August is all about Vignoles! As a versatile white grape and a Missouri favorite, Vignoles (veen-yole) shines.  This hybrid grape makes wines across the spectrum, from dry and sweet, to late harvest and dessert wines. It can also be the go-to for a fantastic white wine blend.

This medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful wine will give you a taste of tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot along with citrus and floral notes. A glass of Vignoles is the perfect summertime pairing! 

Vignoles grapes are hardy enough to handle the Show Me State winters and are one of the earlier ripening grape varietals in the state. Vignoles crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public.

Adam Puchta Winery’s, 2024 Dry Vignoles won this year’s Governor’s Cup Award!

Food Pairing Suggestions: 

• Spicy cheeses
• Asian or Mexican dishes
• Buffalo wings
• Berries and tropical fruits
• Cheesecake 

Recipe Ideas: 

• Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Peach Vignoles Granita
• Coconut Vignoles Fruit Dip
• Peachy Vignoles Sangria 

Whether you are celebrating Vignoles month by sipping a glass or trying a new recipe be sure to use #mowine in all of your adventures!

Veraison is the first sign of the grapes ripening. During this stage both the color and appearance of the grapes change. For red grape varietals, this is arguably the most beautiful and unique stage of their lifecycle on the vine. Take a deeper look into this stage of the process from vine to wine.

Veraison in grapes indicates the beginning of maturation, meaning harvest is coming soon! Not only does this stage get us closer to wine, but it actually shifts the entire focus of the grapevine. 

The grapevine will now focus on ripening the grapes rather than growing new leaves. You may also notice grape clusters with both purple and green grapes. This is a sure sign veraison is happening!

During veraison, the chlorophyll in the grape skins break down. This allows the other pigments to become visible. The grapes will also start to become softer, ripening and getting ready to be harvested. While this stage is unique and fun to look at, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye.

Sugar levels increase, acidity decreases, then flavors and aromas start to fully develop. All of which are key to getting the grape ready to harvest and make into the wine we all enjoy!

Keep an eye out for veraison while you are in Missouri Wine Country, and share your pictures with us using #mowine !

Happy Wine and Cheese Day! If you have visited the Missouri State Fair and a Wine 101 Class, you know that the cheese pairings are truly a highlight of each class. To celebrate Wine and Cheese Day take a look back at our past pairings featuring Hemme Brothers Creamery cheeses, sponsored by Midwest Dairy!

Taco Cheddar + Vignoles 

Applewood Smoked Cheddar + Chambourcin

Espresso Cheddar + Norton 

Brother’s Keeper + Chambourcin

Jalapeno Habanero + Vignoles

Siracha + Vignoles

Ghost Cheddar + Catawba

Aged Cheddar + Concord

Garlic Dill Cheddar + Traminette

Make sure to mark your calendars for August 7-17, 2025, and pick out a Wine 101 Class to attend at the fair! We will have more, new cheese pairings from Hemme Brothers Creamery sponsored by Midwest Dairy, and more!

For more information on the Missouri State Fair, click here!

Excelsior Springs, Missouri is calling your name for an adventure packed with history, shopping, and relaxation! Looking for the perfect weekend getaway, don’t worry we already have it planned for you. 

Excelsior Springs Wineries: 

• Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
• Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery
• Van Till Family Farm Winery

Other Wineries Nearby: 

• Albonée Country Inn & Vineyards
• Amigoni Urban Winery
• Belvoir Winery
• Mallinson Vineyard and Hall
• Stonehaus Farms Vineyard & Winery
• Fountain City Winery
• TerraVox Vineyards

Dining: 

• Ventana Gourmet Grill
• Elements Destination Restaurant
• Willow Spring Mercantile
• Ray’s Diner

*Many wineries also offer dining experiences

Shopping: 

• Willow Spring Mercantile
• Kilgore’s Vintage & Design
• BluBox Boutique
• Solana Boutique

Lodging: 

• Bed & Breakfasts
• Boutique Hotels
• Air B&B’s 

Experiences: 

• Excelsior Springs Golf Course
• Excelsior Springs Museum
• Superior Well and Pagoda
• Watkins Wollen Mill State Historic Site
• Wine Festival
• Waterfest
• Chamber Trolley
• Hall of Waters

Annual Events: 

• Waterfest
• Barbecue on the River
• Wine Festival
• More Events

Transportation: 

• Excelsior Springs Trolley 

Pack your bags and set your sights on Excelsior Springs. It’s waiting for you to visit!

Using out new interactive trip planner makes traveling through wine country a breeze. Check out the others here! Tag us in all of your wine country adventures using #mowine. 

Concord Sweet and Sour Chicken. A fun twist on this classic dish, that is sure to impress guests or mix up your weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

Sauce:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 5 tablespoons ketchup
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup Missouri Concord
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch or slightly larger pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken.
• Whisk the eggs together. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until very hot and rippling. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet.
• Cook for 20-30 seconds on each side until the crust is golden, but the chicken is not all the way cooked through. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 9X13-inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken.  
• Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. 

Pro tip: Serve with vegetables and rice or noodles!

This is a must try recipe, made better by sipping a Missouri Concord alongside it! Share your recipes with us using #mowine