No one likes to waste Missouri wine. Use your leftover holiday wine to make a new delicious red wine butter, as a candle!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Norton
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp. honey
• 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Kitchen twine
• 2 Tbsp. chopped chives 

Instructions: 

1. In a small saucepan, combine wine, rosemary, bay leaf, and honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until wine has reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 10-12 minutes. (should be thick and syrupy)
2. Remove rosemary and bay leaf from wine. In large bowl, combine butter, garlic, and reduced red wine. Season with salt and pepper and use a hand mixer or spatula to combine until smooth.
3. Place kitchen twine in container, and fill in the butter around it.
4. Place in fridge and use when ready.
5. Light the wick and enjoy!

Use this red wine butter for cooking, on a slice of bread or your own butter candle!

Share how you use leftover wine with us using #mowine!

A warm seasonal sip makes the holidays special. Try out our wine-nog! This warm winetail is sure to make you feel cozy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup Missouri Chambourcin
• 3 cups eggnog
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Garnish with cinnamon stick

Directions

1. In a pot combine the Chambourcin, eggnog and vanilla on low heat. Be sure to only heat the mixture, not cook. Combine the mixture together.
2. Add in the cinnamon. Stir together well.
3. Serve in a mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Enjoy this twist on a Christmas classic! Share your holiday sips with us using #mowine!

Meet the faces behind Musket Cellars & Vineyards. Musket Cellars & Vineyard is a new family-owned winery that opened its doors in August 2024. Founded by Kim Musket, her parents and her brother, the winery carries forward a tradition of winemaking that spans multiple generations. Kim, as the winemaker, brings over 14 years of experience in multiple states and multiple wineries. She oversees all aspects of production, manages the tasting room, leads social media, and continues the family’s legacy of crafting wines rooted in tradition, innovation, and connection.

The Musket family’s story begins in Sicily, where their great-grandfather first made wine. After immigrating to Kansas City around 1920, their grandfather continued the craft in his basement, keeping the family’s passion alive. While Kim initially had no idea about her Sicilian winemaking roots when she began college, she discovered this was her calling. Starting at the University of Missouri with a business degree, she quickly switched to Food Science with an emphasis in Enology and Viticulture. During her studies, she gained hands-on experience through vineyard research and lab work at the Institute of Continental Climate of Viticulture and Enology (currently the Grape and Wine Institute).  She landed a valuable internship at Les Bourgeois Vineyard, in Rocheport Missouri, and spent over a year with them. 

After graduating, Kim spent about five years with a new winery in Missouri called Arcadian Moon as the assistant winemaker.  During this time, she fine-tuned skills, knowledge, and day-to-day business operations which led to growth of the winery.  This experience tested her academic knowledge and focused it to wine production. Kim was responsible for creating several award-winning wines at the Missouri Wine Competition and Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition under the Acadian Moon label.

She moved to Arizona in 2017, to expand her skills, working at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards for five years. She worked with more than 20 varietals, mastered new winemaking skills and techniques, and was promoted to head winemaker, overseeing production of 360 tons of grapes annually at one of Arizona’s largest custom crush facilities. Continuing Kim’s award story, she created more wines that won awards at the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) and Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition under the Stronghold Vineyard label.

Her family called her one day and asked, “If we start a family winery here in Missouri, would you move back home?” Kim didn’t hesitate to say yes! Over the next two years, the Musket family planned their dream and in 2019, they landed a 90-acre property outside Pleasant Hill, Missouri. With its 10-acre lake, pond, and spacious 5,000-square-foot building, the site was perfect to be transformed into a production facility and tasting room.  During the next five years of dedication and hard work the site became the realization of her passion and the family’s dream.

After the “Yes”, Kim returned to the Midwest in 2021, working first as winemaker at Post Winery in Arkansas and later as winemaker at Smoky Hill Winery in Kansas. These roles allowed her to stay close to home while continuing to refine her craft. She was able to dedicate her weekends to help prepare Musket Cellars & Vineyard for launch. 

The family completed their first harvest sourcing grapes from Missouri vineyards in Fall 2023. The first vintages of Kim’s wines were bottled in June 2024, and Musket Cellars & Vineyard officially opened its tasting room August 30, 2024. That Fall, Kim moved to full-time with the winery to complete its first onsite harvest, processing 16 tons of grapes, with bottling in May 2025, creating the 2^nd vintage of her wines. 

Kim has developed a passion to support and help women in the wine industry and locally women-owned businesses.  Musket Cellars & Vineyard is a majority women owned company that fuels her passion. Kim had an outlet for her passion as a part of a women in wine project in Arizona called Vin De Filles.  The project is about women creating a bottle of wine where annual proceeds go to Verde Valley Sanctuary project based in Verde Valley, Arizona. Kim had the honor to be one of the featured winemakers at a five-course charity dinner featuring Fall 2025 with the Musket Cellars & Vineyard 2024 Valvin Muscat. 

