There are so many ways to cook with Missouri wine. From appetizers to desserts, wine can be incorporated into every course.

Some good rules to follow when cooking with wine are:

1. Use wine you like.

When someone doesn’t particularly like a wine they’ve opened, they might think “That’s okay, I’ll just cook with it.” Unfortunately, that may not be a great solution. When you cook or bake with wine, the flavors are often intensified. So when selecting a wine for cooking or baking, pick one you also enjoy sipping.

2. Play the flavor matching game.

Pick out the primary flavors of your dish or recipe and pair those to a wine that will complement them. For example, Norton has notes of cherries and baking spices, making it ideal to pair with a cherry cake or pie. Vignoles is known for its tropical fruit flavors and is delicious in fruity desserts. Use this guide to help you find the perfect match.  

3. Drizzle, don’t drown.

There can be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to adding wine to your recipes. Too little and you won’t be able to taste it; too much and you’ll throw the dish off balance, masking the other flavors. The best way to know if you’ve added enough is to taste it. Sometimes in the case of baked goods, this isn’t possible ahead of time. Start with a more reserved amount. If you’re not getting enough flavor coming through on the final dish, amp it up by adding wine to the sauce or frosting.

4. Reimagine old favorites.

Maybe you have an award-winning brownie recipe or world-famous cake, consider substituting one of the liquid ingredients for a delicious Missouri wine. You might find that your old favorite reaches a whole new level of awesome!
 

Here are some of our favorite wine recipes.

Appetizer:

Perfectly Shareable Chardonel Fondue

There is something undeniably fun and communal about Fondue that makes it the perfect dish for sharing with a group. Traditional Fondue recipes include cheese, wine, herbs and garlic. Try this version featuring Missouri’s classic white wine, Chardonel.

Time: 15-20 minutes    |    Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

Fresh garlic clove
1/2 lb  Gouda cheese
1/2 lb  Swiss cheese 
1 cup  Missouri Chardonel (dry, white wine)
1/4 cup  Cornstarch
Salt
White Pepper

Directions:

Grate the cheese and coat with cornstarch. This recipe uses a double boiler method. You’ll need a heatproof bowl and a pan it will fit in without touching the bottom of the pan. Cut the garlic clove and rub it on the inside of the bowl to coat the bottom and sides. Place the bowl over the pan of water, bringing the water to a simmer. Add wine to the bowl and heat until warm but not too hot. (You’re looking for small bubbles, not a rolling boil.) Add the cheese a handful at a time stirring until melted. Once all of the cheese is melted, add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with dippable delights such as bread, veggies, meat, or even apple slices.

The Fondue will thicken quickly if you don’t have a Fondue pot or small slow cooker, so eat up! Pair this delicious shareable dish with a glass of Chardonel. Cheers! 

Main Dish

Seyval Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic crushed
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt
Pepper
1/2 cup Seyval (semi-dry white wine)
3 green onions sliced

Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in a sprayed nonstick frying pan. Brown on both sides slightly. Add garlic and pepper flakes. Pour wine into pan, cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until chicken is done. Wine will reduce. Top with onions and plate.

Sauce

Missouri Red Wine Steak Sauce Recipe

What grows together goes together and Missouri beef and Norton wine are a prime example. Big, bold and complex, Missouri Norton wine is an amazing complement to a delicious steak. This sauce is a great way to take your steak dinner to the next level. 

Time: 25-30 minutes    |    Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Canola oil
4 (6-8 oz) Steaks, sirloin  
3 tbsp Shallots, minced
2 tsp Fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 cup Missouri Norton (full-bodied red wine)
1/2 cup Beef stock, unsalted
1 1/2 tsp Butter, unsalted
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Sprinkle steaks evenly with salt and pepper. Add steaks to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove steaks from pan. Let stand 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add shallots and rosemary to pan; sauté 1 minute or until lightly browned. Add wine and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add beef stock; cook 4-6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half and mixture is slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat. Add butter and mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste; stir with a whisk. Top steaks with sauce and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
 

