What better way to celebrate National Wine Day than with award-winning Missouri wine? This holiday is one of our favorites in Missouri wine country, as we uncork and toast to delectable wines and the enjoyment they bring.

Want to get out in wine country to commemorate National Wine Day? The Show-Me State is dotted with 126 incredible wineries waiting to welcome you - find a winery near you using our interactive map. Take in the stellar sights and sips that only Missouri wine country can offer.

Prefer to celebrate from home? Check out our guide to an at-home wine night. National Wine Day is also a perfect opportunity to pair award-winning Missouri wine with a variety of foods – check out some of our favorite pairings for cheese, junk food, Imo’s pizza and more! If you’d rather enjoy a home-cooked meal, try using your favorite Missouri wine in a recipe on National Wine Day. From refreshing winetails to enticing entrees or desserts, our blog has ample ideas that will inspire you.

Did you have a chance to tune in to the three-part Feast Virtual Vine series? Participants swirled, sniffed and sipped their way through award-winning Missouri varietals along with expert hosts and Missouri winemakers themselves. In November 2020, wine lovers learned about the versatile Chambourcin varietal. For the second installment of the series, viewers learned about Missouri’s state grape, Norton, during Norton Month in January 2021. The Virtual Vine series wrapped in April 2021 with a focus on Vignoles as a unique varietal with unlimited potential. Want to relive these evenings of education and enjoyment? Follow the links to find recordings for the Virtual Vine installments of Chambourcin, Norton (featuring Stone Hill Winery, Augusta Winery, Les Bourgeois Vineyards and St. James Winery) and Vignoles – they’re a perfect addition to your National Wine Day festivities.

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Wine Day, we hope you include award-winning Missouri wines in your plans. Cheers!

Spanning across 60,000 miles, the manmade Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri welcomes millions of visitors each year. This lake was formed by the construction of the Bagnell Dam in 1931 and offers a variety of water- and land-based activities and attractions for all to enjoy. Discover all that this scenic and exciting area of Missouri wine country has to offer, and learn why you’ll fall in love with the Lake of the Ozarks.

Click here to view and download our interactive trip planner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the last drop of award-winning Missouri wine is gone, give your empty wine bottles new life with this easy DIY. With just a few supplies and a little patience, revamped bottles are the perfect home for easy-to-care-for succulents!

Supplies:

Clean, empty Missouri wine bottle

Masking or freezer tape

Glass cutter (find at your local craft store or hardware supply store)

Container for pouring hot water – ladle, measuring glass, mug, etc.

Pot or sink full of boiling water

Pot or sink full of ice water

Sanding block (optional)

Potting soil

Succulents

 

Directions:

1. Start with a clean, empty wine bottle. To remove wine labels, soak bottle in soapy water for at least 30 minutes and then peel labels off. Pro tip – use a knife or craft razor to help remove stubborn labels.

2. Measure 2-4 inches down from the shoulders of the wine bottle and wrap a piece of tape around the circumference of the wine bottle. Pro tip – your measurement will be based on how deep you want your planter to be.

3. Using the tape as a guide, take the wheel end of the glass cutter and press into the bottle to make a semi-firm line around the circumference of the bottle. This will create a ‘score’ line around the bottle that should be visible when held close to a light source. Pro tip – avoid pressing too firmly into the glass with the cutter wheel, and avoid going over your score line multiple times.

4. Remove tape from wine bottle and set bottle aside. Be sure to remove the cork or cap and set aside (but don’t throw it away).

5. Prepare a large container of boiling water and a large container of ice water, and make sure a measuring glass is in within reach. Pro tip – place these two containers in a large sink or tub where they can be close together, or implement both sides of a double sink.

6. Hold the wine bottle over the container of boiling water at an angle and use a container with a handle (a measuring glass works well, but you can also use a mug or ladle) to pour boiling water over the score line, rotating the bottle so that the entire score line gets covered with boiling water; continue until the bottle is heated thoroughly. Pro tip – don’t let the neck or mouth of the bottle dip into the water, as this will lead to uneven breaks in the glass.

