Take a sip of your favorite Missouri wine to celebrate summer nights and the Fourth of July. Of course, you likely have your favorite red and white wines to pair with picnics, grilled entrées and all things summer, but have you tried a Missouri blueberry wine?

Blueberry wine offers a sweet and refreshing sip for wine aficionados in the Show-Me State. Like all Missouri fruit wines or wines made from fruit other than grapes, blueberry wine can be enjoyed in many different ways. We recommend trying these three to start.

Sip — Simply pour yourself a taste of blueberry wine. Unlike Missouri's grape wines, which contain notes of other fruits and flavors, fruit wines are known to taste like the fresh fruits from which they're made. This means a sip of blueberry wine tastes sweetly reminiscent of a handful of ripe, fresh blueberries.

Cook — Blueberry wine is a fun, summer addition to savory entrees and sweet desserts alike. Simmer it with spices to create a blueberry wine reduction sauce to top off a dish or add it to a marinade. A good marinade ratio is 2-parts wine to 1-part fat, such as olive oil, with a dash of your favorite herbs or seasonings and a pinch of salt.

Mix — Blueberry wine doesn't need to be simply sipped by itself to be enjoyed. Mix it with your favorite summer cocktails. Bring a little bit of berry to your favorite sangria. Make your spritzer blue in the best way, or craft a wine cocktail around its sweet, summer flavor. One of our favorites is this simple winetail — Blueberry Lemonade.

To mix up a batch of Blueberry Lemonade, you will need: 

• Missouri blueberry wine
• Your favorite lemonade
• Frozen blueberries to chill your drink (optional)
• Lemons for garnish (optional)

Simply mix 1-part Missouri Blueberry wine with 1-part lemonade to create the perfect sweet and sour sip for hot summer days. Add some frozen blueberries to keep your drink chilled without watering down your glass and garnish with some lemon slices. Enjoy!

Share you incorporation of blueberry wine into winetails and recipes by taking photos and using #MoWine!

Explore Missouri's Vidal Blanc with Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery and Cat Neville. 

Bright summer days and fresh air are an excellent combination for taking in the outdoors in Missouri wine country. Why not enjoy fantastic wine and scrumptious food together by having a picnic at a Missouri winery? We’ve got a list of 25 wineries that welcome picnicking patrons to their property.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of wineries that allow picnic baskets or outside food, as all information is based on survey responses.

7C’s Winery offers up ample picnic space and fully-equipped grills for visitors to enjoy along with their selection of wine and mead. After enjoying your picnic, play a round of disc golf on the winery’s on-site course.

Baltimore Bend Vineyard encourages visitors to take in the area’s Civil War history as they picnic on the property. For wine enthusiasts who need to substantiate their snacks, the winery offers food for purchase.

Find a shady spot at Blumenhof Vineyards & Winery’s patio to enjoy your picnic with friends and catch live music on the weekends. As the weather cools this fall, bring a picnic and cozy up in the winery’s heated and enclosed deck.

Brix Urban Winery and Market serves up delightful meads and snacks to accompany your picnic selections. While you’re visiting, consider sticking around for a ghost tour or haunted pub crawl of the historic Ste. Genevieve area.

Cave Hollow West Winery is a great spot for guests who want to take in the history and geologic wonder of the nearby Mark Twain Cave and Cameron Cave, and have the ability to picnic as they enjoy delicious wines with Mark Twain-inspired labels.

Cave Vineyard boasts a natural cave where visitors can enjoy their picnic on a hot summer day. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages, and the winery offers a mouthwatering selection of fresh bread and local meats and cheeses.

Charleville Vineyard Winery & Microbrewery offers up two scenic patios that are perfect for enjoying a picnic overlooking Ste. Genevieve county. If you’re still feeling peckish, sample a variety of local meats and cheeses in the tasting room.

Feel at home in Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard’s rocking chairs and fire pit areas as you enjoy a picnic paired with one of the winery’s award-winning wines. Take in the quaint rural scenery as you uncork and unwind.

Fence Stile Vineyard & Winery welcomes guests to sip and snack amongst scenic views of the winery’s courtyard and estate vineyards. Visitors can also order snacks and hot paninis from the kitchen.

Four Horses and a Dog Vineyard and Winery invites you to sit back and relax as winery staff bring delectable wines for you to enjoy while you nibble and nosh on your picnic procurements. Let the at-home hospitality and weekend live music ease your spirits as you unwind with food and wine.

