Missouri is 

home to more than 130 wineries located all across the state. Each offers a unique experience, but here is a list of a few things you might never have expected to find while visiting Missouri wine country.

 1. A cave where you’re encouraged to relax, sip wine, and go ahead and dunk it.

Cave Vineyard and Distillery is located in Ste. Genevieve and boasts a huge saltpeter cave where it’s always the perfect temperature to enjoy a glass of Missouri wine with… biscotti? Yes, biscotti! The winery offers a variety of delicious, homemade biscotti from a recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation in this Italian heritage family. They even encourage you to “Go ahead and dunk it!” in your wine. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

*We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that you can explore caves near another winery in the Show-Me State, Cave Hollow West Winery, which is in the Mark Twain Cave Complex in Hannibal.

2. An outhouse.

Odessa Country Winery welcomes you to a truly quaint experience complete with serene views, a relaxed atmosphere and, yes, an outhouse. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a quiet and low-key escape on the back roads of Odessa.

 3. A treehouse Bed and Breakfast.

Live your Swiss Family Robinson fantasy at The Cottage in Hermann. You can stay in a beautiful tree house where you awake to a tree-top view and sip your wine among the birds. Nestled in one of Missouri’s oldest wine regions, The Cottage offers uniquecharm and first-class service to visitors.

4. A haunted orphanage with a strong paranormal following.

Featured on several paranormal TV shows and presentations, Belvoir Winery and Inn is housed in a historical building that was an Odd Fellows home and an orphanage. Taking a tour of this beautiful building may leave you with goosebumps, but it’s certainly an unforgettable experience in Missouri wine country.

5. A boat-ward entrance.

Captain your vessel right up to Buffalo Creek Winery from the Lake of the Ozarks. Looking for a fun stop while you’re cruising the Lake? This is it! This small winery is only open seasonally, but we doubt you’ll be on the water in the middle of the winter anyway. (You can also access Buffalo Creek Winery via roads if you are less maritime inclined.)

6. A human foosball court.

7C’s Winery in Walnut Grove near Springfield offers a relaxed atmosphere far from the business of the city. In addition to locally crafted wines and meads, you’ll find a human foosball court where you and your friends can make memories and have a blast.

7. Swimming pools!

Yes, you read that correctly and yes, it’s plural. Two wineries in Missouri offer their visitors a pool-side sipping experience. Shawnee Bluff Winery in Lake Ozark has a pool with a lakeside view, complete with a giant wine bottle shaped fountain. Chaumette Vineyards has a pool and pool-side grill (open on the weekends) for the guests enjoying their French-heritage inspired villas.

8. A life-size chess board.

The Gardens at St. James Winery and Public House Brewery in St. James offers a welcoming outdoor space with ample seating, fire pits and a life-size chess board for guests to enjoy. Grab a glass of award-winning wine, a delicious bite to eat and see who gets to say “Checkmate!”

Lake Creek Winery has beautiful views of the Katy Trail and Missouri River Valley in Marthasville. Sit on the deck of their 1860's farm house or engage in a witty game of lawn chess situated between the farmhouse and pergola.

There is always something unique and amazing to discover in Missouri wine country. Explore local wineries on your next vino adventure and keep an eye out for something you may never have expected to find!

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” – W.C. Fields

This famous quote describes all of us, right? Well, here are some delicious recipes for you to make with your favorite Missouri wines. Whether you’re looking for an easy, weeknight dinner or a truly impressive dessert, these recipes and the local wines that pair with them will not disappoint.

Appetizers

Shareable Chardonel Fondue

Fromage Fort a la Missouri Wine

Creamy Chardonel Dip

Main Dishes

Tomato Soup with Red Wine

Beef Burgers with Missouri Wine Ketchup

Easy Seyval Chicken

White Fish with Herbed Vidal Blanc and Lemon Sauce

White Wine Shrimp Linguini

Side Dishes and Sauces

Norton Quick Bread

Red Wine Pasta

Slow Cooker Chambourcin Mushrooms 

Missouri Red Wine Steak Sauce

Chambourcin Cranberry Sauce

Desserts

Wine Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mulled Wine Cheesecake

MO Wine Popsicles

3-Ingredient Wine Ice Cream

White Wine Lemon Bundt Cake

Fruity Fruitcake

Peachy Vignoles Trifle

Sangrias, Slushies, and more…

Apple Cider Sangria

Strawberry Wine Lemonade

Red Wine Hot Cocoa

Stargazer Wine Cocktail

Winter White Sangria

Fruity Vignoles Slushy

Mulled Wine

Cheers to cooking with wine and sometimes adding it to the food!

Harvest is an exciting time at Missouri wineries. It's also a crucial step in the winemaking process. What comes off the vine will soon be turned into your favorite wine. See what harvest means to several Missouri winemakers who know that crafting great wine is worth the work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgk3fKQavS0&feature

During this time of year, we anticipate the return of cooler temperatures and look forward to enjoying fall favorites like apple cider. This sangria recipe includes classic flavors of apples and cinnamon. Add Missouri wine and it’s perfect!

