Grape growing and winemaking is not easy, especially not in Missouri. And yet, despite its difficulty, there are 130+ wineries and 425 grape growers spread across the Show Me state. Ever wonder why? The answer is relatively simple. It’s because Missouri winemakers and grape-growers know that some things are worth the work.

Missouri has a long and storied history of winemaking, and in all those years, it’s never been an easy feat. Getting the local wine industry back on its feet after being decimated by Prohibition was no small task either, but through dedication, hard work and perseverance the Missouri wine industry began to thrive. Those early wineries that reopened after prohibition blazed a trail that has been followed by many others who are passionate about making quality wine and undeterred by a challenge.

Growing grapes is an arduous task in most climates, but Missouri’s hot, humid summers and frigid winters increase the difficulty. Local grape growers have discovered many ways to combat these challenges such as cultivating hybrid and native American varietals that are more cold-hardy and can withstand some of the pressures Missouri’s climate raises. Technology and working with researchers in the area also help area vintners produce high quality grapes year after year. There are 1,700 acres of grapes grown throughout Missouri wine country, because without quality grapes, you can’t make award-winning wines.

The hard work doesn’t stop after the grapes are harvested. Winemakers have a bevy of challenges to ensure they make the best wine possible. Missouri winemakers bring home awards from national and international competitions on a regular basis, and it’s not by accident. From state of the art machinery to hours of hard labor, winemakers put in the time to craft delicious wine. Each stage of the process is handled with care from crushing and fermenting to aging and filtering. Winemaking is a marriage of art and science that takes both passion and patience.

In the month of September, we celebrate all of the hard work and dedication of the Missouri wine industry. Raise a glass of locally crafted, nationally awarded wine for Missouri Wine Month, and you’ll know with the first sip why some things are worth the work! 

What you can win:

We will be giving away Missouri Wine MVP sunglasses while supplies last as part of our Missouri Wine Month celebration. Join in the fun by sharing your local wine photos!

How to enter:

1. Follow @MissouriWine on Instagram
2. Post a Missouri wine related photo on Instagram with the hashtag #MoWineMonth September 1- 30, 2017, while supplies last.

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.

We will comment on applicable posts and send a direct message to winners about details for receiving their new shades!

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

Vignoles is a French-American hybrid grape that is quite versatile. Our recent wine competition is a great example of the wide variety of styles Vignoles can shine through. The Best of Class dry white wine, sweet white wine and late harvest wine winners were all made from Vignoles grapes. Whatever level of sweetness, wines made from Vignoles often share very fruity flavors, often tropical, and wonderfully fruity and floral aromas. This delightful varietal pairs incredibly well with summer favorites such as spicy foods, tangy salads, fruit and sweet treats.

Spicy Food:

Sweet cuts heat. Semi-sweet or sweet Vignoles wines are a perfect match for your fiery favorites such as Mexican and Asian food or even buffalo wings.

Tangy Salads:

The dressing on a salad is often the most prominent flavor, and a dry Vignoles wine with its acid and fruity flavors is a fantastic match for tangy salads.

Fresh or Grilled Fruit:

You’ve probably read the word fruit or fruity ten times by now so it will come as no surprise that Vignoles is a great match for fresh fruit. It also goes well with grilled fruits such as peaches and pineapple.

Sweet Treats:

There is little more decadent and delicious than Late Harvest Vignoles wine. Bursting with flavor, it is great as dessert by itself or paired with cheesecake, crème brulee or flan.

Discover all the different styles and sweetness levels of Vignoles and how they pair with your favorite foods. Cheers! 

Harvest is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and dedication to cultivating grapes in demanding and often unpredictable conditions. It’s also a time full of excitement and expectation for the wines to come. Harvest is in a way a beginning and an end. It’s relief and excitement all in one. It’s exhausting and exhilarating for those that work in the many vineyards of Missouri wine country.

For many wineries, the excitement is too much not to be shared, and they do this with festivals, celebrations and ceremonies surrounding this bountiful season. It’s an opportunity to bring friends and family together and make memories as another year passes. Take a look inside what Harvest means to several winemakers from around the state. 

