After you’ve enjoyed your favorite Missouri wine, think twice before throwing away the corks. Warm up the hot glue gun and transform your extensive collection into a lasting memory. While there are a plethora of craft ideas online, here’s one way to turn an ordinary serving tray into a centerpiece.

What you will need:
Hot glue gun
Wine corks (We used 84 intact corks, but you can cut your corks in half if you have less on hand.)
Knife (serrated works best)
A tray (We featured a 16.73 x 10.83 x 1.93 in. tray.)
Optional: thin wood pieces to fill in gaps

Step 1:

Before plugging in the glue gun lay out the corks on your tray. Consider placing the corks in a pattern, vertical and horizontal, to give your tray a more visually appealing look. (There are a variety of designs online.) Depending on the depth of your tray and the number of wine corks in your collection, slicing the corks in ½ may be an option. If you go this route, a serrated knife tends to work better than a smooth one, but please be careful! Corks are not easy to slice through and you could cut yourself.
 
Step 2:

Warm up the glue gun and glue down the corks. Corks may vary in size and width so no matter how you strategically place them on your tray, you may end up with gaps. Consider trimming a few of the corks or wedge thin pieces of wood into the open spaces to keep your tray more compact.

Whether you bought Missouri wine for your Valentine or Galentine by the bottle or the case, you may be thinking of adding something extra special to their gift. If they love wine (and we hope they do), it’s probably safe to say they also love wine-related products. Below is a list of gift ideas for that special wine-appreciating sweetheart in your life. 

This red wine aerator accelerates a wine’s aeration process while enhancing flavors and giving the wine a smooth finish. 

Conversation hearts? How about conversation wine stoppers?
 
Be the host(ess) with the most(est) this Valentine’s day with this beautiful cheese board and cutlery set conveniently located inside a slide-out drawer.

What better way to display corks from your favorite Missouri wineries than in a Missouri-shaped cork holder?

From two-bottle totes to wine bottle suitcases, wineenthusiast.com has you covered.

If you have MVP points you would like to redeem, missouriwinemvp.com features many great wine-related gifts as well.

We hope you and your other half have a fantastic Valentine’s Day. Cheers!

Bring your Valentine, Galentine, best friend or family member to one (or more) of the many Missouri wineries offering special Valentine’s Day celebrations!

Adam Puchta Winery
Looking for something special this year to treat your Valentine? Then you’re in luck! APW’s much anticipated, annual Valentine wine pairing dinner, Be “Wine” Valentine, is sure to please. Not only will you enjoy a delicious chef-prepared four-course meal made to pair perfectly with APW’s award winning wines, but you will also learn a bit about Adam Puchta’s history and why the food and wines complement each other so well.

Cave Hollow West Winery
Take part in a Valentine’s night Lush N Brush, a catered dinner, music and dancing February 14 from 6-11 p.m. Bring your other half, your best friend or come by yourself.

Defiance Ridge Vineyards
Savor food from Defiance Ridge Vineyards’ dinner menu and dive into delectable specials just for Valentine’s Day during the Wine Enchanted Evening: Valentine’s Dinner. Reservations are not required but are encouraged by calling 636-798-2288 or emailing events@defianceridge.com.

Edg-Clif Winery
Take part in a couple’s VIP tour and tasting with delicious chocolate and award-winning wines. The cost is $30 per couple and you can reserve your spot for Friday, February 14 or Saturday, February 15.

Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
Enjoy a tour of the property and winery while learning about Fence Stile's wines and the winery's history. Finish with a candlelit tasting in the CELLAR57 club room and the wine caves. For $35 per person, you can keep the tasting glass and add a love lock to the Fence Stile Love Lock Wall. Reservations are required. Email events@fencestile.com or call 816-500-6465 to RSVP for the tour. For more information, click here.

Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery
For $15 per person you will receive a flight of five wines and five different chocolate treats. This price also includes a limited-edition Valentine’s Day wine glass! Enjoy live music from 6-9 p.m. This Valentine’s Chocolate and Wine Pairing event will be held on February 7-9 and February 14-16 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

KC Wineworks
Bring your Galentine for a Sip and Glaze Pottery Pub event on February 13. Full details can be found here.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards
Already booked for Valentine’s day? No problem! Bring your sweetheart to Les Bourgeois Vineyards for a Wine Lover’s Tasting and Tour for Two or a Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate Pairing now until February 16 anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Check out these events here.

Primitive Olde Crow and Winery
The Clinton Arts Council will provide a night of music and fun on February 14 from 7-11 p.m. This is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Open to all ages, but must be 21 to purchase alcohol. There will be a $5 cover charge at the door.

