When  we arrived, we were the only two patrons in the joint, and we were [...]]]> I spent my cool, drizzly Sunday afternoon at Sand Creek Vineyard with an old friend. The building, which sits at the end of a long gravel driveway, deep in the woods, somehow manages a fine balance between down to earth and elegant.

When  we arrived, we were the only two patrons in the joint, and we were greeted by a sleepy yellow tabby cat on a black wicker sofa outside the front doors.

Sand Creek Vinyard, photo by smalltowngirl

Wine tastings here are five wines for $5.00, so we each handed over a President Lincoln and started our tasting.

The first wine on the list was a Chambourcin, followed by a Norton. Nortons are one of Missouri’s more popular red wines, and the Norton was one one of my two favorite wines at Sand Creek.

The third on the list was the very sweet Plank Road Red. I got nostalgic at the title, since our late-night hang out years ago was Plank Road Inn.  I’m still learning to like my home state’s sweet wines, and as I sipped the Plank Road Red, I found myself daydreaming of summer sangrias.

Traminette, a semi-sweet white wine came next. Sand Creek’s Traminette has a similar green apple and apricot flavor as Peaceful Bend’s Semi-Sweet White, though Peaceful Bend’s wine has an almost cider-like tartness. I’m not too proud to admit that I thought the Traminette tasted like a grown-up Peach Jolly Rancher wine. That said, it was one of my favorites at Sand Creek.

The last wine of the day, which is one of Sand Creek’s best sellers, was my least favorite. Becky’s Blush was very, very sweet. I’m a Shiraz and Syrah kind of girl. I like the wines that go well with dark chocolate and stain your lips and teeth purple. I’m sure it’s a wonderful blush, but I’ll pass on this one next time.

Five for $5.00 - Sand Creek Tasting, photo by smalltowngirl

Sand Creek Vineyard is one of the newest additions to Southeast Missouri’s wineries. It sits a few miles southeast of Farmington off of State Hwy 00, and tastings are 5 wines for $5.00, and you get to keep your glass.

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Not sure how to get the glass home with you safely? Note my friend’s creative use of her kiddo’s car seat on our way home (also note that said kiddo was safely at home with his grandma):

Cozy Wine Glasses, photo by smalltowngirl

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Sleepy Tabby Cat, photo by smalltowngirl