July is Concord month and it is The Juice of July! It’s a key season for the vineyards as grapes ripen under the summer sun, promising a great harvest. This month let’s celebrate with refreshing sips of Concord in the summer heat! 

While this grape produces a light and refreshing wine, it is also used to make grape jelly and juice. This Missouri staple is versatile in so many ways and deserves to be celebrated all month long. 

During Prohibition some Missouri vineyards survived by growing grapes that could be sold for juice or jelly instead of wine. 

The Concord grape, an American varietal, produces a robust, medium-bodied wine. Found in the wild during the mid 1800s, it was named after its area of origin, Concord, Massachusetts. 

This prolific vine yields medium-sized clusters of large berries. It’s known as a slip-skin grape because its skin easily separates from the pulp during winemaking. 

This wine pairs well with cheddar, aged cheeses, orange chicken, pork chop, spicy seafood, candied nuts, grape pie or peanut butter. 

Recipe Ideas: 

• Sweet & Sour Chicken
• Concord Lemonade
• Peanut Butter & Concord Cheesecake
• Barbecue Sauce

Have you ever wondered how those tiny grape flowers transform into the juicy clusters we love? It’s all thanks to a crucial stage called “fruit set” and it’s a big deal here in Missouri Wine Country! 

Think of fruit set as the moment a grape flower successfully becomes a berry. Before this, the vines are buzzing with delicate blossoms, each hoping to be pollinated. In Missouri, our unique climate and soil contribute to the character of the grapes, and a successful fruit set is the first step towards a fantastic harvest. 

During fruit set, a few key things happen. The tiny ovary at the base of the flower starts to swell, and if pollination was successful, a seed will begin to form inside. This is when we start to see the first hint of those green berries that will eventually ripen into those delicious juicy grapes. Factors like temperature, rainfall, and even the type of grape can influence how well fruit set goes. A good fruit set means more grapes on the vine, which is exciting for winemakers and wine lovers alike! 

The U.S.A. is 250! Time to celebrate and Missouri Wineries are here to help. Check out this list of events celebrating America’s milestone birthday in Wine Country!

Canterbury Hill Winery and Restaurant – Holts Summit

• July 4: 4^th of July at Canterbury Hill

Cedar Lake Cellars – Wright City

• July 3-5: Stars & Stripes Weekend

Chandler Hill Vineyards – Defiance

• July 3: Toast to 250 Dinner Celebration
• July 4: 4^th of July Celebration

Dale Hollow Winery – Stover

• July 3: Independence Day Celebration

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard – Potosi

• July 4: Heritage Celebration

Hermannhof Winery – Hermann

• July 4: 4^th July

Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Rocheport

• July 5: 5^th of July Celebration on the Blufftop

Stonehaus Farms Winery – Lees Summit

• July 3: Fire and Wine

Weston Wine Company – Weston

• July 4: Fireworks Watch Party

Celebrate America 250 in Missouri Wine Country!

*Many wineries will also be open and have live music.

Mark your calendars because we are thrilled to announce that the Missouri State Fair Wine Trail and Winery Showcase is back for round 2 this year at the Missouri State Fair! Get ready to explore the incredible sips of Missouri wines and discover your new favorite. 

Missouri State Fair Wine Trail – Friday, August 14 – 11 AM – 6 PM

1. Augusta Winery / Montelle Winery – Cattle Barns
2. Chateau Sainte Genevieve – Mizzou Building 
3. Musket Cellars & Vineyards – Farm Bureau 
4. Noboleis Vineyards – Grandstand 
5. Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery – Pork Place
6. Windy Wine Company – Beef House 
7. Baltimore Bend Vineyards – Mo Wine Tent 
8. Stone Hill Winery – MEC Building 
9. St. James Winery – Agriculture Building 
10. Adam Puchta Winery – MoDOT Gardens 

Missouri State Fair Winery Showcase – August 13 – 23, 2026 – 11 AM – 6 PM

• Windy Wine Company – Thursday, August 13
• TRAIL DAY – Friday, August 14
• Adam Puchta Winery – Saturday, August 15
• Spencer Manor Winery – Sunday, August 16
• Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery – Monday, August 17
• Edg-Clif Vineyard – Tuesday, August 18
• Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Wednesday, August 19
• Defiance Ridge Vineyards – Thursday, August 20
• Chateau Sainte Genevieve – Friday, August 21
• St. James Winery – Saturday, August 22
• Stone Hill Winery – Sunday, August 23

As the last sips are savored and the final bottles are bought, we want to go ahead and tell everyone thank you for supporting Missouri’s wine industry. We hope to see you in Sedalia, Mo during the Missouri State Fair from August 13 – 23, 2026!

It is Vidal Blanc and Dairy Month! Lucky for you, we have the perfect easy and delicious recipe to celebrate both. A smooth and rich cheese spread that goes perfect with almost anything!

