Washington, Missouri native Collin Pennington was always familiar with the Augusta region and its well-known wines. Never did he guess he would be the head winemaker for four of the wineries in the area. This American Viticultural Area (AVA) was founded in 1980 and was the first designated AVA region in the U.S. Everyone from locals to tourists, and from bicyclists to motorcyclists enjoy the rolling hills, beautiful views and winning wines.

In this year’s Missouri Wine Competition, Augusta Winery took home the largest number of Best of Class medals. Taking home one fourth of the Best of Class wines awarded, Pennington is proud of the outcome and knows the value of entering the competition each year. Experienced judges hailing from across the country blindly evaluated more than 240 wines this year, alluding the quality found in these Best of Class wines created at Augusta Winery.

Winning Wines

2021 Vidal Blanc Estate Bottled 12% ABV

Best of Class Semi-Dry White

Explore this crisp and refreshing white wine featuring a toasty, floral bouquet. Tightly knit fruit flavors are complemented with a spicy finish.

Pennington enjoys growing Vidal Blanc and is proud of making this vintage. He said the grapes harvested for this specific wine were very clean and great fruit off the vine. This allowed the grape to shine during processing and winemaking. He notes he had fun creating this winning wine.

2021 Vignoles 12% ABV

Best of Class Sweet White

With a vibrant pineapple and tropical bouquet, this vintage is flavorful and enjoyed by many. It is fresh and crisp, yet rounds out with a slightly sweet finish.

Vignoles is one of the most versatile grapes grown in Missouri and can be made into wines ranging from dry to sweet. Pennington loves to make several varieties of Vignoles and enjoys the creativity this grape gives him as a winemaker. Although Vignoles is more temperamental in the vineyard, Pennington says it all pays off when people enjoy the range of wines created from this varietal.

River Valley Blush 10% ABV

Best of Class Sweet Rosé

This white Catawba-based wine has a rich bouquet, crisp acidity and bright, sweet flavor to finish. Can be enjoyed as an aperitif or as a dessert wine.

The Augusta River Valley series is well-known and enjoyed by Missouri wine enthusiasts. This rosé is blended with white Catawba and supplemental Augusta Winery red wine to produce its unique color and sweet, yet light flavor.

2021 Icewine 11% ABV

Best of Class Late Harvest/Ice Wine

Bold fruit flavors of peach, apricot, pineapple, pear and honey cover your palate with a long and rich finish. This concentrated dessert wine is rare and produced in limited quantities. Delight in this wine chilled with dessert or as the main treat itself.

This Late Harvest/Ice Wine is uniquely made. Grapes are harvested from the vine at 32°F. These frozen grapes are pressed, creating a more concentrated juice flavor. This high sugar and high acid wine is laborious to make but very worthwhile. Pennington used Vidal Blanc to create this vintage and he appreciates the ability to produce unique wines like this.

Four wineries & the future

In addition to Augusta Winery, Pennington creates wines for Montelle Winery, Mount Pleasant Winery and Balducci Winery. From three of the four wineries, 14 wines received gold medals in this year’s Missouri Wine Competition. Future goals for these wineries include entering wines from all four into future competition, as well as continuing consistent quality for Missouri wine enthusiasts.

Visit the nation’s first AVA, try these winning wines and share your travels through Missouri wine country with us by tagging #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

Follow the gravel road on East First Street in Stover to the warm and welcoming vineyards in Dale “Hollow”. The woody and natural aesthetic of the winery, unique wine names, even down to their font they use, is aligned with brothers Asher and Jesse Dale’s experience during their youth with The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. This interest, shared by their mother Beth, was something that united their family and still cherish today through their winery. The escape found in these novels is certainly parallel to the haven found for many at Dale Hollow Winery.

The winery is a very special place for many locals and family friends. There are loyal visitors who come back to enjoy this peaceful space with the help of their Missouri-made wines. When it is time to harvest any of their varietals, these loyal friends show up and hustle, without missing a beat. No matter the weather, or time of day, count on the grapes being picked when this crew is summoned. As Beth Dale said while harvesting, “it truly is a labor of love.” Their loyal community is as tried and true as the Concord grape. They care about the family, as well as the product because they consistently enjoy it year-round. One harvester joked an important follow up job was their “quality control.”

