AUGUSTA, Missouri — An experience unlike anything seen in our area is up and running in St. Charles County.
5 On Your Side has been doing a continuing series on Missouri wine country since last fall, with a focus on the upgrades by David and Jerri Hoffmann, who are on a mission to turn Augusta, Missouri, into the Napa Valley of the Midwest.
Gator tours are now underway in the town of Augusta, Missouri, where the whole family can enjoy 30, 60 and 90-minute unique experiences.
"You get to come out here and go through hundreds of acres of vineyards and see Clydesdales," said David Hoffmann, president of the Hoffmann Family of Companies.
The Hoffmanns acquired four Clydesdales from an auction in Springfield, Missouri, and will have more on their property for people to see as a first stop on the gator tour but also for wagon tours and carriage rides.
"You get to go on a gator tour which goes through streams and rivers," Hoffmann said.
"You get to see us process the grapes, bottle the wine and then store it in our wine cellars, some of them 40 years old, and taste it right out of the barrel."
Hunting enthusiasts will have their own lodge and bunkhouse that can accommodate 10 people with something for all ages.
"We'll have archery down here as well as trap shooting," Hoffmann said. They also have deer stands where they release one thousand birds a day during quail and pheasant season.
There's a lake where you can rent a boat, canoe or paddleboard, and there's something unique about the boat at the lodge. "J Lo, Kevin Costner and now the Hoffmanns" are the only three people in the world who have it, he said.
They have 14 Gators for these tours and more Clydesdales to come, and they just added goats to their farm. Those who stay at the lodge can take one of the paddleboards or canoes out and see the farm and walk over to interact with them. The Hoffmanns have plans to open their own cheese store in the future to procure their own goat cheese.
"We want to create about 50 different attractions for people to come to the vineyards and come out and experience something that is different that you can't get anywhere in the country or the world for that matter," Hoffmann said.
Their goal is to plant 50 acres of grapes every year until there's no space left. Hoffmann said they never envision running out because their intentions are to continue buying businesses and putting more money and jobs back into the economy.
Guests are asked to book these tours in advance instead of trying to walk up and book them the day of. For those looking to stay in town, there is a new Guest Collection of bed and breakfasts the Hoffmanns have purchased and renovated. There are five currently available and more to come.
5 On Your Side will feature some of the lodging opportunities as part of its continuing series on developments in Augusta.
Information on all the developments can be found at visitaugustamo.com.