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Cedar Lake Cellars has made a big bet on the proposition that people will want to visit the winery even if the weather outside is a little too hot or cold.
The Wright City business recently added a $500,000 barrel room and spent $1.3 million to purchase 200 acres, bringing the total number to 370.
Owner Carl Bolm said he made the investment because the cellars (11008 Schreckengast Road) had not been able to meet the demand for event booking and to give customers another option during inclement weather. “When people rent a bus or a limousine and get a babysitter, they don't want to risk sitting outside in the rain,” said Bolm.
The 9,000 square-foot event space features a stage and dance floor and a retractable wall that opens the room to the patio and views of the lake. They also made renovations to add 12 more restroom stalls, increase office space, and expand the kitchen. And for the first time, the winery will offer mixed drinks in the barrel room.
Bolm, who opened the cellars in 2008, said the additions will allow the winery to comfortably accommodate 4,000 people per day. "Internally, we can seat about 2,500," Bolm said, "but when people bring their chairs and sit on the grass, seating is virtually unlimited.."
Construction on the new facility started in November, and they held a ribbon cutting earlier this month. On Saturday, July 8, the winery hosted 1,500 people.
“They are still coming out in record numbers even though we have all this heat,” said Bolm. “I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when it cools down.”
Well, it just did. Here's the line up for the Barrel Room at Cedar Lake Cellars this weekend:
FRIDAY 8/4
Happy Hour: 3 to 5 p.m.
Graven & LaDuke: 6 to 9 p.m.
SATURDAY 8/5
Catfish Willie Band: 1 to 4 p.m.
DJ Jay Exum, part of The Barrel Room Summer Series, 6 to 10 p.m.
SUNDAY 8/6
Sunday Brunch: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Real Trio: 1 to 4 p.m.
