Although KC isn’t exactly known for rolling hills of vineyards, we aren’t short on wine lovers and experts. A few of them have even started their own labels and sell them throughout the metro.
Here are four labels created by local wine aficionados and connoisseurs.
Romain Monnoyeur’s Domaine Désiré Petit
Chef and France native Romain Monnoyeur may not have his own wine label, but his family does, and you can get it at his restaurant Westport Cafe.
Domaine Désiré Petit was founded in 1932 by Monnoyeur’s great-grandfather Désiré Petit. With vineyards in Pupillin, the renowned winemaking village in the Jura region of France, Domaine Désiré Petit has since been passed down to Monnoyeur’s uncles Gérard and Marcel.
To buy a bottle or try a glass with your meal, head to Westport Cafe. Right now, you can try Domaine Désiré Petit’s poulsard (a light red wine), crémant blanc (a sparkling wine) and crémant rosé (a sparkling rosé). Not sure what to order with your meal? Just ask the server and they will be more than happy to help you pair a Domaine Désiré Petit wine with your food.
Kirk and Julie Berggren’s KC Wine Co.
When the Berggren family bought farmland in Olathe, they had every intention to turn it into a pumpkin patch. The property was already home to a small vineyard, however, and with some convincing from their daughter Taylor, the Berggrens decided to capitalize on that and go full-force into winemaking (they did end up dedicating a portion of the land as a pumpkin patch, too).
KC Wine Co.’s winery and vineyard makes for a great day trip. Head there and you’ll be able to try one of their 14 bottled wines, from a smooth and bright French-inspired seyval blanc to a red wine made with the Norton grape variety, the official grape of Missouri.
Doug Frost’s Echolands Winery
Doug Frost is kind of a big deal. Based in Kansas City, Frost is the one of three people in the world to hold both a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier title. He’s also an author and wine consultant. So it’s about time the wine expert started making his own vino.
Last year, Frost and his business partner, fellow Kansas Citian Brad Bergman, finally opened Echolands Winery in Walla Walla, Washington. On regular rotation are a syrah, bordeaux-style red blend and another red blend made from the neighboring Seven Hills Winery. Although the label has yet to make its way to KC, you can learn more about Frost’s winery and purchase bottles on the Echolands Winery’s website (echolandswinery.com).
Whitney VinZant’s VinZant Wines
Located in northern Sonoma Valley is a 63-acre vineyard owned by local restaurant group owner Whitney VinZant. George Vineyard, named after VinZant’s son, currently produces four wines under the VinZant label: a riesling, a rosé, a red blend and a cabernet sauvignon. Any one of these wines can be tried at several of VinZant’s restaurants, but you’re sure to find them at Gram and Dun on the Country Club Plaza. You can also find the label at your local liquor store.
