It’s wedding season, and we may be partial, but we love weddings in wine country. Missouri’s wineries and vineyards make spectacular backdrops for the big day. And, Missouri’s wines provide the perfect toast to the new couple before everyone dances the night away. We’ve gathered some quick tips for couples wanting to make the wine shine at their event.

Tips for your sips

Missouri wines make a memorable beverage option for wedding guests. Sipping local also adds to the intimacy, nostalgia and story of each ceremony. Here are some quick tips for picking Missouri wines for your wedding.

• Red, White and Brides – Offer at least one red and one white to your guests. Some guests will prefer one or the other, and sometimes their choices are even driven by the season. For example, guests often prefer to sip chilled white wines on steamy summer nights.
• The Perfect Pair – While the happy couple is undoubtedly the perfect pair, your wine selection should complement your wedding menu. Check out these handy Missouri wine tasting guides for more perfect pairings.
• Sparkle and Shine – A Missouri-made sparkling wine can be a great local touch to the wedding toast.
• Rose´ All Day — Rose´ is a fun way to bring added options to the standard red and white wine choices. Modern rose´ can be dry, sweet or anything in between.
• Just a Taste – Visit Missouri wineries well before your big day to taste various wines. Lean on the expertise of your favorite staff in Missouri tasting rooms to learn more about their offerings and what wines will likely be crowd hits.

Vineyard Venues

Rolling rows of vines, stunning vistas and unique architecture are all trademarks of Missouri wine country. These picturesque scenes provide the perfect backdrop for wedding portraits and unique venues for a memorable celebration. If you’re interested in using a winery or vineyard as your event venue, keep in mind these quick tips.

• Lavish in the Landscape – The unique features of Missouri wine country should be on display in your chosen venue. Take photos in the vineyards, venture into the historic cellars and, of course, highlight wine country charm such as rolling hills and wine barrels in your décor, photos and vision.
• Watch the Weather – Outdoor ceremonies are stunning, but couples should be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in mind for their big day. Visit with venue coordinators regarding plans for rain or shine.
• Colorful Creations – From the vines to the grapes, wineries and vineyards often boast a rich pallet of colors in every season. Take inspiration from your venue’s natural beauty and look for colors that complement the scenery.
• Shoe Selection – If you plan to take portraits in the vineyard, pack the proper shoes to navigate Missouri’s beautiful rolling terrain. You will be glad you did when you see the stunning shots.
• Shop Local – Many Missouri wineries work with local farms, chefs, vendors and artisans. Ask your venue staff for vendor recommendations to complete your Show Me State statement.
• Check Out These Venues – Here is just a taste of vineyard and winery venues that Missouri has to offer. Note, this list is not exhaustive, but is based upon a survey conducted by the Missouri Wines team. Please check with your favorite local wineries to see what venue options they may offer. 
• Bear Creek Wine Company
• Belvoir Winery
• Chandler Hill Vineyards
• Chaumette Vineyards & Winery
• Christine’s Vineyard
• Crown Valley Winery
• Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyards
• Hemman Winery
• Hermannhof Winery
• La Bella Vineyards & Winery
• LaChance Vineyards
• Les Bourgeois Vineyards at The Blufftop at Rocheport
• McKelvey Vineyards
• Meramec Vineyards Winery
• Mount Pleasant Estates
• Noboleis Vineyards
• Sand Creek Vineyard
• Seven Springs Winery
• Stone Hill Winery  
• Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery
• Timber Ridge Winery
• Twin Oaks Vineyards   
• Van Till Family Farm Winery
• Viandel Vineyard
• Villa Antonio Winery
• Weingarten Vineyard
• Wild Sun Winery

Missouri Wines wishes you great memories in wine country, especially with weddings and celebrations. Share yours with us on social media by tagging @missouriwine and #missouriwine.

If you are looking for a way to make a Missouri Catawba even better, we have the recipe for you. This cocktail has a beautiful blend of flavors and color that is perfectly suited for a summertime sipper.

Total time: 5 minutes

Serves 1 (multiply recipe in shaker for desired number of servings)

Ingredients

• ¾ oz vodka
• ½ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 1 fresh blackberry
• 2 basil leaves
• 2 oz Catawba wine
• Garnish – basil leaves and blackberries (optional)
• Ice

Steps

1.Combine vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup into pitcher or shaker.

2.Add blackberry and muddle with muddler or spoon.

3.Add basil leaves and ice. Stir or shake until well-chilled.

