Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your favorite foodie or would like a fun, flavorful way to use your favorite Missouri wine, this recipe is for you. Wine-flavored finishing salts are a simple yet delicious addition to many meals. With just two ingredients, you can wow even the most delicate palates with salts that share the rich color, bouquet and notes of your favorite Missouri wine.

Sprinkle it on your favorite protein as a finishing salt, add it to your go-to marinade recipe or even use it to add flavor to your favorite breads, starches and veggies.

Ingredients needed:

• Favorite Missouri wine, red wines make beautiful salts
• Coarse salt, such coarse sea salt, kosher or flake salt

Total time: 3.5 hours

Supplies needed:

• Measuring cup
• Sauce pan
• Tray, one which can be lined or disposable for easy clean up
• Jar or other airtight storage container for the finished product
• Spice grinder or blender to break up any clumps and get preferred texture (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Combine 1-part coarse salt to 3-parts wine in a saucepan. We’ve found using 1/3 cup salt to 1 cup wine gives us the perfect amount to fill giftable 4 oz. jelly jars.
3. Bring the salt/wine solution to a simmer while stirring to dissolve the salt. Simmer for at least 30 minutes to reduce the liquid until it can easily coat the back of a spoon and is almost syrup-like in consistency.
4. Pour the reduced liquid into a tray and place in the preheated oven.
5. Stir every 15 minutes to break up any clumps until the salt is completely dry. This should take from two to three hours.
6. (Optional) Process your dry salt in a spice grinder or blender to break up any clumps or create a finer texture, if desired.
7. Store the salt in an airtight container.
8. Sprinkle flavored salt as a finished salt for your favorite protein or add it to your favorite recipe for a hint of your chosen wine’s bouquet.
9. Experiment with different varieties of Missouri wine to find your favorite.

When enjoying a dish finished with your homemade salts, sample a glass of the same wine to bring out all the flavors. Give this a try for yourself and package some jars for unique gifts while you’re at it. Share the finished product with us by using #mowine on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s time to put that pile of corks you have saved to good use and up-cycle them into unique home décor. If you have been tossing those corks, start saving them!

Materials:

3 foam or paper balls (varying sizes of your choosing)

75 Corks (collect more corks for larger sizes)

Acrylic paint (we used antique gold to blend with color of corks)

Paint brush

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks

Watch our step-by-step demonstration here:

Steps:

1.Paint foam balls (if needed) and allow dry-time. In the meantime, pour yourself a glass of encouragement to enjoy with your DIY.

2.Use hot glue on the end of each cork and place on ball. Mix the variety of corks and even place the stained end out to be visible.

Pro-tip: allow the hot glue to cool a second before placing the cork. Hold cork in place for 10 seconds to cure cork to surface.

3.Work your way all around the ball covering as much of its surface as possible.

4.Allow the glue to dry and then place on display.

5.Repeat these steps on multiple sizes, if desired.

6.Enjoy your recycled cork decor for years to come!

Snap a picture of the finished product and tag us on social media with #mowine.

Beth Dale jokingly nicknamed her family’s farm in Stover, Missouri, “Dale Hollow” many years ago. The diversified farm that she and her husband, Kenny, owned was originally purchased by Melvin Dale (Kenny’s father) in the 1950s. Their sons, Jesse and Asher, grew up in “the hollow” and moved away to start careers, Asher in chemistry and Jesse in finance.

Asher met Ana and Jesse met Katy – both couples wed, moved back to Stover and decided to start a winery on their family’s land. There was only one obvious choice for the name, Dale Hollow Winery.

Vines were planted in the Spring of 2013. In 2016, the tasting room was established and opened for a full season in 2017.

After many years of organic growth, the winery is truly coming into its own influence. Within the first few years of operation, Dale Hollow Winery garnered several awards, winning the 2019 Missouri Wine Competition’s Best of Class Sweet Red Wine with their 2018 Concord. They experienced exponential growth on the vine as well, now growing 8 varieties of grapes on nearly 15 acres of vines.

Dale Hollow Winemaker Katy Dale emphasizes how thankful and blessed they have been throughout these starting years. Their 2021 harvest was abundant, doubling the harvest of Catawba, Concord and Cayuga. Norton, Vignoles and others had great harvest numbers as well, despite all the early season frost the state of Missouri experienced. In fact, they harvested so much more they had to purchase two new steel tanks as well as an additional crusher and press.

