Harvest, festivals and special events… it must be Missouri Wine Month!

September is a very special month in Missouri. The weather is great and there is so much to do to celebrate Missouri Wine Month. We also enjoy using this time to showcase the amazing impact Missouri wines have on the economy.

According to our 2017 study, the local wine industry is consistently on the rise in so many ways. The annual economic impact of wine and grapes on the state is $3.2 billion (that’s a $1.4 billion dollar increase from 2015). The industry supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs and sells 1.16 million gallons of wine every year. With 1,700 acres of grapes and 425 growers, harvest is a very exciting time in the vineyards of Missouri. Winemakers and vineyard managers work tirelessly to produce an amazing product for their consumers, and they will all tell you that it’s, without a doubt, worth the work.

The 2019 Missouri Wine Competition winners were announced recently. You’ll definitely want to try these truly spectacular wines before they’re gone!

We invite you to celebrate Missouri Wine Month by attending fabulous events offered by our wonderful wineries and wine trails.

Get your ticket to fabulous Missouri wine adventures this fall with the “MO Wines and MO Winners” Scratchers tickets. Purchase your Missouri wine-themed Scratchers tickets for the chance to win cash prizes starting Monday, August 26 at retail locations throughout the state. 

Use the My Lottery Players Club App to scan the barcode on any winning or non-winning Missouri Lottery Scratchers ticket. Each scan will add points to your account. Redeem these points for the chance to win an “Escape to Missouri Wine Country” grand prize which includes wonderful experiences in one of three beautiful destinations – Augusta, Excelsior Springs or Hermann.

Keep an eye on the Missouri Lottery Facebook page for an opportunity to win one-of-a-kind regional gift baskets featuring select items from Missouri wineries and their surrounding communities.

Each year, the Missouri Lottery provides millions of dollars to support the public education system. In 2018, the Missouri Lottery contributed more than $306 million to schools. Visit the Missouri Lottery’s website to learn more about the “MO Wines and MO Winners” Scratchers ticket promotion.

When the lights go out at Defiance Ridge Vineyards, there’s an old soul that likes to stick around and keep an eye on things. Rain or shine, Heath has been tending to the 42-acre property for the past 17 years. You won’t see him behind the tasting bar or caring for vines in the vineyard. You’re more likely to find this regular fixture in his natural environment – the winery’s lake. Heath is a swan. The beautiful bird has endeared himself to many over the years, so when it came time to select a name for the winery’s Vignoles, the decision was easy.

The wine label for Heath's Off Dry Vignoles features the creative talent of two artists. The Vignoles grapevine predominantly displayed on the front is by plein air artist Allison Laupp. The lower-left design, the winery’s secondary logo, is by Justin Gillentine. The letters "D," "R" and "V" represent the name of the winery, while the “X” symbolizes the Katy Trail railroad tracks. The arrowhead above the letter "D" stands for the Femme Osage Indian area where the winery is located. A grape cluster completes the label’s front design, while a photo of Heath, the winery’s mascot, is featured on the back.

Defiance Ridge Vineyards is easily accessible off Highway 94. The winery is located in a historic farmhouse and features a beautiful view of the Missouri River Valley. Step inside the tasting room and experience delicious wines including Heath’s Off Dry Vignoles, a gold medal winner at the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition. Whether you’re inside or outside on the winery’s terrace or veranda, save room for the winery’s mouth-watering vineyard to table cuisine. And, if you get the chance, take a stroll by the lake and meet the infamous bird that inspired the name of an award-winning wine.

In celebration of Vignoles month, we invite you to cut the heat with these white wine recipes.

Vignoles and Brie Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 4 tsp butter
• 1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 1 diced onion
• 4 tsp flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup Missouri Vignoles wine
• 8 oz Brie cheese, rind removed
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt
• pepper

Directions

Sauté mushrooms, onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add flour and cook one minute, stirring constantly. Add broth and wine then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Add cream and Brie. Simmer until cheese melts. Season to taste.


Delicious and Easy Peachy Vignoles Trifle

Vignoles is a popular white wine in Missouri. It’s super fruity and refreshing and pairs well with a long list of foods. Fresh fruit is a particularly good match for Vignoles. Fresh peaches are featured in this recipe for Peachy Vignoles Trifle, and it’s sure to be a huge hit at your next gathering. Vignoles wines are made in a wide range of sweetness levels but the most common is semi-sweet, which is what we used in this simple and quick treat.

Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 12-16 people

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Missouri Vignoles
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large peaches (optional: 1 extra for garnish)
• 1 package instant French vanilla pudding
• 2 cups milk (amount may vary slightly depending on the pudding brand)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 tbsp powdered/confectioner sugar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pound cake (Frozen is fine, but thaw it before preparing the trifle.)

Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring wine and sugar to a low boil and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool when finished. While the wine is simmering, prepare your other layer components. If you prefer your peaches skinless, wash them and cut a shallow X in the bottom. Submerge them in boiling water for one minute. Carefully remove them from the boiling water and put them directly into a bowl of ice water. Once they’ve cooled, the skins will slide right off. If you don’t mind the skin on your peaches, skip this step and go right to removing the pit and chopping the fruit into bite size pieces.

In a large bowl, prepare the French vanilla pudding according to package instructions. Cut pound cake into one-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, beat cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. (Not sure what constitutes a stiff peak, check out this guide.) Fold half of the whip cream into the pudding just until mixed. When the Vignoles syrup is cool, stir it into the peaches. Begin layering your trifle! Make a nice full layer of pound cake, top with peaches and half the juice/wine/syrup liquid. (This yumminess will soak into the pound cake and be amazing.) Add a layer of creamy pudding, then repeat: cake, fruit/juice, pudding. (Optional: At this point in the process, you can add thin slices of peach around the top of the dish for a lovely garnish.) Spoon or pipe the remaining whip cream on top to finish it off.

This dessert is delicious immediately or it can be made up to a day ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator. Enjoy a heaping scoop with a glass of Missouri Vignoles.

Vignoles Marinated Grilled Fruit Skewers

Looking for a delicious treat this grilling season? Look no further. Fruit marinated in Missouri Vignoles white wine, grilled and topped with a mascarpone sauce is a delicious dish perfect as a dessert or side dish.

Time: 20 minutes active, 2 hours inactive | Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 4 peaches
• 4 pears
• 2 cups Missouri Vignoles (semi-sweet white wine)
• ½ cup mascarpone
• 2 oz orange juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• Fresh mint (optional garnish)

Directions

Soak 12-15 skewers in warm water for 10-30 minutes. Wash and cut the peaches and pears into large slices. (Tip: Ripe but still slightly firm fruit is best for this recipe as it will soften some when marinated and cooked.) Assemble the skewers, alternating between the peach and pear slices. Marinate the fruit in Missouri Vignoles for 1-2 hours.

While the fruit marinates, make the sauce by whisking together the marscarpone, orange juice and honey, adding additional orange juice until it reaches the desired consistency.

Grill the fruit skewers for 1-2 minutes on each side. Leave them on the grill just long enough to sear both sides; you don’t want to overcook the fruit. Remove the skewers from the grill, allow to cool slightly, drizzle with the sauce, garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!

Vignoles Wine Slushy

Your new favorite summer sipper is here! Beat the heat of August with a Missouri wine slushy. Wine slushies can be made two ways. You can combine cold wine with frozen fruit in a blender, or you can freeze wine in ice cube trays and blend it with fresh fruit. Whichever method you choose, you’re in for a delicious, refreshing treat! There are practically endless flavor combinations, but because August is Vignoles Month, this recipe uses Missouri’s favorite white wine.

Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 10 oz frozen peaches 
• 10 oz frozen strawberries 
• 1 bottle semi-sweet Vignoles wine, chilled

Directions
Put frozen peaches in blender. Add half the bottle of Missouri Vignoles. Blend fruit and wine until smooth and slushy. Pour into a bowl or pitcher and set aside. Place frozen strawberries in blender. Add the remaining Missouri wine. Blend until smooth and slushy. Pour slushies into glasses 2-3 ounces at a time, alternating between the flavors. Enjoy! 

We hope you try one of these delicious recipes featuring one of Missouri’s favorite white wines - Vignoles.

With its beautiful rolling hills and quaint shop-lined streets, Hermann has become the ideal destination for those who appreciate fine wine and wish to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Often referred to as the Missouri Rhineland because of its resemblance to Germany’s Rhine River Valley, Hermann has been called the best small city destination and most beautiful town in Missouri by readers from AAA magazine and Rural Missouri magazine, respectfully. This beloved town offers spectacular views, award-winning wines, delicious food and warm hospitality. 