When the weather is nice, there’s nothing better than al fresco dining and a picnic is just the ticket. Whether you’re bringing a picnic to a local winery (Yes, many allow you to bring in food, but to be sure call ahead to confirm it’s allowed.), or looking for the perfect Missouri wine to pack in your picnic basket, we have some tips to help you get the most out of your next picnic.

1.Stick to Finger Foods

Finger foods are your friend when it comes to packing a delicious and well-rounded picnic. Consider these great options: veggies or fruit (maybe some dips too), cheeses, deli or hard meats (salami, etc.), pickles, olives, bread (or pita/crackers/chips), dried fruits, nuts, sandwiches, and the list goes on. Don’t forget dessert! There are countless delicious and easy to eat sweet treats to choose from.

2.Know Your Audience

Everyone has different tastes, and that can sometimes be a challenge to accommodate. If you don’t know your group’s tastes specifically, consider a range of dishes or snacks so everyone can have something. Example: A meatless option, a bread/grain-free option, and a dairy free option.

3.Pair the Perfect Wines

If you’re picnicking at a winery, the staff can be a great resource to help you and your fellow feasters select the ideal wines for your menu. If you’re looking for Missouri wines at your local retailer, check out this guide to match up your picnic fixins to local wines.

4.Pack a Picnic Toolbox

Key items that will make any picnic easier: plates, cups/non-breakable “glasses”, napkins/paper towels, trash bag, serving utensils, corkscrew, knife and cutting board. If you have all or most of these, you’ll be pretty well prepared for anything.

5.Cozy and Comfortable is Key

A washable blanket is likely the most important thing for creating a comfortable and welcoming picnic atmosphere, but consider throwing in a few pillows and bringing a speaker for music to make it extra cozy.

Follow these tips and you’ll be set for the perfect picnic with Missouri wines. Cheers! 

Wine country is closer than you think. Missouri is home to more than 130 wineries and 11 wine trails. There’s fascinating history, breathtaking views, and of course who can forget about the delicious, award-winning wine? Everyone can find something appealing about Missouri wine country. Here are some ideas to inspire your next vino adventure.

Like antiques? Northwest Missouri has 20+ wineries and a plethora of antique shops to explore. Towns such as Weston and Excelsior Springs have several wineries and some great boutiques and shops. In Excelsior Springs you’ll also find a little gem of a store called Willow Spring Mercantile, which boasts the largest selection of local wine from all over the state.

Love history? Hermann and Ste. Genevieve are must-see towns. Hermann is drenched in historic charm and German heritage. While there, you can tour the historic underground cellars at Stone Hill and Hermannhof Wineries as well as a number of museums and historical sites. There are several wineries in the area, each with their own unique and fascinating connection to the past and Missouri’s winemaking history. Ste. Genevieve is itself very historic as the oldest township in the state. There are wonderful relics of the French heritage the town was built upon as well as its evolution over the years. There are several wineries in the area, each with captivating stories to intrigue and entertain.

Looking for a world-class view? It’s hard to beat Augusta. There are good reasons it was named the first ever designated winemaking region in the U.S. (American Viticulture Area). You’ll find quaint small town charm and many wineries nestled on Highway 94, just southwest of St. Louis and breathtaking views of the Missouri River Valley, rows upon rows of vineyards, and picturesque farmland. Nearby in Defiance and Dutzow, you’ll discover even more award-winning wineries.

There are so many wonderful wineries in the Show Me state, and each has a unique and fabulous experience to offer you. Use these ideas as a jumping off point to plan your foray into the interesting, beautiful and delicious Missouri wine country. 

Vignoles is a popular white wine in Missouri. It’s super fruity and refreshing and pairs well with a long list of foods. Fresh fruit is a particularly good match for Vignoles. Fresh peaches are featured in this recipe for Peachy Vignoles Trifle, and it’s sure to be a huge hit at your next gathering. Vignoles wines are made in a wide range of sweetness levels but the most common is semi-sweet, which is what we used in this simple and quick treat.

