Soon the old Rosati Winery will be open again to the public, but instead of tasting wine samples visitors will encounter a taste of the past.
Andrew Mendez, Rosati Winery owner, has been renovating the winery in Rosati since 2009 in order to preserve its history and to utilize the space as a museum, as well as a banquet hall and a space for commercial lease.
Mendez bought the building after returning to the area from New Mexico, where he worked as an architect.
“When I found out the building was for sale I didn't realize its history. I looked up Rosati and there's a Web site that Steve Zulpo has which has research on Italian heritage of the area. I also visited with Leo Cardetti, who was instrumental on getting the background of the building.”
After purchasing the building, Mendez said he considered its possibilities.
“Because of the history of the area it seemed like a natural thing to turn at least part of it into a museum,” Mendez said.
Mendez is a graduate of Rolla High School and has a degree in architecture from Kansas State University. He used his architecture experience to make the project his own.
The renovation of the winery has been broken into stages, Mendez said.
The portion of the building, which used to be a restaurant owned by Leo Cardetti, is currently an available lease space.
“Some of the local residents suggested a type of banquet facility so we will modify a portion of the old winery into a banquet room and that should be done by August,” Mendez said. “Then the museum will be the third phase and we are anticipating completion in April next year.”
Mendez said as people visit the museum he plans to promote the area wineries. The museum would also have a section dedicated to Route 66, emphasizing the existing and past roadside attractions from St. James to Cuba.
