Celebrate Missouri Wine Month by celebrating our varietals that turn into the wine we love. Keep reading to learn more about these delicious grapes!

Catawba (kuh-taw-ba): Catawba is a North American hybrid red grape that was likely discovered near the Catawba River in North Carolina, though its exact origin is disputed. Catawba is used in the production of pink and rose wines. Catawba provides sweet aromas with hints of garden-fresh strawberries. Sweet notes will be soft on the tongue with a floral and woodsy twist. Catawba produces a medium-bodied, sweet, fragrant, strawberry-like wine. This hardy grape thrives in humid summers and cold winters which makes it perfect for Missouri!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/catawba

Chambourcin (sham-bor-san): Chambourcin is a red French American hybrid grape that competes for one of the world’s most popular hybrid grape varieties. It is known for its rich color that adds depth to many red blends. It is known as a teinturier grape (from the French word for “dye”) which is known for producing dark juice, rather than clear. Chambourcin is celebrated during the month of November. The nose will often pick up notes of cherry and it will taste earthy on the palate with strong notes of dark cherry. It is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with soft and subtle tannins. Something you may not know about this varietal is that Chambourcin is one of only a handful of grapes out of 1000+ varietals that produces a colored juice!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/Chambourcin

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel): This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. Chardonel is celebrated during the month of April. You can pick up pear, apple, apricot, and oak if aged in barrels. Chardonel is often full-bodied, rich, complex and crisp. The Chardonel grape was actually developed at Cornell University in 1953. It is a cross of the Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc grapes!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/chardonel

Concord (kaan - kord): Concord is an American grape that was selected from the wild in the mid 1800s. Its name is appropriately chosen from its area of origin, Concord, Massachusetts. It is considered a ‘slip skin’ grape because its skins are easily separated from the pulp during the winemaking process. Concord is celebrated during the month of July. The tastes and aromas that can be enjoyed in a glass of traditional grape juice, and you can depict what will be found in a glass of Concord. Concord is a robust medium-bodied wine that is soft and balanced. Believe it or not, Concord grape demand continued to grow with the invention of a lunchtime favorite and World War II ration – the peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/concord

Norton (nore-tuhn): Norton holds the honor of the official Missouri state grape as an American grape found in 1835 near Richmond, Virginia. As the premium red wine grape in Missouri, Norton is a rich red wine that combines flavors of spice, vanilla, chocolate notes and layered with fruit flavors of berries, ripe cherries and currants. It is a bold, full-bodied and complex dry red wine. The Norton grape is named after Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton. Dr. Norton was experimenting with crossing breeds of grapes and developed the Norton grape!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/norton

Seyval Blanc (say-vahl-blahnc): Seyval Blanc is a French American hybrid grape that makes a dry to semi-dry, clean, crisp medium-bodied wine with an herbal, fresh flavor. When it is barrel fermented, it can take on an oak complexity indicative of Chardonel. You can pick up herbal spices, pear and oak (if fermented in barrels). Seyval Blanc is a medium-bodied, clean and crisp. Seyval Blanc grapes are versatile enough to be used in making many different wine styles!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/seyval-blanc

Traminette (tra-men-et): Traminette ranges from dry to semi-dry or even semi-sweet. This medium-bodied white wine is similar to its parent Gewürztraminer. Its floral aromas are met with citrus fruit, a tangy acidity and a touch of spice on the end. This fun, complex wine is great for a lunch outing or appetizers. Experience floral aromas with tangy citrus and light spice, in this light-bodied, complex and acidic wine. This grape is a high-producing varietal!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/traminette

Vidal Blanc (vee-dahl-blahnc): Vidal Blanc was developed by a French grape breeder in the 1930s and has since found a home in Missouri wine country. This grape is often produced as a single varietal wine that varies from dry to semi-dry and is sometimes used in blends and produced as a sweet, dessert-style sparkling wine. Vidal Blanc is harvested during the early fall. Vidal Blanc is processed as a white wine and not fermented on the skins. Vidal Blanc is celebrated during the month of June. Taste pear, apple, citrus and other fruits in this medium-bodied, crisp and clean wine. Vidal Blanc is a popular varietal for producing ice wines!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vidal-blanc

Vignoles (veen-yole): Vignoles is one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes and a popular cultivar grown in the Midwest. It produces wines that have range from dry, to sweet, to late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles' crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public. Vignoles is celebrated during the month of August. Taste tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot, sometimes citrus and floral notes in this popular medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful. While Vignoles sounds French, this grape varietal is mostly grown in North America!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vignoles

No matter which Missouri varietal is your favorite, be sure to celebrate Missouri Wine Month!

If you are looking for a specific grape varietal to enjoy, check out our 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition results here!

September brings an array of delights – football season kicks off, the crisp fall air sets in, and we celebrate a few cherished holidays. But perhaps the most exciting highlight is that September is Missouri Wine month, a time to savor the rich flavors and the unique varietals of all the local vineyards. Each and every winery in Missouri puts in countless hours to handcraft great wines made uniquely for you.

5 ways that Missouri wine country was uniquely made for you.  

1. Our grapes are very versatile, winemakers can create unique wines that will taste different across the state. 
2. Missouri wine country is always hosting unique events – check our calendar to find one near you.
3. Many of our wineries offer unique lodging, bed-and-breakfast as well as event spaces for one-of-a-kind experiences. 
4. The views in Missouri wine country are unmatched from the rolling hills, fall leaves, waterfront views, relaxing patios and so much more!
5. 128 destinations across the state of Missouri to visit. 

To celebrate these wineries along with each and every one of you we are going to present you with a challenge. When you visit ten wineries and check in during the month of September you will be able to receive a Missouri Wines hat. This challenge is part of our loyalty program, Rewards Uncorked! You must redeem points for this

(Embroidery may vary, hats will be mailed out at the beginning of October.) 