Peachy Vignoles Trifle Recipe

Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 12-16 people

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups- Missouri Vignoles (semi-sweet, fruity white wine)

¼ cup- Granulated sugar

5 large- Peaches (Optional: 1 extra for garnish)

1 package- Instant French vanilla pudding

2 cups- Milk (amount may vary slightly depending on the pudding brand)

2 cups- Heavy whipping cream

4 tbsp- Powdered/confectioner sugar

2 tsp- Pure vanilla extract

1- Pound cake (Frozen is fine, but thaw it before preparing the trifle. Or make your own.)

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring wine and sugar to a low boil and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool when finished. While the wine is simmering, prepare your other layer components.
2. If you prefer your peaches skinless, wash them and cut a shallow X in the bottom. Submerge them in boiling water for one minute. Carefully remove them from the boiling water and put them directly into a bowl of ice water. Once they’ve cooled, the skins will slide right off.   If you don’t mind the skin on your peaches, skip this step and go right to removing the pit and chopping the fruit into bite size pieces.
3. In a large bowl, prepare the French vanilla pudding according to package instructions.
4. Cut pound cake into one inch cubes.
5. In a medium bowl, beat cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until stiff peaks are formed. (Not sure what constitutes a stiff peak, check out this guide.)
6. Fold half of the whip cream into the pudding just until mixed.
7. When the Vignoles syrup is cool, stir it into the peaches.
8. Begin layering your trifle! Make a nice full layer of pound cake, top with peaches and half the juice/wine/syrup liquid. (This yumminess will soak into the pound cake and be amazing.) Add a layer of creamy pudding, then repeat: cake, fruit/juice, pudding. (Optional: At this point in the process, you can add thin slices of peach around the top of the dish for a lovely garnish.)
9. Spoon or pipe the remaining whip on top to finish it off.

This dessert is delicious immediately or can be made up to a day ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator.

Enjoy a heaping scoop with a glass of Missouri Vignoles. Cheers! 

Photo: http://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/

Time is running out! You only have a couple of weeks to plan your Total Solar Eclipse getaway. We suggest you spend the day at one of Missouri’s scenic wineries. Several wineries are hosting special events in conjunction with the eclipse. From live music to a balloon glow, Missouri’s wineries offer an amazing experience you won’t soon forget. Some wineries require reservations; call ahead to ensure ticket and space availability. Then pack up your lawn chairs or blankets and set out on your eclipse expedition. Visit Missouri Wines events calendar for more detailed information about the following solar eclipse events.

7C’s Winery
Solar Eclipse Watch Party
August 21
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Walnut Grove
Features:
• Bring your picnic basket; 7C’s Winery will provide the Bratwurst
• Solar eclipse glasses for sale or view the eclipse with a pinhole projector at the winery
www.7cswinery.com/events.html
RSVP on 7C’s Winery’s Facebook page
417-788-2263

Adam Puchta Winery
Solar Eclipse Party
August 21
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hermann
Features:
• Eclipse lunch special
• Solar eclipse glasses available for the first 100 people
• Take a hayride to the vineyard to watch the eclipse
http://adampuchtawine.com/solar-eclipse-party/
573-486-5596

Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery
Eclipse in the Vineyard
August 18 – 21
Hours & costs vary
Friedheim
Features:
• Live music
• Steak Night (reservation required)
• Viewing party in the vineyard includes bagged lunch (reservation required)
http://www.applecreekwinery.com/
573-788-2211

Cave Vineyard
Total Solar Eclipse
August 21
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ste. Genevieve
Features:
• Complimentary snacks and special drinks
• RV parking available by reservation only
• Solar eclipse glasses available for $1 while supplies last
cavevineyard.com/news/
573-543-5299

