This year the People’s Choice Award went to Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery for their Sweet Backroads White. You voted for it, now take a peek behind the label and learn the story of how it came to be!

Mike and Denise Riley discovered and bought the property in 2019 because they felt it was a hidden gem on the backroads of Ray County.  With its beautiful, wooded areas, an old homestead hidden on the back of the property, creek beds and Missouri Rock bluffs, they had found the perfect spot.

Fast forward to the beginnings of the winery a few years back, they headed to Augusta for a Grape Growers Field Day, and they were seeing all of these beautiful wineries outside of Augusta off the beaten path.  

Denise then mentioned to Mike that whenever they visit wineries, whether it’s Italy, Oregon or Missouri, the hidden gems are always off the beaten path and the back roads. To honor those hidden gems, they came up with the wine, named Sweet Backroads White.  The picture is a sketch of the old barn hidden on the property that was built in the 1800’s.

When Mike created Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery, he knew it was off the beaten path but that makes it even more special.  Together they built something they want people to come out and enjoy.  Not only award-winning wines but the ambience of the property, and the fellowship of others.  Offering plenty of food and live music Spring through Fall on the weekends, micro brews in addition to our wines and of course slushies, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Plan a trip to Excelsior Springs and visit Shamrock Hills Winery & Vineyard today!

August is all about Vignoles! As a versatile white grape and a Missouri favorite, Vignoles (veen-yole) shines.  This hybrid grape makes wines across the spectrum, from dry and sweet, to late harvest and dessert wines. It can also be the go-to for a fantastic white wine blend.

This medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful wine will give you a taste of tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot along with citrus and floral notes. A glass of Vignoles is the perfect summertime pairing! 

Vignoles grapes are hardy enough to handle the Show Me State winters and are one of the earlier ripening grape varietals in the state. Vignoles crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public.

Adam Puchta Winery’s, 2024 Dry Vignoles won this year’s Governor’s Cup Award!

Food Pairing Suggestions: 

• Spicy cheeses
• Asian or Mexican dishes
• Buffalo wings
• Berries and tropical fruits
• Cheesecake 

Recipe Ideas: 

• Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Peach Vignoles Granita
• Coconut Vignoles Fruit Dip

Whether you are celebrating Vignoles month by sipping a glass or trying a new recipe be sure to use #mowine in all of your adventures!

Veraison is the first sign of the grapes ripening. During this stage both the color and appearance of the grapes change. For red grape varietals, this is arguably the most beautiful and unique stage of their lifecycle on the vine. Take a deeper look into this stage of the process from vine to wine.

Veraison in grapes indicates the beginning of maturation, meaning harvest is coming soon! Not only does this stage get us closer to wine, but it actually shifts the entire focus of the grapevine. 

The grapevine will now focus on ripening the grapes rather than growing new leaves. You may also notice grape clusters with both purple and green grapes. This is a sure sign veraison is happening!

During veraison, the chlorophyll in the grape skins break down. This allows the other pigments to become visible. The grapes will also start to become softer, ripening and getting ready to be harvested. While this stage is unique and fun to look at, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye.

Sugar levels increase, acidity decreases, then flavors and aromas start to fully develop. All of which are key to getting the grape ready to harvest and make into the wine we all enjoy!

Keep an eye out for veraison while you are in Missouri Wine Country, and share your pictures with us using #mowine !

Happy Wine and Cheese Day! If you have visited the Missouri State Fair and a Wine 101 Class, you know that the cheese pairings are truly a highlight of each class. To celebrate Wine and Cheese Day take a look back at our past pairings featuring Hemme Brothers Creamery cheeses, sponsored by Midwest Dairy!

Taco Cheddar + Vignoles 

Applewood Smoked Cheddar + Chambourcin

Espresso Cheddar + Norton 

Brother’s Keeper + Chambourcin

Jalapeno Habanero + Vignoles

Siracha + Vignoles

Ghost Cheddar + Catawba

Aged Cheddar + Concord

Garlic Dill Cheddar + Traminette

Make sure to mark your calendars for August 7-17, 2025, and pick out a Wine 101 Class to attend at the fair! We will have more, new cheese pairings from Hemme Brothers Creamery sponsored by Midwest Dairy, and more!

For more information on the Missouri State Fair, click here!

