Weingarten Vineyard Winery and Wedding Venue (County)

Weingarten Vineyard Winery & Wedding Venue – A New Chapter Begins in Ste. Genevieve Wine Country

At 12323 Rottler Lane in the rolling countryside west of downtown Ste. Genevieve, Weingarten Vineyard Winery & Wedding Venue enters an exciting new era under new ownership—bringing fresh culinary vision, expanded wine offerings, and renewed energy to one of Missouri wine country’s most spectacular properties. Since its establishment in 2009, Weingarten has earned beloved status among visitors seeking sophisticated wine experiences combined with exceptional dining and event hosting. Now, with the recent reopening under new stewardship, this 20,000+ square-foot facility featuring dramatic three-story stone fireplaces, granite tasting bars, stunning countryside views, and luxurious bridal and groom suites welcomes guests to discover “the latest attraction in Sainte. Genevieve, Missouri”—where architectural beauty, viticultural passion, and hospitality excellence converge. Open Thursday through Sunday (Thursday 11 AM-8 PM, Friday-Saturday 11 AM-9 PM, Sunday 11 AM-6 PM), Weingarten offers wine tastings, full restaurant service, private events, and wedding experiences against the backdrop of some of Ste. Genevieve County’s most picturesque terrain.

The New Ownership Vision: Bringing Fresh Experiences to an Established Destination

“Under New Ownership!” isn’t just marketing copy—it’s genuine enthusiasm from owners committed to honoring Weingarten’s 15-year legacy while introducing new dimensions to the guest experience.

What’s New:

Expanded Food Offerings:

“Bringing new food, wine, and restaurant experiences you won’t want to miss”—the new ownership introduces enhanced culinary programming featuring American restaurant fare that goes beyond the previous deli-style offerings. While Weingarten has always featured Italian wood-fired pizzas, artisan breads, premium cheeses, and panini sandwiches, expect elevated menu options including steaks, seafood, chicken, and fresh-made pastas that transform Weingarten from winery-with-food to full restaurant destination. The goal: creating food worthy of the wines and the spectacular setting.

Wine Program Evolution:

Weingarten continues offering over 40 different wine varieties—both wines produced under Weingarten’s own label and carefully selected wines from Missouri and other regions. The new ownership brings fresh perspective to wine selection, sourcing, and presentation while maintaining commitment to quality-driven tasting experiences that appeal equally to newcomers and experienced wine enthusiasts.

Enhanced Guest Experience:

From the moment guests step into the magnificent main hall—where that dramatic three-story stone fireplace commands attention and floor-to-ceiling windows frame countryside vistas—the atmosphere combines rustic elegance with genuine warmth. The new ownership emphasizes “superior customer service and an extraordinary atmosphere,” ensuring every visitor feels welcomed whether they’re wine novices uncertain about varietals or connoisseurs with refined palates.

Wedding Venue Reinvigoration:

“With the newly reopened wedding venue and beautiful bridal & groom suites, we help your wedding weekend be one to never forget!”

This signals renewed focus on Weingarten’s substantial wedding and event capabilities—not just reopening existing spaces but reimagining how couples experience getting married in wine country.

The Architectural Marvel: 20,000 Square Feet of Pure Wow

Understanding Weingarten’s appeal requires appreciating the building itself—completed in 2011, this isn’t your typical winery barn conversion or historic farmhouse adaptation. This is purpose-built magnificence designed specifically to showcase wine, food, and celebrations.

The Main Hall:

The centerpiece three-story stone fireplace creates instant drama—floor-to-ceiling natural stone construction that anchors the vast open space while providing cozy focal point during cooler months. This isn’t decorative—it’s functional artwork, the kind of feature guests photograph because they’ve never seen anything quite like it in a winery setting.

The Tasting Bar:

Granite-topped tasting bar stretches across substantial length, providing ample space for groups to gather, sample wines, ask questions, and linger over glasses. The bar’s positioning capitalizes on views—you’re never stuck facing a wall when tasting at Weingarten. Instead, windows and sightlines ensure you’re connected to the countryside that produced the grapes in your glass.