Hemman Winery welcomes picnic baskets in their historic building, which was formerly an 1850s country store. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Brazeau village’s historic buildings during their visit.

Jowler Creek Winery welcomes guests to bring picnic baskets to their sustainable vineyard, or to try one of their ready-to-enjoy picnic sacks.

Keltoi Vineyard & Winery sets itself apart as a peaceful and serene spot for a picnic and glass (or bottle) of delicious wine. Take a walk around the winery’s mile-long trail and marvel at the Celtic-inspired features smattered throughout the property.

Situated between Hermann and New Haven, Kuenzel Valley Winery’s signature blue roofs are an ideal cover for enjoying a picnic on a warm summer afternoon. Take in the tranquility of the surrounding valley as you enjoy a glass of great wine with your picnic.

Lambs and Vines Winery allows visitors to enjoy their own picnic foods as they take in the beauty of the Ozarks area. Depending on the time of year, you might catch a glimpse of the woolly workers employed by the winery for vineyard management and wool production.

Lost Creek Vineyard is just off the Katy Trail and an excellent stopping point for a picnic break during your wine adventures. Savor scenic, pastoral views and learn about the lost creek that gave this winery its name.

Bring your picnic basket and experience a guided tasting flight of award-winning mead at Martin Brothers Winery. The rolling hills and surrounding woods are a serene space to relax during your visit.

Noboleis Vineyards gladly welcomes picnic baskets as visitors come to relax with friends under the winery’s signature tented pavilion. Forgot to pack enough food for your group? The winery offers a spread of prepared food that pairs flawlessly with their wine selection.

Odessa Country Winery, just outside of the Kansas City area, invites visitors to pack a picnic and enjoy with a bottle of wine on Joe’s Catfish Pavilion or in the Hunter’s Mancave. Challenge your gang to a free game of pool after sipping and savoring.

Old Farm Winery encourages guests to pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at the winery, where live music and the winery’s history are sure to keep you entertained.

Sand Creek Vineyard’s spacious veranda is an ideal perch for watching wildlife and enjoying breathtaking views as guests snack on picnic fare. The winery also offers light fare, chocolate and wine-a-ritas for purchase.

Serenity Valley Winery is a superb lakeside spot for guests to bring their picnic basket for a day of relaxation. Make sure to bring an extra treat to feed the winery’s pet ducks and geese that meander the property.

On a steamy summer day, Stone Hill Winery encourages visitors to cool off with a free tour of the winery’s historic underground cellars before enjoying a picnic.

Westphalia Vineyards welcomes guests with picnic baskets to enjoy their snacks with sips of sulfite-free wines. While you’re visiting the winery, make sure to inquire about local Waygu beef offerings.

Wild Sun Winery & Brewery offers a park-like property with plenty of shade trees for visitors to picnic beneath. The winery has a full menu for especially hungry guests, along with a large selection of wine and beers.

Take a look at our tips for packing the perfect picnic and get ready for your next adventure in Missouri wine country! While you’re out and about, make sure to share photos and use #MOWines.

Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and summer has made its presence known in the Show-Me State. When you look for an award-winning wine to cool off with, why not pour a glass of satisfyingly sweet and refreshing Concord? July is Concord Month in Missouri wine country, where this mouthwatering varietal is a tried-and-true pick to satisfy on a hot day.

The Concord grape is an American varietal that was first discovered in Concord, Massachusetts, in the 1840s. Hearing this varietal’s name might evoke a sense of nostalgia and memories of younger years, as the Concord grape is commonly used in grape juice and grape jellies. Concord is a hardy and vigorous varietal that has found much success in the Show-Me State, and accounts for 6.6% of all grapes grown in Missouri. Learn more about Concord here.

Concord is a medium-bodied, sweet red wine with a vibrant plum hue. Be prepared to be swept away with this robust, yet satisfyingly sweet vino that brings forth classic grape-y aromas and flavors. Even fans of drier wines enjoy the refreshing sweetness of Concord on a sweltering day or at a summertime gathering.

Concord is an excellent pairing with warm-weather dishes like pork chops, barbecue and spicy seafood. This wine is also a mealtime match for orange chicken, figs, grape pie and chocolate. For the ultimate throwback pairing, try a glass of Concord with a peanut butter cookie! Cool treats like ice cream and popsicles are made even sweeter when Concord get added to the mix.

This summer, enjoy a glass of satisfyingly sweet Concord at a Missouri winery near you.

