Brewery and Distillery, located in historic Lafayette Square, is a neighborhood favorite spot known for Friday happy hours, weekly gameday events and an inviting heated patio. When you step outside, you will find a cozy space surrounded by the relaxing
sounds of a bubbling fountain, string lights and the shade of surrounding trees. When temperatures drop, part of the patio is enclosed by a wall, creating a heated winter garden area. Square One’s weekend brunch menu is perfect for game days, and the regular menu features classic pub fare like wing varieties and an extensive list of beers, cocktails and other refreshing drinks.
1727 Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.231.2537, squareonebrewery.com
Three Sixty Westport offers sweeping views of Maryland Heights.
Olive + Oak Esca
The Golden Hoosier
Posted in the heart of South City, The Golden Hoosier is more than just a burger bar; it’s a rustic escape with an art-deco twist. The Golden Hoosier’s heated outdoor patio encapsulates the nostalgia of sleepaway camp. This setup includes a cabin-style bar, a large fire pit perfect for all your s’more
roasting needs, and four picnic tables warmed by large overhead gas heaters. When the weather starts to take a turn, their staff will enclose the space around the picnic tables. Go there for the food but stay for the inviting atmosphere that makes you forget you’re dining in the city.
3707 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.354.8044, thegoldenhoosier.com
The Wine Cafe
Just across the river in St. Charles, The Wine Cafe is perfect for wine enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. Although the menu has a long list of food options for all types of palates, the real star of the show is their wine tasting flights. The outdoor patio is open in the wintertime and is warmed by standing heaters.
Other than offering flights and bites, they host many unique events like a Cigars and Whiskey night and festive holiday-themed events. Add The Wine Cafe as your next spot to celebrate with friends over great wine and cheese.
703 S. Main St., St. Charles, 636.410.8002, thewinecafe.biz
Three Sixty Westport
Three Sixty Westport takes dining to a whole new level. This restaurant is atop of the Gold Tower at Westport Plaza and features panoramic views of Maryland Heights and beyond. The space offers an expansive, partially enclosed patio with a large fire pit and heaters to keep guests warm in the elements. Their menu offers an extensive list of crafted cocktails and a diverse food menu with Mediterranean, Asian, Italian, and French options. Beginning mid-November until New Year’s Eve, the bar will host a festive pop-up to commemorate the holidays. Whether you’re looking for your next nice dinner out or interested in attending one of the bustling Sunday night DJ sets, their beautifully designed space offers something for everyone.
111 W. Port Plaza Drive, Suite 1200, St. Louis, 314.683.2337, 360-stl.com/ westport/
stuff to do NOVEMBER
BY KIANA FLEMING
Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl
Nov 8 – 10 a.m., multiple locations along Cherokee Street, St. Louis, cherokeestreet.com/jazz
Get ready to move and groove at the 13th Annual Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl, an all-day celebration of live music, dance, food and local culture along the streets of the historic Cherokee neighborhood. The day culminates in an all-ages Grand Finale at 6 p.m. at The Golden Record. Tickets for the Grand Finale are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Schlafly Full Moon Festival
Nov. 8 – noon to 8 p.m., Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, schlafly.com
The Full Moon Festival returns to Schlafly Bottleworks, welcoming guests to a free event celebrating the fall harvest, perfect for families and furry friends alike. Attendees can enjoy fall and winter brews like Pumpkin, Vanilla Pumpkin, Oktoberfest, Coffee Stout and Christmas Ale, along with live music from great
bands, cozy fire pits, a chili cook-off and a pig roast complete with classic barbecue sides.
Laumeier After Dark
Nov. 8 – 4-10 p.m., Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, laumeiersculpturepark.org
Ever wanted to experience Laumeier Sculpture Park after dark? Now’s your chance! Laumeier After Dark will illuminate the park featuring light-based art installations from a variety of talented artists. Cozy up by the fire pits and enjoy an evening filled with live music, a Night and Mystic market highlighting local vendors, and a pop-up cocktail bar by Hidden Gem and Golden Gems. Satisfy your cravings with food and drinks from favorites like Cajun Seduction, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Tuk Tuk Thai. Admission is $15 for guests ages 2 and older.
Grant’s Farm Fall Fest
Through Nov. 9 – Grant’s Farm, 7385 Grant Road, St. Louis, grantsfarm.com
Bring the whole family and enjoy the magic of
autumn at Grant’s Farm Fall Fest, a free, familyfriendly event perfect for welcoming the autumn season. The event features seasonal treats and local favorites like Steve’s Hot Dogs, along with a Kid Zone offering fun activities such as a corn maze near the Clydesdale pastures and baby goat feedings in the Tiergarten. Guests can enjoy a scenic Deer Park tram ride, shop with local vendors at the fall marketplace, and see the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales up close. Adults 21 and over can also sample up to two complimentary Anheuser-Busch beverages. A parking ticket is required and is available for purchase online or on-site.