Hermann and the surrounding community are home to several wineries including Adam Puchta Winery, Bias Winery and Gruhlke’s Microbrewery, Endless Summer Winery, Hermannhof Winery, Kuenzel Valley Winery, Martin Brothers Winery, McKelvey Vineyards, OakGlenn Winery, Röbller Vineyard and Winery and Stone Hill Winery. 

If you enjoy great-tasting wines paired perfectly with delicious foods, schedule your visit to coincide with one of the Hermann Wine Trail events occurring on six weekends throughout the year. These signature events feature chocolate, cheese, bacon and other mouth-watering selections. 

Hermann is definitely worth the drive, but why not leave your vehicle at home and opt for convenience when you travel? Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner travels twice daily between St. Louis and Kansas City, stopping at Hermann along the way. Step off the train and catch a ride to several of the area’s wineries on the Hermann Trolley. 

Delve into the town’s past by exploring several museums including the Deutschheim State Historic Site.  Deutschheim features four-square demonstration gardens and two historic homes that capture the culture and heritage of the Germans who migrated to the area. Next door, see one of the few remaining carved wine casks in the Midwest. A remarkable collection of treasures from Hermann's past are on display in the Historic Hermann Museum. Hermann Farm is an open-air museum dedicated to preserving the agricultural, social and economic history of the Germans who settled in the area in the mid-1800s. The property was once home to George Husmann, a world-renowned pioneer in the American wine industry.

There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Hermann, including the nearby Katy Trail State Park, the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project. Lace your sneakers and learn more about the community’s history during one of several walking tours.  If you’re a golfer, bring your clubs to the Loutre Shore Country Club, a semi-private 9-hole course. Or choose to explore nature from 250 feet up in the air as you zipline on one of Missouri’s longest, highest and fastest courses.  

Stroll through downtown Hermann and you’ll discover 19th century store fronts that hug the sidewalks as they do in Germany. Many of these brick buildings are listed with the National Register of Historic Places. Shop for one-of-a-kind treasures in the cute boutiques and satisfy your food cravings at a number of casual to fine dining restaurants. You’ll find a variety of dining options ranging from sandwiches and pizza to authentic German fare. And if a traditional bratwurst or summer sausage at the so-called “Sausage Capital of the World” is on your list of items to experience, you’ll find hundreds of flavors at the Hermann Wurst Haus. Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted to discover fresh baked pastries and homemade chocolates, candies and pies within walking distance of downtown.     

Hermann hosts several festivals throughout the year, including Oktoberfest where the town celebrates its German heritage with traditional music, dancing and food. The town’s Wurstfest, Maifest and Wine and Jazz Festival are also popular events. If you’re looking for a magical place to celebrate the holidays in November and December, you won’t want to miss this special time in Hermann. 

With so much to see and do, it may be difficult to see everything that this great town has to offer in one day. Consider extending your getaway and staying at one of the accommodations in town. Hermann is home to a number of charming bed-and-breakfasts. Or you can relax after a day of winetasting without leaving the winery. A couple of the wineries have onsite lodging ranging from rustic cabins to luxurious villas.  

The next time you are looking for a getaway in Missouri wine country, head to the picturesque village of Hermann, a charming river town that has it all – breathtaking views, delicious food and award-winning wines. 

For your convience, download this trip itinerary.

Adventure awaits at the 2019 Missouri State Fair, August 8 - 18, in Sedalia, Missouri. This fair highlights the best of the best in the state including Missouri wines. Before you head to the fair, put the following must-see, must-do items on your bucket list.

1. Missouri Food and Wine Pairing Classes - Sample delicious Missouri wines during our wine classes at the Missouri Wine tent located across from the Grand Stand. You’ll learn about the Missouri wine industry while experiencing Missouri wines and the local cheeses and meat that pair perfectly with them. We offer 10 classes during the state fair – a noon and 2 pm class on Thursdays and Fridays and a noon class offered on Saturdays at the fair. The cost for the classes are $5 per person. This year, our classes will feature a giveaway from the Missouri Lottery.

2. Missouri Wines Cooking Contests - One of Julia Child’s most memorable sayings was “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” On Thursday, August 8, the Missouri Wine and Grape Board will sponsor two different cooking contests: Cooking with Missouri Wine and Cooking with Missouri Wine – Just Desserts. During the contest, entries are tasted and judged by food industry experts. The top three entries receive cash prizes and have their recipes featured on Missouriwine.org. Stop by the Home Ec building and see how the contestants have incorporated wine into their entrée or dessert.