Dessert

White Wine Lemon Bundt Cake

Prep Time- 25 minutes    |    Cook Time- 45-55 minutes

Ingredients: 

Pan prep 

2 tbsp Melted butter
2 tbsp Flour 

Cake 

1 box Lemon cake mix 
1/4 cup Brown sugar
1/4 cup White sugar 
1 box Instant lemon pudding mix (3.4oz)
Zest of 1 lemon
4 Eggs 
3/4 cup Water
3/4 cup Vegetable oil 
1/2 cup Missouri Vidal Blanc Wine 

Glaze 

1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
2 tbsp Missouri Vidal Blanc Wine  
Zest of 1 lemon 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Melt two tablespoons of butter. Add two tablespoons of flour and whisk together until smooth. Using a pastry brush, coat the inside of a bundt pan generously with the butter/flour mixture. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients (cake mix, sugars, pudding mix, lemon zest, eggs, water, oil, and wine). Beat with an electric mixer until fully incorporated, approximately 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake cake 45-55 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. 

Glaze instructions:

Stir wine into confectioners’ sugar one tablespoon at a time until smooth. Stir in the lemon zest and let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Remove cake from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, drizzle with glaze. 

A great idea takes inspiration, but where does that inspiration come from? Some of Missouri’s extraordinary winemakers share why they do what they do.

Katy Dale, Co-Owner of Dale Hollow Winery

We are inspired by Missouri grape growers and winemakers and their European ancestors who have been making wine for generations. We’ve been fortunate to visit Europe a few times and were able to see firsthand how generations of winemakers have brought quality wine to their areas and pair them with the local foods, share it with the community and build a cultural identity around it. 

They have centuries of tradition to draw from but you can see a similar thing happening in Missouri localities where wine has been made for decades and it’s absolutely invigorating to believe we can build that sense of cultural identity and celebrate the wine regions of Missouri and their traditions through the local residents and the wine and foods they produce.

Jean-Louis Horvilleur, Winemaker & Vineyard Manager at Vox Vineyards

Well there’s a lot that inspires me. I suppose the story of how I even got into the wine industry is what propels me. 

Early in my college days, I was studying industrial engineering. I didn’t have much interest in it, as my grades showed. After seeing my grades, my dad strongly suggested I make a change. He gave me a choice to change majors or leave Texas State University. We got into an argument and I decided to go out with friends. However, I wasn’t in the mood to socialize so I went home and went to bed.

That night I had a peculiar dream. In this dream I was 4-5 years old and I was at my grandparents’ house. My grandpa and I were sitting in the backyard and he suddenly got up to pick a grape from the vine that was growing upwards on the pillar. He said “One of these days, you’re going to be a winemaker. Maybe someday you’ll own your own vineyard.” I smiled and grabbed the grape with my little toddler hands and ran inside to tell my mom what my grandpa had told me.

The next morning, I woke up and met my parents in the dining room to have breakfast. My mom asked how I slept and I told her about my dream. She paused and said “that actually happened.” Rolling my eyes, I asked my dad and he recollected the memory. At that point I realized that I may have been visited by my deceased grandpa in a dream, and he may have pushed me in the direction I was meant to journey.

I decided to do research, watch documentaries about winemaking, wine, vineyards, anything to learn about what skills and education go into it. I told my dad that I wanted to major in agriculture with a focus in Horticulture and soil sciences. He said “Great! Texas is a great place to find a job in Agriculture. Do you know what you want to do with it?” I told him we have French blood, we love wine and I’ve always had a pallet for wine so I want to become a winemaker and a vineyard manager.

My dad wasn’t thrilled that I, a college student, wanted to pursue wine as a degree but I told him to give it a chance. My grades shot through the roof that following semester. I began getting internships, met my girlfriend, got a dog and college was being utilized in the right way. The dream seemed to be a sign. Anything seemed possible and it triggered something in my brain. I like to think that my grandpa would be proud, as both my parents are now my biggest fans. This is what keeps me working from sunrise to often nighttime. I love what I would do and I’m passionate about the hard work that goes into grape growing and winemaking. 

