Amigoni Urban Winery Review
Address: 1505 Genessee Suite 100 Kansas City,Missouri 64102.
Phone Number: 913-890-3289
Tasting Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11:00-6:00; Fri 11:00-7:00, Sun 12:00-5:00 and by appt.
Region: Missouri
Reviewer: Mark and Sonja
Review Date: 10/18/2014
Reviewer: Mark and Sonja
Rating: 5
The Review
Amigoni Urban Winery gives new meaning to the old line “You’re not in Kansas anymore” for a couple of reasons. First, you’re literally not in Kansas, you’re in Missouri, “Kansas City” being one of the great geographical misnomers of the vast Midwest. The second reason, however, matters far more to wine lovers: in an area of the country devoted largely to grapes that can manage to grow in the less than ideal climate of the central Midwest, the Amigoni family has managed to grow vinifera in the fertile soil that surrounds Kansas City.
While some of their grapes admittedly are imported, numerous bottles bear the simple “Missouri” label, a subtle indication that the wine is produced from local grapes. This is done primarily by grafting European varietals onto native rootstock, and the results are impressive. Amigoni offers an exceptional variety of wines, including classics like Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, creative blends like the Urban Cepages, as well as wines like Mourvedre that are almost never found in the Midwest. Their tasting menu is vast and diverse, and the wines are, beautiful, high quality, new-world representations of classic old-world varietals, many boasting the unique terroir of Northeastern Missouri which adds something a little different to wines you might only think you’ve had before.
The former home of The Drovers Telegram, the tasting room at Amigoni is a mix of modern and vintage. Neatly displayed bottles of wine and glasses in perfect rows are on display behind the tasting bar. Although the room is large and open, it also has a warm and welcoming feel with seating areas arranged throughout the space, each with their own distinct appeal. An old yellow bench with a radiator made into a coffee table, a sewing table made into an intimate spot for two, or a cozy corner booth are a few of the unique spots to enjoy a glass of wine or two. Past the tasting room, you will find a separate space often used for wedding receptions or other large gatherings. Barrels for aging wine are stored behind glass enclosures lining the walls and a large bar is situated along the left side. The space also leads out to an adjoining patio for those warmer Midwest days.
If you happen in on a day that you get to meet the owners, Michael and Kerry Amigoni, you can expect truly excellent service. On both of our visits, one or the other of them have attended to us and made the experience all the more enjoyable with their knowledge, helpfulness, and attention to detail. Other clerks have, in candor, been a little hit or miss. We won’t throw anybody under the bus, but we will recommend that you seat yourself across from Michael or Kerry if the opportunity presents itself.
We regularly visit Kansas City for a variety of reasons; it is the home of the best barbecue in the world, in addition to the National World War I Museum, and is the place where jazz music matured into what we know it as today. It has a vibrant nightlife, a tremendous running culture, beautiful fountains, and is a mecca for sports fans, boasting National Champions Sporting KC, the World Series runner-up Royals, and the formidable Chiefs. These days, however, a weekend pilgrimage to Kansas City just doesn’t seem complete without a visit to Amigoni, easily one of the best wineries in Missouri as well as the American Midwest.