Eckert’s Wine & Cooking Classes

From full-bodied wines and cozy casseroles to strawberry smoothies and silly sandwiches, there’s a lot to learn and experience at Eckert’s.

Click below, or call, to learn about classes and events for adults and children.

Wine Classes | Adult Cooking Classes | Kid's Cooking Classes | Mommy & Me Classes | Lunch and Learn Classes

Call (618) 233-0513 x 0 for class registration or additonal information, or visit us at Eckert's Belleville Country Store. MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, cash and checks are accepted.

Class Procedures & Policies

Enrollment is on a first come basis.
Payment is required in order to register for a class
All adult classes are demonstration based unless otherwise noted in description. Kids, Mommy & Me and Teen Classes are all hands on.
Cancellation Policy: With a 7 day notice you will receive a full refund, 3-6 day notice you will receive an Eckert gift certificate for the amount of the class and with a 2 day or less notice a refund will not be issued.
If we cancel a class, you will be notified as soon as possible and a complete refund will be issued.
Eckert's reserves the right to substitue instructors, recipes or menu items as necessary.

WINE CLASSES - 2012

February 9

Adult Wine Class - Sweet Wines (Belleville)

Taste and learn about sweet and semi-sweet wines made from grapes and other fruits. We’ll pair a complimentary bite of food with each wine so you can fully appreciate the complimentary flavors. This is the perfect class for the beginning wine drinker and or sweet wine lover. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $20.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 14

Wines and Foods of the World - 2nd Annual (Belleville)

Delight your sweetheart or dear friend with a dinner and wine tasting from across the globe. We’ll feature food and wine pairings from a variety of countries. Join us for 5 delightful courses of food and wine and elegance in our classroom. (Coupons not eligible for this event.) Event will take place from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm in the Country Store. $80.00/Couple. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 28

Adult Wine Class - Wine Geek Series NEW! - Oregon Pinot vs. California Pinot (Belleville)

Join wine enthusiast, Chris Eckert, for a Pinot Noir face-off! Taste the differences in growing regions and climates. Find out if you prefer California or the renowned Oregon pinots. This class will feature wines $25 per bottle and up. Cheese plates will be served. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $40.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 8

Adult Wine Class - Goldilocks and the Three Temperatures (Belleville) NEW!

Have you ever wondered why there are different recommended serving temperatures of red, white and sweet wines? We will sample wines at various temperatures and decide for ourselves. Learn about storing temperatures and techniques, wine chillers and more. This class will feature dry and semi-dry wines. Eckert’s fresh bakery bread will be served. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $25.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 20

Adult Beer Class - Behind the Brew (Belleville) NEW!

Learn what makes beers different, how to taste and enjoy these brews with food. Join retired brew master and beer expert, Mike Amad, in the classroom for an enlightening beer experience. We will have food pairing to compliment each of the featured beers. Mike will explain: why beer is the perfect complement to food, the 3 basic principles for choosing food pairings and tips on pairing beer with food based on its characteristic flavors. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $25.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 27

Adult Wine Class - Wine Geek Series NEW! - Rhone Valley vs. Rhone Rangers (Belleville)

Join wine enthusiast, Chris Eckert, in a taste-off of Rhone-style wines. According to the Rhone-Rangers Association of America, “American Rhone-style wines are made from the same grapes that have flourished for centuries in France’s Rhone River Valley, and their growing popularity in the United States speaks to their versatility with food, wide range of rich flavors, and to the skills of American winemakers.” Come ready to compare and contrast these wine regions for yourself. We’ll learn about red and white Rhone varietals. Cheese plates will be served. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $40.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

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COOKING CLASSES - 2012

January 22

Adult Cooking Class - Pie and Tarts, Hands-On ENCORE Class! (Belleville)

Everyone had so much fun in this class last time, so we had to do it again! Join Lana Shepek to learn how to make pastry crust from scratch. We will use frozen and fresh fruits to make crowd-pleasing desserts. Everyone will practice making a pie crust shell. Space is limited. Event will take place from 1 pm - 3:30 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

January 26

Adult Cooking Class - Meat or Meatless (Belleville)

Want to learn a how to make a few versatile recipes for meat and non-meat eating guests? Angie Eckert, former vegetarian, will share her favorite versatile recipes for both audiences. All recipes will be prepared with meat and without so that you can taste for yourself. Angie will prepare pasta with parmesan, garlic and squash, gnocchi with fresh tomatoes (and proscitto), savory quiche (with bacon) and more. Angie’s recipes will utilize dairy products and eggs. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 1

Adult Cooking Class - Orient Express (Belleville)

Join Eckert’s culinary staff member, Desri Rose, as she shares her favorite recipes from residing in Asia. Des will showcase her preferred Asian ingredients and why she fell in love with the foods and culture of Korea and Japan. Learn to make fresh cucumber kimchee, Korean style ribs, Yakitori (chicken on stick), sautéed green beans and you’ll make your own rice ball. We’ll serve a glass of Sake wine to enjoy with these delightful foods of the Orient. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 8 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 11

Adult Cooking Class - Bring Home the Bacon (Belleville)

Bacon is one of those few ingredients that marries well with both sweet and savory dishes. And, it tastes great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Learn about types of bacon, bacon curing and cuts. We’ll fry it, bake it and of course, taste it! You’ll love our recipes for sweet bacon, bacon and apple sandwiches, BLT pasta and more! You’ll take home some bacon to try at home as well. Space is limited. Event will take place from 2 pm - 4 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 21

