Vidal is a working winery pup and the muse for Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery’s Vidal Blanc label. This loveable hound has greeted guests and protected the winery’s resident sheep and chickens for more than a decade, making her a familiar furry face for visitors of this Platte City, Mo., tasting room.

Besides, Vidal, the working winery pup’s warm welcome, visitors can expect to see several other critters at Jowler Creek, nestled into the Platte City countryside. Many of these creatures are featured on the winery’s bottles, designed by the owners’ sister-in-law, Ashley Reynolds, who owns AshleyRenae Design. Ashley’s fun designs feature the many animals of Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery.

“Each critter or animal on our bottles is a representation of what you might see while you’re visiting us,” says siblings Jason and Kit Lacy, Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery owners. “Seeing them reminds us of the peaceful, beautiful, lush vineyard and fields that our winery sits on and feels like home. We hope each person is reminded of that peaceful, fun-loving feeling upon seeing them.”

That peaceful feeling has been top-of-mind to the Lacy family at the helm of Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery. Family-owned and operated since the vines were planted in 2004, Jowler Creek keeps its country feel while constantly expanding in a sustainable fashion.

Jowler Creek is a “green” vineyard and winery certified through the Missouri Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program (ASAP) across five categories: livestock, energy, specialty crop, farmstead and grassland. This means that wine lovers can enjoy a glass of Jowler Creek wine, knowing it has been made sustainably.

Since the on-site tasting room was unveiled in 2006, the winery has added something new. So, you may notice a new addition to Jowler Creek each time you visit. They unveiled the event center — The Vineyard at J. Creek, this year.

Regardless, if you want to sip Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery Vidal Blanc to capture the peaceful feeling of the Platte City fields or pair this semi-dry, full-bodied wine’s crisp and refreshing citrus flavors with your favorite meal, raise a toast to its namesake – Vidal – the hardworking, lovable canine who helps care for one of the state’s most sustainably focused wineries.

Cooking with wine shouldn’t sound intimidating. This 10-ingredient recipe is simple, fun, and will have your family and friends asking for the recipe. Use a bottle of Vidal Blanc to whip up this deliciously creamy chicken and cheese dip.

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 ½ c diced chicken (3/4 lb diced)

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tsp minced garlic

1 ¼ c diced onion

2 sprigs fresh thyme (divided)

4 tbsp dry white wine (divided) – we used Missouri Vidal Blanc

2 tbsp chicken stock

¾ c sour cream

2 c shredded Swiss and Gruyere cheese (divided)

Instructions:

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Use a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet and add oil. Sauté diced chicken with salt and pepper and add garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Tip: You can start with already cooked chicken – dice and sauté for 1-2 minutes with salt, pepper and garlic.

2.Add diced onion to skillet with a dash of salt. Cooking over medium heat, allow onions to sit without stirring for 5 minutes until colorful and fragrant.

3.Add 2 tablespoons white wine and 2 sprigs of thyme. Stir and cook for 5-6 minutes until onions are soft. Remove skillet from heat and remove thyme sprigs.

4.Add chicken back to skillet with the remaining 2 tablespoons of white wine. Add chicken stock, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, minced thyme, black pepper (optional) and stir. Spread until smooth and top with remaining cup of cheese.

5.Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-18 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle extra thyme and black pepper if desired and serve hot.

Give this recipe a try with Vidal Blanc and let us know what you think. Tag us on social media in your cooking with wine fun at @missouriwines and #MissouriWine.

Enjoying time spent in Missouri wine country is rewarding enough. Enjoying time soaking up the sun and beauty on a winery’s patio is arguably more gratifying yet. Another bonus that Missouri wine enthusiasts can take advantage of in wine country is the new loyalty program, Rewards Uncorked. Members can rack up points on the patio this summer by checking in at the following wineries who have beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy onsite.

An additional bonus for members of Rewards Uncorked is the chance at winning (1) of (5) $50 gift card bundles. All users who sign up before September 1, 2022 by 11:59 PM CST, will be automatically entered to win. Each gift card bundle includes five $10 gift cards to an assortment of five Missouri wineries. The five winners will be notified via email on Friday, September 2, 2022. Winners will need to claim bundles by Friday, September 16^th or an alternate winner will be selected.

Sign up for Rewards Uncorked at www.rewards.missouriwine.org for a chance to win and start racking up points on the patio at these wineries this summer. A complete list of Rewards Uncorked participating wineries can be found at here. The following list of wineries was gathered from an optional survey and might not be a complete list of Missouri wineries with patios.

Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery – Lee’s Summit

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard – Potosi

DeLaney Vineyard & Winery – Nevada

LaChance Vineyards – DeSoto

La Bella Vineyards & Winery – Wellington

Baltimore Bend Vineyard – Waverly

Sand Creek Vineyard – Farmington

Cave Vineyard – Ste. Genevieve

Timber Ridge Winery – Stover

Serenity Valley Winery – Fulton

KC Wineworks – Kansas City

Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery – Springfield

Wild Sun Winery – Hillsboro

Backyard Vine & Wine – Maryville

Pirtle Winery – Weston

McKelvey Vineyards – Leslie

Les Bourgeois Vineyards at The Blufftop at Rocheport – Rocheport

Beckett’s Winery – Glasgow

Christine’s Vineyard – Webb City

Viandel Vineyard – Mountain View

Meramec Vineyards Winery – Saint James

Hermannhof Winery – Hermann

Be sure to tag us on social media in your Rewards Uncorked adventures and show us your patio views by tagging @missouriwine or #MissouriWine.

Missouri’s talented grape growers and wine makers are well-versed in the art of creation. It won’t surprise you that several of these wineries have also taken up the skill of distilling. Don’t miss out on the chance to try Missouri wines and Missouri-made spirits in your travels through wine country. Here’s a list of wineries with winemakers that also distill or partner in distilling:

Rocheport Distilling Co.

Les Bourgeois Vineyard at the Blufftop at Rocheport has a sister distillery with several brandy offerings. They make wine featured brandies such as Traminette Brandy, Chambourcin Brandy, St. Vincent Brandy, as well as an Aged Brandy.

Montelle Winery

In last year’s Missouri Wine Competition, Montelle Winery’s Napoleon Finest Missouri Brandy took home Best of Class in the distilled category. They also create Grey Owl, a premium fruit brandy, Grappa and Peachy Brandy.

Black Shire Distillery

The LeRoy family of winemakers, brewers and distillers create all sorts of high-quality beverages to enjoy in Hermann at Hermannhof Winery, G. Husmann Winery, Tin Mill Brewery and Black Shire Distillery. The distillery has a large selection of spirits including bourbon, whiskey, gin, vodka and fruit brandy. Visit all three near the corner of Gutenburg and West 1^st Street. 

Crown Valley Winery

You can find fine wines in the Missouri Bootheel, but especially at Crown Valley Winery in Ste. Genevieve. Their selection goes beyond wine. Their spirit list includes a variety of moonshines and vodkas, as well as a staple gin and whiskey to add to your collection. 

Cave Winery

Also located in the Ste. Genevieve, Cave Winery is proud to make Missouri wines and even more. Stay tuned this summer for the release of their brandy and grappa.

Windy Wine Company & Distillery

Distilled spirits add on to the unique and flavorful wines created by Windy Wine Company in Northwest Missouri. Although they aren’t out yet, stay tuned for the Keesaman family offerings coming up later in 2022.

Cheers to the talented beverage craftsmen and women in Missouri. Travel and try! Share your findings with us on social media by tagging @missouriwine and #missouriwine.