Ingredients

2 bottles - Dry Missouri white wine (We used Chardonel and it was fantastic!)

5 cups - Apple cider (You can use sparkling if you like a little bubble in your sangria.)

4 large -  Apples (We used a combination of honeycrisp and fuji.)

2 - Cinnamon sticks (Optional: extra for garnishing the glasses.)

Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Directions

• Mix the Missouri wine and apple cider into a large pitcher.
• Chop or slice apples and add to the pitcher. Be sure to remove the core and seeds.
• Add two cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.
• Let it sit in fridge for at least an hour to let all the flavors meld together and the cinnamon infuse the sangria.
• Serve chilled.
• Optional: Add a small cinnamon stick and pomegranate seeds to each glass for garnish.

If you’re going to visit Missouri wineries, why not be rewarded for it? That’s why we launched the Missouri Winery Visitors Program (MVP) in September 2016. Now, two years later, the program is still going strong with more than 7,000 members.   

It's Easy to MVP 

The Missouri Winery Visitors Program is a program designed to reward loyal Missouri wine consumers. You receive a ticket each time you visit a participating MVP winery. Go online, register the tickets you collect, then redeem the points for fabulous rewards like cheeseboards, wine totes and opportunities to win sweepstakes experiences.

MVP Perks

We recently launched MVP Perks, an extension of our membership program. MVP Perks are exclusive offers at participating wineries that are only available to our MVP members. Examples of MVP Perks include discounts on food, glassware or logo merchandise purchases and special pairings. Just show your MVP membership card at a winery that offers a MVP Perk. Go to the MVP website to see the list of current MVP Perks.

The MVP Cellar Master Celebration

We are in the early stages of planning for the experience of a lifetime. The MVP Cellar Master Celebration will honor our most loyal Missouri wine fans. You’ll have the opportunity to visit with your favorite winemakers while enjoying fabulous food and award-winning Missouri wines. The event will take place in spring 2020. That means you’ll have plenty of time to visit Missouri wineries and collect points for this memorable evening. Your goal? 50,000 points.

MVP has been extended through December 31, 2019 which gives loyal Missouri wine fans even more time to earn rewards. Not a member? Go online and register today.

See you in Missouri wine country!

Before Prohibition, Missouri was second in the nation in wine production. It took a while to bounce back once Prohibition was repealed, but Missouri wine country now boasts more than 130 wineries and makes a $3.2 billion impact on the state every year. Discover these seven new wineries across the Show-Me State. Whether you’re just learning about the local wine scene or a loyal enthusiast, there is always something new and interesting to uncover in Missouri wine country.

Holy Grail Winery in Marthasville

Recently opened in a new picturesque location in Marthasville, Holy Grail Winery welcomes visitors to relax and enjoy a glass of their carefully crafted wines. Definitely take advantage of their chocolate and wine tasting when you visit!

Old Farm Winery in Catawissa

The family responsible for Old Farm Winery has farmed land in the hills of Missouri for more than a century. Today, they follow their ancestors’ lead and pour their hearts and labor into what they do. Their roots run deep on this farm and they’re proud to present the fine wines they craft to visitors. Old Farm Winery is currently open by appointment, so give them a call and make a trip out to Catawissa to see them.

Osage Orange Vineyard & Winery in Greencastle

Osage Orange Vineyard & Winery (or OOVW) is a home-based, family-run business located near Kirksville, Mo., well within the Conservation Department’s designation area known as the Mystic Plains Prairie land. Their wine is hand-crafted on-site using mostly fruit grown in the vineyard, from their trees (namely pear, peach and apple), and the produce from the family garden (e.g. watermelon, pumpkin, rhubarb, various berries and herbs like mint).

Peaceful Bend Vineyards in Steelville

Peaceful Bend Vineyards may be a familiar name, but they have recently reopened in their newly built facility. The industry and many loyal patrons are thrilled to see Katie and Clyde back and better than ever after suffering a tragic fire. Visit the winery to see the brand-new facility and enjoy delicious wine and food.

Small Batch Winery in Wentzville

Small Batch Winery is a family owned and operated micro-winery. True to their name, they make wine in small batches allowing them to be involved in every step from the fermentation, to the bottling and labeling of the finished wine. They specialize in easy-sipping wines they think are perfect for that evening or Sunday afternoon relaxing on the patio. Open by appointment only, a visit to Small Batch Winery is just a call away.

St. James Winery – Branson

St. James Winery has been a staple in the Missouri wine industry since 1970, but they have recently opened a satellite location in Branson where they house some of the production for their numerous varieties of wine as well as a delicious restaurant. Next time you’re in Branson, stop by for a tasting or a bite to eat.

Twin Meadows Winery in Madison

Twin Meadows is a family owned and operated winery. It maintains a vineyard consisting of cold hardy American and French-American hybrid vines. The grapes are harvested, processed, crafted and bottled on site to provide a diverse selection of dry to sweet wines. There’s something for everyone. Twin Meadows Winery is open by appointment only, but can’t wait to see you and show you around.

