Spencer Manor Vineyards and Winery LLC

Spencer Manor Vineyards and Winery pairs wine tasting with tapas-inspired dining in Saint James, Missouri, in the Ozark Highlands. The winery traces its roots to the Spencer family’s small-batch winemaking and its formal beginning to 2019. Kelly Spencer serves as founder and CEO, while co-founder Chris Spencer leads winemaking. Food carries real weight here, too: executive chef and vice president of hospitality Matt Ruesler oversees a menu built around shared plates and locally sourced ingredients, with offerings changing as ingredients come into season.

The production facility and tasting room sit at the intersection of Highway V and Missouri Highway 68, with wine caves and both indoor and outdoor seating. The draw is more than a quick stop at the tasting counter: lunch, dinner, and Saturday and Sunday brunch give a visit room to stretch into a meal. Spencer Manor opens Tuesday through Sunday, with evening service through Saturday and an earlier finish on Sunday. Monday is the day to leave off the itinerary.