The Views:

“Gorgeous views of the Ste. Genevieve countryside”—this isn’t hyperbole. Weingarten sits amid rolling hills, vineyards, and pastoral farmland that epitomizes Missouri wine country beauty. The building’s window placement, outdoor terraces, and patio spaces maximize these vistas, creating indoor-outdoor connection that changes character with seasons—spring’s fresh greens, summer’s lush fullness, autumn’s spectacular colors, winter’s stark beauty.

The Three-Story Layout:

Over 20,000 square feet distributed across three stories provides:

• Ground floor: main tasting room, restaurant seating, bar, commercial kitchen
• Upper levels: private event spaces, meeting rooms, bridal/groom suites, additional reception areas
• Throughout: luxury finishes, attention to architectural detail, spaces sized for both intimate gatherings and large celebrations

The Wedding & Event Capabilities: From Intimate to Grand

Weingarten’s wedding venue capacity accommodates up to 300 guests, but the new ownership’s mention of “beautiful bridal & groom suites” signals thoughtful attention to the complete wedding experience—not just ceremony/reception but the entire wedding weekend.

Why Couples Choose Weingarten:

The Setting:

Getting married in wine country carries inherent romance—vineyards, rolling hills, sunset views, elegant architecture. Weingarten delivers this while remaining conveniently located (just minutes from downtown Ste. Genevieve, about an hour from St. Louis). You get countryside seclusion without logistical nightmare.

The Bridal & Groom Suites:

Dedicated preparation spaces mean wedding parties aren’t crammed in restrooms or cramming into hotel rooms. These luxury suites provide:

• Space for hair, makeup, getting dressed
• Comfortable areas for pre-ceremony relaxation
• Photography opportunities in beautiful settings
• Privacy from guests before the reveal
• Overnight accommodations (Weingarten has operated as “The Inn at Weingarten” with guest rooms)

The separate bridal and groom suites acknowledge modern wedding realities—couples often prefer separated preparation, creating anticipation for that first-look moment.

The Venue Flexibility:

20,000 square feet across three stories means multiple configuration options:

• Outdoor ceremony on terrace or lawn with countryside backdrop
• Indoor ceremony if weather threatens
• Cocktail hour in tasting room with wine bar
• Dinner reception in main hall beneath stone fireplace
• Dancing in separate space
• Smaller private rooms for family gatherings, rehearsal dinners

“Wedding Weekend” Philosophy:

“We help your wedding weekend be one to never forget”—note “weekend” not “day.” This suggests Weingarten accommodates rehearsal dinners, post-wedding brunches, extended family gatherings, and multi-day celebrations that characterize destination weddings. With overnight accommodations on-site, wedding parties can settle in for the duration rather than dispersing to scattered hotels.

The All-In-One Appeal:

Venue, catering, beverages (wine, beer, spirits, cocktails), accommodations, coordination—having everything under one roof simplifies planning and logistics while ensuring stylistic cohesion.

Beyond Weddings: Corporate Events, Private Celebrations, Special Occasions

Weingarten’s event capabilities extend far beyond nuptials:

Corporate Functions:

Meeting rooms accommodate professional gatherings—corporate retreats, team-building events, client entertainment, holiday parties, retirement celebrations. The combination of functional meeting spaces, exceptional catering, and sophisticated setting creates productive atmosphere with memorable experience.

Milestone Celebrations:

Anniversaries, significant birthdays, reunions, retirement parties—life’s major moments deserve special venues. Weingarten provides that sophistication without stuffiness, elegance without pretension.

Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Rehearsal Dinners:

The venue scales beautifully from intimate (20-30 people) to grand (300 guests), making it suitable for pre-wedding events, family celebrations, and friend gatherings.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties:

Wine country provides ideal backdrop for sophisticated pre-wedding celebrations—groups can enjoy tastings, meals, overnight stays, and countryside beauty while celebrating upcoming nuptials.

Holiday Parties:

That three-story stone fireplace becomes especially magical during Christmas season—imagine holiday parties in the glow of firelight with snow-covered countryside visible through massive windows.

The Dining Experience: Garten Haus Restaurant Tradition Continues

While Weingarten Vineyard serves as overall name, the restaurant component has historically operated as Garten Haus Restaurant (German for “Garden House”)—fitting given Ste. Genevieve’s German immigrant heritage alongside its French colonial roots.