Missouri has a long history of winemaking, giving the local wine industry a strong and fascinating foundation, but our future is motivated by the passionate and hardworking winemakers and grape-growers in the state. Visit these new wineries and continue exploring Missouri wine country to discover why Missouri wine is worth the work.

What do we mean when we say Missouri wine country is kind of a big deal?

We mean 130+ wineries big.

We mean 1,700 bearing acres of vineyards big.

We mean $3.2 billion annual impact on the state big.

We mean 28,000+ jobs supported big.

We mean 1.16 million gallons sold annually big.

We mean… it’s a really big deal! Missouri may not rival the coastal wine regions, but it certainly holds its own. With a history dating back to the early 1800s, the Show-Me State was a key player in the wine industry prior to Prohibition. It took several decades after the repeal of the 18^th amendment for the local wine industry to bounce back, but bounce back it has!

Every year Missouri wine country is visited by more than 875,000 people. With 130+ wineries located all over the state, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for the small-town atmosphere or an urban experience, there’s at least one (usually several) wineries that fit the bill. Plus, the Missouri Wine and Grape board will reward you for visiting area wineries if you become an MVP. Find out more about that here.

Missouri wines are made locally, but recognized internationally. Show-Me State wines have been receiving international acclaim since the late 1800s when Norton wines from Hermann took home gold medals at several World’s Fairs. They continue to bring home awards from national and international wine competitions today. We also host a Missouri Wine Competition where local wines compete against each other. See the results from this year’s competition here.

One reason many people don’t realize the scope of the Missouri wine industry is because they may not recognize the grapes we grow. Missouri’s climate is demanding and not suitable for all wine grape varieties, so our winemakers primarily grow native American and hybrid varietals that are hardier and able to withstand the pressures of Missouri’s cold winters and humid summers. We may do things a little differently, but we do them really well. Get to know Missouri’s grape varietals here.

There is so much to discover in Missouri wine country. What are you waiting for? Visit a local winery today to find out… what’s the big deal?! 

Looking for a delicious treat this grilling season? Look no further. Fruit marinated in Missouri Vignoles white wine, grilled and topped with a marscarpone sauce is a delicious dish perfect as a dessert or side dish.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDpUC-xjUFk&feature=youtu

Vignoles Marinated Grilled Fruit Skewers Recipe

Time: 20 minutes active, 2 hours inactive | Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

4- Peaches

4- Pears

2 cups- Missouri Vignoles (semi-sweet white wine)

½ cup- Marscarpone

2 oz.- Orange juice

1 tbsp- Honey

Fresh mint (Optional garnish)

Directions:

Soak 12-15 skewers in warm water for 10-30 minutes. Wash and cut the peaches and pears into large slices. (Tip: Ripe but still slightly firm fruit is best for this recipe as it will soften some when marinated and when cooked.) Assemble the skewers, alternating between the peach and pear slices. Marinate the fruit in Missouri Vignoles for 1-2 hours.

While the fruit marinates, make the sauce by whisking together the marscarpone, orange juice and honey, adding additional orange juice until it reaches the desired consistency.

Grill the fruit skewers for 1-2 minutes on each side. Leave them on the grill just long enough to sear both sides; you don’t want to overcook the fruit. Remove the skewers from the grill, allow to cool slightly, drizzle with the sauce, garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!

You’ve been looking forward to a day at the winery. Delicious wines, incredible views. There’s just one hitch.

Naturally, your furry pal wants to go too.  And when they look at you like this...

…how can you resist?

Go ahead and give into those sad puppy eyes. There are many Missouri wineries that welcome pets. You can see which wineries are pet friendly on our website. Our new winery guide also includes a list of amenities. Look for the  symbol underneath the list of wineries to see if they allow pets on their grounds. Don’t have a winery guide? Request one here. 

Grab a leash before you go. Your destination in Missouri wine country awaits.

2          Cooking with MO Wine Contests

1          Missouri Wine Tent featuring premium local wines

11        Opportunities to attend Missouri Wine, Cheese & Chocolate classes

1          Missouri Travel Council’s Tourism Trade Show with a Missouri wine tasting

6          Delicious fair food and wine pairings

That’s 21 reasons for wine lovers to enjoy an exciting visit to the Missouri State Fair.

Cooking with Missouri Wine Contests:

The Missouri Wine and Grape Board sponsors two different cooking contests at the fair. The Cooking with Missouri Wine Contest where contestants prepare an entrée with Missouri wine, and the Cooking with Missouri Wine – Just Desserts Contest where contestants make dessert dishes with local wines. The entries are tasted and judged by industry experts. The top three entries receive cash prizes and have their recipes featured on missouriwine.org.

The Missouri Wine Tent:

Located near the grandstand, the Missouri Wine Tent is a great place to escape the heat and discover new, award-winning local wines. A 15-foot tall inflatable wine bottle will let you know you’ve arrived (and is the perfect selfie spot in our opinion). The Missouri Wine Tent features a wide range of wines crafted in the Show-Me State, and has an impressive selection of the winners from the recent Missouri Wine Competition. It’s a great place to relax with friends and a must stop on your trip to the fair.

Missouri Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Classes: