Röbller Vineyard has a unique, distinct history of staying true to tradition, and in April they are celebrating three decades of success in being unique in Missouri wine country.

Robert and Lois Mueller were hobby winemakers in the 1980s, and moved to New Haven to pursue their passion. This family-owned and operated Missouri winery has been growing grapes for 33 years on their property in a unique geological region of the state, and operating their winery for the last 30 years. From the beginning, Röbller Vineyard has remained dedicated to dry farming with the goal of becoming a 100% estate-produced winery. The result of this commitment comes through in their vintage driven wine portfolio expressing the best of what can be achieved in Missouri.

The winery property, which has its own historic past, is also celebrating a landmark anniversary. In 1821, the same year that Missouri gained statehood, the property was land-granted to the original owner. The homestead’s original log cabin (built in 1821) remains on the property and an active part of the Röbller operation.

With multiple anniversaries that coincide with Missouri’s bicentennial, Röbller Vineyards has some big plans up their sleeve to honor their history of success.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, Röbller is releasing special wines. One of which is Land Grant Red, paying homage to the historical significance of the anniversary and roots of the property. This wine was created as a field blend of five red grapes including Norton and Chambourcin. The Old-World approach of field blending is indicative of Robller Vineyard’s commitment to the European winegrowing philosophy.  The grapes were harvested, processed and fermented together as a single wine from the vineyard’s 30th growing season with the intent of creating a special wine for the coming celebration. Additionally, Röbller plans to release a Reserve Vignoles and several other anniversary wines that will be available for purchase. As a special treat, Röbller is partnering with local business, Cool Cow Cheese, to offer special-edition blocks of cheese made with Land Grant Red.

Röbller Vineyard plans to celebrate their special anniversary with events to be held April 17th and 18th 2021, as the winery’s official anniversary is April 27. To stay up-to-date on the anniversary events, make sure to follow the winery on social media and keep an eye on their website.

Stop by Röbller Vineyard during your next adventure in Missouri wine country, enjoy a glass of estate-produced vino and savor the rich history of this family-owned and family-grown winery.

Who doesn’t love to savor a bite of mouthwatering chocolate, especially when it’s accompanied by an award-winning Missouri wine? These fudgy, deep-dish style brownies are a delicious delight that can brighten up any day. Dark chocolate and rich Missouri Port-style wine makes this mouthwatering chocolate treat even more delectable. Indulge yourself with this easy and satisfying recipe that yields plenty to share (if you choose)!

Deep-Dish Fudgy Port Brownie Recipe

Time: 1 hour | Yield: 12 generous servings

Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter                               ¹/₂ tsp. sea salt                      

1 cup dark chocolate chips               ¹/₂ tsp. baking powder

4 eggs                                                   1 cup all-purpose flour

1 ³/₄ cup granulated sugar            ¹/₄ cup unsweet dark cocoa powder

¹/₃ cup Missouri Port-style wine      1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and lightly flour a 10x15” baking dish or pan.

Place butter and dark chocolate chips in a double boiler over hot water. Stir mixture until butter and chocolate are completely melted and smooth. Remove mixture and allow to cool.   

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until well blended. Add port and cooled chocolate mixture.

Blend in flour, sea salt, baking soda and cocoa powder. Mix until batter is smooth and all ingredients are incorporated. Use a spatula to gently fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out nearly clean.

After removing brownies from oven, place pan on a cooling rack. Let rest and ensure that brownies are cooled completely before using a knife to cut into slices.

Enjoy!

Mix up your Margarita recipe this year by adding award-winning Missouri wine. We’ve gathered some recipes that are sure to impress you and your guests.

Sunset Wine-a-Rita
*Recipe courtesy of Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard
 What you will need:
 lime juice
 sugar
 ice
 4 oz Sunset Rosé Wine
 1 oz Triple Sec
 2 oz margarita mix
 watermelon wedges

Instructions:
1. First, wet the rims of two margarita glasses in lime juice and then dip them in sugar to cover the top of the glasses.
2. Fill glasses with ice. (Be careful to avoid knocking sugar into glass)
3. Add wine, triple sec and margarita mix to a glass and stir.
4. Pour into glasses and finish with a watermelon wedge.

Frozen Red Wine Margarita

What you will need:
1 bottle of light and fruity red wine
8 oz tequila
12 oz margarita mix
2 oz lime juice
3 oz Triple Sec or Grand Marnier
1 pinch of kosher or flaky sea salt

Instructions:
1. Pour the entire bottle of red wine into an ice cube tray and let freeze for at least 6 hours.
2. In a blender, mix tequila, margarita mix, lime juice, red wine ice cubes and triple sec until slushy.
3. Pour, sip and enjoy!