Charleville Vineyard Winery & Microbrewery
Short Black Sun Boar & Brew Eclipse Party
August 21
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ste. Genevieve
Cost: $43.47, ages 12+; $21.74, ages 5 to 12; Free for ages 4 and under
Features:
• Included in ticket price: all-you-can-eat roasted pig luncheon with sides, first glass of wine, beer or root beer, solar eclipse glasses, live entertainment and seating
www.charlevillevineyard.com
573-756-4537

Cooper’s Oak Winery
Eclipse Party
August 21
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Higbee
Features:
• Food available for purchase
• Free solar eclipse glasses
• Unobstructed viewing
• Wine tastings
660-456-7660

Dale Hollow Winery
Eclipse Party
August 21
11 a.m.
Stover
Features:
• The first 30 guests receive solar eclipse glasses
• Custom made Eclipse label stickers
dalehollow.wordpress.com
573-569-0094

Edg-Clif Winery
Solar Eclipse Party
August 21
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Potosi
*Cost: $30/person, $45/couple – Must be 21+ to purchase tickets
Features:
• BBQ lunch
• Live music
• Solar eclipse glasses
• Special edition Chambourcin Eclipse wine with a commemorative label
Purchase tickets through Edg-Clif Winery’s Facebook page
573-438-4741
 
Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery
Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Viewing Party
August 21
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Excelsior Springs
*Cost: $50/person
Features:
• Combo event: education session, August 13; viewing party, August 21
• Toast the celestial event with a glass of wine and special Eclipse food menu
www.fencestile.com/calendar.html
816-500-6465

Hummingbird Vineyard & Winery 
Black Out Party!
August 21
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mexico
Feature:
• Solar eclipse glasses available for $3/each while supplies last
www.hummingbirdwinery.com/winery-events-mexico-mo
573-582-7425

Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery
Kansas City Eclipse & Sips Festival
August 18 - 21
*Hours & costs vary
Features:
• Educational events
• Limited edition Eclipse & Sips wine glass
• Live music
• Solar eclipse glasses while supplies last
• View the stars through one of the largest privately-owned telescopes in the Midwest
• Wine tastings
www.jowlercreek.com/events.html
816-858-5528

Les Bourgeois Vineyards
A Blufftop Eclipse & Moonshine Release
August 19 – August 21
Hours vary
Rocheport
*Free and open to the public
Features:
• Cocktail samples
• Extended menu options at the A-Frame
• Live music
missouriwine.com/2017/a-blufftop-eclipse/
800-690-1830

Mount Pleasant Estates
Great American Solar Eclipse Watch Party
August 21
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Augusta
Features:
• Live music by Ticket to the Beatles
• Complimentary wine tour
• Solar eclipse glasses available for $2.50/each while supplies last
mountpleasant.com/great-american-eclipse/
636-482-9463

Riverwood Winery
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing
August 21
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rushville
Feature:
• Plenty of open space
riverwoodwinery.com/events
816-579-9797

Serenity Valley Winery
Sip to the Eclipse
August 19, 12 to 4 p.m.
August 20, 7 to 10 p.m.
August 21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fulton
Features:
• Balloon Glow
• Camp sites
• DJ
• Food trucks
• Live classic rock music performed by Open Road
• Yard games
www.serenitywinerymo.com
573-642-6958

Stone Hill Winery
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
August 21
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hermann
Features:
• Box lunches available for purchase
• Complimentary wine tours
• Solar eclipse glasses available while supplies last
stonehillwinery.com
573-486-3479

Tipple Hill Winery & Vineyard
August 21
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Easton
*Cost: $10 parking
Features:
• Live music with Bill Hoffman & Bill Reiss
• Murphy Smokin' Meats
• Solar eclipse glasses available for $2.50 while supplies last
• Sunoculars available for viewing
www.tipplehillwinery.com/events
816-294-7968

Twin Oaks Vineyard & Winery
Solar Eclipse Party
August 21
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Farmington
Features:
• Celestial and eclipse themed food and drink specials
• Live music by Deja Vu
• Solar eclipse glasses available for purchase
www.twinoaksvineyard.com
573-756-6500

