Halloween is a really fun time of the year; why not celebrate with a wine and craft night? Whether you’re prepping for a Halloween soiree or want to add some seasonal festiveness to your house, check out these fun and (not so) frightening DIY décor ideas.

Wine Bottle Craft Ideas:

Jack-O-Lantern Bottles- You won’t have to worry about finding the perfect pumpkins or getting pumpkin guts all over the dining table with these Jack-O-Lanterns.

Spider Web Wine- This is a craft you can do on full bottles you plan to serve, if you’d prefer. It’s easy, quick, and makes a spooky statement. Glue on some spiders for good measure!

Wine Glass DIY Inspiration:

Hand-painted Wine Glass Ghouls- Simpler than it looks and so much fun, these wine glass ghouls make a great center or mantle piece.

Candy Corn Candle Holders- You’d be hard-pressed to find an easier, speedier Halloween decoration than this!

Must-try Cork Crafts:

Cork Pumpkins- Fast and fun, these cork pumpkins would be an ideal craft to do with friends or family.

Skeleton- Who needs bones when you have wine corks? Build a skeleton out of wine corks; we won’t look too close for anatomical correctness.

Mini-Monsters- Sparkling wine corks transform into the cutest little spooksters! These mini-monsters are perfect for a door prize or goodie bags.

Get in the spooky spirit with Missouri wines!

A Missouri Chardonel is an excellent dry white wine to cook with, especially when making sauces.  We made sage pork tenderloin medallions with a Chardonel jus and the results were delicious!  A glass of Chardonel also pairs very well with this meal or while you’re cooking it.  This recipe comes from our friends at the Missouri Pork Association.  It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook.  This elegant dish is easy to make and tastes great!  These pork tenderloin medallions are the perfect meal to present to guests or cook for your family at home.       

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Whole-Wheat Flour

• ½ Teaspoon Dried Sage

• ¼ Teaspoon Salt

• ¼ Teaspoon Pepper

• ¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

• 4 Teaspoons Olive Oil, Divided

• 1 Pork Tenderloin (About 1 ¼ Pounds, Trimmed If Needed)

• ½ Cup Chicken Broth, Reduced Sodium or Organic

• ½ Cup Dry White Wine, Missouri Chardonel

• 2 Teaspoons Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil, or Substitute Butter

Directions

Stir together flour, sage, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow dish or plate, and preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Slice pork crosswise into 3/4-inch thick medallions and arrange flat on a cutting board. Pound with a mallet to 1/2-inch thickness and coat pork in flour on all sides.

Add 2 teaspoons oil to the pan.  Once the oil heats up, place the pork in a single layer. You might need to divide the pork into two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.  Brown on one side for 2 to 3 minutes and turn to brown the other side.  Remove pork onto a plate and scrape the brown bits up from the bottom of pan with a wooden spoon, putting them into the measured broth or wine.  Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to pan and repeat the cooking procedure.  Add the pork to the plate.

Remove pan from heat, add wine, place back on heat, and simmer for 4 minutes or until wine reduces down to a couple of tablespoons.  Add broth and simmer 3 minutes or until reduced by half.

Remove from heat, swirl in butter, and add pork back to the pan to coat.  Arrange pork on plates and spoon sauce on top.

Enjoy!

(Southeast)

• Belmont Vineyards
• Heinrichhaus Vineyard and Winery
• Meramec Vineyards
• St. James Winery
• Three Squirrels Winery

(Southwest)

• OOVVDA Winery
• Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery
• White Rose Winery

The Citizen Jane Film Festival, one of the only film festivals in the nation that highlights the work of female filmmakers, returns to downtown, Columbia for its ninth year.  What started as a lecture series at Stephens College, the second oldest women’s college in the country, has grown into a three-day festival that celebrates and supports women filmmakers.  The festival will be held November 3^rd - 6^th, 2016.  View the festival’s schedule to see what films will be screened this year.  Missouri Wines is proud to be a sponsor and we want to share the love by giving away a pair of Insane Jane passes!

What you could win:

2 Insane Jane passes to the Citizen Jane Film Festival - VALUE $210

Tickets include - all access passes to the vibrant world of Citizen Jane.

• Early ticket reservations
• Access to the opening night reception
• Access to all screenings
• Access to all events
• Access to the Citizen Jane Summit, film school, special screenings, music events, live performances, and art installations
• Access to Filmmaker Brunch
• Access to Citizen Jane Dance Party
• Access to Filmmaker hike
• Access to the Citizen Jane late night dance party
• Ticketless Access

How to enter:

1. Follow @MissouriWine on Instagram

2. Post a Missouri wine related photo on Instagram with the hashtags #MOwine and #CJFF by 10pm (CST) on Sunday, October 16^th, 2016.

Things to note:

• One entry per Instagram account.

• If your account is set to private, we won’t be able to see that you posted an entry. So, you’ll need to make your account public for the duration of the contest to be entered.

The winner will be chosen at random from all qualified entries and contacted on Monday, October 17^th by noon (CST) through Instagram.  If the selected winner does not respond or meet the requirements within 24 hours of being contacted, a new winner will be selected.

If you have any questions, please email missouri.wine@mda.mo.gov.

October 4^th is Taco (Tues)Day! There seems to be a day for everything, but who wouldn’t want to celebrate the delicousness that is… the taco?! And to top it off, Taco Day falls on a Tuesday this year. Most of the time when you order tacos, you may think of accompanying them width a beer or tequila cocktail, but don’t count wine out. Vino has a long history in Mexico (The oldest winery in North/Central America is in Coahuila, Mexico [Est. 1597].) and pairs incredibly well with Mexican dishes like tacos. Let’s talk pairings!

There are three primary components to consider when pairing wine and tacos:

1. Sweet cuts heat! The spicier the dish, the sweeter and colder the wine should be to help put out the fire. Wines with high alcohol content and tannins will intensify the burn, so avoid those if you like your tacos spicy.
2. Color coding: The stand-by rule of white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat, works fairly well with most dishes, including tacos. That being said… rosé wines can often toe the line and work with both red and white meats.
3. Is it herb-y? Fresh, green herbs tend to work well with acidic wines that have herbaceous flavors. So, if you’re one of the people that piles on the cilantro, reach for a Missouri Vidal Blanc to go with your tacos.

Mouthwatering Match-ups:

• Chicken Tacos + Vidal Blanc
• Tacos de Carne Asada + Chambourcin
• Carnitas Tacos + Dry Rosé (or Catawba if they’re super spicy)
• Chorizo Tacos + Vignoles
• Veggie Tacos (Mushroom, Onion, Peppers) + Chardonel
• Fish Tacos + Seyval Blanc

Try these pairings and enjoy #TacoDay with #MOwine!

It’s hard to imagine a more exciting time in Show Me wine country than harvest. Tons (literally, so many tons) of beautiful grapes are picked from the vine and start their journey to your glass. Harvest looks a little different at each winery. Some wineries kick it old school with traditional equipment, while others employ all the latest technology. If you’re interested in seeing how the delicious wine in your glass comes to be, now is the time to get out to local wineries.

Here’s a glimpse into the amazing sites you’ll discover in wine country this harvest season.

Breathtaking grapes ready for harvest at West Winery

Beautiful bunch of Ellen Scott grapes at Vox Vineyard

Harvester at St. James Winery

Bins of grapes headed for crush at Stone Hill Winery

Grapes get the royal treatment at Claverach Farms & Vineyard

Old school press at VanTill Family Farm Winery

Bin upon bin of gorgeous grapes headed for crush at Pirtle Winery

Juice flows during crush at Blumenhof Vineyards & Winery

There are 130 wineries spread across Missouri. No matter where you call home in the Show Me State, chances are you’re not far from a winery (or ten). Have you visited the ones in your own backyard? Discover the local wines being made just down the road and meet the people making them. Every bottle has a story. Go on an adventure in Missouri wine country and find out why.

Being a tourist in your own town helps you look at your surroundings with a new perspective and appreciation. Use our interactive winery map to find wineries near you. You can search by distance with zip codes or by keyword if you’re looking for something in particular. Find it here.

Enjoy your next vino adventure! Share it with us on social media with #MOwine. 

Fall (or autumn if you prefer) is a wonderful time of year in Missouri wine country. The breathtaking colors of the changing leaves are a sight to be treasured, and the cool, crisp air is ideal for snuggling up with a glass of your favorite local wine. These are some seasonal favorites we think should make it into your plans this fall.

1. Become an MVP. Visit wineries and earn points toward rewards in the Missouri Winery Visitors’ Program. With 130 wineries to explore, your fall will be full of vino adventures.
2. Visit a wine trail. There are 10 in the state and they all have something different to offer. Several of them have unique events planned for this fall such as the Wine Diva Weekend on the Route du Vin in Ste. Genevieve, Holiday Fare on the Hermann Wine Trail, Sip & Soup on the Missouri River Wine Trail, and Taste of the Holidays on the Missouri River Hills Wine Trail.
3. Savor the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. A scenic drive to a winery, a marvelous view from a winery’s outdoor seating, or hiking/biking the Katy Trail from winery to winery… There are lots of options for getting out and really appreciating the beauty of this season of transition.
4. Taste a seasonal wine. Several wineries in the Show Me State make limited run, small batches of seasonal wines that range from Pumpkin Pie, to Cranberry, to Gingerbread. They are most often only available at the wineries and for a limited time. It’s almost a treasure hunt to find and taste these fun seasonal varieties.
5. Listen to live music at a winery. Before the chill in the air gets too cold, enjoy some live music at a winery. Many wineries feature bands on the weekends.
6. Try mulled wine (AKA Gluhwein). A traditionally German recipe, served warm, of spiced wine and fruit. It’s unique and delicious. Whether you try your hand at making it at home or enjoy it at a winery, it’s a must as the weather cools down.
7. Create and share a fall inspired wine cocktail like this Apple Cider Sangria.
8. Go to a fall festival. There are many at wineries, others where wineries are in attendance, all are a great time. Check out this list of fall festivals in Missouri for some ideas.
9. Sip your favorite Missouri red wine, fireside. Fall is bon fire season and there is nothing better than enjoying a bon fire with a glass of warming, red wine.
10. Add wine to your favorite fall baking recipe. Incorporating wine to your baking can add a unique flavor and richness. This guide will help you figure out the best way to wine-up your recipes.
11. Pair the first batch of chili with the perfect Missouri wine. Chili season is so close we can taste it, and that first batch always tastes the best. Doesn’t it? Be sure to pick up the ideal wine to go with it.