Excelsior Springs, Missouri is calling your name for an adventure packed with history, shopping, and relaxation! Looking for the perfect weekend getaway, don’t worry we already have it planned for you. 

Excelsior Springs Wineries: 

• Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
• Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery
• Van Till Family Farm Winery

Other Wineries Nearby: 

• Albonée Country Inn & Vineyards
• Amigoni Urban Winery
• Belvoir Winery
• Mallinson Vineyard and Hall
• Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery
• Fountain City Winery
• TerraVox Vineyards

Dining: 

• Ventana Gourmet Grill
• Willow Spring Mercantile
• Ray’s Diner

*Many wineries also offer dining experiences

Shopping: 

• Willow Spring Mercantile
• Kilgore’s Vintage & Design
• BluBox Boutique
• Solana Boutique

Lodging: 

• Bed & Breakfasts
• Boutique Hotels
• Air B&B’s 

Experiences: 

• Excelsior Springs Golf Course
• Excelsior Springs Museum
• Superior Well and Pagoda
• Watkins Wollen Mill State Historic Site
• Wine Festival
• Waterfest
• Chamber Trolley
• Hall of Waters

Annual Events: 

• Waterfest
• Barbecue on the River
• Wine Festival
• More Events

Transportation: 

• Excelsior Springs Trolley 

Pack your bags and set your sights on Excelsior Springs. It’s waiting for you to visit!

Using out new interactive trip planner makes traveling through wine country a breeze. Check out the others here! Tag us in all of your wine country adventures using #mowine. 

Concord Sweet and Sour Chicken. A fun twist on this classic dish, that is sure to impress guests or mix up your weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

Sauce:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons ketchup
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup Missouri Concord
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch or slightly larger pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken.
• Whisk the eggs together. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until very hot and rippling. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet.
• Cook for 20-30 seconds on each side until the crust is golden, but the chicken is not all the way cooked through. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 9X13-inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken.  
• Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. 

Pro tip: Serve with vegetables and rice or noodles!

This is a must try recipe, made better by sipping a Missouri Concord alongside it! Share your recipes with us using #mowine

Below are the social graphics for you to use, for this years wine competition!

Raise your glasses, wine lovers! The 2025 Missouri Wine Competition results are in. 

This year saw 260 wines from 30+ wineries across Missouri competing for top honors. Eight expert judges spent two days blind tasting and evaluating each entry. 

Prestigious judges with a variety of different skill sets, experiences and qualifications from across the United States awarded 56 gold, 116 silver and 53 bronze medals. This year we asked our judges to describe the qualities of a bronze, silver and gold medal wine.

Bronze awards indicate a wine is a good solid example and is something worthy of enjoying on any given day. 

Judges award a silver medal to complex wines that are balanced, well made and a good example of the varietal or style. Enjoy these wines with a nice meal.   

Gold wines are exceptional and tell a story of craftsmanship. These bottles stand out and are something that should excite and make you want to sip more. Stock up on gold medal wines to share with friends and family frequently.

"It is always an honor to see the exceptional quality of wines produced in the Show Me State at our competition. Recognizing and celebrating the quality wine from Missouri is essential,” stated Jim Anderson, Executive Director, Missouri Wine & Grape Board. “We will share and display these wines at national and local events while highlighting the skill, dedication and passion of our wineries and winemakers, ensuring that Missouri wines are appreciated and enjoyed.”

Join us in congratulating and celebrating this year’s Best of Class winners for each of the following categories: 

Sparkling: Bubbly | Adam Puchta Winery

Dry White: 2024 Estate Vignoles | Jowler Creek Winery 

Semi-Dry White: 2024 Dry Vignoles | Adam Puchta Winery

Sweet White: 2024 Vignoles | Stone Hill Winery

Dry Red: 2024 Chambourcin | Adam Puchta Winery

Semi-Dry Red: 2024 Sweet Hadley Jo | Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery

Sweet Red: Cats Meow | Adam Puchta Winery 

Dry Rose: Dry Rosé | Adam Puchta Winery 

Semi-Dry Rose: 2024 The Pinnacle | Defiance Ridge Vineyards 

Sweet Rose: Pink Catawba | Stone Hill Winery 

Dessert: 1855 | Adam Puchta Winery 

Fruit: Apple Cranberry | Stonehaus Farms Winery 

Late Harvest/Ice Wine: 2022 Collector’s Series Late Harvest Vignoles | Les Bourgeois Vineyards

The winner of the 2025 Governor’s Cup is 2024 Dry Vignoles, Adam Puchta Winery.

