Charleville Vineyard, Winery & Microbrewery

Charleville Brewery & Winery 

Uncork and Unplug at the Regional Tourism Icon

Perched high above Saline Creek Valley in western Ste. Genevieve County, Charleville Brewery & Winery delivers what one guest called “one of the best views in all of Missouri” alongside distinctive handcrafted wines and beers. Since opening in June 2003 as a retirement project, then expanding with a $5 million renovation under new ownership in 2023, Charleville has evolved into a 10,000-square-foot destination featuring an innovative 24-tap iPourIt self-serve wall, elevated food menu, fire pit patios, and an 1860s log cabin lodge for overnight stays. The wristband-activated pour system lets you sample as much or as little as you want while the Saline Creek Valley panorama unfolds below. As one visitor raved: “Upon entering, you are given a magic bracelet that you can swipe on their ‘ipourit’ wall. You just swipe and drink. It bills you based upon how much you pour. Aaron walked us through the process perfectly. Absolutely amazing…This is probably the best food I’ve ever had at a winery. This is not a basic cheeseboard. This is coconut shrimp, fantastic pizza, & ahi tuna nachos.”

iPourIt Wall: Beer, Wine, and Charle-Ritas on Tap

The 24-tap iPourIt Wall represents Charleville’s commitment to accessible sophistication. Upon arrival, staff issue you a wristband coded to your credit card. Grab a glass, approach the wall, tap your wristband against the reader, and pour. The system charges by the ounce, billing for exactly what you pour—perfect for sampling multiple beers without committing to full pints, comparing wine varietals side-by-side, or creating custom tasting flights.

The tap lineup typically includes:

• Year-Round Charleville Beers: Half Wit Wheat Ale, Hoptimistic IPA, Strawberry Blonde Ale, Tornado Alley Amber Ale
• Rotating Charleville Specialties: Peach Blonde Ale, Pineapple Wheat Ale, Pecan Amber Ale, Pineapple Mango Habanero Blonde, Imperial Vanilla Porter, Strawberry Milkshake IPA, seasonal releases
• Charleville Wines: Four house-made whites including Chardonel, Chauvin, Genevieve Rivard (dedicated to Joseph Chauvin dit Charleville’s wife), proprietary red blends, port-style Trailhead dessert wine
• Partner Wines: Selections from Wild Sun Winery and Tavolo Vigneto Winery including Barbera, Pinot Grigio, Chianti
• Charle-Ritas: Wine-based cocktails on tap
• Charleville Sodas: House-made non-alcoholic options

The approachable beer style runs from easy-drinking Strawberry Blonde to caramelly Tornado Alley Amber to the slightly hot finish of Pineapple Mango Habanero. Nothing snobbish, everything accessible—sophisticated without pretension.

Breathtaking Views Over Saline Creek Valley

The patio and tasting room sit at one of the highest elevations in Ste. Genevieve County, overlooking the Saline Creek Valley’s rolling hills. Multiple guests note the view defies photography—you have to experience it in person to appreciate the panoramic sweep of forested valleys, distant ridgelines, and Missouri countryside stretching toward horizons.

Indoor seating features floor-to-ceiling windows maximizing valley views. Community-style tables encourage mingling (first-come, first-serve). Outdoor options include covered patio tables, open-air tables catching valley breezes, and fire pit seating areas (also first-come, first-serve). Reserved outdoor seating available for parties. Fire pits and heaters extend fall and winter comfort. Fans and shade provide summer relief.

Food That Exceeds Winery Expectations

Charleville demolished the “wineries serve mediocre cheeseboards” stereotype. The kitchen produces coconut shrimp, gourmet pizza, ahi tuna nachos, fried goat cheese balls, steak bites, pretzel bites with beer cheese—elevated pub fare executed well. Service runs quick despite volume. As one guest emphasized: “This is probably the best food I’ve ever had at a winery. This is not a basic cheeseboard.”

The menu balances shareables with individual options, accommodating groups splitting appetizers and solo visitors wanting full meals. Quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, presentation that matches the elevated tasting room rather than defaulting to plastic baskets.

1860s Log Cabin Lodge

Adjacent to the tasting room, a beautifully refurbished 1860s log cabin serves as a two-room lodge for overnight guests. The historic structure now features full kitchen, half-bath, living room, two bedrooms connected by spiral staircase, and modern amenities integrated into historic architecture. Perfect for couples wanting wine country weekends, groups extending tastings into overnight stays, or anyone seeking lodging with genuine historic character steps from Charleville’s tasting room.

Book through Airbnb or contact Charleville directly. The cabin enables multi-day wine country exploration using Charleville as your base—wake up, walk to the tasting room for coffee (Charleville sodas include non-alcoholic options), spend days exploring Route du Vin wineries, return for evening tastings and fire pit relaxation.

The View at Charleville: Wedding and Event Venue

The newly opened event venue capitalizes on those breathtaking valley views. “The View at Charleville” hosts weddings, anniversaries, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, and celebrations requiring scenic elegance. The $5 million renovation created spaces accommodating intimate gatherings through large-scale events—flexibility matching the iPourIt wall’s adaptability.

Couples praise the attention to detail, scenic backdrops for photos, seamless coordination, and atmosphere that elevates occasions without feeling stuffy. The venue delivers Hallmark movie aesthetics with craft beverage credentials and elevated food service.

