Father’s Day is right around the corner. How are you going to show Dad that you appreciate everything he’s done for you over the years? Take him to wine country for a day of relaxation and making memories together! With more than 130 wineries across the state, there is sure to be the perfect one for your Dad. Here are some of the special events you’ll find happening around Missouri wine country this Father’s Day weekend.

• Father’s Day Brunch at the newly reopened Peaceful Bend Vineyards in Steelville or Chandler Hill Vineyards in Defiance
• A Wine and Meat Pairing for Dad at Jowler Creek Winery in Platte City
• A sweet treat for your father with a complimentary dessert at Van Till Family Farm Winery
• BBQ and Craft Brews in the wine and beer garden at Augusta Winery
• Live music with a side of ribs at Cave Hollow West Winery in Hannibal
• The Father’s Day picnic is an annual tradition at Odessa Country Winery
• BBQ and Live Music at Mount Pleasant Estates in Augusta
• A wine festival featuring many local wineries could mean great times with dad in Excelsior Springs
• A Father’s Day shrimp boil sounds like a good time at Apple Creek Winery in Friedheim
• Party with Pop on the patio at Montelle Winery in Augusta 

There are several wineries in Missouri that are also breweries if Dad is a beer fan. Whichever local winery you take Dad to, it’s sure to be an amazing time and a great thank you for all he’s done.

Cheers to dads this Father’s Day! 

Picturesque countryside covered in row and row of rolling vineyards, historic underground cellars, custom arbors, gazebos and more… these are just some of the beautiful sights you’ll find in Missouri wine country and just a few of the reasons a Show-Me state winery is the perfect destination for your big day!

From rustic chic barn weddings to elegant indoor affairs, you can plan it all at a local winery. There are 130+ wineries across the state, so how do you choose?! It’s not easy. There are a lot of things to consider: guest count, catering, outdoor vs. indoor, and the list goes on and on. Let us help you with some tips on selecting the perfect Missouri wine country wedding venue.

Size Matters

When it comes to selecting a wedding venue, size definitely matters. Determine how many guests you expect to attend. A winery can be the most beautiful place in the world with your favorite wines, but if it’s too small to accommodate your full guest list, it’s a moot point.

Wineries that welcome large weddings (150+ guests):

7C’s Winery

Balducci Vineyards

Belvoir Winery & Inn

Cave Vineyard

Cedar Lake Cellars

Chandler Hill Vineyards

Chaumette Winery

Crown Valley Winery

Edg-Clif Winery & Brewery

Hemman Winery

Inside or Out?

Most Missouri wineries have beautiful outdoor areas for your big day. If you’ve dreamt of an open air, outdoor wedding, you have lots of options to choose from in Missouri wine country. If you prefer the security and intimacy of an indoor wedding, there are still many gorgeous options at area wineries.

Wineries with indoor event space:

Amigoni Urban Winery

Belvoir Winery & Inn

Other Missouri wineries ready to host your one-of-a-kind wedding:

Bear Creek Wine Company

The wedding you’ve dreamt of is waiting for you in Missouri wine country! 

The official start of summer is June 21, but Missouri’s summer seems to be here much sooner. Start your summer with a delicious, refreshing Vidal Blanc white wine! Missouri’s climate isn’t conducive to the European grape varieties you might be used to hearing about such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. It’s simply too cold in the winter and too hot and humid in the summer. So, instead we grow hybrid grapes such as Vidal Blanc.

In June, we celebrate this versatile white wine varietal because it’s the perfect summer sipper.

Vidal Blanc accounts for around 8 percent of all the grapes grown in the state and local winemakers call it the workhorse grape due to its versatility. It can be made in a dry and crisp, sparkling and bright, semi-sweet and fruity, and even luscious and sweet dessert wine style. Whatever your preference, there’s a Vidal Blanc perfect for you to savor this summer.

If you like lighter fare during the summer, consider Vidal Blanc your go-to! This white wine is incredibly versatile when it comes to pairing seasonal favorites: grilled chicken, vegetables, sushi and salads to name a few. Other great matchups for a glass of Vidal Blanc are light cheeses, bright herbs and fresh melon.