Ingredients:

• 1 lbs cheese at room temperature (You can use any cheese you’d like. Left over bits and pieces are perfect!)
• ¼ cup Missouri Vidal Blanc
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley and Basil
• 1 Tbsp Garlic

Directions: 

1. Remove any rinds from the cheeses. Cut the cheese into ¼ - ½ inch cubes. 
2. Place the cheese, wine, herbs, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until smooth, approximately 2 minutes. 
3. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a firmer consistency. 

Fromage Fort al a Missouri Wine can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and is delicious spread on bread, crackers or vegetables!

Happy Dairy and Vidal Blanc Month! 

Happy Father’s Day! We hope you are celebrating today with your father figures but want to recognize ours. Meet the Fathers of Missouri Wine!

Charles Valentine Riley, more commonly known as C.V. Riley, was the very first State Entomologist for Missouri. He quickly became one of the leading entomologists in the U.S. and even served as an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

C.V. Riley was one of the first to discover that American rootstock was resistant to Phylloxera. This pest was working hard to destroy the French wine industry. C.V. Riley helped graft French rootstock to American rootstock, making their grapes resistant to the pest as well. He helped save the French wine industry.

Today we recognize C.V. Riley through our wine competition by presenting the C.V. Riley award for the best Norton.

George Husmann was considered the father of commercial grape growing in Missouri. His first vineyard was planted on his father’s farm in Hermann, Missouri. He became a renowned viticulturist, through his success with Norton. He soon introduced Concord to Missouri. He then built a winery in Hermann and helped found the Missouri Fruit Growers’ Association. He published several works sharing his knowledge and expertise on viticulture in Missouri.

Husmann truly was a pioneer and father of Missouri Wine Country. The industry was advanced by his dedication and knowledge of viticulture in Missouri.

Today we recognize Husmann through our wine competition by presenting the Husmann-Jaeger award for best varietal white wine.

Hermann Jaeger experimented with new grape varieties he created. He ended up creating over 100 new grape varieties over his lifetime. One of his experiments addressed downy mildew, he created a solution which he sprayed on the vines. This treatment was successful and he became known as a pioneer in new varietals and application of crop protection sprays for various crop diseases. He shared his knowledge and work with other grape experts around the world and learned from them as well.

Jaeger also worked to save the French wine industry by sending 17 boxcars of Phylloxera resistant rootstock to France.

 Today we recognize Jaeger through our wine competition by presenting the Husmann-Jaeger award for best varietal white wine.

These pioneers were truly the Fathers of Missouri Wine Country. Our industry would not be what it is without them!

Rosé is that beautiful pink wine that’s perfect for warm weather, and Missouri wineries know how to do it best! Let’s break down what makes a Missouri rosé so special. 

What is a rosé wine? Rosé isn’t a specific type of grape but a style or wine. The wine gets its pink color from a brief period of contact with the red grape skins. The brief contact gives the wines its signature color and lighter flavor. 

Missouri winemakers can use a variety of red grades to make a rosé. Most commonly are Norton, Chambourcin, Concord and Catawba. 

• Norton – is the Missouri state grape. It makes a dry, fruity rosé with a deep color. 
• Chambourcin – is a French-American hybrid grape that produces a rosé with bright acidity and flavors or red berries. 
• Catawba – this grape will create a natural rosé.
• Concord – can offer a sweeter unique flavor profile.

Missouri rosé comes in a range of styles, from dry to sweet.

• Dry Rosé: These rosé are crisp and refreshing, with little to no residual sugar. A dry rosé pairs well with rich creamy dishes. 
• Off-Dry Rosé: These have a touch of sweetness but balancing the acidity. These pair great with spicy dishes.
• Sweet Rosé: These rosé have a noticeable sweetness and are often enjoyed with fruity based dishes!

Missouri rosé wines are a delightful surprise. They offer a unique taste of Missouri. Whether you’re a seasoned wine sipper or just starting out, exploring Missouri rosé wine is a fun and adventurous way to discover Missouri wines. Next time you are at a local winery, grab a bottle and give it a try!

Father’s Day is just about a week away and it’s time to plan a memorable day for the father figures in your life! Here’s a list of events to consider across Missouri Wine Country. 

Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery – Friedheim 

• June 20: Shrimp Boil 2026

Cedar Lake Cellars – Wright City 

• June 21: Father’s Day Brunch

Chandler Hills Vineyards – Defiance 

• June 21: Smokehouse Buffet

Christine’s Vineyard – Webb City

• June 21: Grill & Chill

Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery – Potosi 

• June 21: Wine Club Event with Craft Beers

Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Rocheport 

• June 21: Yacht Rock Edition

McKelvey Vineyards – Leslie 

• June 19: Line Dancing

Triple 3 Vineyard – Washington 

• June 21: Father’s Day Fishing Tournament 

Walnut Creek Winery – Holt 

• June 21: Prime Rib Dinner

White Mule Winery – Owensville 

• June 21: Father’s Day Celebration

*Many wineries have live music also. Be sure to check their pages for more information. These events were compiled by a recent survey that was sent to wineries. 

This Father’s Day is going to be one for the books! Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there.