|
What’s
in a name?
Q: Why is the place called Tower Rock Vineyard &
Winery?
Tower Rock Vineyard & Winery takes its name from the imposing
limestone island emerging from the Mississippi River about
two miles to the east of the vineyard.
Q: What about Faßpfropfen?
Faßpfropfen is the name of the Tower Rock tasting room
& gift shop. If reflects the strong German heritage of
Southeast Perry County and translates into English as “barrel
bung,” or the cork of a wine cask.
About
Tower Rock Vineyard & Winery
Q: How do I get to Tower Rock Vineyard & Winery?
Tower Rock is at 10769 Highway A, in Altenburg, Missouri.
There are numerous routes to Tower Rock via the scenic “backroads”
of Perry County and Cape Girardeau County, but the most straightforward
route is from Interstate 55, via Exit 117. Travel East on
Hwy KK to its end, turn left (north) on Missouri Route 61,
and then turn right (east) on Hwy A. Travel about 12 miles
through the towns of Frohna and Altenburg. The vineyard is
on the right about 2 miles east of Altenburg.
Q: What sorts of wine does Tower Rock have?
Tower Rock carries a selection of wine produced in its own
winery, made from its own grapes or from berries produced
by other Missouri vineyards. We have a range of white and
red wines, as well as a popular “blush” wine.
From time to time we also have fruit blends of blackberry,
peach, apple, etc.
Q: Is it true that Tower Rock wines are very dry?
Tower Rock is known for its award-winning semi-dry and dry
wines. From time to time Tower Rock produces less dry wines
and fruit blends.
Q: Does Tower Rock serve beverages other than wine?
In addition to our award-winning wines, we often offer wine-based
drinks such as Sangria and Margaritas and, during cool weather,
we offer steamed mulled wine and hot cider. We also offer
grape juice, micro-brewed beers and a limited selection of
soft drinks.
Q: Does Tower Rock serve food?
We generally have a selection of sausage, cheese, crackers
and other light snacks. From time to time we have available
chocolate fondue with fruit and cakes or cheese fondue with
sausage and breads.
Q: Does Tower Rock offer entertainment?
Please check www.towerrockwine.com for our schedule of entertainment,
which includes live music and karaoke, book discussions with
local authors, periodic exhibits and sales of works by local
artists, and sales of local crafts, children’s books
and other items.
Q: Who owns the vineyard and winery?
Tower Rock is owned and operated by Nancy Hadler and her son
Ben Tully, who serves as operations manager and vintner. They
bought it in 2009 from the Breuer family, who originated the
vineyard in 1999.
About Tower Rock
Q: What’s the story of the rock?
The island was carved by the river’s current and its
quarter-acre top is home to upland forest with stands of oak,
pine, hickory and beech. The banks of the Mississippi offer
a scenic view of Tower Rock although the island itself is
accessible only by boat, except in extremely low water.
Q: How do I get to the rock?
Tower Rock is visible from Tower Rock Conservation Area, about
a 15-minute drive east of the vineyard. From the vineyard,
turn right on Highway A, then turn right on PCR 460, a gravel
road that will take you to the Mississippi River and some
guide markers that describe the history of the rock.
Q: Can I get over to the rock from the river’s
edge?
You could get to the rock by boat, but only rarely can you
walk to it. In 2003 and in 1988, the river dropped to a level
that allowed people to walk to the rock. In February 2003
the Mississippi River stage at nearby Grand Tower, Ill., was
at 4.41 feet. At the same time, the river was at 4.79 feet
at Cape Girardeau.
Q: Who owns Tower Rock?
Tower Rock was designated as a National Historic Site on Nov.
15, 1972, and is owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
In the mid-1800s, a quarrying operation to make the river
easier to navigate nearly blasted Tower Rock into oblivion,
but a local outcry saved it. It was once part of the mainland,
but the strength of the river’s current has forced itself
between the mainland and what is now a rock island.
Q: Why do people refer to Tower Rock as “historic?”
Tower Rock has always served as a landmark for river travelers.
In 1673, Tower Rock was noted in the journals of explorers
Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet. They were warned
by the Native Americans that demons lived between the rock
island and shore, an idea probably spawned by the howling
winds and rough current in the narrows. During the American
Civil War it was a river marker for crews of “Pook Turtles,”
or “City” class iron-clad gunboats in service
on the Mississippi. Built from the keel up in shipyards owned
by James Buchanan Eads – located on the Des Peres River
in Carondolet, Mo. – the vessels were often referred
to as "Eads gunboats" and took part in almost every
significant action on the upper Mississippi and its tributaries
during the Civil War. The Eads Bridge is named for Eads, who
in 1874 designed and built the combined road and railway bridge
over the Mississippi River at St. Louis, connecting St. Louis
and East St. Louis, Illinois.
|