Dale Hollow Winery hand harvests grapes with care, intent and passion. Quality over quantity is an easy theme across the board for the Dale family’s vineyard and winery. In the beginning, grapes were harvested by family. Today, more than 16 “harvest helpers” picked their 2021 Norton crop. The local support is extremely important to their success, Katy says. Community members, family friends and loyal customers harvested 500 Norton vines in less than two hours.

These volunteers spend time crushing and pressing after the harvest. They are rewarded with a wonderfully curated table of snacks from Katy, as well as a homemade sangria. There was even a masseuse on site to ease their muscles post-picking. Jesse plays a game with their team to guess the number of Brix in the Norton, coming out around 24.

“They believe in what we are creating and making for our community,” Katy says. “We want to show the integrity behind our product too.” Katy spent two months in Italy studying wine and her favorite part of her Italian wine journey was meeting the small-scale winemakers, learning trade secrets and seeing how much their community supported them there. It was something she wanted to bring back to Stover.

This support is evident in their harvests but also shown frequently in their tasting room. “It takes a village” Katy says. The truth is shown in every family member’s role in the winery. Beyond Katy, Jesse, Asher and Ana’s roles, Beth creates the artwork for each bottle and Kenny is a pro at vineyard management. There are several community members who have regular roles in maintaining the vineyard, and in helping with the winery and tasting room as well.

As of today, their demand exceeds the storage and space onsite. Katy and Jesse allude to a new production facility as their next step. No doubt, as their dreams grow, their support will too.

Stop in Stover the next time you drive through the Ozarks to see their scenic winery and try their wonderful wine selection. Also, learn about their new Wine Club rewards program!

Several transportation services throughout the state will ensure your next trip to Missouri wine country is safe and successful. Use one of these seven services to help you and your friends adventure in style and meet fellow wine lovers along the way.

Augusta Area Trolley: Enjoy a complimentary trolley service between Augusta Winery, Montelle Winery, Mount Pleasant Estates, Balducci Vineyards and Klondike Park. Trolleys are in rotation every 30 minutes. No reservation needed!

Barley Bus: Book one of several different tours around the KC area where you can visit wineries or even breweries and distilleries. Travel in comfort on your next winery adventure in the KC area.

Excelsior Springs Chamber Wine Trolley: The Chamber of Commerce in Excelsior Springs offers a series of Wine Trolley excursions on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from April to November.

Hermann Trolley: The historic German town of Hermann is home to several wineries. Many can be visited by hopping on the Hermann Trolley. The trolley station is conveniently located near the Amtrak station if you’re arriving to Hermann by train.

KATY Bike Rental and Shuttle: Missouri’s first wine country is one of the most scenic places in the state. KATY Bike Rental and Shuttle has several ways for you to travel around the wineries in the Augusta and Defiance areas. 

Ste. Genevieve Trolley: The French-Heritage town of Ste. Genevieve is beautiful and full of fascinating history, as well as several award-winning wineries. The Ste. Genevieve Trolley will meet you at a designated pickup location and take you to different wineries to enjoy for the day.

These trolley and bus services are a great way to explore your favorite parts of Missouri wine country. Tag us on your trolley travels with the hashtag #mowine.

When out-and-about in Missouri wine country, you must find yourself wondering what volume of grapes it takes to get a full glass of your favorite Missouri wine. Use this barrels-to-bottles guide to put your curiosity at ease.

Missouri wine country is always growing. Since September 2020, Missouri has gained seven new wineries. Each unique in their own right, all of these wineries bring diverse ingredients and products that solidify the quality and integrity of Missouri wine today. Learn about these new wineries:

Located in downtown Ste. Genevieve, Brix Urban Winery and Market, LLC specializes in original fruit wines and small batch meads (honey wines) that are made and bottled on site.

ElderBlossom View is a working elderberry farm that produces bottled juice and wine. They also offer beverages and cocktails that feature elderberry products.  

G. Husmann Wine Co. honors Missouri wine heritage and history with the namesake of George Husmann “the father of the Missouri grape industry.” G. Husmann blends wine from their Missouri vineyards with vinfera from their sister vineyards in California, where Husmann also worked to start the Napa wine industry. His home and nursery at Hermann Farm and Museum can be found just down the road from the tasting room on East First Street in Hermann.

Inspired by an evening with wine and friends in the light of a full moon, Luna Umbra Winery came to life. Their wines boast rich complexity from grapes grown on Missouri’s Midwestern soil. Luna Umbra Winery is located on the historic town square in Butler.

