51ºÚÁÏ

There are lots of options for a winery outing. Defiance and Augusta are a little closer to the west, while farther west is Hermann, and if you want to head south there are a few wineries in Ste. Genevieve to check out. (There’s also the Shawnee Hills wine trail in Illinois.)

Here are some dos and don’ts for planning the perfect fall winery getaway.

Do: Check the weather

The whole point of a winery trip is to be outside, so keep an eye on the weather to make sure that you won’t have a soggy experience.

Don’t: Bring your pet

Despite the outdoorsy nature of this adventure, most of the wineries only allow service dogs.

Do: Call ahead if you have a large party

The wineries are first-come, first-served establishments. Despite the fact that they can get very busy on fall weekends, they usually don’t accept reservations. If you’re coming with a large party or with a bus or limo though, call ahead to make sure the wineries can accommodate you.

Don’t: Drive under the influence

If no one in your party wants to be the designated driver, you can always rent a private car or party bus to get around. 51ºÚÁÏ Wine Tours (stlouiswinetours.com, 636-674-9463), 51ºÚÁÏ Winery Tours (aperfecttouchlimo.com/winery-trips, 314-731-5466) and STL Party Bus (stlpartybus.com/services/winery-tours, 314-780-5782) are just a few options.

In Augusta, there is a complimentary shuttle that runs from May through Oct. 26 on Saturdays and stops at all of the Hoffman-owned properties, including Augusta Winery, Montelle Winery, Mount Pleasant Estates, Balducci Vineyards and downtown Augusta. It stops at each winery every 30 minutes or so, no reservation needed.

Hermann is very walkable. But if you want a ride, there is the Hermann Trolley (hermanntrolley.com, 636-575-6920), which runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. You can get picked up from your AirBnB or guest house (so long as it’s not too far afield). The cost is $25 per person for a one-day pass or $40 per person for a two-day pass. But the trolley can sometimes have long waits.

In Ste. Genevieve there is also a trolley, but you have to have a party of at least seven to reserve it.

Don’t: Expect to buy wine by the glass

When you visit a winery, you can sometimes get wines by the glass, wine slushies and spirits. But most of the time, you’re going to buy the wine by the bottle. You generally start by buying a tasting (some wineries have free tastings), and after sampling several wines, you select a bottle of whichever one you liked. The tastings are generally in the winery’s tasting room or at an outside bar.

Do: Consider what you will do about food

Many wineries don’t allow outside food because they sell it. But some wineries, like Augusta Winery, don’t have food. Others, like Noboleis Vineyard, allow outside food. So it’s best to have a plan.

Also, having an extra snack when you’re traveling between wineries can be critical to keep you from getting too drunk.

But what to bring? We recommend picking up some local treats at Fresh Thyme market or Straub’s like Gooey Louie gooey-butter cakes, MacArthur Bakery treats or Red Vines candy. You could also stop by Mom’s Deli for delicious sandwiches and cheap sodas and chips.

Even if you don’t pack food, always bring some extra bottles of water.

Do: Turn Augusta into Napa

Augusta has a lot of winery options and some perennial favorites. The deck at Montelle Winery (201 Montelle Drive, Augusta; 888-595-9463, ) is a fun stop, though some say the ambience has been ruined due to a tree removal. Though expensive, Chandler Hill Vineyards (596 Defiance Road, Defiance; 636-798-2675, ) in nearby Defiance is almost always packed.

But if you want to imagine that you’ve been transported to Napa Valley (for a fraction of the cost), you want to check out Root Food + Wine (5525 Walnut Street, Augusta, 636-544-1009, ). Yes, we know it’s a restaurant and not a winery, but chef Philip Day was a James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Plus, the converted farmhouse that Root calls home is exactly the quaint, rustic-yet-elevated space that you associate with small, Midwest towns. There’s an extensive wine list (as well as cocktails and beer) and the menu changes regularly depending on the season.

The restaurant is open for dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday only.

Before you hit up Root Food + Wine, you should go to some wineries. Noboleis Vineyards (100 Hemsath Road, Augusta; 636-482-4500, ) is one of the most beloved family-owned spots.

Also check out Blumenhof Winery (13699 South Highway 94, Dutzow; 636-433-2245, ), which is a laid back, often overlooked gem. It offers live music, wine slushies (in addition to regular wine) and German cuisine.

Do: Take the train to Hermann

One fun option for your winery visit is to take the Missouri River Runner from Kirkwood to Hermann, Missouri. (It actually runs from 51ºÚÁÏ to Kansas City and stops in Independence, Washington, and Jefferson City, among other places.)

The trip starts at around $20 one-way. Current train times mean you either have to get there really early or possibly stay overnight if you take the afternoon train, so pack accordingly.

Don’t worry about being in Hermann without a car though. There is a trolley that meets every train (see above), and if you’re just visiting the wineries in town, it is very walkable. And Hermann is the quaint sort of Midwestern town that is best experienced on foot anyway.

Some can’t-miss wineries include Stone Hill Winery (1110 Stone Hill Highway, Hermann, 573-486-2221, ) which is known for growing the Norton grape, the state grape of Missouri. It also offers cellar tours and has a restaurant.

In the fall, OakGlenn Vineyards and Winery (1104 Oak Glenn Place, Hermann, 573-486-5057, ) is a great stop, despite being far from downtown Hermann, mostly because of its view over the Missouri River and its moscato.

On your way back to the train station, a great stop is nearby Hermannhof Winery (330 East First Street, Hermann, 573-486-5959, ) which is right in the heart of downtown, has a patio and often hosts live music and offers German-forward cuisine.

Do: Enjoy the caves in Ste. Genevieve (while you can)

The cave at Cave Vineyard (21124 Cave Road, Ste. Genevieve, 573-543-5284, ) is a little wet. (Bring a towel.) But getting to sit in a real Missouri cave is kind of neat.

If you head to Ste. Genevieve, Cave Vineyard Winery and Distillery should be on your list, but the winery will close at the end of October or early November (depending on how soon owners sell out their inventory) if no one steps forward to buy it. So don’t put this one on the bucket list.

If drinking wine in a cave isn’t for you, the winery has covered patio space as well.

Also in Ste. Gen is the much beloved Chaumette Vineyards and Winery (24345 State Route WW, Ste. Genevieve, 573-747-1000, ), which also has a restored historic home on the property that gives you a glimpse into post-colonial life in Ste. Gen, which was settled by the French.