Missouri Boutique Winery: The Beginning of Bommarito Cellars

The family purchased a 21-acre plot in the heart of Missouri wine country along the Hermann Wine Route back in 1994. Mr. Nick Bommarito and his daughter, Cathleen Bommarito-Manley, collaborated to establish a boutique winery known as "Bommarito Estate Almond Tree Winery," which operated successfully for 25 years.

In 2006, Cathleen Bommarito-Manley took on the role of winemaker at the family’s boutique winery, working alongside her father to produce exceptional Missouri wines. Her dedication and skill earned her the recognition of being one of the most awarded female winemakers in the state.

Despite the annual challenges, Cathleen embraced the chance to create extraordinary wines from the vineyard's harvest, crafting unique expressions influenced by Missouri's climate and several external factors for each grape variety.

Her academic journey began at Missouri State University in 1984, where she earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and management. She further enhanced her knowledge at UC Davis in California, obtaining a certification in Enology and Viticulture and completing the Vesta Extension program at Missouri State University. Throughout her travel career, Cathleen gained hands-on experience through internships in the vineyard and cellar, working closely with her father since 1996.

In 2015, she achieved Sommelier Certification from the International Wine Guild. That same year, her father restructured the winery, which ultimately closed in 2017.

In 2018, signaling a new chapter in the family's winemaking journey, Cathleen established Bommarito Cellars Inc., with her nephew Kyle Dussold serving as the estate manager and assistant Cellar Master, overseeing the revitalization of the Norton Vineyard. This new venture is filled with fresh ideas and exciting adventures in the thriving Missouri wine country.

Bommarito Cellars, a boutique winery located in Missouri wine country, has begun producing a Brandy-based Lemon Liqueur, meticulously refined over the years by Owner and Winemaker Cathleen Bommarito-Manley. This exquisite blend combines the zest of fresh lemons with the sweetness of a dessert infusion, perfect for soothing the stomach after an evening of indulging in food and wine.