Located in the Stover backwoods, Timber Ridge Winery offers a relaxing outdoor space where you will often see wildlife such as deer or turkey. The large outside seating area with a shaded yard and fire pit is perfect to enjoy their wide range of wines.

Twains Vineyard is located in the remote, picturesque Ozark Mountains. Their delectable and flavorful wines pay homage to the area’s hills and valleys. An abundance of native fruits and berries are key to their traditional mountain wines.

WeeksEnd Winery’s wines each tell a unique story about the owners’ love for wine, love for each other and love for their family. Several wine bottles even feature artwork created by family members.

Fall is a perfect time to plan a trip to visit these new wineries. Tag #mowine in your travels on social media.

Missouri wine country not only offers fantastic wines, it also is home to creative artisans who repurpose wine industry materials into home goods and custom gifts. Check out these talented artisans and the products that they offer in Missouri wine country.

Paul Cassimatis – My Big Fat Greek Candle

My Big Fat Greek Candle started almost by accident. Paul Cassimatis’ wife came to him with a Pinterest project – candles made from used bottles. The Cassimatis family has always been a big fan of Missouri wineries, Paul and his wife’s first date was to Stone Hill Winery in 1998, and today, she owns a business in the heart of Missouri wine country — Hermann, Missouri.  So, the couple thought the beautiful blue bottles used for certain Missouri wines, such as Vignoles, would be perfect to try their hand at candle making.

But, when Paul stopped into Hermannhoff Winery to ask for a couple leftover blue bottles he left with a trial order instead. Today, Paul’s candle creations are found in several Missouri wineries from Hermann to Augusta, Missouri, as well as a couple select retail locations and his online Etsy storefront.

Paul stops by each of his client wineries to collect bottles from some of their favorite wines. In his workshop, Paul carefully cuts and hand polishes the edges of each bottle before filling it with high quality wax and wick to make the perfect candle. His candle creations’ colors and scents are selected by Paul and winery staff to appeal to each winery’s patrons. Often, the candles reflect the wine bottle which holds it. For example, bright citrus scents are often used for candles in crisp, white wines with citrus tasting notes, while deep, dry red wine bottles often hold candles with more earthy tones.

Besides being inspired by the beautiful colors, shapes and smells of Missouri wines, and their bottles and labels, Paul hopes to capture some of the Missouri wine memories in each candle.

“I love the wine country and the wine people,” Paul says. “Just the spirit and the whole culture there is this warm, family surrounding; Missouri wineries just feel like family.”

When Paul isn’t creating candles, you may find him playing acoustic sets at some of the same wineries for which he creates candles. Needless to say, Paul loves helping wine lovers of all ages make memories at Missouri wineries, and he knows his candles are the perfect gift for friends and family to help recall those wonderful times spent together sipping their favorite Missouri wines.

Scott Rombach – Basement Projects Woodworking

Scott Rombach’s love for woodworking started in an eighth-grade wood shop class, and his passion for Missouri wine blossomed from some gifted grape vines and visit to Wenwood Farm Winery. A couple years ago, Scott’s appreciation for woodworking and wine intersected when he started creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by Missouri wines and the materials that make them.

While Scott works fulltime for UPS, he does enjoy using his talents for custom commissioned pieces or even for donated items for causes he supports through his woodworking shop he calls Basement Projects Woodworking.

Some of the creations Scott has made include: a wine map of Missouri that he and his wife, Tonya, pin the wineries they’ve visited, tea candle holder out of a wine staves, wine clock from the top of a barrel, wine table with the wine barrel as the base, wine holders and cork holders.

The Rombachs refer to Wenwood as their gateway winery. Scott still recalls their first visit, where they were greeted by the owner’s dogs — Corky and Shaggy. As avid dog lovers, the couple felt right at home. Tom Kalb provided the tasting that day at Wenwood, and he and Scott bonded over their previous and current UPS employment while Scott learned more about Missouri wines. Wenwood’s wine, winery, owners and staff, along with the experiences it provided made the Rombachs want to see what else was out there, so visiting Missouri wineries became the couple’s new pastime. When they enrolled in the Missouri Wine’s MVP program, the couple kicked it into high gear and started planning road-trips through Missouri wine country. Scott and Tonya enjoy Missouri wineries enough that they started documenting their experience on Rombach’s Missouri Winery Review Facebook page. “Visiting so many wineries gave me an idea to combine two things I love, woodworking and Missouri wine.”

