Little Hills Winery & Restaurant By Sarah B. Smith David Campbell, owner, Little Hills Winery & Restaurant The Little Hills Winery and Restaurant combines a unique and enjoyable fare, local wines and a warm atmosphere for a great ‘dining and wining’ spot on South Main Street in Historic St. Charles. Since they purchased the restaurant eight years ago, owners David and Tammy Campbell have grown the St. Charles establishment to include not only the restaurant at 501 South Main Street, but also a working winery, as well as a wine gift shop, just a short walk down the street at 710 South Main, and a nearby cavern where much of the bottling is done. Their vineyard is in Eiola, Mo., which is where they grow their Norton and Vignole grapes. If you’re adventurous, you can purchase a wine making kit at their shop and create your own wine. You’ll find an inviting and warm atmosphere at the restaurant. Their three level outdoor terrace provides a delightful dining setting and a great people-watching venue. Open fire pits provide both charm and warmth during chilly fall days and evenings. With exposed brick walls, the interior of the restaurant provides an intimate and charming dining setting for up to 100. A small bar provides a casual setting for wine tasting. Whether stopping for an afternoon snack after shopping along the historic cobblestones of Main Street, or an intimate spot for a quiet dinner, you’ll not be disappointed with their appetizers. Starting at $5.99, Little Hills Winery and Restaurant offers some unusual and delicious options to go along with a selection of their own wines. For example, have you ever tried fried pickle spears? Or asiago and provolone cheese coins, or fried red jalapenos? In addition to these selections, the Winery’s appetizers include baked Brie, as well as a wide array of sausage and cheese selections. All great choices, especially when paired with one of their wine creations, such as Traminette or Riesling. “What’s interesting about our menu is that it is designed around our wine,” explains David Campbell. For instance, with their popular Little Hills style grilled beef filet, which is served with a cabernet sauce, Campbell suggests the Winery’s Norton dry red. With their Cobblestone White, Campbell recommends the lobster ravioli. “It’s semi-dry, with lots of citrus fruit, which brings out the complexity of the lobster,” explains Campbell. Their southwest chicken, served grilled with black bean corn salsa and pepper jack cheese goes well with Seyval. Entrees range from $12.99 to $23.99. Lunch selections start at $7.99 and include an appealing array of sandwiches, soups and salads. The chicken and Brie sandwich features a grilled chicken breast topped with melted Brie, bacon, and apple onion marmalade. Campbell suggests their Main Street white wine with this selection. Little Hill’s veggie wrap is another popular lunch item. With its sautéed mushrooms, tomato, lettuce and onions and a sun- dried tomato basil dressing, Campbell recommends the Mon Fils, an off dry red. The Cobb salad and grilled chicken breast salad are some of the more popular lighter choices. A glass of Rivers Bend is a great compliment. Little Hills wines by the glass are priced starting at $5.25, with bottles available for $16.99 to $28.99. While Little Hills offers several dessert selections, Campbell’s favorite is the strawberry shortcake. “It’s simple and delicious,” Campbell boasts. Just succulent strawberries served on a generous slice of buttery pound cake and whipped cream. At $4.99, their triple layer “Chocolate Suicide” cake and Snicker Blitz (cheesecake topped with chocolate caramel and nuts) are also delicious endings to your meal. On weekends, Little Hills serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. So if you are looking for a unique opportunity to experience premium Missouri wines and delicious dining in one of the region’s most picturesque al fresco settings, include the Little Hills Winery and Restaurant on your list of places to visit.   TalkingPOINTS Little Hills Winery & Restaurant 501 South Main Street St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 946-9339 www.little-hills.com Open seven days a week Lunch: from 10:30 a.m. Dinner: from 4 p.m. Breakfast Buffet: Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Live music every Friday evening!

October 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story with Joseph Imbs, U.S. Bank David Steward Mark S. Wrighton Saint Louis Art Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.technologygateway.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Technisonic BJC SportsWorks Larry Salci David Campbell, Little Hills Winery & Restaurant