The Menu Evolution:

Traditional Offerings:

Weingarten built reputation on:

• Italian wood-fired oven pizzas: Authentic thin-crust pizzas with artisan toppings
• Hot panini sandwiches: Premium meats, cheeses, breads pressed to perfection
• Artisan breads: Fresh-baked daily, European-style quality
• Premium cheese plates: Curated selections complementing wine flights
• Soups and salads: Fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced when possible
• Desserts: House-made sweet endings

The New Additions:

“New food, wine, and restaurant experiences” under new ownership expands beyond deli-style into full restaurant territory:

• Steaks: Premium cuts prepared to specification
• Seafood: Fresh fish, shellfish, seafood preparations
• Chicken: Various preparations from casual to elegant
• Fresh-made pastas: House-made pasta dishes with seasonal sauces

This culinary expansion transforms Weingarten from “great spot for lunch and wine” to “destination for serious dinner”—the kind of place St. Louis couples drive an hour for anniversary dinners or where locals celebrate special occasions.

The Wine Program: 40+ Varieties From Missouri and Beyond

Weingarten’s wine philosophy: offer something for everyone while maintaining quality standards.

Weingarten-Label Wines:

Weingarten produces wines under its own label, allowing guests to taste wines made specifically for this property. While Weingarten isn’t primarily a grape-growing vineyard (the rolling countryside includes some vineyard acreage, but the scale suggests sourced fruit supplementation), the winemaking focuses on styles popular with Missouri wine country visitors.

Expected Missouri Varieties:

Missouri wine country, including Ste. Genevieve County, excels with certain grapes:

Reds:

• Norton: Missouri’s signature grape, America’s oldest native variety, produces full-bodied dry reds with blackberry, spice, earthy notes
• Chambourcin: French-American hybrid creating medium-bodied reds with cherry, pepper character
• Concord-based blends: Sweeter red wines appealing to those who find dry reds too tannic

Whites:

• Chardonel: Cold-hardy hybrid producing Chardonnay-style wines (oaked or unoaked)
• Vignoles: Versatile white making everything from dry to dessert wines
• Seyval Blanc: Crisp, dry white with apple, citrus notes

Regional Wines:

“Wines from Missouri and other regions”—Weingarten supplements its own production with carefully selected bottles from established Missouri wineries (giving guests broader perspective on state’s wine industry) and wines from traditional regions (California, France, Italy) providing comparison points and catering to guests who prefer familiar Old World or New World styles.

Over 40 Varieties:

This impressive selection ensures:

• Dry to sweet spectrum covered
• Red, white, rosé, sparkling options
• Various price points
• Something for wine novices and enthusiasts

Wine Tastings:

The granite tasting bar serves as stage for guided tasting experiences—flights organized by style, varietal, or theme, with knowledgeable staff explaining characteristics, food pairings, and winemaking techniques. Tastings aren’t rushed transactions—they’re educational, enjoyable experiences encouraging guests to discover new favorites.

Beyond Wine: Beer, Spirits, Cocktails

“Everyone’s tastes differ”—recognizing not every guest drinks wine, Weingarten offers:

Microbrewed Beer:

Craft beer on tap—locally-sourced when possible, carefully curated styles complementing food menu. Missouri craft beer scene has exploded in recent decades; Weingarten taps into this by offering quality brews for beer lovers.

Full Bar:

Spirits, whiskey, bourbon, “top shelf” liquors enable full cocktail menu—signature drinks, classics, custom creations. This transforms Weingarten from winery-only to full-service beverage destination suitable for any taste.

The Location: Wine Country Convenience, Countryside Serenity

Address: 12323 Rottler Lane (also listed as Rottler Road or Highway 32), Sainte Genevieve, MO 63670

The Setting:

Rottler Lane winds through Ste. Genevieve County’s western countryside—away from downtown’s historic district but close enough for easy access. The property occupies acreage (original property included 25-30+ acres) providing visual spaciousness, privacy from neighbors, and immersion in wine country landscape.

