Welcome to Spring! After this winter, spring feels even sweeter. Welcome Spring with us and sip on Chardonel.

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel) is a hybrid grape made from Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay. Chardonel is a late ripening white wine grape that produces a high-quality and full-bodied wine. It is distinguished by its superior wine quality combined with high productivity. The grape’s cold hardiness is superior to its acclaimed parent, Chardonnay, which you may have heard of. This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. The Chardonel grape was developed in 1953, and the varietal was released in 1990. 

7.2% of the grapes grown in Missouri are Chardonel. This varietal produces wines with delightful flavors of pear, apple, and apricot, often enriched with an oaky undertone when aged in barrels. Chardonel is known for its full-bodied, rich, and complex profiles, and also offers a crisp finish. 

Serve Chardonel chilled at an ideal temperature of 44-55°F to fully appreciate. It pairs beautifully with creamy white cheeses, grilled chicken and fish, mushrooms, almonds, pasta in cream sauce, and desserts like vanilla cake, banana bread, and apple dishes. 

Try using Chardonel while cooking with these recipes:

Chardonel Wine Cocktail Recipe

Cheesy Chardonel Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe

Butterscotch Blondies with Chardonel

Chardonel Fondue (lactose-free version)

One-Skillet Smothered Pork Chops

Lemon Butter Seafood Pasta

Moscow Mule with Wine

Stargazer Cocktail

Chardonel Cheese Sauce with Pretzel Bites

Share your favorite Missouri Chardonel with us using #mowine

Looking for an easy way to make use of the corks you have saved? Look no further than this DIY Cork Wall Hanging. Easy and cute!

Supplies:

• Canvas
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Pencil
• Yardstick or Ruler
• Corks

Instructions:

1. Lay your canvas flat and mark with a pencil evenly placed lines for where the corks will go.
2. After your marks are made, hot glue your corks to the canvas.
3. Hang on the wall and enjoy!

Share your cork crafts with us using #mowine!

Happy Cocktail Day! Celebrate the right way, with 4 different and delicious Missouri Wine-tails!

Cordial Spritz

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3 oz Missouri Sparkling

    •    1 oz berry cordial

    •    2 oz seltzer water

    •    Fresh raspberries

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Fill glass with ice.

    2.    Add berry cordial and sparkling wine.

    3.    Top with seltzer water.

    4.    Gently stir to combine.

    5.    Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Strawberry Basil Spritzer

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3–4 fresh strawberries, sliced

    •    2–3 fresh basil leaves

    •    3 oz Traminette

    •    2 oz club soda

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add strawberries and basil to a glass.

    2.    Lightly muddle to release juices and aroma.

    3.    Fill the glass with ice.

    4.    Pour in white wine and top with club soda.

    5.    Stir gently and garnish with a basil leaf or strawberry slice.

Spring Sangria

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    4 oz Vignoles

    •    1 oz berry-infused vodka

    •    ½ oz fresh lemon juice

    •    3–4 sliced strawberries

    •    Splash of seltzer water

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add strawberries large glass.

    2.    Fill the glass with ice.

    3.    Pour in white wine, berry vodka, and lemon juice.

    4.    Stir well to combine.

    5.    Top with a splash of seltzer water.

Cucumber Herb Spritzer

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3 cucumber slices

    •    1 mint sprig

    •    1 basil leaf

    •    3 oz Seyval Blanc

    •    2 oz seltzer water

    •    Lime wedge

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add cucumber, mint, and basil to a wine glass.

    2.    Lightly muddle to release flavor.

    3.    Fill with ice.

    4.    Add white wine and top with seltzer water.

    5.    Squeeze in a lime wedge and stir gently.

Share your wine-tails with us using #mowine!

Spring in Missouri Wine Country is a vibrant awakening! As vineyards start to bloom, wineries open their doors for a new season of celebrations. Get ready for a calendar full of events, each offering a unique taste of Missouri’s wines and stunning views.

7C’s Winery – Walnut Grove

• April 19: Go Fly A Kite Day 
• May 10: Mother’s Day 

Adam Puchta Winery – Hermann 

• March 28-29: Wurstfest
• April 3: Spring Wine Pairing Dinner 
• April 4: Spring Wine Pairing Dinner
• April 11: Farmers’ Table Wine Trail 
• May 2-3: Wine - “Tails” & Tapas Wine Trail 

Arcadian Moon – Higginsville 

• April 18: Kite Festival 2026 

Balducci Vineyards – Augusta 

• March 28: Easter Egg Hunt
• April 10: Pasta Friday 
• May 8: Pasta Friday 

Cedar Lake Cellars – Wright City 

• March 27: Wine-O Bingo 
• April 5: Easter Brunch 
• April 24: Wine-O Bingo
• May 2: Derby Day 

Charleville Vineyard Winery & Craft Brewery – Ste. Genevieve

• March 28: Stepping into Spring Dinner 
• April 5: Easter Brunch 
• May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch

Defiance Ridge Vineyards – Defiance 

• March 27: Movie Trivia Night
• April 4: Music Trivia Night 
• April 5: Easter Brunch
• April 8: Farmhouse Dinner
• April 10: The Lord of the Rings Trivia Night 

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard – Potosi 

• March 29: Spring Market Day
• April 4: Poker Run for Shenanigan Sisters
• May 2: Shaw Nature Spring Wildflower Market

Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery – Excelsior Springs 

• March 26: Golden Hour Cellar Session 

Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery – Platte City 

• March 27: Game Night
• March 28: Easter Kegg Hunt 
• April 4: Easter Kegg Hunt
• April 24: Game Night 
• May 1: Trivia Night 
• May 15: Music Bingo 
• May 22: Game Night 

Les Bourgeois Vineyards – Rocheport 

• March 28: Annual Winemaker’s Ball 
• April 5: Easter Brunch 

McKelvey Vineyards – Leslie 

• April 5: Easter Brunch 
• May 15: Line Dancing 

Montelle Winery – Augusta 

• May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch 

Musket Cellars & Vineyard – Pleasant Hill 

• April 12: Sip & Sparkle Wine Charm Class
• April 19: Spring Doorhanger Class

Noboleis Vineyards – Augusta 

• May 2: Wine with Friends – Farm to Table 

Prairie Barn Winery – St.James

• March 28: Sip & Paint 
• April 17: Spring Tasting Event 2026 
• April 18: Route 66 Wine Dinner 
• May 2: Sip n Savor 

Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery

• March 7-December: Live Music on Weekends
• March 14: 3rd Anniversary

Stone Hill Winery – Hermann 

• March 28-29: Wurstfest 
• April 11: Norton Dinner & 10-Year Vertical Tasting
• April 24: Sunsets at Stone Hill Winery
• April 25: Vine & Platter Festival 

TerraVox Vineyards – Kansas City 

• April 11: Christopher Elbow Port & Chocolate Pairing 
• April 11: Barrel Tasting with Winemaker Jean-Louis
• April 18: Five Course Wine Dinner & Pairing 

The Peculiar Winery – Peculiar 

• April 18: 2026 Annual Crawfish & Shrimp Boil

Tripe 3 Vineyard – Washington 

• March 28: Wine Dinner

Villa Antonio Winery – Hillsboro 

• April 4: Easter Brunch 
• April 26: Spring Artisan Fair 

 Celebrate the season in Missouri Wine Country! Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or new to the scene, spring events offer something for everyone. Go, raise a glass to the season and experience the best of Missouri’s premier wine destinations!