7. Hold the wine bottle over the container of ice water at an angle and use the measuring glass to pour ice water over the score line, rotating the bottle so that the entire score line gets covered with ice water.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the glass breaks; if desired, use a sanding block to smooth any jagged edges. Pro tip – glass is persnickety and won’t always cut perfectly, so be patient and have a few backup bottles just in case!

9. Once both ends of bottle have cooled, replace cork/cap on mouth of bottle and invert so that the neck and shoulders rest atop the bottom half of the bottle (see photo).

10. Fill with potting soil and your succulent plant of choice. Give your plant a sip of water, place in a sunny spot and enjoy your upcycled creation!

 

This year marks a landmark for the Show-Me State – 200 years of statehood! As part of this special bicentennial anniversary, activities, celebrations and challenges are happening across Missouri. One such activity is the Missouri Explorers Program, which encourages people to participate in various challenges across the state to receive rewards and learn more about Missouri’s fascinating past, present and future. Register for free on the Explorers Program website to start participating in challenges and earning badges.

The bicentennial anniversary is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore Missouri’s breathtakingly beautiful wine country. From the northwest corner to the bootheel, 126 wineries dot the Show-Me State’s landscape. Set amongst breathtaking views, Missouri wine country is overflowing with history and award-winning vino. There’s palate-pleasing wines, serene sights and exciting events for everyone to enjoy at Missouri wineries. Visit the nation’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Augusta, or indulge your inner history buff in historic Hermann. Sip, savor and wind down in Missouri wine country.

Take part in the Wind Down in Wine Country Challenge with the Missouri Explorers Program. Simply visit at least 25 wineries in the Show-Me State, take photos in each winery’s tasting room to verify your visits, and upload using the Missouri Explorers photo submission form. After you’ve completed the challenge, you’ll receive an exclusive badge to commemorate your exploration of wine country. To learn more about the Wind Down in Wine Country Challenge, check out the online challenge guide. This challenge is open through November 2021.

While you’re out at wineries and earning your Explorer badge, why not make the most of your visits with the Missouri Winery Visitors Program (MVP)? This free program allows winery patrons like you to earn points for each visit and redeem them for exciting rewards and experiences. Learn more and sign up today!

Bring out your inner explorer in this exciting year of Bicentennial celebration. We’ll see you out in wine country as you work toward completing the Wind Down in Wine Country Challenge. To learn more about the Missouri Explorers Program and find other challenges across the state, visit the program website.

 

May is National Beef Month, and we want YOU to celebrate it with us!

Beef provides our bodies and our minds with the fuel we need while being both delicious and extremely versatile. What could make it better? Pairing it with Missouri wine of course!

Have you ever heard the statement “red meat with red wine?” We’re here to tell you that’s not always true. From steak tartare with sparkling white wine to curry beef and Traminette there are a lot of beef and white wine pairings to please your palate.

Now that we’ve got you thinking food and wine, here are a few of our favorite beef and Missouri wine recipes.

      

    

Still hungry? Visit the Missouri Beef Industry Council website for more beef recipes and remember… Missouri wines pair beautifully with beef!

Show Mom how much you love her this Mother’s Day by treating her to a Missouri wine country visit. Many Missouri wineries plan to celebrate those super heroes we call Mom with everything from brunch to live music. Here are just a few offerings from Missouri wineries.

*This list is not all-inclusive. Results were gathered via survey.

 

Can’t make it the winery but still want to give a wine-themed present? Check out these DIY gifts that will impress any #MOWine Mom!

Glitz, glamour and red-carpet treatment – this was the theme of the night for nearly 40 of Missouri wine country’s most loyal fans and their guests, along with a special group of industry representatives and Missouri winemakers.

On April 23rd, this select group of Missouri wine lovers indulged in the MVP Cellar Master Celebration, an evening filled with fabulous food, wine and fellowship. To make the guest list for this exclusive and highly-anticipated event, MVP members had to redeem a whopping 50,000 points, equal to 100 first-time winery visits in the MVP program. The celebration took place in the heart of Missouri wine country, Hermann, at the picturesque Hermann Hill venue.