Optional: Before pouring your Red Wine Margarita, wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and sprinkle rim with salt.  

Citrus Wine-a-Rita

What you will need:
1 bottle Vidal Blanc
12 oz can of limeade concentrate
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup (or more) quality tequila
water
sea salt 
lime or orange slices (optional for garnish)

Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine the wine, limeade, orange juice and tequila.
2. Fill the empty limeade can with water twice and pour into the pitcher.
3. Stir to combine all ingredients.
4. Wet the rim of each glass with a lime wedge and dip into sea salt to coat.
5. Pour Citrus Wine-a-Rita over ice.

Garnish with lime and/or orange slices and enjoy!

Sangrita Swirl

What you will need for the sangria swirl:
1 cup red frozen red wine (freeze in ice cube trays)
2 tbsp of triple sec
1 tbsp fresh lime juice  
juice from half of an orange

What you will need for the margarita:
6 oz. frozen limeade concentrate
2 shots of tequila
1 shot Triple Sec
1 cup ice
Straw (optional for swirling)

Instructions:
1. First, wet the rims of your two margarita glasses in lime juice and then dip them in either kosher salt or sugar to cover the rim of the glasses.
2. Blend the frozen red wine cubes with the triple sec, lime juice and orange juice. Pour into a glass and set aside (or store in freezer).
3. Add frozen limeade concentrate, tequila, triple sec and ice to the blender. Blend until slushy.
4. Pour the margarita mix into the two glasses and then pour the sangria mixture on top. Swirl together with a straw.

*Recipe makes two servings. Double and use the entire can of frozen limeade to make four.

In addition to our tried-and-trusted recipes above, here are a few other recipes you might enjoy.

Grab a crisp bottle of Vidal Blanc for this White Wine Margarita.

Chambourcin will surely rock this Red Wine Margarita recipe.

We hope you try one (or more) of these delicious Wine-a-Rita recipes and that you enjoy them as much as we did. Please share your favorite concoction on social media by using #MOwine.

While visiting Missouri’s 125+ wineries is an awesome adventure in itself, there’s no place quite like home. Why let your enjoyment of Missouri’s award-winning wines end when you depart from wine country? Host your own wine night, right in the comfort of your own home!

Follow our top tips for creating your own at-home wine night, where you can explore Missouri’s unique varietals or savor your favorite Show-Me State wines.

Planning

Just like any gathering or activity, preparation is key! Planning your at-home wine night a bit in advance can ensure that you maximize the enjoyment of the evening. Want to recreate a wine tasting in your own home? Or, would you rather pair a few of your favorite varietals? Regardless, purchasing the right wine selection is critical to make your wine night a success!

For those who are interested in a tasting night, purchase a few different Missouri varietals so your palate can delight in the range and variety of Missouri’s wines. Depending on your taste preferences or adventuresome spirit, you may want to select options that vary in dryness and include both red and white wines. Take a look at our varietal page to learn more about each individual varietal, and find a wine retailer near you using our interactive map!

But what would a wine night be without perfectly paired food? After you settle on your award-winning wine selection, it’s time to decide on a menu for your evening of enjoyment!

Pairings

The pairing possibilities are nearly endless with Missouri wines, which brings incredible flexibility to your at-home wine night. We’ve got the resources you need to select the right menu based on your wine choices and preferences for this at-home evening.

If your wine night includes cooking a homemade meal, take advantage of the recipes listed on our blog for inspiration. From burgers and pasta, to sweet treats like a fruity trifle, our wine-centric recipes are perfect for experiencing Missouri wines in a new way! Not interested in preparing an entire meal for your at-home wine night? You may want to have a spread of easily-enjoyed food offerings, such as cheeses (perhaps a charcuterie board) or junk food. These simple and low-stress food choices pair well with Missouri wines and a relaxing evening.

Want to focus your wine night on the wine, rather than cooking or preparing food? This is the perfect time to support a local restaurant and order a meal to complement your wine selection. Our infographic gallery has pairing ideas for pizza, takeout and more!

Preparation

Once your wine has been purchased and your food pairings have been selected, it’s time to think about the proper serving of your award-winning wine. Take a look at our quick infographics on chilling wine and using the proper glassware:

Want tips on how to use the 5 S method for tasting wine? Check out our infographic resource that will walk you through the process!