Proximity to Ste. Genevieve:

Just minutes west of historic downtown, Weingarten offers “out in the country” experience without isolation. Guests can:

• Tour historic houses in morning
• Lunch at downtown cafés
• Spend afternoon at Weingarten tasting wines and dining
• Return to historic district for evening activities

Or reverse: stay downtown, drive out to Weingarten for dinner, return for lodging.

Proximity to St. Louis:

“About an hour from St. Louis”—close enough for day trips or dinner drives, far enough to feel like destination getaway. St. Louis residents seeking weekend wine country experiences without airplane travel make Weingarten regular stop.

Route du Vin Wine Trail:

Weingarten anchors Ste. Genevieve County’s wine trail alongside Chaumette Vineyards & Winery, Charleville Brewery & Winery, Chateau Sainte Genevieve, and other properties. Visitors can spend entire day (or weekend) hopping between wineries, tasting different styles, experiencing various atmospheres.

Practical Information

Name: Weingarten Vineyard Winery & Wedding Venue (Restaurant component: Garten Haus Restaurant)

Location: 12323 Rottler Lane, Sainte Genevieve, MO 63670

Phone: (573) 883-2505 (main) / (573) 660-0053 (wedding inquiries)

Website: weingartenvineyard.com

Hours:

• Monday-Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Status: Under new ownership, recently reopened (2024-2025)

Capacity: Up to 300 guests for events

Facility Size: Over 20,000 square feet across three stories

Key Features:

• Three-story stone fireplace
• Granite tasting bar
• Gift shop
• Full restaurant/commercial kitchen
• Italian wood-burning oven
• Reception hall
• Multiple private meeting/event rooms
• Bridal and groom suites
• Overnight accommodations
• Outdoor terraces and patio spaces
• Countryside vineyard views

Offerings:

• Wine tastings (40+ varieties)
• Full restaurant service (steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizzas, sandwiches)
• Microbrewed beer on tap
• Full bar (spirits, whiskey, bourbon, cocktails)
• Weddings (ceremonies, receptions, accommodations)
• Corporate events
• Private celebrations
• Special events and parties

Dining Reservations: Required for restaurant service (especially weekends)

Wedding Venue Starting Price: $5,000+

A New Chapter in Missouri Wine Country Excellence

Weingarten Vineyard’s reopening under new ownership represents more than business transaction—it’s renewal of commitment to hospitality, quality, and creating memorable experiences in one of Missouri’s most beautiful settings.

The new owners inherit remarkable foundation: spectacular 20,000+ square-foot facility featuring architectural elements (that three-story fireplace!) that wow first-time visitors, established reputation among wine country enthusiasts, strategic location in Ste. Genevieve County’s rolling countryside, and 15-year track record proving concept works.

What they add: fresh culinary vision elevating food program, renewed energy and customer service focus, enhanced wedding venue programming emphasizing complete experience, commitment to continuing Weingarten’s tradition while introducing innovations.

For visitors, this means discovering (or rediscovering) Weingarten at exciting moment—familiar enough to feel established, new enough to feel fresh, sophisticated enough to impress, welcoming enough to feel comfortable.

Drive Rottler Lane into wine country. Pull into the property and let the building’s impressive scale register. Step inside and pause at that magnificent fireplace. Approach the granite tasting bar and begin exploring 40+ wine varieties. Order from the expanded menu—maybe that wood-fired pizza you’ve heard about, maybe new pasta dish, maybe perfectly-prepared steak. Settle into the beautiful surroundings with countryside views stretching to distant hills. Stay for another glass. Linger over dessert. Make reservation for next weekend. Start planning that wedding celebration.

At 12323 Rottler Lane—where new ownership brings fresh vision to established excellence, where 20,000 square feet of architectural beauty hosts wine tastings and wedding celebrations, where Italian wood-fired pizzas and fresh-made pastas pair with Norton and Chardonel, where bridal suites and groom suites prepare couples for unforgettable ceremonies, where countryside views and three-story stone fireplaces create atmosphere impossible to replicate.

“The latest attraction in Sainte. Genevieve, Missouri” isn’t quite accurate—Weingarten has been delighting guests since 2009. But it feels brand new.

Open Thursday through Sunday. Reservations recommended. Wedding consultations available.

Your wine country experience awaits.