After making their way down the red carpet, guests were greeted with a refreshing welcome cocktail and partook in a social hour filled with delicious appetizers that were impeccably paired with incredible Missouri wines. Amongst the conversation and reconnection with fellow wine lovers, photo booths captured the unforgettable memories being made.

The evening’s festivities officially began with the introduction and recognition of each MVP member who qualified for the Cellar Master Celebration. Securing a spot for this celebration was no easy feat, and attendees applauded their fellow wine fans as their experiences in wine country were recounted for the audience. Throughout the evening, a live painter captured the fabulous festivities on a canvas. Attendees were then treated to a feast of gourmet food paired with wine from across the Show-Me State. Emcee Cat Neville and generous meal sponsors led guests through the evening’s various courses.

The pinnacle of the celebration was the drawing of special gifts and live painting – each MVP member in attendance received a special gift, and lucky MVP member Larry Warren was able to claim the live painting as a unique reminder of the spectacular evening. In addition to the drawings, each MVP member went home with a swag-filled bag, handmade wooden serving tray and an autographed bottle of award-winning Missouri wine. A face mask contest also took place and MVP duo Cynthia and Timothy Bax were declared as the winners. Lastly, Tony and Cindy Kooyumjian were presented the Pioneer Award for their decades of involvement in Missouri’s wine industry. As the evening came to an end, attendees raised their flutes to a toast and nibbled on delicious desserts.

The Cellar Master Celebration was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our MVP VIPs, who had the opportunity to receive recognition and red-carpet treatment for their achievements. We can’t wait for what the future holds for MVP and events where members can redeem their points for exclusive experiences.

This spectacular evening of exquisite dining and wine was made possible by the generosity of our sponsors. We’d like to thank the following dinner sponsors for their contribution to the evening’s feast:

Midwest Dairy 

Baejte Farms

Missouri Pork Association

Missouri Beef Industry Council

We would also like to thank the following winery sponsors for their contributions of award-winning wine:

KC Wineworks                                                       Montelle Winery

Les Bourgeois Vineyards                                      Stone Hill Winery

Adam Puchta Winery                                            Wild Sun Winery

Belmont Vineyards                                                Augusta Winery

Vox Vineyards                                                        St. James Winery

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard                                  Stonehaus Farms Winery

Noboleis Vineyards                                               Windy Wine Company

Dale Hollow Winery                                              Ladoga Ridge Winery

Finally, we would like to thank the following sponsors for their donations of special gifts and swag items:

Willow Spring Mercantile                                      Missouri River Wine Trail

Stone Hill Winery                                                   Independence Uncorked

Jefferson City Visitors Bureau                              Hermann Hill

St. James Winery                                                    Visit KC

Missouri Grown                                                      Visit Cape

Conservation Federation of Missouri                  Tipple Hill Winery

Doug Frost                                                               Ladoga Ridge Winery

Missouri State Fair                                                 Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

Hermannhof Winery                                              Missouri Division of Tourism

Margaritaville Lake Resort                                    Missouri Soybean Association

Adam Puchta Winery                                             Midwest Dairy

Barley Bus Tours                                                     Baetje Farms

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association                        Meramec River Wine Trail

Wild Sun Winery                                                    Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau            White Mule Winery

Visit Hermann

 

Experiences like the Cellar Master Celebration are possible when you’re a Missouri wine MVP. Keep exploring wine country (sign up for free to get started) and be on the lookout for exciting updates and future opportunities to redeem your hard-earned points.

Get ready to step up your macaroni and cheese game, Missouri wine lovers. This classic comfort dish goes gourmet with a delicious trio of cheeses and crispy bacon, topped off with rich Chardonel wine. easy recipe will quickly become your go-to dinner dish!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPg1oPh7nuI

 

Yields: 6 servings | Total Time: 1 hour

 

Ingredients

1 lb. rotini pasta

¼ cup butter + 4 T. (divided)

3 tbsp. minced garlic

¼ cup flour

1 cup Chardonel wine

¾ cup heavy cream

¾ cup 2% milk

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. rosemary

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

4 oz. Gouda cheese, cubed

4 oz. Havarti cheese, cubed

4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed

6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 375^oF and grease a 9”x13” baking dish. Boil pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 2-3 minutes, as garlic browns. Whisk in flour, stirring continuously to avoid burning. When flour has browned and become bubbly, pour in Chardonel and continue to whisk as mixture thickens. Add heavy cream and milk, again whisking as mixture continues to become thick. Stir in rosemary, basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper as desired.