3. Discover a Variety of Missouri Wines - It’s impossible to cover all of the amazing wines you’ll find in Missouri wine country in just one wine and food pairing class. We invite you to experience a variety of wines under the Missouri Wine tent. This is a unique opportunity to taste wines from across the state side-by-side. While you’re there, check out our display featuring the Best of Class wines from the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition.

4. Happy Hour(s) at the State Fair - Enjoy delicious wines from the oldest continuously owned family winery in the country. Wine and wine slushies from Adam Puchta Winery will be available for purchase at the Bistro located in the Taylor Woods Youth building from 10:30 am to 4 pm.

5. Missouri Lottery - We are excited to announce a unique partnership between Missouri Wines and the Missouri Lottery. During the Missouri State Fair, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase “MO Wines and MO Winners” Scratchers tickets before they are made available to the general public. You can purchase your $5 ticket at the Missouri Lottery booth in the MO-Ag Theatre or from the vending machine located inside the Agriculture building. Stop by the Missouri Wine tent and register for the chance to win a bundle of Missouri Lottery tickets! (The public will be able to purchase MO Wines and MO Winners Scratchers tickets at retail locations starting August 26.)

6. Missouri Travel Alliance’s Tourism Trade Show - See the best of the best from communities across the state on Thursday, August 15 from 10 am to 5 pm at Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall. Stop by our table for information about the local wine industry as well as fun giveaways. Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in a complimentary wine tasting that afternoon. Get your wristband for the wine tasting while they last!

7. Find the Missouri Wine Giveaway - New this year! Find the Missouri Wines logo on the fairgrounds and you’ll have the opportunity to win free Pepsi Grandstand and State Fair Arena tickets. Keep an eye on the Missouri State Fair’s Facebook page for announcements posted multiple times throughout the day. If you’re the first person to find our logo, you’ll win the tickets.

8. Unique Photo Op - Look for our inflatable wine bottle right outside the Missouri Wine tent for a one-of-a-kind photo at the state fair.

9. Can’t resist a corn dog or funnel cake? - Enjoy your favorite fair foods with the Missouri wines that pair perfectly with them. (See numbers 3 and 4 on how to find your #1 wines at the fair.) 

It’s hot outside! Grab a glass of Vignoles and cut the heat with this fruity white wine.

August is Vignoles month in Missouri. As one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes, this French-American hybrid produces wines ranging from dry to sweet, late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles’ luscious floral aroma and fruity flavors of pineapple and apricot make it a favorite.

Vignoles is one of the most food-friendly varietals. It pairs well with spicy pork, chicken and cheeses, peppers, Mexican, buffalo style hot sauces, strawberries, apricots and cheesecake.

Vignoles accounts for 15.4% of all grapes grown in Missouri with a whopping 262.2 grape bearing acres. The vines tolerate the state’s cold temperatures and have a later bud opening period than most, making the varietal less susceptible to late frost damage.

Missouri Wines invites you to discover the versatility of Vignoles!

Wondering what to do with all those wine bottle corks you have laying around? Put them to good use by making a super slim and convenient cork board.

What you will need:

Yard stick
Hot glue gun
18-20 bottle corks
Knife or box cutter

The greatest part about using a yard stick is that it takes up very little room. Use it to pin up reminders, recipe cards and more!

Step 1.
Cut each bottle cork in half lengthwise.

Step 2.
Put a couple drops of hot glue on the back of your cork.

Step 3.
Glue cork to the yard stick.

Step 4.
Repeat until yard stick is covered.

Step 5.
Hang up on wall or set on counter and enjoy your new cork board!

Keeping a tidy vineyard is an ongoing challenge during the growing season which is why some vineyard managers have enlisted the help of sheep. These natural weed eaters are superb at trimming below trellises and they aren’t picky eaters so they won’t complain about what’s on the menu.

Utilizing sheep in the vineyard is a practice that is common in the states and overseas. Jowler Creek Vineyard and Lambs and Vines Winery are just two of the wineries in the Show-Me State that keep sheep on staff. The animals are green alternatives to gas-powered lawnmowers and herbicides.

Watch this video to see how a herd of Katahdin sheep are earning their keep at the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin.