The Evolution of the Corkscrew

November 14, 2019

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Wine has been enjoyed by consumers for centuries. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that bottles with narrow necks were introduced into the market. Corks were found to be the best plug for an airtight seal.

No one knows for sure who first came up with the idea of a corkscrew. Historians say its lineage can be traced back to a tool that removed unspent charges from a musket. Prior to the arrival of the corkscrew, wine consumers used the removable gun worm from a musket tool to dislodge corks.

An Enfield Rifle Musket combination tool

Photo source: Horsesolider.com

Englishman Samuel Henshall is considered the father of corkscrews. He received the first patent for a corkscrew in 1795. Since then, the gadget has been reimagined and redesigned.

Ah So, Two Pronged Cork-Puller, 1864

Photo source: Wikipedia

This wine opener may be a bit intimidating for wine consumers; however, if used properly, the Ah So can remove a cork fully intact. This is especially beneficial when a cork is in bad condition. Just slide a prong on either side of the cork and lift. The downside is that it takes a little more time and effort to master the art of cork removal with this gadget. The two-pronged cork puller is more commonly known as the Butler’s Friend in England. It is said that the gadget allowed staff to remove corks, check for wine quality and then replace the cork with none the wiser.

Double Lever Corkscrew, 1880

Photo source: collectorcorkscrews.com

William Burton Baker received the British patent for this corkscrew, designed so that both levers were connected at the upper end of the shank. Domenick Rosati, an Italian who immigrated to the United States and worked as a bartender in Chicago prior to Prohibition, received the first American patent.

The Waiter’s Friend, 1882

Photo source: Pinterest

German inventor Carl Wienke designed this compact corkscrew. The tool, also known as the “Wine Key” and “Sommelier’s Knife,” includes a screw and a single lever. A variation of this design, the double-hinged corkscrew, makes it even easier for wine consumers to remove the cork from their favorite wine. A little known trivia: the term “wine key” is said to originate from the difficulty that some people had saying the man’s last name, pronounced “Venke” in Germany.

Heeley Double Lever Wine Opener, 1888

Baker’s invention (L), Heeley’s (R)
Photo source: Virtual Corkscrew Museum's Daily Newspaper

H.S. Heeley didn’t care for William Burton Baker’s design, so he came up with a modified design, attaching the arms to a collar that slid on a shaft. Spanish industrial designer David Olaneta designed and manufactured the winged owl version, a rack and pinion mechanism. The wing is a corkscrew style commonly used in households today.

Walker Bell Corkscrew, 1900

Photo source: Collection privee Tire bouchons

Edwin Walker earned a US patent for his bottle opener featuring a wooden handle, worm and bell shape. Messages promoting businesses were often imprinted on his corkscrew.

Zig Zag, 1920

Photo sources: Best Made

Fully extended, the zig zag corkscrew is a geometrical wonder. This classic French device, designed and patented by Marie Jules Leon Bart, uses a series of levers to remove the cork from a wine bottle.

Cork-Pops, 1960s

Photo source: Amazon

This gadget comes with a low-pressure carbon dioxide cartridge. The cork pop’s hollow needle is placed into the cork and the cartridge releases a burst of gas. The increase in pressure releases the cork. One cartridge opens between 60 to 80 bottles of wine.

Rabbit, 1970s

Photo source: Rabbit

If you need to pull a cork in a jiffy, the rabbit is a speedy solution. The company claims their device can remove a cork in 3 seconds flat. Rest assured, these corkscrews have been tested for 20,000 pulls, so they should be able to handle even the largest of your family get-togethers.

Air Pump, 2004

Photo source: EverythingbutWine

This gadget features an air pump and Teflon needle. Insert the needle in the cork and pump until the cork pops out. No twisting or pulling required.

It’s time to take inventory. How many different corkscrews do you own? Unless you’re a helixophile, (a person who collects corkscrews), your stash may be limited. After learning more about the different styles (this article is by no means an exhaustive account), maybe now is a good time to start your collection.

Veterans in the Vineyard

November 11, 2019

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They once proudly served their country. Now they dedicate themselves to bringing you delicious wines at some of your favorite wineries. Behind the tasting bar, in the cellar or outside in the vineyard, you will find veterans at wineries across the Show-Me State, including the former servicemen featured in this article.

Backyard Vine and Wine c

Carl Christensen, owner of Backyard Vine & Wine, LLC, served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 and 1973 to 1976.

Baltimore Bend Vineyard

Richard Livingston, owner at Baltimore Bend Vineyard, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1970. Livingston was stationed in a number of locations including Denver, Phoenix, Vietnam and the Panama Canal Zone. During the Vietnam War, he served as a weapons mechanic and aerial gunner in Phan Rang.

Defiance Ridge Vineyards

A former marine tends the vines and is in charge of the wine quality at Defiance Ridge Vineyards. With more than 25 years of experience in local winemaking, Tom Murphy has received many awards, including gold medals at the Missouri Wine Competition. Murphy’s hard work and dedication make him a valuable asset at the winery. When he’s not crafting delicious wines, the veteran enjoys making new friends while working behind the tasting bar.

Edg-Clif Vineyard and Winery

Girard Keesee is the Wine Cellar Manager at Edg-Clif Vineyard and Winery. After Girard retired from the U.S. Air Force, he went on to serve his country as a civilian employee at Scott Air Force Base. He learned many skills during his military service including precision and unwavering attention to details, two essential qualities in the winemaking process.

Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery

Mike Dennis, owner and winemaker at Tyler Ridge Vineyard Winery, served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and missile training at Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He spent 13 months in Korea and his last few months at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. When he and his wife decided to open a winery, he invested just as much energy and dedication into their venture, including hand digging 1,800 holes for their vineyard.

We thank these veterans for sharing their stories of service. We hope you take a moment to honor the special veterans in your life.

*This is by no means a complete representation of the veterans who are employed at Missouri wineries and vineyards. The information is compiled from wineries that responded to a survey.

Primitive Olde Crow and Winery

Primitive Olde Crow and Winery opened in 2018. You'll find an array of merchandise including vintage stoneware, farmhouse decor, upscale resale clothing and Primitive Olde Crow wines. Wine tastings are available daily.

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Chambourcin Month in Missouri

November 06, 2019

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This November we are falling for the shades of red, yellow and orange leaves blanketing the ground, vibrant mums and pumpkins scattered around town, football season with friends and family and, most of all, we’re falling for Chambourcin.

November is Chambourcin month. This medium-bodied, red wine is the perfect gateway to dry red wines. Fruity (think cherry) and earthy with soft tannins, this French-American hybrid wine is great on its own but even better with food. Chambourcin will be your go-to red house wine during the holidays as it pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey and delicious cobbler.

Of all grapes grown in Missouri, Chambourcin accounts for 11.5% with nearly 196 bearing acres throughout the state. The vine is low to moderately vigorous and is not reliably hardy in northern Missouri.

This award-winning grape took home the Governor’s Cup, Best of Class and three gold medal awards at the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition.

In honor of this special month, many Missouri wineries are offering specials on their delectable Chambourcins.

Be sure to try this beloved dry red wine while visiting Missouri wine country this month and pick up a bottle for Thanksgiving dinner.

Behind the Label Dale Hollow Winery's Whimsical Art

October 24, 2019

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Dale Hollow Winery began as a dream, a seedling of hope to repurpose land that had been in the same family for four generations. Once a hayfield, the Dale family farm is now the site of a 15-acre-vineyard where eight varietals of grapes are grown and delicious wines are served in a quaint tasting room in Stover.

Dale Hollow Winery offers a full lineup of wines, with each bottle featuring original artwork by Beth Dale, the family’s matriarch and resident artist. (Look closely at each label, and you will find her initials, “BD,” hidden somewhere in the illustration.) From the community’s past to a beloved work of fiction, each of Beth’s unique illustrations tell a story. These are a just a few.

• Beth’s illustration of an old tractor and trailer hauling hay bales is a tribute to the farm’s past on their “Storybook Red.”

• The winery’s “Caboose” is an homage to the Rock Island Railroad that once traveled through their hometown.