4.Add Catawba and stir or shake. Strain over fresh ice in serving glass.

5.Garnish with basil leaves and blackberries as desired.

Give this simple 5-step cocktail recipe a try and let us know what you think on social media @missouriwine or #MissouriWine.

Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, Missouri is celebrating its 175^th anniversary this year. Known as the oldest winery in the state, Stone Hill Winery paved the way for Missouri wines by exhibiting the quality of native and hybrid grape wines to an international audience. In 1873, the winery received the top honor at Vienna’s World Fair with their wine being named the Best Red of All Nations. Much other award and acclaim has been attributed to their wines during this time. Not only were they the second largest winery nationwide, but also elevated Missouri to the second largest wine producing state pre-prohibition.

The Great Wine Blight threatened European wines, creating huge losses of their grape crop for decades in the late 1800s. Stone Hill Winery generously shared vines to aid in combatting the phylloxera louse to create solutions preserving a number of European grape species.

Prohibition was detrimental to Missouri’s wine industry, eliminating all wineries from production in the early 1900s. Stone Hill Winery’s famed cellars were put to good use during this lull of time. White cap mushrooms were grown for the next several decades until Jim and Betty Held purchased the winery in 1965. The Held family helped reinvigorate the Missouri wine and grape industry and still operate the winery today. They mirror pre-prohibition acclaim as they are recognized for their large number of national and international awards.

The “Demisemiseptcentennial” celebration will be held June 11 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the winery. This Jubilee Celebration features many free activities including:

• Live music from “The Loehnig German Band” & “Silver Creek Bluegrass Band”
• Q & A session with Stone Hill Winery team featuring Jim and Nathan Held
• BBQ, sparkling wine, wine slushies and cake
• Commemorative ceremonies
• Release of a limited-edition Cream Sherry (aged 21 years in the barrel)
• Wine barrel making demonstrations by the Independent Stave Company
• Never-before-seen historical winery artifacts in the museum room
• Cellar and production facility tours

Congratulations to Stone Hill Winery on celebrating this milestone. All are encouraged to attend the free event! Tag us on social media with #missouriwine and @missouriwine

This varietal takes versatility to the next level. Vidal can be used to make delicious dry to off-dry wines, while also delivering specialty offerings like ice wines and sparkling wines. Learn more about what makes this varietal unique and expand your knowledge of the Vidal we know and love.

Jean Louis Vidal created this varietal in the 1930s by crossing a vitis vinifera known as Ungi Blanc with Rayon d’Or. It was originally bred to meet demand for Cognac in colder regions of France but ended up being better suited for ice wines instead, due to the combined sweetness and high acidity. During the 1940s, Vidal Blanc became very popular in Canada due to its hardy nature and its popularity eventually spread across the United States and parts of Sweden.

Vidal Blanc excels in the continental climate found in these regions. This hybrid’s cold-hardiness and resistance to noble rot ensures its success on the vine. It is a mid-ripening grape that can accumulate both smaller sugar levels or larger sugar levels depending how long it is left on the vine. It can be harvested at normal times, allowing vintners to create drier varieties of wine. Its complex, hybrid nature allows it to last longer on the vine until the berries have frozen. This temperature change allows the grapes to harness its sugars, setting up winemakers to produce excellent ice wines. The must is then pressed from the grapes, creating a more concentrated juice featured in these delectable dessert wines.

When harvested at normal times, Vidal continues to produce a flavorful wine, no matter dry or sweet. These bold fruity flavors carry hints of tropical fruit while providing a lasting bright and clean finish. Vidal is commonly produced in Missouri as a dry or off-dry wine, as well as sparkling. Sparkling wines made from Vidal Blanc also showcase the same bright and fruity palate while also being sensory, enhanced through bubbly flavors.

When it comes to pairing, Vidal’s flexibility mirrors its winemaking. Flavors are heightened by pairing Vidal with seafood, such as salmon, shrimp, ceviche and crab. It pairs easily with chicken, white cheeses, and grilled vegetables. Textures found in buttery or creamy pasta dishes are a favorite to complement Vidal’s bright and crisp flavors. Fruits such as melon and citrus are a superb combination with Vidal Blanc.

Explore all the types of Vidal showcased in wines across the state. With 5.9% of acreage attributed to this varietal, there are plenty of wines to explore. Tag us when you try new types of Vidal at Missouri wineries with #missouriwine and @missouriwine on social media.