Cookbook Launch Class:
Tasting with Tina
Nov. 13 – 6-9 p.m., Fennel Cooking Studio, 3043 Olive St., St. Louis, tastingwithtina.com
Fennel Cooking Studio, in partnership with Christina Musgrave, is hosting a launch party and cooking class to celebrate the release of her new book, Tasting Every Day. This hands-on class
invites guests to cook alongside Christina as she shares a few of her favorite recipes, including the hot honey halloumi salad, the chicken pot pie bowls, and the Quick & Classy Sheet Pan Salmon, simple yet flavorful dishes perfect for busy weeknights. Each attendee will receive a signed copy of Tasting Every Day. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Flyover Comedy Festival
Nov. 13-16 – multiple locations, flyovercomedyfest.com
Get ready to laugh! This year’s 8th annual Flyover Comedy Festival is bringing over 150 comedians to St. Louis for four days of stand-up, improv, sketch and variety shows. The event takes place across 10 stages and venues, including The Pageant, The Improv Shop, St. Louis Art Museum, and Stifel Theatre, and features a packed lineup of talent. Expect well-known names like Aziz Ansari and Kym Whitley, as well as rising stars for you to discover. Don’t miss one of the funniest weekends of the year. Tickets available online.
Mill Creek: Black Metropolis Exhibit
Nov. 15, 2025, to July 12, 2026 –Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, mohistory.org
Mill Creek Valley was once a thriving, predominantly Black neighborhood in Midtown St. Louis, rich in culture, innovation and enterprise. Home to over 20,000 residents, the area was a city within a city, with its own hospitals, businesses, hotels, and a strong sense of community. However, in the 1950s, Mill Creek was devastated by urban renewal projects that displaced families and dismantled an entire community. Join the Missouri History Museum for the opening of Mill Creek: Black Metropolis on Nov. 15 and explore the powerful legacy of this historic neighborhood. Discover the stories of iconic figures like Josephine Baker, who grew up there; Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker, who launched their groundbreaking hair care businesses; St. Paul AME,
the birthplace of the St. Louis NAACP chapter and the unforgettable music of Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, whose sounds once echoed through its streets.
St. Louis Area Turkey Trots
Nov. 27 – multiple locations
Thanksgiving morning is the perfect time to get a run or walk in before indulging in your holiday feast. There are several Turkey Trots in the area worth checking out if you’re looking to start a festive tradition. The Olivette Turkey Trot features beer from Great Heart Brewing Co. and mimosas, with all proceeds benefiting the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, while the St. Louis Turkey
Denotes a Sauce-sponsored event.
STONE HILL WINERY
BY KIANA FLEMING
Founded in 1847 as the Stone Hill Wine Co. by German immigrant Michael Poeschel, Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri, is the state’s first winery and was once the secondlargest winery in the United States. An acclaimed international award-winner, it earned top honors at eight World’s Fairs between 1873 and 1915. Its stone cellars, completed in 1869, were the largest of their kind in the country and were built just a year before Missouri became the nation’s leading wine-producing state.
However, the arrival of Prohibition in the 1920s greatly altered the American alcohol industry. Wineries, breweries and distilleries quietly crumbled, and speakeasies emerged in basements, down alleys and behind unmarked doors. For decades, Stone Hill’s once-thriving vineyard was left destroyed, its cellars repurposed as a mushroom farming facility.
That all changed in 1965 when Jim and Betty Held took a bold step to revive the historic winery, laying the foundation for Missouri wine and winemakers again. At the time, California’s wine scene, widely regarded as the face of
American wine, had just begun regrowing roots. Napa Valley hadn’t yet opened its first postProhibition winery. Nationally, there were fewer than 70 wineries, and Missouri had none.
The Held family rebuilt from the ground up. They planted new vines across the region’s lush hills, rediscovered and reintroduced the Norton grape (now Missouri’s official state grape), aged their wines in a naturally cool 50-degree cellar, and embraced innovative hybrid varieties, proving that high-quality wines can be uniquely made in the Midwest.
“Looking back on these 60 years, it’s clear that the re-establishment of Stone Hill Winery was about more than restoring a single winery, it was about proving that the Midwest could produce worldclass wine,” said Stone Hill Winery President Jon Held. “We are honored to continue that legacy today.”
In the decades since, the original Old Stone Hill Wine Co. site was designated a National Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Longtime winemaker
Behind-the-scenes tour with Nathan Held
Jon Held in vineyards in 1980s
Stone Hill Winery
Dave Johnson spent 40 years at Stone Hill, becoming the most awarded winemaker in the U.S. outside California. In 2024, the winery ranked in the Top 15 American Wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards and won its 15th Missouri Governor’s Cup for Best Wine in the state.