Head out to Missouri wine country or a retailer near your this June for a refreshing start to summer with Vidal Blanc!

Strawberry Wine Lemonade Recipe 

Ingredients: 

Strawberry Wine 

Lemonade 

Ice 

Directions: 

Mix half and half strawberry wine and lemonade; serve over ice. 

Optional - Garnish with a fresh strawberry or lemon slice. 

*Pro-tip - If you like bubbles, try using sparkling lemonade. 

The Kansas City area has been growing and evolving over the years and that includes its wine scene. There are now 25 wineries in and around the KC area. There is so much to experience in Kansas City and nearby towns. If you haven’t explored the area, it’s time to plan a trip!

KC Metro

In addition to amazing restaurants, museums and entertainment, there are two wineries that are can’t-miss miss destinations in the heart of Kansas City: Amigoni Urban Winery in the West Bottoms neighborhood housed in the historic Dover Telegraph building and KC Wineworks located in the Crossroads Arts District.

North KC

A short drive north of the Kansas City metro you’ll find several quaint and welcoming small towns, each with their own charm and allure… and wineries!

Liberty is just northeast of the Kansas City metro area and home to a Missouri winery with a fascinating and paranormal history, Belvoir Winery and Inn.

Weston is a popular spot for day trips and weekend getaways. In addition to great shops and restaurants, there are three wineries to visit: Pirtle Winery known for their award-winning wines and mead (AKA honey wine); Weston Wine Company- a fan favorite for their wine and food pairings; and Vox Vineyards- growing unique, heritage grape varietals and making award-winning wines from them. Head a little further north and you’ll find Riverwood Winery in Rushville.

Continuing north a short way, you’ll arrive in St. Joseph, where you’ll find a fascinating history and three more wineries to visit. Tipple Hill Winery is always hosting fun and exciting events. Windy Wine Company has made a name for itself with a wide range of creative wine varieties. Grindstone Valley Winery, housed in a historic, former American Legion building, welcomes you in for a relaxing visit.

We can’t forget about Jowler Creek Winery in Platte City, Missouri’s first green winery, or Ladoga Ridge Winery in Smithville, where the wine slushies are very popular. Just a short drive from Kansas City, you will find yourself at these award-winning wineries for a relaxing visit.

East KC

Excelsior Springs is a wonderfully welcoming town just northeast of Kansas City where you will find great shops such as the Willow Spring Mercantile, home to the largest selection of Missouri Wines. Don’t miss out on the historic sites such as the Hall of Waters and the Elms Hotel. There are several great wineries to discover in the area and you can even visit them on a trolley. In town you’ll find Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery and Four Horses and a Dog Vineyard & Winery. Just a few minutes’ drive east and you’ll find Van Till Family Farm Winery in Rayville.

Head to the historic town of Independence where you’ll find Top Hat Winery, Mallinson Vineyard and Hall and Albonée Country Inn and Vineyards. This town is full of fun and fascinating activities. Heading further east out of the KC area there are several more wineries worth visiting: La Bella Vineyards & Winery in Wellington, Fahrmeier Family Vineyards in Lexington, Terre Beau Winery in Dover, Baltimore Bend Vineyards in Waverly, and Arcadian Moon Winery and Brewery in Higginsville.

South KC

Travel just South of KC to Lee’s Summit and you’ll find Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery where you can sit back and relax next to their lake and vineyards with a glass of delicious, award-winning wine. From Lee’s Summit, take a picturesque drive to visit Odessa Country Winery where serenity is in no short supply.

The area in and surrounding Kansas City is teeming with wineries to discover and new vino adventures to be had. Explore the area’s wineries and find out what all the fuss is about! 

How do you make a great burger even better? Top it with wine ketchup made with a dry, red Missouri wine such as Norton or Chambourcin. Try this recipe the next time you serve the perfect patty. It’s a delightful spin on the classic condiment. Check out this quick video to see just how easy the recipe is to make. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu4v6H3Y8CY&feature

Missouri Wine Ketchup Recipe

Time: 15-20 minutes  |  Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

½ cup    Missouri Norton or Chambourcin (dry red wine)

½ tbsp   Cornstarch

1 cup     Ketchup

Directions

Whisk cornstarch into wine. Add mixture to small saucepan, bring to a simmer and reduce until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, approximately 5-7 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in ketchup until blended. Let cool completely. Top burgers or dip fries in this delicious ketchup and bring your next meal to a whole new level.

