The year is full of possibility with many great opportunities to explore Missouri wine country. Not sure where to start? We invite you to take our 2019 Bucket List challenge. See how many of these wonderful experiences you can mark off your list. Make 2019 a year to remember!

Experiences you won’t want to miss this year:

• Enjoy the many Missouri Wine Trails – Did you know there are 11 wine trails across the state? 
• Capture the perfect selfie – with the breathtaking views of valleys and rivers across the state, the chances of capturing the perfect selfie with great lighting are likely!
• Get your band fix while listening to live music – many Missouri wineries feature live music throughout the year. 
• Break a sweat in the vineyard – or don’t! But seriously, enjoy yoga in the vineyard at several wineries across the Show Me State. Watch our calendar for upcoming yoga events. 
• Stay and play – there are 21 wineries that have on-site lodging for you, your friends and family.
  • Really enjoy the outdoors? Check out where you can camp in Missouri wine country.
• Get the behind-the-scenes scoop – 63 wineries across the state offer tours of their facilities. 
  • Interested in ghosts and haunted places? Then you definitely need to plan a trip to these haunted Missouri wineries. 
• Deepen your appreciation for the winemaking business – experience harvest season by traveling to harvest festivals across the state. Many wineries have a lot of fun with this time of year and thoroughly enjoy getting to share this time with folks from all over. 
• Channel your inner explorer self – get out and see the eight things you never thought you’d find in Missouri wine country.
• Be on the lookout for special events year ‘round – like special Valentine’s Day events, Mother’s Day outings and even fireworks on Independence Day. 
• Worried that not everyone in your group enjoys wine? – Don’t fret, there are many wineries in the state that also brew their own beer. 

There are so many things to see and do across Missouri wine country that we recommend visiting in 2019. As you’re out and about and checking items off of your bucket list, get rewarded for your visits! Become a Missouri Wine MVP member today!

The new year is here and there are many things to look forward to. On our calendar, you’ll find several months dedicated to the promotion of Missouri grape varietals as well as important dates in the wine industry. As you enjoy the upcoming seasons, keep these Missouri wine-centric holidays in mind and celebrate accordingly – with a glass of Missouri wine, of course! 

When the days are cold and Jack Frost nips at your nose, it’s tempting to stay home, snuggled under a cozy blanket. Add a glass of Missouri wine and the perfect scene is set. But if the long days linger and you crave a little break from all that downtime, an activity or two may be just what you need to recharge your batteries. Brighten up your day with these great suggestions on how to make the most out of the winter season.

Visit Missouri wineries. There is no off season when it comes to the Missouri wine industry. Missouri wineries are busy and many of them are open year round, although some may have limited hours during the winter. More than 100 wineries across the state offer indoor, weather-proof seating so there is no reason to stay home. You can enjoy the beautiful winter views while relaxing in the welcoming atmosphere of Missouri’s wineries. And, if there are fewer people at the winery, you may get a little more one-on-one time with staff and even the winemaker. Because some wineries have seasonal hours, we recommend you contact the winery and check their hours before you set off on your journey. 

Attend a Missouri wine trail event. Shake off those winter blues at signature wine trail events. Enjoy delicious Missouri wines and delightful treats at Meramec River Wine Trail's Be Mine With Wine event, February 9 - 10, 2019, Hermann Wine Trail’s Chocolate Wine Trail event, February 16 – 17, 2019 and Mississippi’s River Wine Trail’s Taste of an Italian Romance event, February 23, 2019.

Get Creative. Turn your impressive collection of wine corks into unique décor. You’ll find a variety of craft projects on our website, including an ombré cork heart. Homemade gifts are always a hit with loved ones.

Be the perfect host. Whether you’re planning a New Year’s Eve get-together or waiting until after the craze of the holidays to host a gathering with family and friends, Missouri wines are the perfect addition to any winter festivity. Visit our website for tips on how to plan the perfect party from what type of wine and how much to buy to the proper place settings at the dinner table. With a little proper wine etiquette know-how, your party will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Be the perfect guest. On the other hand, if you’ve been invited to a shindig, you may feel a little intimidated about navigating the social scene. These eight tips will help you be a great guest.

Try a twist on your favorite wine. Missouri wine is delightful on its own but you can also make a variety of festive drinks incorporating your favorite wines. Visit our website for easy recipes on how to make Missouri Winter White Sangria, Mulled Wine and Red Wine Hot Chocolate.

Make delicious Missouri wine bread. Add a dry red Missouri wine such as Norton to your next batch of homemade bread. You can also use a sweeter wine but Norton adds a nice, strong flavor and aroma. This Missouri Wine Quick Bread recipe is easy and delicious!

Soup’s on! When there’s a chill in the air, nothing sounds better than a bowl of steaming soup. Visit our website to see which wines pair perfectly with your favorite soups.  