Carol Warnebold, Owner of OakGlenn Winery

My husband Glenn and I were looking for a farm to purchase in 1995 to 1997 to retire on. We were both raised on farms and being a part of the land stayed in our blood. In April of 1997 we came to Hermann to look at a piece of property that was on the market.

Glenn and I did not have any intention of building a winery at that time but it soon became obvious we needed to share this special spot. Our first year we cleaned up the property and the more we did, the more beautiful it became.  What better way to share time together than by planting grapes and making wine?

George Husmann, the “Father of the Missouri Grape Industry,” was the original land-granted owner of the property.  We named this spot OakGlenn, for saving the oak tree that marked the driveway entrance and for my husband Glenn. Later we found that George Husmann had named his California winery "Oakglen Husmann Winery.”  Coincidence or meant to be?

Discover the picturesque views and small town charms of Augusta. Located an hour’s drive from St. Louis, Augusta is a great place to escape from it all while enjoying delicious wines surrounded by the beautiful canopy of the Missouri River Valley and Osage Ridge.

Read more about this beautiful community by checking out this helpful trip planner.

Fall is coming! What better way to enjoy the weather than to pack a picnic and head to a winery? Below is a list of Missouri wineries that offer fabulous picnic accommodations.

Adam Puchta Winery
Unpack your picnic basket at a table on the winery’s lawn or enjoy a seat under their covered deck.

Augusta Winery
Augusta Winery’s open-air Wine & Beer Garden features a spectacular 10-foot arbor covered in grapevines for shade. The garden rests atop a hill overlooking the quaint & historic town of Augusta. Rain? No worries, the winery has a cozy, covered terrace just off the tasting room that seats 25 people.

Bushwhacker Bend Winery
Sit back and relax on the winery’s deck overlooking the Missouri River.

Cave Vineyard
Looking for a unique picnic spot? Cave Vineyard’s natural saltpeter cave is the perfect spot! Enjoy wine and snacks inside the cave or move your picnic out on the deck.

Dale Hollow Winery
Grab your seat at one of their picnic tables and enjoy the beautiful view of the vineyard and pond.

Hemman Winery
Enjoy the beautiful aromas of flowers in the wine garden or relax on the front porch of the winery’s 1850 country store.

Hummingbird Vineyard and Winery
Bring a blanket and lay back on the grass or grab a seat at one of the picnic tables while you sip wine in the great outdoors.

Jowler Creek Winery
This winery offers a beautifully landscaped, shaded wine garden that overlooks their sustainable vineyard.

Les Bourgeois Winery
The A-Frame is Les Bourgeois Winery's outdoor wine garden overlooking the Missouri River. Guests can bring in their own food to enjoy or they can purchase elevated picnic fare at the A-Frame.

OakGlenn Winery
Choose from three beautiful patios or set-up your picnic on the porch while you admire the beautiful view of the river valley.

Stone Hill Winery
Stone Hill Winery offers many seating options on their beautiful property. Choose between the many picnic tables scattered around outdoors, a deck with seating at the Sherry House or grab a spot on the lawn to lay a blanket down and enjoy the views of their vineyard.

Tipple Hill Winery
Get in touch with nature by picnicking on a hill that overlooks the countryside. Enjoy a great view of the pond and vineyard.

Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery
Find the shade at Tyler Ridge Vineyard and Winery’s deck or one of their beautiful trees.

Westphalia Vineyards
Grab a seat inside or head outdoors while visiting this vineyard located in the historic town of Westphalia, Missouri.

Check out these tips for the perfect picnic! 

 *This list was compiled based upon winery survey submissions and may only list a portion of the Missouri wineries that offer picnic accomodations.

From rolling hills to valleys, there are many sights to see in Missouri wine country. Each of our 130+ wineries offers a unique experience. As the weather cools, we invite you to check out the beautiful views at wineries across the state, including these new additions.