“It’s been 25 years since we have been honored with this award, and I can’t express how meaningful it is. Being able to make this a reality again is incredibly humbling. I want to give special recognition to my father, Tim Puchta, for reviving the winery and carrying forward the legacy of our family’s name. His vision and passion laid the foundation for where we are today. This year marks the 170^th anniversary for our winery, making this honor even more special.” Said Parker Puchta, President and Owner of Adam Puchta Winery in Hermann, Missouri. “This is truly a team effort. From the dedicated growers who supply us with high-quality grapes, our hardworking vineyard crew, our talented wine production team, and our marketing and sales staff — every person plays a role. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our outstanding customers, who continue to believe in us year after year. I’m incredibly proud of the village we’ve built here and all we have achieved.”

The C.V. Riley Award for best Norton also went to Spencer Manor Winery, 2023 Norton. The C.V. Riley award recognizes the Best Norton, which is the state grape and is named after the first state entomologist, who also helped save the French wine industry. 

The Husmann-Jaeger award for best white varietal was won by: Jowler Creek Winery, 2024 Estate Vignoles. This award is named after George Husmann and Hermann Jaeger. Both influential men who were crucial in the early development of the Missouri wine industry. 

In addition to Governor’s Cup, C.V. Riley, Husmann-Jaeger, and Best of Class distinctions, judges awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. Find the complete list of the 2025 Award-Winning Wines here.

Cheers to this year’s Label Competition winners for each of the following categories: 

Best Traditional Label: 2022 Bethelehem Valley Norton | Noboleis Vineyards

Best Contemporary Label: 2023 Crunchy! | Eagles’ Landing 

Best Wine Series: Explorer Collection: 2022 Estate Norton, 2024 Vignoles, 38 Degrees North, Project 1970 | St. James Winery 

People’s Choice Award: Sweet Backroads White | Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery 

The 2025 Missouri Wine Label Competition is an exciting showcase of creativity and design in the world of winemaking. This annual competition brings together the finest wineries from across Missouri, each presenting their most stunning label designs. These labels will be evaluated by industry experts in several categories, making it a unique contest for both wineries and wine enthusiasts alike.

The competition is divided into the following categories: 

• Best Traditional Label
• Best Contemporary Label
• Best Alternative Packaging
• Best Wine Series
• People’s Choice Award: Decided by YOU, through online voting!

Cast your vote here!  

We need your help! As a devoted Missouri wine enthusiast, you have the power to decide who takes home the People’s Choice Award. This is your chance to support your favorite label and have a direct impact on which winery claims this honor. Voting is live, and you can cast your vote once a day for your favorite label. Make sure your voice is heard in this race—voting will close on July 13th at 11:59 PM.

Happy Concord Month! In July, as the summer sun shines bright, wine lovers in Missouri celebrate Concord Month!

Discovered in the mid-1800s, the Concord grape is cherished for its medium-sized clusters of juicy berries. As a “slip skin” grape, its skin separates easily from the pulp, making it ideal for wines with distinct aromas and flavors that are sure to capture your affection.

Concord grapes span about 112 acres in Missouri, making up nearly 7% of the state's vineyard area. Known for their sweet, candy-like aromas, Concord wines offer a robust, medium-bodied experience perfect for casual sipping and gourmet pairings.

Concord wine captures the essence of freshly pressed grape juice, balancing sweetness with jam-like notes, creating a nostalgic and comforting taste that’s certain to win over any wine enthusiast.

Serve Concord wine chilled to 45°F. Its sweet, robust profile pairs well with cheddar, aged cheeses, orange chicken, pork chops, and barbecue beef. It also complements desserts like candied nuts, poached pear, and grape pie.

Celebrate July with Concord wine recipes:

• Concord Daiquiri
• Wine Barbecue Sauce
• No Free Lunch Wine Tails

This July, toast to Concord Month with Missouri's delicious wines. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer, explore local wineries to taste the Concord grape's rich legacy. Enjoy summer's warmth and the sweetness of Concord—where fun meets flavor. Cheers!