Remove skillet from heat and mix in Gouda, Havarti and sharp Cheddar cheese – stir until all cheese is completely melted. Stir in crumbled bacon until well combined. Add pasta and stir again until all ingredients are combined. Pour into prepared baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.

In a small bowl, melt 4 tablespoons butter and mix in breadcrumbs. Spread breadcrumb mixture over the pasta. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until breadcrumb topping is golden. Remove from oven and serve warm with a glass of rich Chardonel wine.

Focusing on sustainability and caring for the Earth (and its inhabitants) ensures that it will be around for many years to come. Sustainability is an important part of many individuals’ and businesses’ missions, including wineries in the Show-Me State. Grape growers take care to be stewards of the land and produce outstanding wine in environmentally-friendly ways.

Many producers in the wine industry focus their sustainability efforts around water, energy and soil conservation. Some vineyards use soil moisture probes and drip irrigation systems to be more precise in their watering efforts and conserve water use. Additionally, some producers implement solar power and hand-harvesting of grapes to reduce the energy consumption required by traditional electricity sources and harvesting equipment. To learn more about how harvesting grapes by hand differs than mechanical harvesting, check out this informative overview.

When it comes to soil conservation, you might see a curious sight in some vineyards – animals amongst the vines! Sheep and chickens are employed by some wine producers to engage in weed and pest control as they wander the rows of grapevines. This is an environmentally-friendly method of integrated pest management that places less reliance on herbicides, pesticides and gas-powered mowing equipment. Have you ever noticed the grass growing between rows of grapevines? In many wine regions, grape growers plant cover crops and allow grass to grow in order to prevent soil erosion and add nutrients to the soil. Some wineries also implement pollinator habitats, including bee colonies and butterfly gardens.

Wine producers also practice sustainability by refitting and reusing buildings for cellars, production areas and tasting rooms. Throughout wine country, you’ll see award-winning wine being produced and sold in a variety of buildings – from former churches and barns, to family homesteads and even former Odd Fellows lodges. Want to practice sustainability in your wine adventures? It’s as easy as recycling your bottles and corks after enjoying the last drop of your favorite Missouri wine. Check out our blog for DIY inspiration!

Let’s raise a toast to sustainability, and to wine producers’ dedication to implementing practices that will allow us to enjoy Missouri wine country for generations to come.

Sunshine and blooming foliage are much-welcomed signs of spring in wine country. Springtime in the Show-Me State is a time of beauty and new growth, a sign of renewal and refreshment after winter’s chilly sting.

Spring is also a time of renewal and refreshment in Missouri vineyards. Grapevines are beginning to awaken from their winter dormancy and show signs of life. Bud break is an exciting time for wine country, as this indicates the start of the growing cycle for our outstanding varietals.

What is bud break? During winter, the buds found on grapevines are isolated from the rest of the vine’s nutrient and water transportation systems to protect them from the bitter cold. As temperatures rise with the onset of spring, new life is breathed into the buds as they are rehydrated and begin to swell. Eventually, the buds will “break” open and shoots will emerge, allowing new growth to burst through. This new growth will lead to the development of grape clusters, which will later be harvested and crafted into award-winning wine.

The excitement of bud break is a beautiful reminder of the many possibilities in the growing season ahead, as vintners work to care for vines and produce the highest-quality wines. While you’re visiting Missouri wineries this spring, see if you can catch a glimpse of bud break in the vineyards! Be quick, it won’t be long before flowering occurs!

Want to learn more about the journey Missouri grapevines undergo to bring you award-winning wine? Check out our overview of a grapevine’s lifecycle!