It is Mom and Pop Business Day. Missouri wineries thrive because they embody heart, passion, and spirit. Missouri wineries truly are the center of their communities!

Missouri wineries are not only focused on creating excellent wines but contributing to their communities. They do this through hosting events, community gatherings, and giving back in many different ways. 

Some wineries focus on sustainability. A few practices they utilize are recycling bottles and boxes, re-using all fruit remnants, and more sustainable vineyard management practices. Other sustainable practices include using solar energy, going paperless, and lowering water consumption. These sustainable efforts help Missouri wineries be responsible stewards of their communities.

Other wineries focus on charities or community events. They support local causes or even larger charities, donating a portion of sales, having discounts and other actions that raise money for those things that are important to the community. Wineries are also hosting numerous events throughout the year for community members to enjoy and interact with each other!

Missouri wineries are the heart of the community. They take care of their land, provide a place to meet with neighbors and friends, and are always there to support.

Missouri wineries work hard to champion and take care of their local community. Give them some love back and shop local on Mom-and-Pop Business Day. Shopping local is how you invest back into your own community. Your local winery owners are your neighbors, community members and care about your community, just like you!

Forget the Easter egg hunts and bunny ears! Adults should get to enjoy the holidays too. Here is the perfect Easter basket strictly for adults! We’re talking a curated collection of goodies that speaks directly to them. Get ready to create and gift a basket that’ll have them feeling like a kid again. 

Easter Basket Supplies:

• Basket 
• Missouri Wine
• Corkcicle
• Glasses 
• Adult Coloring Book 
• Fun Pens 
• Wine Bottle Candle 
• Hand Towels 
• Plant 
• Home Decorations
• Candy

So, ditch the predictable and embrace the personalization. With creativity and some thoughtfulness, you created the best adult Easter basket packed with goodies. Watch their face light up and relive their younger years. Happy Easter basket crafting! 

Welcome to Spring! After this winter, spring feels even sweeter. Welcome Spring with us and sip on Chardonel.

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel) is a hybrid grape made from Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay. Chardonel is a late ripening white wine grape that produces a high-quality and full-bodied wine. It is distinguished by its superior wine quality combined with high productivity. The grape’s cold hardiness is superior to its acclaimed parent, Chardonnay, which you may have heard of. This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. The Chardonel grape was developed in 1953, and the varietal was released in 1990. 

7.2% of the grapes grown in Missouri are Chardonel. This varietal produces wines with delightful flavors of pear, apple, and apricot, often enriched with an oaky undertone when aged in barrels. Chardonel is known for its full-bodied, rich, and complex profiles, and also offers a crisp finish. 

Serve Chardonel chilled at an ideal temperature of 44-55°F to fully appreciate. It pairs beautifully with creamy white cheeses, grilled chicken and fish, mushrooms, almonds, pasta in cream sauce, and desserts like vanilla cake, banana bread, and apple dishes. 

Try using Chardonel while cooking with these recipes:

Chardonel Wine Cocktail Recipe

Cheesy Chardonel Bacon Mac & Cheese Recipe

Butterscotch Blondies with Chardonel

Chardonel Fondue (lactose-free version)

One-Skillet Smothered Pork Chops

Lemon Butter Seafood Pasta

Moscow Mule with Wine

Stargazer Cocktail

Chardonel Cheese Sauce with Pretzel Bites

Share your favorite Missouri Chardonel with us using #mowine

It is Chardonel Month! There is no better way to enjoy Chardonel this month than with this Creamy Chardonel Chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup Chardonel
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch, + 2 tablespoons cold water, optional
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, see notes

• Fresh Dill, to garnish

Supplies

• Mallet

Sauce Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon each: dried parsley, mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon each: dried oregano, dried basil

Instructions

1. Slice the chicken in half lengthwise to create 2-3 thinner slices. Use a mallet to pound to ½ inch thick. Pat completely dry.
2. Season each side with oregano, salt, and pepper. Dredge in the flour.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until a golden crust has developed. Set aside.
4. 

   Turn the heat off and add the wine, then set heat to medium.

5. Let it simmer until reduced by half. Add the butter and garlic. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and seasonings. Bring the sauce to a boil.
6. If the sauce is not thick enough: Combine 2 tbsp. cornstarch with 2 tbsp. cold water until completely uniform in consistency. Slowly stir it into the bubbling sauce.
7. Reduce heat to low and slowly add the heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
8. Add the chicken back to the skillet and spoon the sauce on top. Cover partially and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
9. Stir the fresh lemon juice into the sauce. Garnish with dill and serve with sides of your choosing!

Happy Chardonel Month. Share your Chardonel recipes with us using #mowine!

Looking for an easy way to make use of the corks you have saved? Look no further than this DIY Cork Wall Hanging. Easy and cute!

Supplies:

• Canvas
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Pencil
• Yardstick or Ruler
• Corks

Instructions:

1. Lay your canvas flat and mark with a pencil evenly placed lines for where the corks will go.
2. After your marks are made, hot glue your corks to the canvas.
3. Hang on the wall and enjoy!

Share your cork crafts with us using #mowine!

Happy Cocktail Day! Celebrate the right way, with 4 different and delicious Missouri Wine-tails!

Cordial Spritz

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3 oz Missouri Sparkling

    •    1 oz berry cordial

    •    2 oz seltzer water

    •    Fresh raspberries

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Fill glass with ice.

    2.    Add berry cordial and sparkling wine.

    3.    Top with seltzer water.

    4.    Gently stir to combine.

    5.    Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Strawberry Basil Spritzer

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3–4 fresh strawberries, sliced

    •    2–3 fresh basil leaves

    •    3 oz Traminette

    •    2 oz club soda

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add strawberries and basil to a glass.

    2.    Lightly muddle to release juices and aroma.

    3.    Fill the glass with ice.

    4.    Pour in white wine and top with club soda.

    5.    Stir gently and garnish with a basil leaf or strawberry slice.

Spring Sangria

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    4 oz Vignoles

    •    1 oz berry-infused vodka

    •    ½ oz fresh lemon juice

    •    3–4 sliced strawberries

    •    Splash of seltzer water

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add strawberries large glass.

    2.    Fill the glass with ice.

    3.    Pour in white wine, berry vodka, and lemon juice.

    4.    Stir well to combine.

    5.    Top with a splash of seltzer water.

Cucumber Herb Spritzer

Serves 1

Ingredients

    •    3 cucumber slices

    •    1 mint sprig

    •    1 basil leaf

    •    3 oz Seyval Blanc

    •    2 oz seltzer water

    •    Lime wedge

    •    Ice

Instructions

    1.    Add cucumber, mint, and basil to a wine glass.

    2.    Lightly muddle to release flavor.

    3.    Fill with ice.

    4.    Add white wine and top with seltzer water.

    5.    Squeeze in a lime wedge and stir gently.

Share your wine-tails with us using #mowine!