What to See in Defiance, Missouri

The town of Defiance is located west of St. Louis and is along the Katy Trail. The areas parks and recreation, history, scenic views, and wine country make Defiance a prime Missouri destination. We were able to spend a day enjoying much of what Defiance has to offer.

Chandler Hill Vineyards

To start our Sunday, we ventured to Chandler Hill Vineyards for brunch. As we arrived inside the large property, we followed the drive to the hilltop. The winery was on the hill, boasting a large deck overlooking the vineyard and valley below. Upon entering, we were greeted and sat at an indoor table (which we requested because it was still pretty cool this fall morning). We didn’t choose the wine tasting but rather opted for a bloody mary and mimosa. Upon finishing our meals and paying our tab, we walked out on the deck admiring the views of the property below.

Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage

While in St. Charles County, we made the drive to the historic site of the Daniel Boone Homestead. The heritage is located at Lindenwood Park, which belonged to Daniel Boone’s youngest son, Nathan. Through a self-guided tour we were able to see the entire village which consisted of the home, buildings, gardens, and grounds. We learned that more than a dozen of the buildings from the 1800’s were moved to the site. Each one represents a pioneer village of that period. Located on over 500 acres of land, the homestead has special events throughout the year, including Christmas Candlelight Walks in December, a Haunted Spirit night in October, and a Frontier Farming day in the spring.

Sugar Creek Winery

Sugar Creek Winery is located on the Missouri Wine Trail and also along the Katy Bike Trail. The winery has been in business since 1994 and has a very laid-back vibe. In the afternoon, we enjoyed wine tasting under a covered area outside. Nearby was a large outdoor area where guests can sip on a glass of wine, relax, and listen to music. (Note: The winery has live music on the weekends.) As for the tasting, we had some dry reds and a port wine. Our favorite was their port wine. The checkout counter is located inside the building, which also has a bar for tasting their brand of spirits or ordering a cocktail. Judgement Tree is the name of their brand of spirits. We purchased the port wine and a bottle of their vodka. As we left, workers were out in the vineyard preparing to harvest grapes for one of the wines. Timing is of the essence!

There are several vacation rental options in Defiance, Missouri on VRBO and other sites. Check them out!

For more on the Missouri Wine Trail, see our posts on Augusta, Hermann, and New Haven.

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