Villa Antonio Winery
Total Eclipse
August 21
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hillsboro
*Cost: $20 parking passes
Features:
• Chef Bruce Special BBQ plates will be available for purchase
• Live music with Scott Laythan and Karl Holmes
villaantoniowinery.com/index.php/events-calendar/
636-475-5008

Vox Vineyards
Solar Eclipse 2017 Watch Party
August 21
11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Kansas City
*Cost: $45/person
Features:
• Picnic lunch
• Wine tasting
www.voxvineyards.com/calendar/solar-eclipse-2017-watch-party-august/
816-354-4903

Weston Wine Company
Eclipse Watch Party
August 21
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weston
Cost: $59/non-members, $49/members
Features:
• Included in ticket price: brunch buffet featuring southern-inspired cuisine from EJ’s Urban Eatery, two drink tickets for wine, beer or limited-edition wine cocktails, solar eclipse glasses, closed eclipse viewing on the porch
http://westonwinecompany.com/event-registration/
816-386-2345

Missouri wineries are a popular destination for people who want to experience the Total Solar Eclipse in a unique and memorable way. Some winery events are already sold out. Contact your favorite winery to save your spot today!

The 2017 Missouri State Fair is happening August 10-20^th in Sedalia. There are approximately a gazillion fun things to do at the fair. There are of course the rides and the games, but there are also really amazing expos and displays, not to mention the concerts and other exciting spectacles. In addition to all of the classic fair fun, there are some great ways to learn about and enjoy Missouri wine at this year’s MO State Fair.

Cooking with Missouri Wine Contests:

Missouri Wines 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. 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. It’s a great place to relax with friends, and a must stop on your trip to the fair.

Missouri Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Classes:

During the MO State Fair on Thursdays and Fridays at 12 and 2pm, and Saturdays at 12pm, we offer fun, interactive wine tastings in the Missouri Wine Tent. This year we will walk participants through the best way to taste wine and how to pair local wine with local cheese and chocolate with samples of each. Classes fill up fast, so be sure to sign up at the Missouri Wine Tent. Cost is $5 per person.

Missouri Wines at the Leisure Travel Showcase:

On the second Thursday of the fair, August 17, we will participate in the Leisure Travel Showcase with a booth offering information about the local wine industry as well as goodies to giveaway, and in the afternoon a tasting. Be sure to get your wristband for the tasting while they last!

See you at the MO State Fair! 

Vignoles is the most widely grown white grape in the state, and for good reason. It makes truly delicious wines. Light, fruity and refreshing, Vignoles wines are the ideal complement to your favorite summer foods. Celebrate this versatile varietal with us during Vignoles Month (AKA August).

Vignoles, pronounced veen-yole, is a French-American hybrid grape created to be hardy, making it a good fit for the demanding weather conditions of the Midwest. There are 260 acres of Vignoles in the vineyards of Missouri wine country, 15.4 percent of all grapes grown in the state.

Winemakers use this popular white varietal for wines ranging in sweetness. At the recent Missouri Wine Competition, three very different styles of wine made from Vignoles grapes all won Best of Class honors. A Dry Vignoles from Adam Puchta Winery took the title in the dry white wine category. Augusta Winery’s 2016 Vignoles, a semi-sweet wine, took the honor in its category, and a Late Harvest Vignoles from Stone Hill Winery also won Best of Class. These three wines are drastically different, but all delicious and all made from Vignoles.

Aromas of tropical fruit, floral notes, and citrus accompany a plethora of fruity flavors, most notably pineapple in Missouri Vignoles wines. The fruity characteristics open an exciting range of food pairing possibilities. Dryer Vignoles wines go well with fresh fruit, swiss cheese and curries. Sweeter Vignoles wines match up remarkably well with spicy foods. The sweetness helps put out the fire. Try a glass with spicy Mexican or Asian dishes. Late Harvest Vignoles is the perfect pair for cheesecake or crème brûlée.

Head out to Missouri wine country or your local wine retailer this August and discover Missouri’s most popular white wine in all of its styles. Find your favorite!