Sep 5, 2012
“Off the beaten path, nestled between overgrown oak trees in the Ozarks of Missouri, sits a business building its own roots.”
By: Tyne Morgan, Ag Day TV National Reporter
Jim Blansit owns Copper Run Distillery. His canvas: a still where he’s trying to perfect an art that’s been around for years.
“To make alcohol is easy,” Blansit said. “To make it taste good is where the art really takes over.”
Blansit makes corn whiskey. Vodka, whiskey, you name it. He makes it all. But the crowd favorite is a type that’s had many names over the years—most commonly, moonshine.
click image linked to video
“The hydrometer measures the alcohol,” Blansit said as he pointed to the meter. “You can see it’s at 80%.”
In just three years, business has been booming and people continue to venture back for more. In the beginning, however, some people had their doubts.
“My poor parents,” said Blansit while trying to hold back his laughter. “When I told them I was going to build a distillery in the backyard…I’m so fortunate they were very supportive. But I know a lot of people were scratching their heads thinking, ‘Is this real? Can this really be happening?’ And it was a risk, just like with any small business. And it’s worked out really well for us.”
Making alcohol is nothing new to Blansit. He brewed beer professionally for 10 years, then decided to take that profession one step further and make whiskey. It’s a craft that depends on your sense of taste and smell to get the flavor just right.
read more.. The Art of Moonshine. Ag homepage.
Aug 11, 2012
In no time at all, summer will be over, schools will resume and schedules will dominate. With the forecast indicating a cooler weekend, this could be your best chance to enjoy summer before it’s all over.
If you take a winery-based jaunt (with a distillery included), you’ll find entertainment as well as good tasting. Wherever you go, ask about the passport program for the Ozark Mountain Wine Trail and the similar program for wineries statewide — collect stamps and earn rewards.
So, check the oil and freon levels in your car and go forth. Two adjustable day-trip routes present themselves (hours of operation are for summertime). We’ve also listed a few more wineries to the west and east of Springfield.
Trip 1: Northwest from Springfield
OOVVDA Winery
• 417-833-4896
• oovvda.com
• noon-dusk, seven days a week
Take Missouri H three miles north of I-44, turn west onto Greene County 80 and watch for the winery on the left.
Owner Brian Overboe specializes in fruit wines with intense flavors. If you think you’re not a fruit wine person, think again — and try the red raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and others. Overboe also makes grape wine, including Chambourcin and Norton.
• Upcoming: Live music on the last Saturday of every month. Aug. 25: acoustic duo Tuck and Abney.
Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery
• 417-536-1630
• Facebook: “Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery”
• 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Friday by appointment
Continue north on Missouri H. Veer right on Missouri KK, then turn right onto Greene County 171 and watch for the winery on the right.
Mike Dennis makes classic dry reds and dry and semi-dry whites. The Norton and Chambourcin are wonderfully smooth. Chat with Mike and Kathie Dennis in the cool tasting room and, if you aren’t afraid of melting in the heat, stroll among the vines.
7C’s Winery
• 417-788-2263
• 7cswinery.com
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; Monday by appointment.
Continue north on Missouri H. Turn west onto Missouri CC, which flows into Missouri BB west of Missouri 13. At Walnut Grove, turn north onto Missouri 123. Turn east onto 560th Road and look for the winery on your right.
Dwight Crevelt offers a wide range of grape wines, a host of meads (wine from honey) and some fruit wines. He also programs entertainment 2 p.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays, with food from Phil’s Grill Events & Catering. This Sunday, RH Silverwood will perform. This trio plays and sings blues, Brazilian and original material with sophisticated stylings and harmonies. The tasting room is air-conditioned, but seating for the music is outdoors on a shaded patio or under big tents.
• Upcoming: Mead Fest, also known as the Renaissance Festival, is Sept. 23.
Stockton Lake
Continue north on Missouri 123 and turn west onto Missouri 215. At Bona, turn north onto Missouri 245 and proceed to the beach at Cedar Ridge recreation area.
At 7C’s, you’re less than half an hour from Stockton Lake. Why not take advantage of what will probably be your last chance this summer to jump in?
Trip 2: South
to Branson
Copper Run Distillery
• 417-587-3456
• copperrundistillery.com
• 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Go south on U.S. 65, west on Missouri 176 and south on Day Road. Watch for the distillery on the right.
