Missouri’s grape harvest is here! From the beginning to end learn about what goes into collecting our favorite varietals and turning them into our favorite sips!

Starting in mid-August, vineyards and wineries begin the process of harvest. At this time only certain grapes are ready to go, but from now until the end of fall, harvest will be in full swing.

How can you tell if your vineyard is ready to harvest? Many wine-makers and vineyard managers sample the grapes, checking the Brix. Brix is a measurement of sugar in the grapes. At the same time, they will also gauge overall balance between the sugars, acidity and tannins.

After these checks, it is time to get the grapes off the vine and turned into wine!

Whether hand picking or using a mechanized picker, it must be done carefully to ensure the quality of the grapes. Ever seen a mechanical harvester in action? The harvester straddles the vine and gently shakes it. This loosens the grapes which then drop from a conveyor belt into the holding bin.

While mechanical harvesting is definitely more efficient, some wineries pick by hand. This actually allows the chance to be more selective about the grapes. It also helps protect the juice and skins to preserve more flavor in the grapes.

Once harvest is complete, grapes are ready to be crushed and juiced. Then after fermentation and the winemaker’s magic, the wine we love is nearly ready to sip!

Be sure to get out to Missouri wine country and experience harvest firsthand! Take some pictures and submit them to our Through the Glass photo contest! We look forward to seeing all Missouri wine country has to offer through your eyes!

Summer is coming to a close and school is right around the corner! Missouri is home to 126 wineries. There are so many unique experiences to discover at local wineries. You’ll find everything from vast vineyards to chic urban settings. Get lost in the countryside of the Show Me State or enjoy the main street of our small towns with a lot history. Plan a weekend getaway and have an adventure in Missouri wine country! 

Wine trails are a great way to visit several wineries in a close proximity of each other. Pre-planned and ready for fun! 

If you want to pick a winery or two and just relax you can find overnight accommodations at these wineries ranging from bed-and-breakfasts to chic houses and comfortable inns. 

Special events are a great excuse for a weekend getaway. See what Missouri wineries have on their event calendars! 

If you’re looking to reconnect with your gal pals, wine country is the perfect place for a girl’s trip. Use one of our trip planners as your guide. 

Wanting a weekend getaway full of Missouri’s rich heritage? Hermann, Augusta, Ste. Genevieve, Excelsior Springs and St. James all have storied pasts full of fascinating history. 

Looking for a short-day trip? The River Runner Amtrak Train is a great option that has multiple stops along wine country.  

Whatever a winery weekend might look like for you and yours, don’t forget to become a Rewards Uncorked member to earn points and rewards while enjoying Missouri wine country!  

Most Missouri wineries offer a unique experience, whether it’s a historical tour, elevated tasting or live music and dancing. But a handful offer a one-of-a-kind waterfront view!

Looking for a stunning view over the water, visit these wineries: 

Beckett’s Winery – Glasgow

Beckett’s Winery has stunning waterfront views to offer along with an amazing selection of drinks and a delicious food menu.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Rocheport 

Les Bourgeois Vineyards has everything you are looking for. Whether it be a sunset view from the A Frame Winegarden or a relaxing morning sunrise from their bed and breakfasts; Founder’s Point, The 1912, Trailside Suites. They are sure to have everything you need. Stop by their tasting room and grab a flight of their award-winning Missouri wines!

OakGlenn Vineyards & Winery – Hermann

No matter the time of the year the views from OakGlenn are breathtaking. They offer a wonderful and delicious line up of great Missouri wines. They have a trolley that allows you to enjoy all the local wineries.

Shawnee Bluff – Lake of the Ozarks

While overlooking the exquisite sweeping views of the Lake of the Ozarks, Shawnee Bluff is ready to celebrate every moment – from the biggest events in your life to the daily joys of great food, great friends and even better wine!

Wineries accessible by a peaceful boat ride: 

Florida Winery – Mark Twain Lake

Located in Florida just a short hike from a cove to the Florida Winery you are guaranteed to enjoy not only the great wine but also the food and the finest musical performers to enjoy with your friends.

Buffalo Creek Winery – Lake of the Ozarks

Located in Stover sits Buffalo Creek Winery, stop in and try some amazing wines that pair extremely well with their meat and cheese trays.

Stop by one of these lake front properties. Don't forget to take pictures and share them with us by using #MoWines.

What better way to celebrate Vignoles month! Try out this delicious spicy lemon garlic shrimp, using Vignoles, and celebrate this Missouri varietal!

Ingredients:
•    2 lbs Raw Frozen Shrimp, Deveined, Shells Off
•    ¼ c Fresh Parsley
•    ¾ tsp Crushed Red Pepper
•    4 tbsp Minced Garlic
•    1 Whole Lemon Juiced
•    ½ c Missouri Dry Vignoles
•    2 Sticks Cold Butter, Cubed
 

Optional:
•    Toasted Bread for Serving
•    Pasta
•    Parmesan Cheese
 

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
 

Instructions
1.    Preheat the oven to 375° F. Rinse the shrimp to separate, and then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2.    Grab a bowl. Add the parsley, salt, red pepper, garlic, lemon juice and wine. Mix and then distribute evenly over the shrimp.
3.    Distribute butter cubes evenly over the shrimp.
4.    Bake until the shrimp is pink, and the butter is hot and bubbly.
5.    Serve over pasta or with toasted bread. Save the butter for both the pasta and the bread! Dip the bread in the butter.
 