Who doesn’t love an easy and delicious meal prolific enough to feed a group? Juicy pulled pork is a classic crowd-pleaser, made even more mouthwatering with a Vidal Blanc simmering sauce and a blend of tantalizing spices. Plug in your crockpot, raid your spice rack and get ready to prepare a meal that will make you the star of your next potluck or cookout.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 6-7 hours | Yields: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. brown sugar                        2 tsp. thyme

2 tsp. chili powder                           ½ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. red pepper flakes                   6-7 lb. bone-in pork shoulder

2 tsp. paprika                                    1 cup barbecue sauce

1 tsp. marjoram                                 1 ½ cups Vidal Blanc wine

2 tsp. mustard                                   1 onion, chopped

1 tsp. rosemary                                 3-4 tbsp. minced garlic

Directions:

1. Mix brown sugar and spices together in a small bowl. Use paper towels to pat the pork roast dry, and rub the spice mixture over all sides of the roast.

2. Place chopped onion, garlic, and barbecue sauce in the bottom of a large crockpot. Pour wine over top.

3. Place the roast in the crockpot, fatty side up, and cook on high for 6-7 hours. After cooking, turn the crockpot off and let rest for 30 minutes so juices can soak back into the roast.

4. Remove the roast from the crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat, making sure to remove the bone and fat. Add a little juice from the crockpot into the meat if desired.

5. Serve with a bun and your favorite side!

Make sure to document your recreation of this delectable dish, and share your photos using #MOWines on social media!

What better way to celebrate the amazing father figure in your life than giving him the experience of Missouri wine country? From outdoor activities, to rich history and beautiful scenery, wine country offers something nearly every father will enjoy. To top it off, the amazing food and award-winning wine found at Missouri wineries will make this holiday even more fantastic.

Is Dad a road trip fan? Wine country is the perfect destination for a weekend-long celebration. Our downloadable trip planners, interactive map and ideas for traveling in Missouri wine country are awesome tools to help you plan the ultimate outing for Father’s Day. Turn your excursion into a multi-day celebration by staying at one of the many lodging options in wine country.

Enjoy quality time with your loved one in the relaxing and scenic spaces only offered by Missouri wine country. From blufftop perches to valley views, celebrations are made even more spectacular with award-winning wines served in beautiful settings. For our food-loving fathers, many wineries offer mouthwatering eats that are guaranteed to impress - treat Dad to a glass (or bottle) of Missouri wine and a meal. For those who enjoy a craft brew, you’ll find that several wineries also brew their own beer or work closely with local breweries. Does Dad enjoy live music, incredible food or fun events? Check out our events calendar for Father’s Day weekend happenings in wine country.

Still looking for the perfect last-minute gift for the vino-loving father in your life? Not to fear, we’ve got you covered! Check out our list of perfect wine-centric gifts for the special people in your life.

Whether you choose to treat your loved ones to time in wine country or give them the gift of award-winning vino, make sure to include Missouri wine in your Father’s Day celebration. As you snap photos of your time together, share them using #MOWines!

What could be better than a sunny day, a stretch of open road and your favorite songs on the radio? We can only think of one thing that could make this scenario better – if that road leads you through scenic Missouri wine country!

Warmer weather and blooming foliage make for the perfect time to hit the road in the Show-Me State. Whether you’re looking for a quaint afternoon drive or a statewide road trip, wine country is your destination. You’ll come across stellar views, award-winning wineries and one-of-a-kind attractions only found here.

Every great road trip starts with a game plan and mapping out your journey. Historic Route 66 and breathtaking highways 94 and 100 wind through wine country, and are great starting points for first-time road trip travelers. Want to explore a specific Missouri wine region? We’ve got nine interactive trip planners that are loaded with resources and links to lodging, dining and wineries to visit. As you plan out your road trip itinerary, be sure to use our interactive map to find wineries along your route; with 125 wineries spread across the state, there’s bound to be a winery near you! Want to extend your trip into a multi-day adventure? You can find several wineries with on-site lodging that allow you to rest and rejuvenate before another day on the road.

Now that your route is determined and bags are packed, don’t forget to pick up bottles of award-winning Missouri wine to commemorate your trip! From dry to sweet, red to white and everything in between, there is a wide array of wines that will please any palate. To keep your precious vino safe during transport, follow our easy suggestions for traveling with wine.

For tips on storing wine at home, check out our recent blog that outlines the do’s and don’ts of proper storage of your favorite vintages.

No matter where your road trip travels take you, make sure to include Missouri wine and gorgeous wine country! As you’re traveling, share your photos using #MOWines.