Today, Stone Hill Winery farms 192 acres of grapes across seven vineyard sites in the Hermann area, making it Missouri’s largest grape grower. With a focus on sustainable farming, it produces around 80,000 cases of wine each year. Stone Hill remains the most awarded winery east of the Rockies and welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually. Pioneered by the Held family’s vision, Missouri is now home to 125 wineries contributing approximately $5.46 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to WineAmerica.org.
Stone Hill recently launched their Heritage Grape Project, continuing its long-standing commitment to cultivating historic American grapes like the Norton and whether these cultivars can offer a sustainable path forward in today’s evolving wine landscape.
“[At this stage], what excites me the most is pushing the boundaries of what can be produced with the rediscovered historical varieties and modern sustainable hybrids that each showcase our region beautifully and thoughtfully,” said Stone Hill’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing Nathan Held.
This fall, Stone Hill celebrated its 60th anniversary with a weekend-long celebration. Friday’s dinner highlighted signature dishes from the Held family through the years. On Saturday, guests enjoyed behind-thescenes access to the press house and cellars, where they witnessed grape processing and stomping, sampled fermenting wines directly from the tanks, and live music.
Keep the celebration going with a visit to Stone Hill Winery. Take a tour of the vineyard, eat in Stone Hill’s original stable and carriage house, the Vintage 1847 restaurant for German dishes with an American twist, or take a self-guided tour at their museum of historical winery artifacts.
1110 Stone Hill Hwy., Hermann, 573.486.2221, stonehillwinery.com
Jim and Betty Held crushing grapes in 1968
The family processing grapes in 1968
Jim Held in front of winery in the 1970s
Mushroom harvest
The Held family
STL FOODIE
SWITCHGRASS
SWITCHGRASS SPIRITS, BOTTLED-IN-BOND APPLE BRANDY, SMALL BATCH FROM GRAIN TO GLASS
This 100 proof spirit was sweet mashed, twice distilled, and made with 100% single orchard Jonathan apples. Each Bottled-in-Bond regulation bottle has an individually numbered stamp reminiscent of traditional designs to signify this designation. Order online, purchase at the Tower Grove or St Charles farmers markets, or check our website for local retailers.
Switchgrassspirits.com/ bottledinbond-apple-brandy
NOBOLEIS
FABLED LEGENDARY HARD CIDER - DRY & CRISP
NEW! Fabled Legendary Hard Cider is a dry, crisp delight with whispers of apple, soft floral notes, and a clean, refreshing finish. Perfect for fall gatherings and thankful toasts. This cider pairs beautifully with cozy nights, good company, and stories best kept between friends! Produced and canned by Noboleis Vineyards in Augusta, MO.
drinkfabled.com
Make a splash this season! St. Louis Aquarium memberships offer unlimited chances to get your hands wet at the nation’s most interactive aquarium. Enjoy fin-tastic perks like free parking, discounts at St. Louis Union Station, Polar Express presale access, and more – all for less than the cost of two visits.
Adult: $55 | Child (3 – 17): $35
Memberships can be purchased at: stlouisaquarium. com/membership-purchase
GIFT GUIDE
BLUES CITY DELI
We’ve been cranking out St. Louis’ Finest Po-Boy’s and Muffuletta’s for a few years now. You’ll see our menu is a tip of the hat to many of the blues music cities on the “Blues Highway”. Stop by, grab a legendary sandwich, try an Old Fashioned Soda or an Ice Cold Beer, and listen to some of the best blues music you’ll ever hear. Don't forget to grab a gift card for that “hard to buy for” person on your holiday list!
bluescitydeli.com
Th E GIFT OF A GOOD TIME!
Gift cards available in any amount to Augusta Winery, Balducci Vineyards, Montelle Winery, and Mount Pleasant Estates. Gift one or gift them all for a ‘tasting tour’ through Augusta, MO. Visit the wineries to purchase or give them a call! Cards can be mailed to you or the gift recipient.
visitaugustamo.com
NOBOLEIS
SWIRL SANGRIA W/ BOTANICALS - CRANBERRY, LEMON, & ROSEMARY
Swirl is a canned sangria that is hand-crafted from red wine with real cranberry, lemon, and rosemary, making it the perfect pour for fall. Bright, festive, and refreshingly unique, it’s a seasonal favorite meant for celebrating, savoring, and sharing with the ones you love most! Produced and canned by Noboleis Vineyards in Augusta, MO.
drinkswirl.com
STL FOODIE GIFT GUIDE
The gift that keeps on giving. Purchase a D’s Place gift card for that someone who wants to be surprised with delicious food and drinks. From smashburgers and wontons, to buckets and cocktails. Wall to wall TVs for all your sporting needs. Open 7 days a week 11am-12am.
dsplacestl.com
Whether you're new to wines, like to enjoy it with dinner occasionally or you’re a collector, the Wine Merchant’s wine club is one you’ll want to add to your holiday wish list. They offer 3 different levels of membership depending on your interests, and each wine selected is curated and carefully thought out by their highly trained staff. This gift won’t disappoint!
winemerchantltd.com