Serve with a crisp glass of Vignoles and enjoy!

Missouri wine country is filled with breathtaking landscapes, endless opportunities and beauty around every corner. We are inviting all photographers, regardless of experience level, to participate in our annual photo contest, Through the Glass.

Images submitted can reflect any part of Missouri wine country. Be creative and showcase the different elements of what makes our Missouri wine country so special! IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A WINE GLASS IN THE PHOTO.
 

The winner of the contest will be announced October 22^nd and will receive a Missouri prize pack along with 2 tickets to the Missouri Governor’s Cup presentation at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. The winning image will be displayed during the event on November 14, 2024. 

All entries are due by October 4^th at 11:59 p.m. CST. A panel of judges will choose top entries which will then be voted on through public voting using an online survey from October 14-20. 

Click here for the rules and entry form. Use the drag and drop feature to upload to our dropbox. In the recipient forum, put missouri.wine@mda.mo.gov. 

Grab your camera and start exploring Missouri wine country!

Have you ever tried a Missouri Concord wine? Kick back and relax while putting a fun twist on a classic summertime favorite! 

Concord wine offers a sweet and refreshing taste with every sip. While Concord wine is good by itself you should try this cocktail highlighting its sweet, summer flavor. One of our favorites is this simple winetail – Concord Lemonade. 

To mix up a batch of Concord Lemonade, you will need:

• Frozen grapes (optional) 
• 3 cups of your favorite lemonade
• 1 cup of Missouri Concord wine 
• Lemon slices (optional) 
• 7-Up (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Place grapes in freezer. 
2. Prepare lemonade according to directions on can.
3. Freeze lemonade into ice cubes
4. Add frozen lemonade to blender. 
5. Add Concord wine to blender. Blend lemonade and Concord wine together to form a slushy mixture. 
6. Pour slushy mixture into glass. 
7. For more fizz top with 7-Up
8. Add frozen grapes and lemon slices to garnish! 

Serving Size: 4 people 

Use Concord Lemonade for your next summer gathering and share it with us using #MoWine!

Summer’s Best Story, The Missouri State Fair, will be held from August 8-18, 2024, in Sedalia, Missouri! 

With the fair approaching, it is time to plan out which activities and events you want to attend. Lucky for you Missouri Wines will be at the fair, with plenty of opportunities for fun!

Wine 101 Classes

Expand your palate with one of our Wine 101 classes at the Wine tent, across from the Grandstand. Each class features 5 different Missouri Wines. Learn more about the history of the wine industry in Missouri and sign up for a class at the wine tent!

https://www.mostatefair.com/attractions/missouri-wine-101-classes/

Wine and Fair Food

Looking for new ways to enjoy food at the fair? Check out for our blog on fair food and wine pairings! 

https://missouriwine.org/news/get-taste-missouri-and-missouri-wines-state-fair

Explore Missouri

Missouri is a tourism destination. Explore Missouri in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall Tourism expo on Thursday, August 15 and sign up for our wine tasting that afternoon at 3pm (must be 21+ to participate). 

Wine Tent

If you need a refreshing sip on one of the hot afternoons, be sure to stop by the wine tent and get a taste of Missouri wine. With a huge selection the wine tent is sure to have the perfect glass for you! The winning wines of the 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition will also be on display, and some will be available to purchase. If you like what you sip, sign up for a Wine 101 Class!

Find our Logo and Win!

Keep an eye on the Missouri State Fair Facebook page throughout the fair. A picture of the Missouri Wines logo will be posted in a location around the Fairgrounds – the first person to find the logo will win concert or event tickets.

No matter which event has peaked your interest, be sure to make the wine tent, across from the Grandstand, one of your must-visits at the fair this year! Tag us in your Missouri State Fair adventures with #MissouriWine and @missouriwine.

August is Vignoles month! Vignoles (veen-yole) is one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes and a popular cultivar grown in the Midwest. This hybrid grape produces wines that have range from dry, to sweet, to late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles is a popular choice for white wine blends.

This medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful wine will give you a taste of tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot, sometimes citrus and floral notes. With the hot Missouri temperatures happening now, Vignoles is the ideal summer sipper!

Vignoles grapes are hardy enough to handle the Show Me State winters and are one of the earlier ripening grape varietals in the state. You may visit a vineyard and witness them being harvested already. Vignoles' crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public and winemakers. 

When pairing try out spicy cheeses, spiced curry, Asian or Mexican dishes, buffalo wings, spicy grilled peppers and barbecue, berries and tropical fruits, cheesecake or Crème Brûlée. With this many pairing options, you can enjoy any summer snack with your summer sip!

To celebrate Vignoles month try out some of these recipes and keep a look out for more!

Recipe ideas:

Vignoles Peach & Strawberry Slush

Berry Mint Vignoles Ice Pops

Delicious and Easy Peachy Vignoles Trifle

5 Ingredient Raspberry Sorbet

Pineapple Joy

Vignoles and Brie Soup

Wine Marinated Grilled Fruit

Vignoles Fruit Dip

Whew. This summer heat has come in strong and looks like it is here to stay! There is no doubt that you have been spending time outside soaking up some Missouri sunshine. With this heat you want to be sure to keep these tips and tricks in your back pocket on how to chill your Missouri wine quickly!

3 Tricks to Chill Wine Quickly

1. Place frozen grapes in your wine
2. Submerge wine bottles in ice with salt and spin
3. Place the wine in the freezer for a quick 20 minutes wrapped a wet paper towel

The hot Missouri sun can put you at a risk of dehydration. Always be sure to hydrate with plenty of water. A good rule to follow is to balance one glass of wine with two glasses of water, especially while out in this summer heat. 

We encourage you to enjoy your favorite Missouri wine responsibly while you soak up the beauty that can be found throughout the state in wine county. Be safe and as always be sure to tag #MoWine in your posts!

We are excited to announce the results of the 2024 Missouri Wine Competition! This renowned competition has recognized the highest quality wines the Show Me State has to offer. Nearly 240 wines representing all regions of Missouri wine country were entered into this esteemed evaluation. 

A panel of 8 expert judges spent two days blind tasting and evaluating the wines entered. Those that received a gold medal distinction went head-to-head for the honor of a Best of Class Award in their respective category. The top wines then competed for the ultimate recognition, the Governor’s Cup Award. The Governor’s Cup is presented to the best wine in the state. 

“I am immensely proud of the exceptional quality of wines produced in the Show Me State. Recognizing and celebrating this quality is essential, and we are committed to showcasing our distinguished wines throughout the year. From local tasting to national events, we will highlight the craftsmanship and dedication of our winemakers, ensuring that Missouri wines are appreciated by connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.” shared Jim Anderson, Executive Director, Missouri Wine & Grape Board. 

Join us in congratulating and celebrating this year’s Best of Class winners: 

Sparkling: Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Brut

Dry White: Defiance Ridge Vineyards – 2023 Katy Traminette

Semi-Dry White: Adam Puchta Winery – 2023 Dry Vignoles

Sweet White: Stone Hill Winery – 2023 Vignoles

Dry Red: Stone Hill Winery – 2022 Cross J Norton

Semi-Dry Red: Stone Hill Winery – 2022 Ozark Hellbender

Sweet Red: Adam Puchta Winery – Riefenstahler

Semi-Dry Rosé: Montelle Winery – 2022 La Rosée

Dessert: Stone Hill Winery – 2020 Port

Late Harvest/Ice Wine: Montelle Winery – 2022 Vidal Blanc Icewine

Fruit: Stone Hill Winery – Peach

The winner of the 2024 Governor’s Cup is Stone Hill Winery’s 2022 Cross J Norton. 

“Once again, I am deeply honored to win the Missouri Governor’s Cup. It is especially meaningful to win this award with our 2022 Cross J Norton,” shared Jon Held, President Stone Hill Winery. “The Cross J is a single vineyard Norton and a tribute to my late father, Jim, the “J” following the Cross. This makes seven consecutive Governor’s Cups for Stone Hill and five consecutive C.V. Riley Awards for the best Norton. My goal has always been to make the finest wines possible from our estate grown grapes. Achieving this goal is only possible with a truly incredible team in the vineyard and winery. They deserve all the credit for our consistently superb wines.”

The C.V. Riley Award for best Norton also went to Stone Hill Winery’s 2022 Cross J Norton. The C.V. Riley award recognizes the official 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 honors Adam Puchta Winery’s 2023 Dry Vignoles. This award is named after George Husmann and Herman Jaeger. Both influential men were crucial in the early development of the Missouri wine industry. (Learn more here)

In addition to Governor’s Cup, C.V. Riley, Husmann-Jaeger, and Best of Class distinctions, judges awarded gold medals, silver medals and bronze medals. Find the complete list of the 2024 Award-Winning Wines here.

A label competition accompanied traditional judging. This portion of the competition was designed to recognize wineries who have stand-out labels, considering information provided, design and overall bottle appearance. Label winners were awarded in the following categories: Traditional, Contemporary, Series, as well as People’s Choice label award. 

Congratulations to the label competition award winners:

Best Traditional Label: Defiance Ridge Vineyard: 2022 – 1897 Norton

Best Contemporary Label: Noboleis Vineyards – Small Batch Series V

Best Wine Series: St. James Winery – Explorer Collection: 2022 Norton, 2022 Vignoles, 38 Degrees North, Moscato, Project 1970

People’s Choice Award: Defiance Ridge Vineyards – 2023 Poppy’s Vidal Blanc

This competition was made possible by a hardworking group of volunteers called “The Flight Crew.” Their help ensured that the competition ran smoothly and efficiently, and we cannot thank them enough for their teamwork. 

Be sure to sample these wines next time you visit Missouri wine country.  Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of the wineries who entered this years competition!