While out visiting Missouri wine country don’t forget to capture the beauty of the experience. We are holding our annual “Through the Glass” photo contest. Submit your photo by October 4^th. We would love to see your unique view of Missouri wine country.

We invite you to celebrate Missouri Wine month by visiting Missouri wine country and experiencing its unique offerings, made just for you! Remember to share your photos with us using #MoWine!

Poppy’s Vidal Blanc from Defiance Ridge Vineyards was the 2024 People’s Choice Award winner, at our Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.

When looking at this label you may notice the gentle stream, the quiet woods on the bank and the man with the fishing pole. This man may seem like just a part of the picture, but there is more to him than meets the eye.  We took a look behind this label and learned more about this fisherman and his signature hat on the Poppy’s Vidal Blanc Label. 

Poppy’s Vidal Blanc is named after owner Chuck Gillentine’s kids’ grandfather, John J. Shillington, who passed away on Christmas Eve 2018. Everyone affectively called him Poppy. One of his pleasures in life was trout fishing at Rockbridge, Missouri. Using rooster tails as choice in lures. Poppy was always up before anyone else at his favorite fishing spot, located around a bend and bluff with a strong current. John always wore the hat in the label. He also enjoyed a nice fruity dry white wine, much like Defiance Ridge’s Vidal Blanc. 

The overall designing of the label was a joint effort by Justin, Chuck’s son, and Allison Laupp, who paints their labels. After their collaboration it was sent to their graphic designer, Cindy Summers, made their vision come to life.

Chuck worked for Poppy for 23 years.  He was a third-generation owner of Shillington Box Company. He was loved by everyone where he walked his factory floor daily, talking to all his employees. He had a love for outdoors, fishing and animals, especially birds. He used to feed raccoons from his home office and whistle Whippoorwills to his feet. He was a great friend to everyone.

Be sure to visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards and try Poppy’s Vidal Blanc!

See our full list of results from our 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition here.

The 2024 Missouri State Fair is in full swing, and we hope to add some must-try pairings to your State Fair bucket list. Here are nine go-to stops to provide you the best wine and food experience this year! 

1. Pork Ribs + Chambourcin - Pork Place 

   

2.  Burger + Norton - Missouri Beef House

   

3. Grilled Cheese + Chardonel - Gerken Dairy

   

4. Funnel Cake + Strawberry - Westmoreland Concessions

   

5. Pizza + Chambourcin - Talagios Pizza

   

6. Fried Coconut Shrimp + Vignoles - Quality Food International LLC

   

7. Corndog + Traminette - Dick’s Concessions

   

8. Crab Rangoon + Vidal Blanc - God Bless America

   

9. Turkey Leg + Chardonel - J’s Firehouse BBQ

   

Add these nine stops to enhance your food experience at the 2024 Missouri State Fair. For more pairing inspiration to get creative with while at the fair, check out our library of pairing guides! If you try your own pairing share those with us!

Be sure to tag us in all of your photos using #MoWines! 

Missouri’s grape harvest is here! From the beginning to end learn about what goes into collecting our favorite varietals and turning them into our favorite sips!

Starting in mid-August, vineyards and wineries begin the process of harvest. At this time only certain grapes are ready to go, but from now until the end of fall, harvest will be in full swing.

How can you tell if your vineyard is ready to harvest? Many wine-makers and vineyard managers sample the grapes, checking the Brix. Brix is a measurement of sugar in the grapes. At the same time, they will also gauge overall balance between the sugars, acidity and tannins.

After these checks, it is time to get the grapes off the vine and turned into wine!

Whether hand picking or using a mechanized picker, it must be done carefully to ensure the quality of the grapes. Ever seen a mechanical harvester in action? The harvester straddles the vine and gently shakes it. This loosens the grapes which then drop from a conveyor belt into the holding bin.

While mechanical harvesting is definitely more efficient, some wineries pick by hand. This actually allows the chance to be more selective about the grapes. It also helps protect the juice and skins to preserve more flavor in the grapes.

Once harvest is complete, grapes are ready to be crushed and juiced. Then after fermentation and the winemaker’s magic, the wine we love is nearly ready to sip!

Be sure to get out to Missouri wine country and experience harvest firsthand! Take some pictures and submit them to our Through the Glass photo contest! We look forward to seeing all Missouri wine country has to offer through your eyes!

Summer is coming to a close and school is right around the corner! Missouri is home to 126 wineries. There are so many unique experiences to discover at local wineries. You’ll find everything from vast vineyards to chic urban settings. Get lost in the countryside of the Show Me State or enjoy the main street of our small towns with a lot history. Plan a weekend getaway and have an adventure in Missouri wine country! 

Wine trails are a great way to visit several wineries in a close proximity of each other. Pre-planned and ready for fun! 

If you want to pick a winery or two and just relax you can find overnight accommodations at these wineries ranging from bed-and-breakfasts to chic houses and comfortable inns. 

Special events are a great excuse for a weekend getaway. See what Missouri wineries have on their event calendars! 

If you’re looking to reconnect with your gal pals, wine country is the perfect place for a girl’s trip. Use one of our trip planners as your guide. 

Wanting a weekend getaway full of Missouri’s rich heritage? Hermann, Augusta, Ste. Genevieve, Excelsior Springs and St. James all have storied pasts full of fascinating history. 

Looking for a short-day trip? The River Runner Amtrak Train is a great option that has multiple stops along wine country.  

Whatever a winery weekend might look like for you and yours, don’t forget to become a Rewards Uncorked member to earn points and rewards while enjoying Missouri wine country!