In their first year, Musket Cellars & Vineyard won nine medals at the Missouri Wine competition:

• Gold medal winner: 1100 (Dessert Wine).
• Silver medal winners: 2024 Valvin Muscat (Dry), 2024 Vidal Blanc (Dry), 2024 Vignoles (Semi-Sweet), 2024 Sunrise Rosé (Semi-sweet), 2024 Gun Barrel Red (Dry), 2023 Chambourcin (Dry), J30 (Dessert wine).
• Bronze medal winner: 2024 Pink Sky (Sweet).

Come Sip with Us! For more information check out their website: www.musketcellars.com.

Dry January is looming, right? Don’t worry, Missouri Wines has a great lineup of dry wines for you to try this month. 

We’re talking about sipping our way around Missouri’s favorite dry varietals each week! From a dry Vignoles to a nice crisp Vidal Blanc not forgetting a buttery Chardonel. Maybe even smooth red like a Chambourcin or a bold Norton to set you apart. Wanting to switch it up a little? Look to try a dry rosé or sparkling to add a touch of flair to the lineup! 

Week 1: Dry Vignoles

Week 2: Dry Vidal Blanc

Week 3: Chardonel 

Week 4: Chambourcin

Week 5: Norton 

                  *Looking for something different than the above varietals try a dry rosé or sparkling 

The best part? They won’t bust your New Year’s resolution! Dry wines tend to be lower in sugar and calories than sweeter wines. 

So this January let’s toast to the New Year and continue to support the Missouri Wine industry one glass of dry wine at a time. 

Looking for a perfect gift for the wine lover in your life? No worries, we got you covered! From unique experiences to wine gadgets, these gifts are sure to impress.

Give the gift of a Tasting Experience:

• Set up your own wine tasting experience! Lay out paper, make spaces for the wines and pairings and then label. Walk through a custom tasting!

Wine Club Subscription:

• The perfect gift: more wine! Give the gift of a wine club membership to their favorite winery. Here is a list of wineries that have wine clubs: https://missouriwine.org/news/dreaming-wine-clubs

Experiences in Wine Country:

• Wineries host events, tastings and so much more. What better gift than an experience in Missouri wine country for the wine lover you know! Check out our calendar of events to find the perfect one or visit their favorite winery's website!

Wine Opener:

• Make opening wine easier for your friends and family. Look at getting them an automatic wine opener to save time this holiday season! Here is a good option!

Wine Preservation System:

• Save the wine for later. The perfect gift allows your friends and family to save their favorite wine to enjoy later! Click to view a wine saver!

No matter which wine lover you are shopping for, they are sure to love all of these gifts. And when in doubt, grab them a bottle of Missouri wine!

January is the month where we celebrate the bold full-bodied Missouri Norton (nore-tuhn). The legend of all Missouri wines some might say. No matter which Missouri Norton is your favorite, enjoy a glass and sip on the legend of Missouri in January.

Norton holds the honor of the official Missouri state grape. As Missouri’s premier red wine grape, Norton stands out for its resilience and disease resistance. Cultivated extensively throughout the state, you’ll find it featured at the majority of Missouri wineries.  

It’s aromatic profile and taste reveal spice, vanilla, and chocolate. Harmonizing with the fruity essence of berries, ripe cherries, and currants, Norton typically delivers a full-bodied, complex dry red wine experience with every sip. 

Pairing it with smoked meats, dark chocolate, or cheddar cheese is sure to please every palate.

Recipe Ideas: 

• Norton Bread
• Beef Tips with Red Wine Sauce
• Chocolate Cake
• Norton BBQ Sauce 

While celebrating the legend of a Missouri Norton and we also want to celebrate those who sip it. Rewards Uncorked has a Norton Month Incentive that you won’t want to miss out on! Visit 10 participating wineries DURING the month of January to be eligible for the NEW and NEVER BEFORE SEEN reward!  

Looking to shop the day away with your favorite people without the crowds? Then forget Black Friday and let’s shop on Small Business Saturday! It’s a magical time of the year for you to discover the charm of local wineries. Think twinkling lights, friendly faces and finding that perfect one-of-a-kind gift. But Small Business Saturday is more than just a shopping day!

Why is supporting local businesses so important? It’s about more than just finding a unique gift. When you shop small, you’re investing into your community. A significant portion of the money spent at local businesses stays within the local economy. This means more jobs and thriving neighborhoods. Local businesses are more likely to support local charities and events, furthering and strengthening the community ties. Plus, small business owners are your neighbors, friends and fellow community members. They’re passionate about what they do and that passion shines through in their products and services. 

Many Missouri wineries will direct ship to you as well! 