Seven Springs Winery
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with dinner at Seven Springs Winery. For $49 per person you will receive a 10 oz. grilled KC strip and lobster tail, Caesar salad, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes and turtle cheesecake. Dinner will be served from 5:30-8 p.m. with music by Randy at the Lake from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

St. James Winery
St. James Winery will host their progressive Valentine’s dinner on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Stone Hill Winery
Enjoy special Valentine menu items for lunch and dinner at Stone Hill Winery’s Vintage Restaurant. Take a sneak peek at their specials here.

Viandel Vineyard
Pop in Friday, February 14th for dinner, drinks and dessert. Viandel Vineyard will offer a special "Dinner for Two" menu at $50 per couple. Dinner will be served from 5-7 p.m.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 417-934-0195, emailing viandelvineyard@gmail.com or messaging them on Facebook.

West Winery
Come in the weekend before Valentine’s Day to get a head start on your shopping! West Winery will partner with The Candy Factory to provide three delectable chocolates that perfectly pair with their wines. Enjoy complimentary samples and find the perfect gift for your Galentine, Valentine or you!

Wild Sun Winery
Don’t miss Wild Sun Winery’s annual Valentine's Winemaker Dinner on February 15, held in their barrel room. For this enchanting evening, a guest chef teams up with Wild Sun Winery’s winemaker to create an incredible five-course meal perfectly paired with wine from 6:30-10 p.m.

*This list is not all inclusive. Responses were gathered from wineries via survey.

There was a twinkle in Jim Held’s eyes, a light that often accompanied a tale as he reminisced on the past. Jim had a hearty laugh and many stories to share, from his early days as a pig farmer to the vital role that he and his wife Betty had in the revitalization of the Missouri wine industry. The former owner of Stone Hill Winery passed away on November 8, 2019. While his light may have dimmed, Jim’s presence can still be felt at the winery and in the beloved vineyard surrounding his home. From this vineyard comes a project and wine that was near to Jim’s heart. Here’s the story behind his award-winning Cross J Norton as told by his son, Jon Held, the current owner of Stone Hill Winery.

“About 23 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The doctors told him he had two years to live. Being a person who never gives up, he didn’t believe them and sought out alternative medicinal cures along with the traditional medical treatment protocol.”

Jim turned to his faith for strength. 

“Because of his faith “awakening” he decided to name the vineyard surrounding his and mom’s home the Cross J Vineyard,” continued Jon. “The cross being for Christ and the J for himself, Jim. If you look closely at the label, the J is behind the cross to signify his following Christ. With his faith, my dad managed to live 23 years with the cancer the doctor said would kill him in two years. He also managed to fend off leukemia for several years during that time.”

A week after his death, Jim’s Cross J Norton won a double gold at the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, one of the many medals bestowed on his wine over the years. It was a wonderful tribute to a man who had spent his life devoted to not only his winery but the continued success of the Missouri wine industry. 

*photos courtesy of Stone Hill Winery

January is Norton month in Missouri and what better way to celebrate the Show-Me State grape than by adding it to a delicious beef recipe?

Time: 22 minutes total   |    Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 lb sirloin beef tips- chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1/2 onion - diced
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup Missouri Norton
1/2 cup beef broth

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add beef tips and brown on all sides. Stir often, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from pan and keep warm.

Add one tablespoon of butter to pan over medium heat and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the brown sugar, salt and pepper and stir.

Cook 2 minutes and add the red wine and beef broth. Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and reduce by half.

Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the reduced pan sauce and stir over low heat. Add cooked beef tips and stir to coat.

Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta or pasta of choice and enjoy! 

Missouri Wines is proud to be a sponsor of the St. Louis Food and Wine Show, the largest international food and wine show in the Midwest, February 15 and 16 at St. Louis Union Station. From incredible wines and craft beers to culinary delights, this is an experience you won’t soon forget.

While you can purchase tickets on the day of the event, we recommend purchasing them ahead of time via the St. Louis Food and Wine Show’s website. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The 18th annual St. Louis Food and Wine Show benefits the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the most honored live professional theatre company in the region.

Packed with a thriving creative arts scene, famous barbecue, shopping hotspots, die-hard sports and so much more, it’s no surprise that this vibrant community is a favorite destination spot to so many. There are a few essentials everyone should know, whether you’re a first time visitor or a seasoned resident. The basics include jazz, fountains and barbecue - some of KC’s best traditions.

Read more about this exciting city by checking out this helpful trip planner.