Moonshine is the most popular of the products, which include vodka, whiskey and rum. Owner Jim Blansit said the bar will be serving peach-and-rum drinks using locally grown fruit in season. Copper Run has a strong lineup of live music on weekends. This Saturday, the Shotgun Brothers Acoustic Band will perform at 4 pm. in the lounge. Guitarist and singer Kevin Hopper said the drums will be somewhat subdued for the unplugged performance, and the material will include more roots music and material inspired in part by the Grateful Dead’s acoustic adventures. Sunday’s act will be acoustic duo Brian Azevedo and Daniel Whittington, 2 p.m.
Lindwedel Wine Garden
• 417-338-0256
• lindwedelwinegarden.com
• 11 a.m.-dusk Thursday-Monday; Sunday noon opening
Continue south on U.S. 65. Go west on Missouri 465, then west on Missouri 76. Turn south on Missouri 265, travel 2.5 miles and look for the winery sign on the left.
Among many choices, Steve and Kim Lindwedel offer an oaked Chardonel, a Chambourcin-Noiret blend and a Vignoles-Traminette blend. From the veranda, take in the distant vista of Branson, or walk around the grounds for gorgeous hillside views.
Lewsi Winery
• 417-538-0066
• lewsiwinery.com
• Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Continue west on Missouri 76, turn left on Missouri Y then right on Long Bend Road.
The Lewises make a dry, citrusy Seyval; a Chambourcin-Catawba blend; and a spicy, full-bodied Frontenac. Take a brief walk for a spectacular view atop Virgin Bluff overlooking Angler’s Bend on Table Rock Lake. Or play bocce ball on the court that Ken Lewis fashioned.
Trip 3: West of Springfield
Keltoi Vineyards
• 417-642-6190
• keltoivineyard.com.
• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday; or by appointment
North of Joplin
White Rose Winery, Carthage
• 417-359-9253
• whiterosewinery.com
• 11 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week, except when the O’Haros decide to take a day off. If you’re looking for a longer stay, consider the B&B at the winery.
Williams Creek Winery, Mount Vernon
• 417-466-4076
• williamscreekwinery.com
• 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, or by appointment
Trip 4: East of Springfield
Don Virgilio Winery and Vineyard, west of Seymour
• 417-935-2410
• Facebook: “Don Virgilio Winery & Vineyard”
• noon-7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Whispering Oaks Vineyard and Winery, east of Seymour
• 417-935-4103
• whisperingoakswinery.com
• noon-7 p.m. every day. Upcoming: annual harvest festival Oct. 6.
News-Leader.com
7C’s Winery
• 417-788-2263
• 7cswinery.com
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; Monday by appointment.
Continue north on Missouri H. Turn west onto Missouri CC, which flows into Missouri BB west of Missouri 13. At Walnut Grove, turn north onto Missouri 123. Turn east onto 560th Road and look for the winery on your right.
Dwight Crevelt offers a wide range of grape wines, a host of meads (wine from honey) and some fruit wines. He also programs entertainment 2 p.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays, with food from Phil’s Grill Events & Catering. This Sunday, RH Silverwood will perform. This trio plays and sings blues, Brazilian and original material with sophisticated stylings and harmonies. The tasting room is air-conditioned, but seating for the music is outdoors on a shaded patio or under big tents.
• Upcoming: Mead Fest, also known as the Renaissance Festival, is Sept. 23.
Stockton Lake
Continue north on Missouri 123 and turn west onto Missouri 215. At Bona, turn north onto Missouri 245 and proceed to the beach at Cedar Ridge recreation area.
At 7C’s, you’re less than half an hour from Stockton Lake. Why not take advantage of what will probably be your last chance this summer to jump in?
Trip 2: South
to Branson
Copper Run Distillery
• 417-587-3456
• copperrundistillery.com
• 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Go south on U.S. 65, west on Missouri 176 and south on Day Road. Watch for the distillery on the right.
Moonshine is the most popular of the products, which include vodka, whiskey and rum. Owner Jim Blansit said the bar will be serving peach-and-rum drinks using locally grown fruit in season. Copper Run has a strong lineup of live music on weekends. This Saturday, the Shotgun Brothers Acoustic Band will perform at 4 pm. in the lounge. Guitarist and singer Kevin Hopper said the drums will be somewhat subdued for the unplugged performance, and the material will include more roots music and material inspired in part by the Grateful Dead’s acoustic adventures. Sunday’s act will be acoustic duo Brian Azevedo and Daniel Whittington, 2 p.m.