• Beth’s sons, Jesse and Asher, are huge fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, something she took into consideration when creating the artwork featured on several of the winery’s varietals, including their Concord, winner of the best wine in the sweet red category at the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition. While the artwork is loosely inspired by the Shire in “The Hobbit,” Jesse says that the scene is even more intimately associated with their winery building - a small earth contact structure built into a hill for function and form.

Even the winery’s logo has an interesting origin. A crescent moon gives shape to the “D” in the winery’s name while a tree represents the “H.” The moon is a precious reminder of the days when Beth and her husband Kenny were first dating. When distance separted them they would gaze at the moon at the same time to help them feel closer.

Early on when the Dale family began laying the foundation for their winery, they decided to create a special place that “captured a bit of the old world charm, a call back to simpler times, a time when people gathered over a glass of wine and experienced genuine cheer.” They hope that each visitor who walks through their door receives a warm, inviting experience and that their labels help convey that message.

To learn more about what inspires the artwork on the Dale family’s wines, visit the winery’s website.

Visit Branson

October 22, 2019

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There is no shortage of exciting things to do in Branson. Whether you love to travel or you tend to be a homebody, this town offers something for everyone who visits. From five beautiful wineries to live shows, outdoor adventures, attractions and museums or one of the world’s top 10 theme parks, Branson is a great vacation destination for the entire family.

Read more about this wonderful town by checking out this helpful trip planner.

Fall Wine Releases

October 18, 2019

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Temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing and fall wines are releasing! Check out which wineries will be celebrating the season with a special wine.

Baltimore Bend Vineyard

Kris Kringle: This holiday wine is blended with Vignoles and Norton grape varieties with cinnamon. The bottles display a festive label created by a local artist. The 2018 Kris Kringle is now available at the tasting room and at select stores throughout Missouri.

Chandler Hill Vineyards

Rochambeau Wine Spritzer: A red Chambourcin wine spritzer with bursts of zesty orange and organic agave nectar. Best of all, it's in a can!

Dale Hollow Winery

Holloween Apple Wine: Made with 100% crisp, sweet, Missouri apples. This wine is perfect by itself or mixed as a cider for fall festivities.

Grindstone Valley Winery

Apple Cobbler: An apple wine made with both cinnamon and vanilla.

Jowler Creek Winery

Hayride Red: A semi-sweet red that is best when sipped on a hayride.

La Bella Vineyards and Winery

Santa’s Little Helper: An apple wine that is back sweetened with apple juice, cinnamon nutmeg and clove.
Strawberry Dreams: A white wine with natural strawberry flavoring that is fresh and crisp with a luscious salmon-pink tone.
Peace Out Peach: A sweet white wine with natural peach flavoring. Best served chilled.

Ladoga Ridge Winery

Cranberry: This wine is 100% Cranberry and is sweet with a tart finish. It is an excellent wine to take to a Thanksgiving dinner as it pairs nicely with ham and turkey.

Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Winter White: This seasonal, sweet white blend presents aromas of vanilla blossom and candied pear on the nose, transitioning into layers of fruit notes of jammy peach, kiwi, melon and grapefruit zest.

St. James Winery

Cranberry: This seasonal best-selling wine is sweet and tart with bright, festive cranberry colors, aromas and flavors. It’s perfect for cooking in the kitchen, behind the bar with mixology and at the table paired with your favorite foods. St. James Winery’s Cranberry wine is a versatile and delicious addition to any holiday celebrations.

Stone Hill Winery

Cranberry: This is a sweet seasonal wine, bursting with the aroma and flavor of ripe cranberries. Perfect for any holiday celebration, Stone Hill’s Cranberry-flavored grape wine can be served with your favorite foods, poured over ice or even used in the kitchen.

Terra Vox Vineyards

Terra Vox Vineyards is releasing five new wines to the public this fall! Be sure to watch their website for more information.