Michele, Leslie and Lisa – Three Crafty Foodie Chicks

Three Crafty Foodie Chicks are best friends who love wine — especially Missouri wines, music and their families. When COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt, the friends found themselves with a lot more free time. Wine was always their beverage of choice, according to Michele Cohen, one of the Crafty Foodie Chicks trio. The women loved how enjoying wine was more than taking a sip it was an experience, so they found a way to preserve bottles they adored.

The friends started by creating wine servers before adding candles and flower vases to their offering. There was a lot to learn along the way, and there were a lot of nerves and broken glass before they perfected the process. Today, the trio offers unique serving pieces, flower vases, succulent planters and candles crafted from wine bottles in a way that preserves the beauty of the bottles’ labels. Three Crafty Foodie Chicks even offer custom products made from customers’ bottles holding special meaning.

“All of our pieces are cut and polished by us personally, and we take a lot of pride and take a lot of time to make sure that every piece is amazing,” Michele says.  “There is a unique and organic feel to each piece that we produce.”

The uniqueness of their products echoes the unique nature of each bottle of wine. The friends admire the many different flavor profiles, bottle shapes, colors and labels of each bottle of wine. They’re careful to preserve that when crafting their creations. Three Crafty Foodie Chicks think of sipping Missouri wines as an experience, and its one they like to share.

“We love the unique nature of the varietals that we have here in Missouri and the amazing wineries that produce them.  When we visit a winery, we love to hear the story, each wine has a story of how it was created and how it was named,” Michele says.

 You can follow the Three Crafty Foodie Chicks on their Facebook or Instagram. The trio often offers their creations at festivals and shows, as well as through social media. Their products are also available at the Blooming Daisy Marketplace in Cottleville, Mo.

Robert Tessaro’s childhood was filled with many fun memories on his family’s vineyard. He can still recall the feelings of pruning, picking and processing the Concord grapes that he and his large Italian family grew on their vineyard in St. James, Missouri.

St. James is a place many Italian immigrants found work producing Concord grapes for Welch’s grape juice and jelly.  Robert’s grandfather and great uncle took advantage of that opportunity, both choosing to farm grapes. The Tessaro family immigrated in the late 1890s, their log cabin (which still stands today) was built in 1902 and the vineyard was planted in 1921.

It was an unusual and remarkable year to plant a vineyard as it was in the early years of Prohibition. This vineyard turns 100 this year.

Robert remembers harvest fondly. His father was one of 10 children and the Tessaros had a lot of grapes to grow and harvest, often needing help outside of their direct family. Robert recalls how neighbors, friends and hired hands were needed during harvest. “There were grapes everywhere,” Robert joked. He recalls when loading the grapes, helpers could impressively toss crates across three rows of the vineyard safely. The grapes were then loaded on the Crisco Railway to the newly built Welch’s processing plant in Springdale, Arkansas.

The beautiful property featured the original two-story log cabin, which has a stone foundation, dirt floors and rough finished exterior. It used to boast a big porch that Robert would sit and spend time with his grandfather after long days of work. They utilized the two hand-dug stone wells for water to the house, garden and vineyards as needed.

Another house on the property also stands, owned by Phyllis Meagher. The Tessaros eventually sold the vineyard to the Cardetti family. However, the Tessaro family kept managing the property and continued to grow Concord grapes. Phyllis became interested in the Cardetti vineyard in the late 70s.

Phyllis, who lived in St. Louis at the time, found her soul growing tired of the corporate world. She decided to purchase the vineyard and property in 1980. In 1981, Phyllis decided she wanted to take a year to decide if working a vineyard full-time is something she wanted to do. She ended up opening Meramec Winery along the highway in St. James, as well as selling her Concord crop to Schnucks and other local grocers, which used her supply nationwide. She was also instrumental in starting the Missouri Grape Growers Association and testified before the legislature to support the tax establishing an advisory board for the Missouri wine industry.

Phyllis ended up selling the winery and vineyard several years ago, but still lives on the property and is active in keeping a few vines of her own. Chris Wright purchased the vineyard from Phyllis and notes she is the “hardest working person in this countryside.”

Years ago, Chris attended a wine event where Phyllis was pouring her wine, which was his first introduction to Missouri’s unique varietals. He became captivated by Missouri wine and knew he wanted to be involved somehow. Ironically, he ended up purchasing the vineyard from one of the people who taught him to love the wine he is now helping make. The vineyards today still produce the Concord varietal, but also include Niagara, Seyval, Stark Star, Vignoles and Norton. Chris notes that Norton is his favorite.