Guest Chef Cooking Class - Dinner in the Classroom (Belleville)

Join former Chef and current Sysco culinary specialist, Jonathan Wiltse, for a delicious dinner in Eckert’s classroom. Jonathan will prepare smoked vegetable gazpacho, braised pork belly sliders with grilled peach mostarda and pistachio encrusted cod with fresh corn and herb salad. Finish the delicious evening off with a slice of our bakery’s strawberry rhubarb pie and Eckert’s frozen custard. Two wines will be served with the Chef’s hardy portions. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 8 pm in the Country Store. $45.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 23

Adult Cooking Class - Cooking with Wine (Belleville)

Cheers! Let’s make a wine reduction sauce, Italian pot roast with red wine and fruits poached in wine. We’ll also learn the technique behind the French classic, Beurre blanc, a simple butter-based sauce that's great with fish or seafood. This is the perfect way to transfer your passion for wine into recipes for your dinner table. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 8 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 13

Adult Cooking Class - Entertaining in a Jiffy (Belleville)

Jill Eckert Tantillo entertains a crowd in her home every Saturday night, even after working all day at Eckert’s! If you want to entertain without spending a whole day in the kitchen, this is the class for you. Learn Jill’s short-cuts to feeding a crowd on a tight schedule. You’ll love her easy appetizers, platter salads and create-your-own pasta bar. For dessert, it’s a selection of miniatures! Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 22

Adult Cooking Class - Cooking for 2 (Belleville)

Sometimes it is difficult to find delicious recipes for two! Taste our five favorite dishes for two! These smaller batch recipes are long on flavor: stuffed chicken breasts, baked pasta, stir frys and more. We will share some handy tips for small-batch cooking as well. Space is limited. Event will take place from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the Country Store. $30.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

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KID'S COOKING CLASSES - 2012

January 28

Princess Tea Party (Belleville)

Attention little princesses! Don’t miss the chance to join the Queen and other little princesses for a special princess tea party. Learn princess etiquette, make a princess craft, enjoy special snacks fit for a princess, have fun dancing to princess songs and take part in a princess parade. Come in your favorite princess dress!!Optional: Princess Photos $5. Princesses in costume can eat free in the restaurant with one paying adult. Space is limited. Event will take place from 10 am - 11:30 am or 1:30 pm - 3 pm in the Country Store. $20.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 19 & 26

Kid's Cooking Class - Recipes from the Heart (Belleville)

Kids will love making our heart shaped delights. Something sweet, something savory and something to take home. We will talk about heart- healthy foods and taste a few too. Yum- come hungry! Space is limited. Event will take place from 1 pm - 3 pm in the Country Store. $15.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 25

Princess Tea Party (Belleville)

March 10 & 17

Kid's Cooking Class - Rainbow Recipes (Belleville)

Let’s celebrate the rainbow with our recipes of many colors. We’ll taste an array of foods and learn about the nutrients associated with each color. Which will be your favorite? Let’s taste our way to the pot of gold at the end! Space is limited. Event will take place from 1 pm - 3 pm in the Country Store. $15.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

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MOMMY & ME CLASSES - 2012

January 14 & 25

Mommy & Me Cooking Class - Celebration Foods (Belleville)

January is full of National food-friendly holidays. Help us celebrate National Spaghetti Day, Whipped Cream Day, Thank You Day and Strawberry Ice-Cream Day with these fun recipes. Space is limited. Event will take place from 9:30 am - 10:45 am in the Country Store. $12.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

February 7 & 21

Mommy & Me Cooking Class - Made with Love (Belleville)

Kids will love making our heart shaped delights. Something sweet, something savory and something for you to take home. Yum- come hungry! Space is limited. Event will take place from 9:30 am - 10:45 am in the Country Store. $12.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 10, 17 & 28

Mommy & Me Cooking Class - What's at the end of a Rainbow? (Belleville)

Let’s celebrate the rainbow with our recipes of many colors. We’ll taste an array in our super fun recipes, fruits and vegetables too! Which will be your favorite? Let’s follow the rainbow to our golden dessert to find out. Space is limited. Event will take place from 9:30 am - 10:45 am in the Country Store. $12.00/Child. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

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LUNCH AND LEARN CLASSES - 2012

February 8

Lunch & Learn (Belleville)

Celebrate an early Valentine’s Day with a friend in our classroom. We’ll prepare a salad and try two kinds of Panini. Dip and decorate your own strawberry for dessert. Lunch-sized portions will be served. Space is limited. Event will take place from 12 pm - 1 pm in the Country Store. $15.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

March 21

Lunch & Learn (Belleville)

Join Eckert’s culinary team for a light and healthy lunch featuring fresh herbs. Since gardening season is around the corner, we will share herb growing tips too! This is the perfect way to spend lunch with a friend. Lunch sized portions will be served. Space is limited. Event will take place from 12 pm - 1 pm in the Country Store. $15.00/Person. Reservations are required; please call (618) 233-0513 to reserve your spot today.

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Wondering what’s happening this Week at Eckert’s? Call our farm hotline (618) 233-0513. Press 6 for Belleville and Millstadt. For Grafton call (618) 786-3445.