Classic Beef Burger Recipe

Recipe courtesy: Missouri Beef Industry Council

Time: 30 minutes  |  Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1-1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning blend

4 hamburger buns, split

4 slices cheese (such as Cheddar, American, Swiss, etc.)

4 lettuce leaves

4 tomato slices

Directions

Combine ground beef and steak seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Heart large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet; cook 12 to 15 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally.

Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

Flowering is the next stage in a grapevine’s growing cycle after Bud Break. It’s an exciting and delicate time when the flowers burst through their caps (calyptra to be technical) carrying the pollen that will fertilize the vine and result in grape berries.

As the vines grow, small clusters of flowers will begin to appear on the new shoots of the grape vine. At first all that is visible are the caps (or calyptra) and they look like little buttons. Generally, flowering in Missouri vineyards takes place between the end of May and the beginning of June. After the initial clusters appear, they will continue to get larger and then begin to bloom.

Most grape varieties are hermaphroditic plants, meaning they are self-pollinators. When the flowers bloom, they release their pollen from the anthers of the stamen, pollinating the ovary which then produces seeds and the flowers begin transforming into a grape berry. The grape berries will then encapsulate the seeds. This is a delicate time for the grape vine when certain types of weather can be quite detrimental. Too much rain, wind or cool temperatures can be especially dangerous during this stage of growth as they can affect how many flowers are fertilized and ultimately how many grapes are produced.

Flowering is a beautiful time to visit the vineyards of Missouri wine country. But don’t wait! This wonderful phase of the grape-growing cycle won’t last long and then it will be on to fruit set.

Baking is a time-honored tradition in a lot of households, and a fork or spoonful of a classic treat from childhood can transport most of us back in time. So, what could make baked good better? Well, wine of course! Here are some tips to take your baking to the next level with delicious Missouri wine.

1. Use wine you like.

This sounds pretty obvious, but it has to be said. When someone doesn’t particularly like a wine they’ve opened, they might think… “That’s okay; I’ll just cook with it.” Unfortunately, that’s not a great solution. When you cook or bake with wine, the flavors are often intensified. If you didn’t like it enough to drink it, you’re probably not going to enjoy eating it either. So, when selecting a wine for cooking or baking, pick one you also enjoy sipping.

2. Play the flavor matching game.

Pick out the primary flavors of your dish or recipe and pair those to a wine that will complement them. For example, Norton red wine has notes of cherries and baking spices, making it ideal to pair with a cherry cake or pie. Vignoles is known for its tropical fruit flavors and is delicious in fruity desserts. Use this guide to help you find the perfect match.  

3. Drizzle; don’t drown.

There can be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to adding wine to your recipes. Too little and you won’t be able to taste it; too much and you’ll throw the dish off balance, masking the other flavors. The best way to know if you’ve added enough is to taste it. Sometimes in the case of baked goods, this isn’t possible ahead of time. Stick to a more reserved amount to start with. If you’re not getting enough flavor coming through on the final dish, amp it up by adding wine to the sauce or frosting.

4. Reimagine old favorites.

Maybe you have an award-winning brownie recipe or world famous cake, consider substituting some of the liquid for a delicious Missouri wine. You might find that your old favorite reaches a whole new level of awesome!

5. Get inspired.

There are so many amazing wine-infused dessert recipes out there. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices (and the Missouri wine) flowing:

Pavlova with Red Wine Cherry Compote - Perfect for a Missouri Norton

Mulled Wine Cheesecake - Great with a Missouri Chambourcin

White Wine Lemon Bundt Cake - A Vidal Blanc wine is ideal

Missouri Wine Quick Bread - This can be made savory or sweet!

Get inspired by all the delicious wine slushies you discover in Missouri wine country and make your own at home. The possibilities are limitless, but here is a recipe for a Fruity Vignoles Slushy to get you started. Cheers to summer sipping!