Missouri wine country is full of artists. We celebrate the many artists of the wine industry, from the winemakers, label makers, and chefs who craft amazing and unique culinary experiences.

Art can also be storytelling, and the Missouri wine industry has a rich history with plenty of stories to share.

Check out a few Missouri Wineries that put as much into their artwork as they do the wine!

Adam Puchta Winery - Hermann, Missouri

This label is inspired by one of their winery cats, Ernie. The cat’s meow label is a painting of Ernie, and inside the bottle is a wine just as good! Be sure to visit and try some while visiting with Ernie and his furry friends!

Cave Hollow West Winery - Hannibal, Missouri

This label series is inspired by a Missouri native with one of their wine collections. The Mark Twain Cave series has labels inspired by some of Mark Twain’s work. This series is full of a rich history and can help you learn more about a famous Missourian!

Dale Hollow Winery - Stover, Missouri

The artist is in-house. Here the family’s matriarch Beth Dale designs the labels!
Check out our Behind the Label on Dale Hollow Winery’s Catawba here.

Beth is inspired by many different things, but it all goes back to the foundation of their winery which is to create a space that captures a bit of old-world charm. Visit today to check out Beth’s artwork and see if you can find the hidden “BD” in the labels! 

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Defiance, Missouri

Here they feature meaningful artwork on the bottle, but each label also tells a story! Visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards to view this artwork and ask about the story behind each bottle! Check out our Behind the labels on Poppy’s Vidal Blanc here and Parson House Chardonel here!

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard Winery & Brewery - Potosi, Missouri

They get their inspiration from their surroundings for labels. While you can see this on all of their labels, their Barn Series displays it perfectly. Check out our Behind the Label here. Using these old barns on the property as inspiration, they turned them into art! Read all about the meaningful story behind the Starlight label here. Be sure to visit and try the Barn Series and more!

Fountain City Winery - Kansas City, Missouri

With the co-owner Melissa, being an artist herself, each label is a different display of art! No matter which bottle of wine that you pick up at the winery, be sure to admire the label artwork!

Les Bourgeois Vineyards - Rocheport, Missouri

Their Annual Collector’s Series is full of art. Les Bourgeois Vineyards holds a Collector’s Series Wine Release and Art Show to showcase these wines and the art on them! Artists submit their work for a chance to be selected for the upcoming Collector’s Series. Be sure to visit and sip the entire Collector’s Series! Read more about this series from our Behind the Label here!

Ozark Hills Winery - Branson, Missouri

Even though they have just opened, they are including modern art into their labels. The unique names and design on the labels give consumers an idea on how to enjoy the wine! Enjoy the Chambourcin by the campfire, or the Niagara in a hammock. Either way be sure to visit this winery!

Van Till Family Farm Winery - Rayville, Missouri

This winery displays imagery on each wine label. Van Till Family Farm Winery is also committed to sustainability as a winery. Be sure to visit Van Till Family Farm Winery to learn more about their labels and try the wine!

Wenwood Farm Winery - Bland, Missouri. 

Wenwood uses the history of the town name and their own stories to inspire the art on their labels. Silver Dick is named after Richard Bland, a U.S. Congressman in the late 1800’s. He was in favor of switching from the gold standard to the silver standard. Bland where Wenwood Farm Winery is located, is named after him!

Check out Wenwood Farm Winery to explore their wine labels and the stories behind them!

Windy Wine Company - Osborn, Missouri. 

Not only does this winery have unique, tasty wines, their labels are also unique to them. In each Windy Wine Company label, you will find unique art, but also a hidden bible verse. Be sure to visit and check out these labels!

Share the art and the artists you find in Missouri wine country using #mowine

Time to vote! This year we had an exceptional group of photos that captured the beauty and essence of Missouri wine country. After an initial look by a panel of judges, it is time you help decide the winner of this years Through the Glass Photo Contest.

The winner of the contest will be announced October 22^nd and will receive a Missouri prize pack along with 2 tickets to the Missouri Governor’s Cup presentation at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. The winning image will be displayed during the event on November 13, 2024. 

Click here to place your vote on the winning photo!

Cast your vote from October 14^th to October 20^th.

Limit of one vote per day, per email.

Take a look below to see our 2024 finalists:

1. It is Time for Wine

2. Photo of my grandparents celebrating my grandmother's birthday

3. Daybreak in Wine Country

4. Dewdrops and Daydreams

5. Future vino

6. 8 Generations

7. Les Bourgeois Riverview Sunset

8. Vignoles at Sunrise

9. Springtime in Missouri

10. Sunset Celebration

Red wine is for red meat and white wine is for white meat, right? We are not so sure about that. For this Myth of the Month, we are going to look at this statement and let you know if it is accurate!

Rather than just assume that red wine only goes with red meat and white wine only goes with white meat, there are some of the other things to consider when deciding on a pairing.

Acidity:

Another thing to consider is the acidity and bitterness of both the wine and dish you are looking to pair with. When pairing make sure the acidity of the wine you taste, is at least equal to the acidity tasted from the dish.

Acidic wines can pair with fatty and sweet foods, but you can also pair acidic foods with acidic wine!

To try this out pair a Missouri Traminette with a spicy Asian dish, or a curry!

Fat:

With foods that have higher levels of fat, you have to even out the fat with acidity from your wine. The acidity in the wine will cut through the fat. You can also try and match the richness of the fat with the amount of alcohol in the wine.

To see how an acidic wine cuts through the fat of a dish try out a Missouri Chardonel with bacon mac and cheese.

Salt:

Food with a dominant salt taste can be challenging to pair. Try out a sweet wine. The sweetness of the wine will help cut through the salt. You can also try pairing with a more acidic wine. The acidity of the wine can clean out the salt and balance the dish.

Sweet and salty is always a winning duo. Try out a Missouri Concord with orange chicken! For the acidity route try out a Missouri Norton with a smoked meat.

Spice:

Foods that are on the spicier side can be challenging to pair with wine. A safe option is to remember that sweet cuts the heat. Next time you are pairing a wine with a spicy dish, consider finding a sweeter wine to use.

For example, a Missouri Vignoles with spicy pork ribs is sure to be delicious!

Sweetness:

If you have a sweeter dish, you have a few things to consider for pairing with a wine. If it is a dessert, be sure that the wine is sweeter than the dessert. If it is not a dessert, then a richer wine is a great option for pairing.

For pairing with sweetness in mind try out a Missouri Catawba with sweet barbecue chicken.

Red wine and white meat, white wine and red meat. It can happen! Be sure to consider these things when deciding on a pairing. Also check out our pairing guide here.

Wine is made for enjoying, and it can be enjoyed in a new and exciting way when paired with a dish. While there are definite recommendations for pairings, you can always try your own and decide how you like it.

Let us know what you like to pair with Missouri Wines using #mowine