Activities – if you choose!

Although tasting and enjoying Missouri wine can be an activity within itself, adding crafts or games to your at-home wine night can make this occasion even more special!

Use upcycled Missouri wine bottles and corks, along with findings from your craft drawer, to create your own DIY masterpieces. We have craft ideas on our blog (including this wine cork tray) to get you started! Are games more your speed? You’re in luck – Missouri wine is the perfect match for your favorite card or board game!

Regardless of how you choose to enjoy your at-home wine night, make sure you include award-winning Missouri wine!

Football fans, rejoice! The highlight of the season is approaching – the Super Bowl game. What better way to cheer on the Chiefs than by indulging in delicious Missouri food and sipping award-winning Missouri wine! No matter how you celebrate, make sure you have perfectly-paired Missouri wine to accompany your Super Bowl spread. We’ve got a list of popular Super Bowl snacks and sides to inspire your food and wine pairings in preparation for this big event.

Buffalo Chicken Dip – The richness and spiciness of classic buffalo chicken dip is offset by the sweetness of Vignoles. When it comes to food and wine pairings, sweet cuts heat!

Chicken Wings – Serving up some hot or buffalo wings for guests to enjoy? Sparkling, Vignoles and Traminette will all pair perfectly with spicy, acidic wings.

Chips and Guacamole – Rich and creamy guacamole is balanced by the crispness of Vidal Blanc.

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies – Who doesn’t love these tiny treats that meld just the right amounts of smoky and sugary? Bacon wrapped bundles of goodness pair with the sweetness of Concord.

Nachos – Crunchy tortilla chips and warm cheese topped with your favorite fixings of salsa or jalapenos… our stomachs are already growling! A glass of satisfying sweet rosé balances out the spicy elements of your nacho creation (remember how sweet cuts heat? A perfect example here).

Burgers or Sliders – What’s gameday without juicy burgers or sliders gracing your table? Let your toppings guide your wine pairing decision rather than the protein itself. An example would be pairing bacon cheeseburgers with medium-bodied Chambourcin, or mushroom and Swiss-topped burgers with Chardonel. We’ve got more burger and wine pairing examples to help you!

Pizza – The pairing possibilities are nearly endless with this gameday favorite. Similar to burgers and sliders, your toppings will determine which Missouri wine to select. For example, the vegetables on supreme pizza complement earthy, medium-bodied Chambourcin, while pepperoni pizza works well with a bold Norton. Find more pizza and wine pairings in our handy infographic!

Cookies – We can’t forget dessert! Classic chocolate chip cookies are the perfect match for timeless Norton, while peanut butter cookies paired with Concord lend themselves to a scrumptious peanut butter and jelly flavor. (We’ve got plenty of other cookie and wine pairings to share here)

As you’re planning your Super Bowl spreads, keep these tips in mind:

While chilling wine is more of a personal preference, having your award-winning Missouri varietals chilled may enhance your tasting experience. Our easy to follow infographic on chilling wine is your guide to ensuring that your vino is the perfect suggested temperature for gameday.

As you’re preparing to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl game, make sure to include Missouri wine. Our blog has a multitude of recipes and entertaining tips to inspire you, and our pairing guide is your ultimate resource for selecting the perfect varietals to complement your menu. Cheers to a great Super Bowl matchup, a Chiefs victory and even greater Missouri wine!

Pruning grapevines is an essential step in the winemaking process.

Each snip of the shears has an impact on the upcoming harvest. If you trim too much you run the risk of having a grapevine that won’t develop enough shoots and foliage to ripen the grapes. Trimming too little leads to an overgrown tangle of vines that are difficult to manage and may result in a small yield.

Watch this short video to learn more about the pruning process.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkRZ8Bmi-Hw

Curious what happens in the vineyards next? See the entire lifecycle of the vineyard here. 

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With a variety of shapes and sizes, choosing a wine glass can get complicated. But not to fear! We’re here to help you pick the perfect glass to savor any kind of award-winning Missouri wine.

The easiest way to simplify the selection process is to stick to the basics – white wine glass or red wine glass.

Bowl is taller and narrower

Open rim

Smaller glass maintains cooler temperature

More acidity expressed

Aromas preserved

Broad bowl

Rim is tapered

Moderates high tannins

Delivers more aromas

Makes spicy flavors rounded and smooth

Rosés are best enjoyed with a wide bowl that allows an easy swirl to exhale their fruity and floral notes. Its narrower rim helps to guide those delightful aromas to the nose.

Believe it or not, there is a science behind this. A medical group from Japan documented the concentration of vapors in various wine glasses during a study in 2015 using a special camera to record the images. They recorded how different glassware shapes affected the density of vapors at the opening of the glass.

Whether or not you decide to purchase specialty glasses really comes down to what type of wine you tend to consume the most often.

If your go-to vino is a Port, iced wine or late harvest, a small glass with a narrow mouth that reduces evaporation is a must-have.

A flute is great for sparkling wines, just be careful as they are very fragile. 

Stemmed or stemless? While stemless glasses have gained a lot of popularity, they may not always be the best option. Holding a glass by the bowl, rather than a stem or base, causes the wine’s temperature to rise from the heat of the hand. This isn’t a huge deal for reds but can be damaging to whites, as the increased temperature can affect the notes of the wine.

While there is a “right” glass for every wine, there is not a “wrong” one. It’s all about the enjoyment, what fits your lifestyle and your budget.

Download our easy to use Glassware Guide here.

You may be familiar with Norton, the state grape of Missouri, but how well do you actually know this all-American varietal? Norton’s lengthy and complex history may surprise you! Unearth the deeply-held roots of Norton’s history and learn how it has become a foundational varietal that produces award-winning wines.

Long before settlers arrived and began winemaking in the United States, native grapes have grown on North American soil. Through trial and error, viticulturists and winemakers found that some of these grapes were better suited for making wine than others. One of these native grapes, Norton, was first developed in Virginia in the early 1800s by Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton. The true origin of the Norton grape is a bit unclear, as some claim that Dr. F.W. Lemosy discovered the grape growing wild on his property and gifted a cutting to Dr. Norton.

Although this grape was named after the horticulturist who developed it, a few different names have been used to identify what we know as Norton. Virginia Seedling, Norton’s Virginia Seedling and Cynthiana. In some parts of the United States, Cynthiana is considered to be a unique grape not connected to Norton – while the debate continues, research has concluded that the two are nearly identical.

Norton made its way from Virginia to the Hermann area in the 1840s when German settlers began planting and harvesting it. George Husmann, a self-taught viticulturist from the Hermann area, worked with other grape growers to develop hardier vines and improve the quality of Missouri wines, including Norton. Husmann later became a founding father of the Napa Valley wine industry in California, as his work in Missouri and with French vineyards gained him prominence in viticulture.

The first vintage of Missouri Norton was bottled in 1848 and soon took the world by storm. The 1873 World’s Fair in Vienna awarded a gold medal to a Norton produced in Hermann, where Missouri’s wine industry was bustling and thriving. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Norton made a name for itself as a high-quality, award-winning varietal that gained notoriety across the globe.

The 1860s and 1870s saw devastating Phylloxera blight sweep across French vineyards. Cuttings of Phylloxera-resistant grape vines, including Norton, are were sent from America to France to be grafted to their vines. Husmann and state entomologist C.V. Riley were among those who donated American varietal cuttings to France. Each year at the Missouri Wine Competition, the state’s top Norton wine is awarded the coveted C.V. Riley Award, which honors Riley’s legacy and contribution to the wine industry.

Prohibition dealt a devastating blow to the wine industry in 1919. Most vineyards in the state were destroyed and the Norton grape was nearly lost forever. Three decades after the repeal of Prohibition, the Held family reopened Stone Hill Winery and brought Norton back to life after discovering pre-Prohibition vines on a nearby property. Norton has since regained its notoriety and popularity in Missouri wine culture, and has continued to win awards at national and international wine competitions.

Norton has a deeply-rooted history, much like the roots of the grapevine itself. This varietal has changed the wine industry in Missouri and across the world, and continues to make history. The next time you enjoy a glass of bold Norton wine, take a moment to remember this grape’s rich history and tempestuous journey to your glass.

Experience the unique terroir Missouri Norton during the upcoming Feast Virtual Vine wine tasting. Sip along from the comfort of your home as host Cat Neville leads an exclusive live tasting and discussion with four Missouri winemakers and their award-winning Norton wines. If you’re in the St. Louis area, snag your ticket today, or listen along for free during the event.

A new year has begun and there are many things to look forward to in Missouri wine country. With this calendar, you’ll find several months dedicated to the promotion of our Show-Me State’s grape varietals as well as important dates in the wine industry. As you enjoy the upcoming seasons, keep these Missouri wine-centric holidays in mind and celebrate accordingly – with a glass of Missouri wine, of course! 

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