Branson: Wine & Distillery Tour with Dinner & Small Group

Summary

Branson wine tasting day with local stories, cozy coach and dinner

You’ll join a small group in Branson for wine tastings (plus maybe some moonshine), led by a local guide who knows all the best stories. Sample regional wines made from Norton grapes, ride in comfort between stops, then relax over a 3-course dinner at Black Oak Grill. Expect laughter, good food, and little moments you’ll remember back home.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is how our guide, Rick, greeted us at the Branson Event Center — he already knew everyone’s name somehow. He gave my friend a hard time about her “I heart Missouri” tote bag (she bought it that morning), and we all laughed. The van smelled faintly like leather and something sweet, maybe from the last group’s leftover wine bottles. We set off through town, windows fogged up from the air outside — it was humid, but not in a bad way. Just felt like summer in Missouri.

I’d never tried Norton before — that’s Missouri’s state grape, apparently. At the first winery, the owner poured us a deep red and told us about how his grandfather used to stomp grapes right there. You could smell yeast and oak in the cellar, kind of earthy but comforting. I tried to swirl my glass like I’d seen on TV but mostly just sloshed it onto my hand (Rick noticed and handed me a napkin without making it awkward). We tasted maybe five or six wines at each stop — some sweet, some sharp — and at one place they brought out these little crackers that tasted like rosemary. There was also a distillery stop where I tried moonshine for the first time; burned going down but left this apple flavor behind. Didn’t expect to like it.

The drive between places was short enough you didn’t get bored but long enough for Rick to share weird facts about Branson shows and why people here love their classic cars so much. He pointed out an old theater where he saw his first concert as a kid (he didn’t say who, which bugged me for half an hour). The group felt easygoing — someone started passing around photos of their dog dressed as Elvis, which somehow fit the mood perfectly.

Dinner at Black Oak Grill felt earned after all those tastings. I went for chicken with this smoky sauce; my friend got fish and said it was flaky “in a good way.” The carrot cake at dessert was dense but not too sweet — I still think about that frosting sometimes when I’m hungry late at night. We lingered over coffee while outside the lights along Branson Landing reflected off the river — not dramatic or anything, just nice to sit there full and tired with new friends around.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Branson wine tasting and dinner tour

• Ride luxury coach to tasting spots
• Visit 3 wineries or 2 wineries and distillery
• Sample 15+ wines and shines
• Learn Missouri wine history from guide
• Enjoy 3-course dinner at Black Oak Grill

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Branson wine tour?

You’ll visit three tasting spots—usually two wineries plus one distillery if available.

Is dinner included in the Branson VIP Wine Tasting Tour?

Yes, your tour ends with a 3-course dinner at Black Oak Grill on Branson Landing.

What types of wine are sampled on this tour?

You’ll taste Missouri wines including Cynthiana/Norton plus other native and hybrid varieties.

Does this tour include transportation?

Yes, comfortable coach transport is included throughout the tasting tour.

Are vegetarian options available for dinner?

Vegetarian plates are available if requested when booking your spot.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour departs from and returns to Branson Event Center at The Shoppes at Branson Meadows.

Is there an age requirement for this wine tasting tour?

The minimum age is 21 years old for all participants.

How many people are on each tour?

Tours are limited to 14 passengers for a more personal experience.

What’s included

Your day includes coach transportation from the Branson Event Center to three tasting locations (two wineries plus possibly one distillery), all wine and spirit samples (about 15+ tastings), bottled water along the way, taxes and fees covered, plus a full 3-course dinner at Black Oak Grill before returning to your starting point in Branson.