Saignee: A rosé wine in the oxidative style. It is dry and structured.
2018 Lenoir and Lomanto: Both wines are dry red.
2018 Stark Star RePort: A port-style wine
2018 Hidalgo: A dry white wine

Viandel Vineyard

The rich color, crisp cranberry flavor and smooth finish of Jack’s Frost Cranberry will get you in the holiday spirit. Viandel Winery’s semi-sweet wine has the perfect balance of tartness. Looks like Christmas in a glass!

Wenwood Farm Winery

Pumpkin Pie Wine: A semi-sweet wine you can add to your favorite family traditions. Kissed with pumpkin Pie: This wine is slightly spicy, rich with cinnamon and has just the right amount of sweetness.

West Winery

Apple: This semi-sweet wine is a crisp, refreshing celebration of harvest.

We hope you get to enjoy some of these fall release wines. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite.

Urban Wineries You Can Uber To

October 15, 2019

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You’ve selected the perfect date for a road trip to Missouri wine country. Your friends are all on board. There’s just one hitch. Who’s driving? These days it’s easier than ever to leave the driving to someone else by hiring rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Consider contacting a rideshare service the next time you visit one of the following wineries.

Amigoni Urban Winery

Belvoir Winery

Canterbury Hill Winery and Restaurant

Curling Vine Winery - Branson

KC Wineworks

Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Little Hills Winery and Restaurant

Mallinson Vineyard and Hall

Mount Pleasant Winery

Shawnee Bluff Winery

St. James Winery - Branson

Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery

Top Hat Winery

Taking a trolley or a bus are other great ways to reach your destination. Discover where you can find these modes of transportation in Missouri wine country. Whether you drive or leave it to someone else, we hope you enjoy your adventures.

*Please note that these wineries responded to a survey. There may be additional wineries that you can travel to utilizing other transportation services.

Haunted Festivities in MO Wine Country

October 07, 2019

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Escape to a winery for some BOOS this Halloween! Below is a list of upcoming haunted festivities in Missouri wine country.

Augusta Winery

Head over to Augusta Winery for the 9th Annual Hallo-Wine Party on Saturday, October 26 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Get dressed up in your Halloween attire, play games, enjoy candy and wine pairings and sip on their festive wine cocktails. This event is family-friendly so be sure to keep the costumes PG-rated.

Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard

On Saturday, October 26 from noon-4:00 p.m., Edg-Clif Farms and Vineyard will host the Spooktacular, Handpicked Wine Club Event. This event includes a Chili Cook-Off, hayrides around the vineyard, a wine tasting of their new wine and live performance by The Idea Men. Costumes are not mandatory but definitely encouraged.

Four Horses and a Dog Winery

Interested in riding the Trolley? Four Horses and a Dog Winery will host a Halloween party on October 26 as part of the Excelsior Springs Trolley tour.

Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery

Candy and wine? Sounds divine! Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery will host a wine and candy pairing event on October 26, 27 and 31.

Meramec Vineyards
Bring your girls out for the 2nd Annual Witches Night Out at Meramec Vineyards. Dress up like witches and enjoy shopping from Shylah B. Boutique, treats from Yummalicious Sweets, live music with Jordan Isakson from St. James Idol and more! Witches Brew Sangria and delicious food will be available for purchase. More vendors TBD. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Team Anita - Pay it Forward.

Top Hat Winery

Grab a ticket, throw on a costume and head to Top Hat Winery for a night of games, prizes and live music! This Halloween party will take place on Friday, October 25 from 7:00-11:00 p.m.

We hope you’re able to check out one or more of these haunted festivities!

Fall in Love with Fall Decor

October 04, 2019

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Fall is here and Halloween is near! Now is the time to use those leftover wine bottles and corks for DIY décor.

If you’re wanting to decorate for the upcoming holiday, check out these seven Spooktacular DIY Halloween crafts.

Quite possibly the easiest project to put together is this wine bottle mummy using only two supplies – tape and stick-on googly eyes. Super cute!

You can also make your very own pumpkin out of leftover wine corks that can stick around all season long.

Up for a challenge? Try this repurposed bottle scarecrow!

If you’re not looking to decorate your home, but rather decorate yourself you should check out these wine-themed Halloween costumes that were tried and adorned by Missouri Wines staff members!