“It was so beautiful. That was what sold me on it,” Chris said. “I had to have it.” Chris cites the Japanese Wabi-Sabi philosophy when it comes to this vineyard: View or thought of finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature. Chris retired from the Navy and he hopes to continue finding joy in his retirement by working these vines for years to come.

This vineyard has provided happiness for these owners. Chris looks forward to the future of these historic vines and what they will continue to produce. Phyllis still loves pruning and taking pride in her vines, reminiscent of the days she spent caring for what the Tessaro’s planted. Robert says he wouldn’t trade the world for the memories made with his family and friends on this vineyard. Most people find happiness through enjoying wine. In this case, happiness was given to those caretakers of this centennial farm for those who grew grapes and made it into what it is today.

Missouri wine country offers unique opportunities, delicious wines and endless beauty. We are calling all photographers, regardless of experience level, to help us capture the beauty of Missouri wine country in our inaugural Missouri Wine: Through the Glass photo contest.

Images submitted during the contest will be used in promotional settings throughout the year to showcase all that Missouri wine country has to offer. Share these details with any photographers in your life and grab your camera before heading out this fall.

The winner of the contest will be announced November 23 and will receive a Missouri Wine prize pack and 2 tickets to the Missouri Governor’s Cup presentation at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City where the winning image will be displayed during the event. All entries are due November 5, 2021 at midnight. A panel of Missouri wine industry representatives will choose top entries which will then be shared on social media for public voting from November 15-19.

Carefully review all rules and complete the submission form upon entry. Enjoy Missouri wine country this fall and good luck!

Download Form Here

Rules:

1. To participate, complete an entry from with your name, address, phone number and email and upload form with photo entry to https://cellar.missouriwine.org/ in the drag and drop section.
2. You are required to provide a unique title and description for each image submitted.
3. You must be 21 years of age or older to enter. No purchase necessary.
4. Photography entry must be taken in Missouri wine country.
5. Limit one entry per person.
6. If photo features a person, the entrant and photo subject, releases rights to photo.
7. The photograph must not contain obscene, provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit, or otherwise objectionable or inappropriate content.
8. Photographs must be a single work of original material taken by the entrant. Entry will be disqualified if there is significant digital manipulation.
9. By entering the contest, the entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by the entrant, that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph.
10. When photographing the work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and not a full-frame close up of another person's art.
11. All submissions to the contest remain the property of the entrant; however, as a condition of entering the contest the entrant grants to the Missouri Wine and Grape Board and Missouri Department of Agriculture a perpetual, royalty-free, fully transferable, unconditional, non-exclusive, worldwide right to reproduce any submission an unlimited number of times in any and all media for any editorial, commercial, promotional, or trade purposes. Additional terms and conditions for submissions will be included in the submission process.

Looking for new ways to enjoy your favorite wines? We have just the solution! Check out these unique and fun recipes made with wine, all submitted by Missouri wineries.

This Moonlit Cider from Edg-Clif Farm & Vineyard is a fall treat! It serves 8-10 people and is perfect for your next bonfire or small gathering.

Adam Puchta Winery’s recipe for brownies is easy and very tasty! Replace water with Berry Black wine in the box recipe to add a fruitier flavor to your go-to dessert.

Another stress-free recipe is Hummingbird Vineyard and Winery’s Nectar Milkshake. Just blend ice cream with their Nectar Wine and enjoy!

The Hot Cicada Summer Cocktail is sure to cool you off! This unique beverage features Martin Brothers Winery’s Orange Blossom Mead Wine and was created by Randy Boyce of the Blue Duck Restaurant in Maplewood, Missouri.

Enjoy a MO-garita – a Missouri wine margarita to be exact. Featuring Noboleis’ Blanc Wine, this drink is sure to become a new favorite.

Simple and classic! Combine Serenity Valley’s Spring Blossom wine with your favorite caramel vodka for your Wine-tini.

These Raspberry Chipotle Ribs from Endless Summer Winery will have your mouth watering! Enjoy pairing them with their Raspberry Chipotle wine or another of their fruit wines.

Stone Hill Winery's award-winning White Chocolate Strawberry Cake will be your new favorite dessert. Try this elaborate cake which features their Vignoles wine.

Small Batch Winery’s Cherry “Elle” Wine Sauce will take the flavor of your favorite cut of beef to the next level.

Wine can be enjoyed so many ways! Whether it is in cooking, baking or just sipping in a glass, Missouri wine is a household staple. Share your recipes and results with us by tagging #mowine.