Missouri Wineries with Deals on Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday: 

*Denotes if they will ship wine to you!

• 7C’s Winery*
• Adam Puchta Winery*
• Amigoni Urban Winery*
• Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery
  • 20% off all TO-GO wine & sangria
• Augusta Winery*
• Beckett’s Winery*
• Blumenhof Vineyards & Winery*
• Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant
  • Buy One Get One 50% Off on TO-GO Bottles of Wine
• Chandler Hill Vinyards*
• Dale Hollow Winery*
• Defiance Ridge Vineyards*
• Eagles’ Landing*
• ElderBlossom View*
• Endless Summer Winery*
• Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery*
• Hermannhof Winery*
• Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery*
• LaBella Vineyards & Winery*
• LaChance Vineyards*
• Les Bourgeois Vineyards*
• Lindwedel Winery*
• Mathany Family Vineyards*
• Montelle Winery*
• Mount Pleasant Estates*
• Musket Cellars & Vineyard*
  • Mix and Match a case of 12 wines and receive 10% off
• Noboleis Vineyards*
  • Winter Wine-derland Igoo Experience
• Ozark Hills Winery*
• Pennington Wines*
• Pirtle Winery*
• Primitive Olde Crow & Winery*
• Red Fox Winery & Vineyards*
• Riverwood Winery*
• Serenity Valley Winery*
  • Traditional Christmas Craft Day
• Seven Springs Winery*
• Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery
  • Free tasting of 4 wines with every gift basket or gift card purchased.
  • North Pole Visit: ride on a hay wagon to the cabin to visit Santa.
• Spencer Manor Winery
  • Holiday Retail Wine Sale
• St. James Winery*
• Stone Hill Winery*
• TerraVox Winery*
• Westphalia Vineyards*
• Windy Wine Company*

So, this Small Business Saturday, skip the crowded malls and explore the hidden gems in your own backyard. While supporting Missouri wineries, be sure to grab a coffee at the local café or find a one-of-a-kind gift at the market. Not only will you find something unique and special, but you’ll also be making a real difference in the small communities. Let’s celebrate the entrepreneurs who make our small towns exceptional and show them our support. Shop small, support big, and make this Small Business Saturday one to remember! 

As the holiday season starts to twinkle, what better way to add a splash of festive cheer than with a tasty homemade sangria? This is the perfect sips for every holiday occasion. Get ready to infuse your holiday gatherings with a rich, fruity flavors or sangria that’s sure to become a favorite tradition!

Pomegranate Rosé Sangria 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 bottle of rosé
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• ½ cup orange liqueur
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 orange, thinly sliced

INSTRUCTIONS: 

• In a pitcher, combine rosé, pomegranate juice, and orange liqueur.
• Add pomegranate seeds and orange slices
• Chill at least 2 hours before serving

And there you have it! A holiday sangria recipe that’s as simple to make as it is delightful to sip. Whether you’re toasting to a new year or simply enjoying the company of friends and family, this sangria is the perfect complement to your celebrations. Cheers to a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and the irresistible taste of homemade sangria! 

The holiday season is here, and wine is for more than just sips! Check out this unique and festive wine glass centerpiece. It is sure to impress and make a statement this holiday season!

Supplies

• 3 wine glasses of varying heights
• 3 small candles
• Placemat or stand
• Christmas ornaments
• Other greenery or Christmas décor of choosing
• Ribbon is optional

Directions

1. Place ornaments inside wine glass, then turn upside down and set on platform or placemat.
2. Arrange other Christmas décor how you would like, place some on the base of the wine glass.
3. Place candles on top of the foot of the glasses.
4. When your event or gathering is about to start, light the candles.

Celebrate the season the right way, with all things wine!

Share your wine décor with us using #mowine

The wine says dry, but it tastes sweet. What is happening? Are my tastebuds broken? No, they are not! Many times, you may think a wine labeled dry is actually sweet, but this is not the case. Today we are busting the myth that some wines still taste sweet, but they are actually dry wines.

Residual sugar determines the sweetness of a wine. Winemakers control the residual sugar in their wines depending on type, style and their end goal for the product. The more residual sugar, the sweeter the wine. 

With dry wines, residual sugar levels are non-existent or low, which gives the wine the dry quality. So why do some dry wines, seem to taste sweet?

Fruit. Some grape varietals are very fruit forward. Meaning that they have notes of fruits. These fruit notes can cause a wine that is actually dry, to taste sweeter. It is the perception of your tastebuds, because fruit is associated with sweetness.

So, your tastebuds are not broken, some wines are just more fruit forward than others. A good example is a Missouri favorite, Vignoles. While Vignoles is made ranging from dry to sweet styles, it is a wine with a lot of fruit notes, specifically tropical fruit. This causes some people to taste a sweeter wine, even if it is actually a dry wine.

Myth busted!