A whole day dedicated to one of the world’s most beloved fortified wines? Port Wine Day! This gives us a fantastic opportunity to dive into the rich history and even richer flavors of this unique sip. While port wine hails from Portugal, that doesn’t stop us from creating a port style inspired wines here in the Show-Me State. 

The journey starts with carefully selecting Missouri grapes. Once they’re harvested, they go through the same initial steps as any wine, crushing and fermentation. This is where the grape juice begins its transformation into alcohol. But it has one more step! Before all the natural sugars from the grapes are converted into alcohol, a high-proof grape spirit is introduced. The “fortification” is key – it stops the fermentation process early, preserving that wonderful natural sweetness from the grapes and giving the wine a bit more of a kick. 

After that final step, the Missouri Port wine begins its aging process. It often rests in oak barrels, slowly developing deeper colors and more complex flavors, or matures in bottles, allowing its character to evolve over time. The result often comes out to rich, sweet, and a wonderfully warming wine that’s perfect for sipping by a fireplace or pairing with a delicious dessert. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of Missouri winemakers, taking inspiration from the old-world traditions and giving them a Missouri twist!

Navigating the world of Missouri wine can be an adventure, but Missouri Wines is here to make sure it’s as enjoyable and easy as possible! Let the Missouri Wines website be your go-to resource for everything you need to explore and appreciate our state’s fantastic wine industry. We have worked hard to gather a collection of tools to enhance all things Missouri Wine! The list below is just a start, if you see something we should add, let us know. 

Events Calendar: This is your guide to all the happenings in Missouri Wine Country. 

Find a Winery: This tool simply takes the guesswork out of discovering new places. It is as simple as entering in your location and putting your travel radius that you are willing to travel and allowing it to populate all the places near you.

Restaurant/ Retailer Near You: This feature allows you to find restaurants/retailers that serve/sell Missouri Wines close to you. 

Trip Planner: It offers suggestions to help you plan the perfect wine country getaway. 

What’s Your Wine: Still figuring out your favorite wine varietal/ style? Don’t worry we have a short quiz you can take to help you learn what you might like to sip on. 

News Page: This is where we share blogs to keep you entertained with new recipes, Behind the Label stories, what is happening in the vineyard, and where you might be able to find us!

Awards Pages: Visit our awards page on our website to view award winning wines from across all our Missouri wineries.

We are here to help you savor every sip and experience in Missouri Wine Country all across the state! 

September is Missouri Wine Month and this year, we’re raising a glass to tradition.

Missouri wine is more than what’s poured into a glass. From historic vineyards along the Missouri River to family-owned wineries scattered across the state, Missouri’s wine industry is built on traditions that have been passed down.

German immigrants brought their winemaking to Missouri in the 1800s, discovering that the climate and landscape could support thriving vineyards. Hermann and Augusta quickly became centers of Missouri’s early wine industry, and Missouri-grown wine eventually earned national and international recognition.

Missouri’s wine story has never been just about making a good bottle. It has always been about adapting, experimenting, and finding ways to make the land work. And that tradition continues today.

Walk through a Missouri vineyard in September and you’ll see that winemaking is still deeply connected to agriculture. Rows of vines stretch across hillsides. Grapes are harvested by hand and machine. Winemakers taste, test, blend, ferment, and wait. Families work together. Vineyard Managers watch the weather. And every vintage tells a slightly different story. That’s part of what makes Missouri wine special.

Today, Missouri is home to wineries of all sizes, from historic family operations to newer vineyards bringing fresh ideas to the industry.

Some have been making wine for generations. Others are just beginning to write their story. But the common thread is tradition. It’s the tradition of working the land. The tradition of welcoming people around a table. The tradition of sharing a bottle with friends. The tradition of celebrating a successful harvest. And perhaps most importantly, the tradition of doing things with intention.

Missouri Wine Month is the perfect excuse to explore what’s growing in your own backyard.

Visit a local winery. Try a Missouri-grown varietal you’ve never tasted. Take a vineyard tour. Attend a harvest event. Bring a friend. Buy a bottle from a Missouri producer and enjoy it with dinner.

This September, let’s raise a glass to the traditions that got us here—and to the people carrying them forward.

Cheers to Missouri. Cheers to the harvest. And cheers to tradition.

September is an amazing month, full of exciting changes as summer fades into autumn. But for many, the absolute best part of September is celebrating Missouri Wine Month! 

There are so many fantastic events happening during the month, celebrating all the incredible wineries and the delicious wines that Missouri has to offer. It’s the perfect time to slow down, explore new wineries and revisit the old favorites. 

While celebrating, don’t forgot about the Missouri Wine Month challenge that is happening on our loyalty program, Rewards Uncorked! Visit ten wineries and check in during the month of September and you will be able to redeem points for a Missouri Wines Bucket Chiller.

While you are out enjoying all that Missouri Wine County has to offer, make sure to snap some amazing photos for our “Through the Glass” photo contest! We love seeing how everyone captures Missouri Wine Country so differently!