Christine’s Vineyard
25695 Mulberry Road
Webb City, MO 65870

Christine’s Vineyard is located just a few miles north of Joplin. Stop by the tasting room and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the vineyard. Owners, Greg and Christine Edmund offer a variety of wines and honey meads that you can enjoy inside their tasting room or outside on the patio. Their lineup features a wine series with poker-themed names including their 2018 King High Straight, a medalist at the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition. They are proud to support their local economy including the Four States Small Business and farm-to-table communities. 

Defiance Ridge Vineyards
2711 South Hwy 94
Defiance, MO 63341

You’ll find gorgeous views of the Missouri River Valley at Defiance Ridge Vineyards. The winery’s tasting room is located in a renovated historic farm house. Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the winery’s terrace or veranda where you can explore a wine lineup that includes their Heath’s Off-Dry Vignoles, a gold medal winner at the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition. Treat yourself to seasonal artisan cuisine at the winery’s restaurant. 

McKelvey Vineyards
8901 State Hwy YY
Leslie, MO 63056

In the late 1800s, Missouri’s wine industry thrived with more than 100 wineries throughout the state including a winery owned by the Twelker family in New Haven. The Twelkers established their winery in 1871 and were soon transporting wine in big vats to St. Louis. Today, Patricia McKelvey is bringing the farm back to its roots. The winery features Steeple View Manor, a meticulously restored stone house, an original barn and all-season pavilion where you can enjoy the beautiful weather, lush landscape and delicious wine. 

The Peculiar Winery
20709 Harper Road
Peculiar, MO 64078

Drive about 30 minutes outside of Kansas City and you’ll discover The Peculiar Winery. This family-owned, family-friendly winery offers a selection of handcrafted wines and a light food menu. You can relax on their large patio or inside their spacious tasting room. The winery features weekly live music and food trucks. The 15-acre winery produces a variety of grape and fruit wines, ranging from dry to sweet. 

All four of these wineries participate in the Missouri Winery Visitors Program. Not an MVP? Visit our website to learn about the program that rewards you for visiting Missouri wineries.

There’s always so much more to explore in Missouri wine country. And with fall just around the corner, now is the perfect time to discover the adventure that awaits you at Missouri’s wineries.

Fall is on its way and we couldn’t be more excited to spend the season in Missouri wine country.  Many of our wineries have upcoming events that we know you will enjoy.

Adam Puchta Winery
September 13 and October 4 visit the winery for Grill Your Own Steak Night.

Sit back and enjoy live music every Saturday in September and October.

Oktoberfest comes to the winery every weekend in October.

Save the date! November 1 is the 9th Annual Doe Camp benefitting the Hermann Area Crusade Against Cancer, as well as, Just Call Me Ray Foundation.

Augusta Winery
Friday Night Live will take place on September 6 from 6-9 p.m. This event will host the last of the Summer Concert Series featuring the Paulo Small Band, summer wine cocktails, swag giveaways, short round wine trivia, BYO yard games and fresh baked pizza (or you can pack your own delicious snacks.)

Hot Jazz & a Heroine book signing featuring author Camille Faye will be September 7 from 1-5 p.m. Camille will sign copies of her newest book in the Voodoo Butterfly series from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy southern-inspired wine cocktails while listening to live music from the FoA jazz band.

October 26 from 1-5 p.m. Augusta Winery will host their 9th Annual Hallo-Wine Party. Go dressed in your Halloween attire, play games, enjoy candy and wine pairings, swing to the music of the FoA band and sip on their festive wine cocktails. This event is family-friendly.

Does your doe need a survival kit for deer season? Grab a kit and stock up on wine while enjoying happy hour specials at the Pre-Season Doe’s Day Out November 2 from 1-4 p.m. Shop the tasting room, check out local vendors and take a chance at winning prizes.

For more information on Augusta Winery’s events, visit their website.

Dale Hollow Winery
Enjoy live music and a food truck on Dale Hollow Winery’s beautiful property September 14. There will also be live music on September 28 and October 12. For more information on the performers, click here.

Hemman Winery
The annual Grape Stomping Contest is near! Visit Hemman Winery on October 5 and 6 to compete for your chance to become a member of The Purple Foot Club.

Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery
Dip your toes into a barrel full of juicy red grapes at the 9th Annual Grape Stomp on September 6-8 and 13-15. After the work is done, you will enjoy an evening of good company, a light dinner and of course, wine!

What’s better than Fall Winetasting Hayrides? Experiencing the best that Fall has to offer as you hop on a lantern-lit hay wagon and ride around the vineyard at night, all while tasting Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery’s wines along the way. Visit the winery’s event page for dates and times.

Enjoy live music? Jowler Creek Winery offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards
Take part in a grape stomp, listen to live music and enjoy activities for the whole family at the Crush Festival October 5-6. More events can be found here.

OakGlenn Vineyards and Winery
Live music, dancing, picnic food and beverages are just a few things you can find at OakGlenn Vineyards and Winery on Saturdays in September. Check out their online calendar to see who the live talent is going to be.

St. James Winery
You’re invited to the Third Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13 in The Gardens, a beautiful backyard between the winery and brewery. This is a free, family-friendly Italian heritage event that celebrates the bountiful harvest of the Meramec Highlands. Enjoy live music, good food, great drinks and family-friendly activities while you shop around from local vendors.

Stone Hill Winery
Don’t miss your chance to take a special VIP winery tour during Grapes to Glass on September 14 and November 9. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine in a take home souvenir glass when you check in. Guests will experience a behind the scenes tour and explore Stone Hill’s onsite Norton vineyard, cellars, tank building and press house while learning a few secrets to their winemaking success. Purchase tickets here.

Oktoberfest is coming to Stone Hill Winery not once, not twice, but eight times. Visit their event page for all the dates.

The Peculiar Winery
Be a part of the winery’s first ever Oktoberfest celebration October 5 from 3-6 p.m. Live polka music by The Alpen Spielers and pizza from KC Fooditude are just a couple things that will be offered at this event.

Tipple Hill Winery
Assemble your stomping team of four and get your costumes ready. Registration for the Grape Stomp and Harvest Party on October 5 from 5-9 p.m. is open! Enjoy food made from scratch, costume and stomp contests and music by Curtis Stroud Band.

Ever wanted to attend a Murder Mystery dinner party? Now is your chance. Tipple Hill Winery will host one on October 25. Keep an eye on their website for more details to come.

Additional Missouri wine country and wine trail events include:

September

3-7 - St. James Grape and Fall Festival

6-8 – 5th Annual Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival

14 - 7th Annual Independence Uncorked Wine Festival

20-21 - Augusta's Harvest Festival

21 – Carrollton Wine and Beer Walkabout

21 – Rocheport Wine Stroll

28 – Wine and Brews on The Avenues

October

Weekends in October - Oktoberfest in Hermann

12 - Hollister Grape and Fall Festival

19 – 6th Annual Clinton Wine Stroll

November

2–3 - Missouri River Wine Trail’s Sip & Soup

9 – Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail’s Taste of an Ozark Holiday  

 *This information is based on wineries that responded to a survey so it may not include all Missouri winery events.

Harvest, festivals and special events… it must be Missouri Wine Month!

September is a very special month in Missouri. The weather is great and there is so much to do to celebrate Missouri Wine Month. We also enjoy using this time to showcase the amazing impact Missouri wines have on the economy.

According to our 2017 study, the local wine industry is consistently on the rise in so many ways. The annual economic impact of wine and grapes on the state is $3.2 billion (that’s a $1.4 billion dollar increase from 2015). The industry supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs and sells 1.16 million gallons of wine every year. With 1,700 acres of grapes and 425 growers, harvest is a very exciting time in the vineyards of Missouri. Winemakers and vineyard managers work tirelessly to produce an amazing product for their consumers, and they will all tell you that it’s, without a doubt, worth the work.

The 2019 Missouri Wine Competition winners were announced recently. You’ll definitely want to try these truly spectacular wines before they’re gone!

We invite you to celebrate Missouri Wine Month by attending fabulous events offered by our wonderful wineries and wine trails.