The list of fun things to do this fall in Missouri wine country could go on and on and on, but these should get you started! 

September is Missouri Wine Month and it is the perfect time to discover a new winery (or ten). The number of wineries in Missouri has grown drastically in the last twenty years to a formidable force of 130, producing 1.25 million gallons of wine and supporting nearly 15,000 fulltime jobs. Owning a winery is no easy task, but the passionate and hard-working winemakers of the Show Me State love a challenge. And they sure are rising to the task, growing 1,700 acres of grapes and bringing home award after award from national and international wine competitions. Experience the beauty of Missouri wine country and enjoy the fruits of their labor!

Here are some of the most recent additions to the Missouri wine family. If you’ve not checked them out yet, what are you waiting for?

Northwest MO

• Grindstone Valley Winery – Osborn (near St. Joseph)
• KC Wineworks – Kansas City (Crossroads District)
• Mallinson Vineyard and Hall – Sugar Creek
• Tipple Hill Winery & Vineyard – Easton (near St. Joseph)
• Top Hat Winery – Independence
• Vox Vineyards – Weston

Northeast MO

• Curling Vine Winery – New Florence
• Florida Winery – Florida (on Mark Twain Lake)
• Rack House West Winery – Cottleville (near St. Louis)

Central MO

• Giggling Grapes Winery* - Jefferson City

Southwest MO

• Bear Creek Wine Company – Walnut Shade (near Branson)
• Curling Vine Winery – Branson
• Lambs and Vines Winery – Seymour (near Springfield)
• Meyer Farms Inc.* - Mt. Vernon (near Springfield)

Southeast MO

• Eagles’ Landing – St. James
• LaChance Vineyards – De Soto
• McCullough House Winery – Thayer
• Red Moose Vineyard – Salem
• Watertower Winery – Ste. Genevieve
• Wild Sun Winery – Hillsboro

(*Open by appointment only.)

The Missouri wine industry has an annual economic impact of $1.76 billion. We’d like to introduce you to all the different wines the Show Me State has to offer. As you’re sure to have noticed, the weather patterns in Missouri can range from hot and humid, to downright frigid, and everything in between. As a result, local vintners grow mostly Native American and hybrid grapes that can handle our demanding weather. Learn more about these hardy grapes and the delicious wines they become.

Norton is a Native American red grape that produces big, bold dry red wines. Norton (AKA Cynthiana) was named the Official State Grape of Missouri in 2003 and is the most commonly grown grape in the state.

Chambourcin (pronounced sham-bor-san) is a French-American hybrid grape often made into earthy, dry red wines and refreshing rosés. Chambourcin is very food friendly and it’s a great “gateway red” for those just starting out.

Catawba is a Native American grape that makes delightful rosé style wines. Catawba wines range in hue from pink to orange and are perfect for sipping on a warm summer day.

Concord is also a Native American grape and wines made from it are usually luscious, sweet red wines. Concord is the quintessential ‘grape’ flavor and a fan favorite at many Missouri wineries. 

Vignoles (pronounced veen-yole) is the most popular white grape in the state and is used to make everything from Late Harvest dessert wines, to refreshing, fruity dry whites. Most frequently, you’ll find semi-sweet to semi-dry Vignoles wines with wonderfully fruity aromas and flavors. No wonder it’s so popular!

Vidal Blanc is an incredibly versatile grape and you’ll find wines made from it in the dessert, sparkling, semi-dry, and crisp, refreshing dry wine categories. It’s delicious and award-winning in many of its styles.

Chardonel is a hybrid grape and wines made from it are often aged on oak, producing wines similar in style and flavor to one of its parent grapes, Chardonnay. You can also find unoaked Chardonel wines at some Missouri wineries, letting more of the apple and citrus notes of the grape shine through.