Ownership Evolution and Community Roots

Jack and Joal Russell opened Charleville Vineyard in June 2003 as a retirement project. They later added brewing operations, expanding from winery to brewery & winery. The original 500-square-foot tasting room offered a bar, bathroom, and zero windows facing the gorgeous vista outside.

In 2022, amid pandemic challenges, the Russells retired a second time. Childhood friends Cara Naeger (co-owner of The Kozy and Dew Drop Inn), brothers Eric and RJ Clements, and partner Shanna Starnes—all longtime Charleville patrons who grew up in the area—purchased the operation. They immediately invested nearly $5 million to “open things up”: expanded tasting room with massive windows, iPourIt wall installation, food program elevation, outdoor space expansion, cabin renovation, event venue creation.

The ownership team also operates co-packing and white labeling services, tripling brewery capacity to support other craft breweries and distilleries needing production space—Center Ice Brewery, Slauterhouse Brewing Company, and others. This business-to-business operation funds continued improvements while supporting the broader craft beverage industry.

Route du Vin Wine Trail Position

Charleville anchors the western edge of Ste. Genevieve County’s Route du Vin Wine Trail. The gravel road accessing the property (Boyd Road) can flood during high water—check conditions if visiting after heavy rain. The rural drive through rolling hills becomes part of the experience rather than inconvenience. Cell service runs spotty, reinforcing disconnection from urban rush.

Nearby wineries include Crown Valley Winery & Brewery, Chaumette Vineyards, Cave Vineyard, Weingarten Vineyard. Baetje Farms (goat cheese, creamery tours) sits minutes away. Hawn State Park and Pickle Springs Natural Area offer hiking within 20-30 minutes. Downtown Ste. Genevieve’s French Colonial history sits 20 minutes east.

Practical Information

• Location: 16937 Boyd Road, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri 63670 (western Ste. Genevieve County, approximately 1 hour south of St. Louis)
• Phone: (573) 568-8165
• Email: team@charlevillemo.com
• Website: charlevillemo.com
• Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 11 AM-6 PM, Friday 11 AM-8 PM, Saturday 11 AM-6 PM, Sunday 11 AM-4 PM; Closed Monday-Tuesday
• iPourIt Wall: 24 self-serve taps featuring Charleville beers, Charleville wines, partner wines, Charle-ritas, Charleville sodas; wristband-activated, charged by ounce poured
• Signature Beers: Half Wit Wheat Ale, Hoptimistic IPA, Strawberry Blonde Ale, Tornado Alley Amber Ale (year-round); rotating seasonals and specialties
• Wine Selection: House-made whites (Chardonel, Chauvin, Genevieve Rivard), red blends, port-style dessert wine; partner wines from Wild Sun and Tavolo Vigneto
• Food: Elevated menu featuring coconut shrimp, gourmet pizza, ahi tuna nachos, fried goat cheese balls, steak bites, pretzel bites with beer cheese
• Seating: Indoor community tables (first-come, first-serve), outdoor covered and open-air tables (reservable for parties), fire pit areas (first-come, first-serve)
• Lodging: 1860s log cabin with 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, spiral staircase, modern amenities (available via Airbnb or direct booking)
• Events: The View at Charleville wedding and event venue available for reservations
• Dog-Friendly: Dogs welcome
• Family-Friendly: All ages welcome
• Special Events: Yoga & Booze classes, Valentine’s dinners, beer release parties, murder mystery events, live music
• Co-Packing Services: Available for craft breweries and distilleries needing production space

Perfect For:

• Beer enthusiasts wanting craft variety in scenic setting
• Wine lovers exploring Route du Vin Wine Trail
• Couples seeking romantic wine country weekends
• Groups wanting customizable tasting experiences (iPourIt enables individual pacing)
• Foodies surprised by elevated winery cuisine
• Wedding parties needing breathtaking venue
• Overnight guests combining lodging with tastings
• Dog owners wanting pet-friendly craft beverage destinations
• Families seeking all-ages wine country experience

Not Ideal For:

• Visitors uncomfortable with gravel roads or potential flooding access
• Those requiring guaranteed cell service
• Budget-conscious guests (quality comes with appropriate pricing)
• Anyone seeking downtown walkable location (20 minutes from Ste. Genevieve)
• Visitors limited to Monday-Tuesday (closed those days)

Charleville Brewery & Winery represents Missouri wine country’s evolution—honoring the region’s 250+ year viticulture tradition while embracing craft beer innovation, elevated food service, and experiential hospitality. The $5 million transformation didn’t erase the rustic 2003 retirement project charm. It amplified what worked (valley views, handcrafted beverages, relaxed atmosphere) while adding what modern visitors expect (exceptional food, flexible tasting options, Instagram-worthy event spaces).

The iPourIt wall symbolizes Charleville’s approach: accessible sophistication. Pour your own half-ounce taste or full pint. Sample the entire tap lineup or stick with Strawberry Blonde all afternoon. Pair Hoptimistic IPA with coconut shrimp or Charle-rita with ahi tuna nachos. Reserve covered patio seating for your party or grab community table space. Book the cabin for the weekend or drive in for a few hours. Charleville accommodates how you want to experience wine country rather than dictating rigid tasting room protocols.

And that view. Words fail, photographs disappoint, and you simply have to stand on the patio with a glass of Tornado Alley Amber, watching Missouri hills roll into distant horizons, understanding why Jack and Joal Russell chose this spot for retirement and why Cara, Eric, RJ, and Shanna invested millions to share it properly. Some places earn their reputation through history or marketing. Charleville earns it through elevation—literal and figurative.