Pruning grapevines is an essential step in the winemaking process. Each snip of the shears impacts the upcoming harvest. Trim too much and the grapevine won’t develop enough shoots and foliage to ripen the grapes. Trim too little and the grapevine will be an overgrown tangle of vines that are difficult to manage and may result in a small yield. Watch this video to learn more about the pruning process.

If your New Year’s resolution is to cut calories, you don’t need to ditch the wine!

According to Medical News Today, red wine may boost heart health, protect against certain cancers and prevent some types of vision loss. They also state that red wine can get rid of bacteria on the teeth, therefore preventing dental cavities.

As for the number of calories in wine, they vary. Below are approximate calories for your favorite wines.

White: 120-140

Red: 125-165

Rosé: 103-138

Sparkling: 87-100

Ice Wine: 385

Port: 150-160

Fruit Wine: 150-200

*Calories are based on a 5 oz serving

Calories in wine can be easily calculated by using “alcohol content x ounces x 1.6.” For example, a 5oz glass of wine with 11.4% alcohol content would have 91.2 calories. That’s less than a donut!

If your resolution is to become more familiar with Missouri wine (and we hope it is) here are some ideas to get you started!

Sign up to become an MVP: Make an easy resolution to visit Missouri wineries and earn rewards. Visit missouriwinemvp.com to sign up today!

Explore the Missouri wine trails: There are eleven different wine trails in Missouri wine country. Enjoy genuine hospitality at each winery on the trails. Plan ahead and spend a day or weekend sipping wine on each of the trails. Check out their websites for upcoming events and theme weekends.

Cook with Missouri wine: Have you ever tried cooking with Missouri wine? From sweet to dry, Missouri wines can enhance the flavor of any dish. Missouri’s fruit wines are incredibly food friendly when it comes to baking sweet treats. If you need some inspiration, click here to view our recipes.

Discover Missouri varietals: Have you tried all of the award-winning varietals? Wine tastings at wineries are a great way to experience the different types of wine Missouri has to offer. You may discover a new favorite wine! Click here to explore Missouri’s most popular varietals.

Take a Missouri winery tour: Discover how wine is made and get an up-close and personal tour of a Missouri winery. Some wineries even offer tours of their wine cellars.

Host your own wine tasting: Do you and your friends have an interest in wine? If so, get the group together and have some fun! A wine tasting is a great way to learn about wine and enjoy it with friends. 

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for the new year. Cheers to tackling those New Year’s resolutions!

During the month of January, discover the red wine that stands out from the rest. Norton is a favorite among those who prefer a dry, red wine. Bold in nature, this Show-Me standout has an award-winning legacy that dates back more than a century ago.

Although the grape varietal was discovered in Virginia, it found a home and notoriety in Missouri. As early as the 1840s, Norton took root in Hermann, and it wasn’t long before Missouri’s signature red wine began garnering worldwide recognition. In 1873, a Norton vintage from a Hermann winery won gold at the World’s Fair in Vienna.

Today, Missouri winemakers carry on the legacy established by German settlers in Hermann. Their award-winning Norton wines are honored at the national and international level. Since 2011, the best Norton in the state has been awarded the C.V. Riley award at the annual Missouri Wine Competition. The award is named in honor of Charles Valentine Riley, the state’s first appointed entomologist who is credited with helping save the French wine industry. Riley discovered that American rootstock were naturally resistant to the Phylloxera, a pest that nearly decimated the vineyards in France.

C.V. Riley winners for best Norton

2011: Stone Hill Winery - 2009 Estate Bottle Norton
2012: Montelle Winery – 2009 Norton
2013: Stone Hill Winery - 2011 Cross J Vineyard Norton
2014: Stone Hill Winery - 2012 Cross J Vineyard Norton
2015: Chandler Hill Vineyards - 2013 Savage Norton
2016: Noboleis Vineyards - 2014 Norton
2017: Stone Hill Winery - 2015 Norton
2018: Augusta Winery - 2016 Norton Estate Bottled
2019: Stone Hill Winery - 2017 Estate Bottled Norton

Norton is a full-bodied dry, red wine with dark fruit and spicy oak flavors, complemented by aromas of dark berries and cherries. The All-American wine pairs excellently with beef, as well as a variety of other foods, including smoked cheeses, salmon and dark chocolate.

Norton is the most popular grape grown in Missouri. Hardy and incredibly disease resistant, the varietal thrives on 300 acres in the state, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the overall total. It was designated Missouri's official state grape in 2003.

During the month of January, discover the bold, red wine that has delighted critics for more than a century. Experience Norton, the Show-Me Standout.