Belvoir Winery

When you catch your first sight of the historic building that is now Belvoir Winery, you might find yourself thinking of Downtown Abbey or Hogwarts. Its Jacobean Revival architectural style was popular for educational and institutional buildings designed by William Ittner of St. Louis at the turn of the century. Built in 1900 by the International Order of Odd Fellows, it served as a children’s home and nursing home to the orphans and widows of the fraternal organization’s members.

In 1993, Dr. John Bean and his wife Marsha purchased the building and grounds with the dream of turning it into a vineyard, winery, and bed & breakfast. The next year they planted their vineyards. This summer will see the fruition of another part of their dream when a nine-room inn opens on the third floor of the building.

In addition to free wine tastings, a number of special events are hosted at Belvoir. You might have seen the site on Ghost Hunters. A hotbed of ghostly activity, the winery hosts the Strange Escapes weekend in early April and periodic ghost hunts. If ghosts aren’t your thing, how about murder? Monthly murder mystery dinners feature a multi-course meal, two drinks, and an unforgettable evening of entertainment in a one of a kind setting.