With these great suggestions, you’ll never experience a dull moment this winter. We hope you enjoy the season as you make lasting memories with family and friends. 

Another year has come and gone and we are already running head first into the Christmas holiday! As time flies and everyone grows older, we realize how important it is to stop and take a look around. The holiday season is a great time to be thankful for our loved ones and all that we have. 

Allow Missouri Wines to be a part of your celebrations this year. In addition to the many great pairings that we share all year-round, we also want to supply you with a tasty holiday wine-tail that will be a delight at any gathering this season. 

Cheers to being thankful, grateful and blessed! 

Missouri Cranberry Rosemary Cocktail​

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Freeze Time: 8 hours | Serving Size: 10 glasses

Cocktail Ingredients:

1 ½ cup          Water
1 sprig            Fresh rosemary
2 cups            Cranberry juice
1 cup              Triple Sec
1 bottle           Missouri sparkling wine, chilled

Directions: 

Heat water to boil in microwave – depending on your microwave, this could take 2-5 minutes. Once your water begins boiling, remove from the microwave and add a rosemary sprig to the water, let it steep for 10 minutes. Discard the rosemary sprig. 

In a 1-quart freezer container, combine cranberry juice, rosemary water and Triple Sec. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or until ready to use. 

To serve, scoop frozen cranberry mixture into your glass of choice – champagne flutes, wine glasses, etc. Fill the glass about ½ full. Top the glass with your Missouri sparkling wine of choice. Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary. 

Enjoy!

Although Johnna’s mother Donna struggles with dementia, she recognized her husband the instant she saw the label. “She was overcome with emotion,” recalls Johnna who made a print to hang in her mom’s room.  “She loves it and shows it to everyone.”

There’s another reason why Jack’s Frost is so special to the Swineford family. It’s the first wine that John and Johnna have produced at the winery. The couple purchased Viandel Vineyard on February 23, 2018. The winery’s seasonal wine has a rich color and crisp cranberry flavor with a smooth finish. Jack’s Frost’s semi-sweet nature has the perfect balance of tartness and tastes like Christmas in a glass.

It’s the time of year when we scramble to find gifts for our friends and family members. Sometimes it is hard to think outside the box and find the perfect gift year after year. 

No worries, Missouri Wines is here to help! What better way to spread holiday cheer than shopping local and supporting Missouri businesses?

Have you ever thought about going to your local winery and checking out their retail items? Many wineries have great options for that wine lover in your life. Of course you can find a great selection of Missouri wines, but retail items may also include:

• Apparel 
• Wine stoppers
• Home décor
• Baking items
• Mulled wine spices
• Tumbler cups
• Wine glasses
• Cheese boards
• Candles
• Wine totes
• Pillows
• Dish towels
• Hats
• Koozies
  
      
    
     
     
  
  
  The best tip we have to give when it comes to Christmas shopping? When in doubt, a bottle of wine always does the trick… especially when it’s Missouri wine!  

Do you have a Christmas tree with spare space? How about one or more sparkling wine corks lying around? If the answer to both questions happens to be “yes”, you’re in for a treat! 

Get in the crafting mood and create these adorable sparkling snowman cork ornaments. It’s fun and easy. Plus, you only need a few supplies. These cork ornaments are the perfect addition to any Christmas tree or holiday decorations. 

Supplies Needed: 
Paint brush
Paper plate
Permanent markers (black and orange) 
Ribbon
Scissors
Screw eye rings 
Sparkling wine corks
Twine
White paint 

Optional: 
Glue
Hot glue gun

Assembly Steps: 
1. Gather your sparkling wine cork and one screw eye ring. 
2. Gently turn the screw eye ring into the cork.  Keep turning the screw until you can only see the ring peeking out of the top of the cork. 
3. Once you have the screw eye ring in the cork, hold the cork by the screw and paint the cork white.  Depending on how your paint spreads, you may need to apply a second coat. 
4. Let your cork dry completely.  Again, depending on your paint and the number of coats you apply, this could take 5-15 minutes.  To speed up the drying process, use a blow dryer or heat gun on low speed.
5. After the cork is dry, draw eyes, buttons, and a mouth with a black permanent marker.  
6. Next, use your orange permanent marker to draw the snowman’s nose. 
7. After you’ve drawn on your snowman, cut ribbon for the scarf.  We cut our pieces about 5 inches long. 
8. Gently tie the scarf around the snowman’s neck.  In order to get the scarf to lay to the side, try tying a loose double knot. If you don’t want to tie the scarf, you can also use a hot glue gun to place the scarf on the snowman. 
9. Cut your twine to the length that you want, loop the twine through the screw eye ring and tie a knot. 
10. Place your snowman on the tree!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsPGM_N_FyE&feature