About an acre of Concord was picked on Saturday, September 3, 2022 with the help of about 20 friends, family and local connections. Ages ranged from youth to senior, yet enthusiasm was present across the board. Action at the vine began at 7 A.M., accompanied with a beautiful layer of fog. As the temperature rose throughout the morning, the fog’s moisture settled on the berry colored grapes. Colors ranged from candied purple to a few greens in between. Harvest was imperative as many of these clusters had ripened and began to naturally fall from the vines. There is always a race to harvest Concord as it ripens, especially when birds can easily beat the hand harvesters to their vines.

Post-harvest, the Brix (sugar content) was lower than expected due to an unexpected rain the day prior. The average number was 13, when their aim was 15-17. However, this can be fixed as most concord wines never reach the ideal number of Brix without being devastated by pests and birds. Concord is an easy-going varietal that is hardy and rings true to the characteristics of vitis labrusca (or native American grapes.)

The harvest crew leaves the vineyard and winery with full bellies and full hearts, with the help of Katy’s breakfast. Although it is hard work, these volunteers are crucial to the success of this local winery. Several harvesters noted it was their first year helping, while many others have been at every varietal harvest since the beginning. Every level of experience is welcome and appreciated in the “Hollow” vineyards.

All of Missouri wines produced across the state are family owned operations. Families may have expanded to include community members, and those working in the wine and grape industry, but all hands circle back to the integrity and care taken to produce world-class grapes and wine.

Welcome the experience of harvest this fall by keeping an eye out while enjoying wine country, or even volunteering to help harvest at your local winery. Share your experiences with us on social media by tagging #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

It’s no secret that Missouri wines have a well-deserved place at your barbecues, gatherings and celebrations. They also have a place included in your recipes, too. If you enjoy smoking meats, then try including a Missouri wine the next time you put on that “Grill Master” apron. This burnt ends recipe, made with a sweet red wine and chuck roast, will have your family and friends begging for seconds.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Resting time: 15 minutes

Approximate cook time: 8 hours

Total time: 8-9 hours

Serves: 6

Ingredients

3 – 4 lb chuck roast

1/4 c beef rub – we used Plowboys BBQ Bovine Bold Barbeque Rub (a Kansas City Award-Winning favorite)

1 c beef stock, optional

1/2 c sweet red wine, divided – we used Pirtle Winery’s 2021 Mellow Red

1/2 c BBQ sauce – we used a local Missouri option, Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle

1/4 c brown sugar

Other materials:

Smoking wood chips, pellets or chunks depending on smoker type

Aluminum foil

Aluminum baking pan or other smoker-safe dish

Spray bottle (optional)

Instructions

1.Preheat smoker to 250°F. In the meantime, thoroughly season chuck roast on all sides until well coated.

2.Once smoker has reached desired temperature, smoke the roast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a spray bottle to periodically spritz roast with beef stock, if desired. This step will take 4-5 hours depending on the smoker.

3.Remove roast from smoker and brush on 1/4 cup of wine then wrap tightly with aluminum foil. Return roast to smoker until the internal temperature reaches 195-200° F. This will take 1 – 2 hours depending on the smoker.

4.Remove the roast and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before cutting into 3/4 - 1 inch cubes and transfer to baking dish. Drizzle with BBQ sauce and wine, sprinkle brown sugar, and toss together until pieces are coated.

5.Place the dish in smoker and cook for 1-2 hours until sauce is bubbly and fragrant.

6.Serve hot with a glass of chilled wine and await the countless compliments for this delicious dish.

Let us know your rating of this recipe and tag us in your Missouri wine recipes on social media with @missouriwine and #MissouriWine.

Nothing pairs with a relaxing night-in like a good book and your favorite Missouri wine. We took some of the summer’s bestselling fiction novels from the New York Times and paired them with your favorite and familiar Show Me State varietals.

Take a sip and flip the page on these popular titles.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens + Chambourcin

After being made into a motion picture, most will recognize the story of a young woman who survived alone in the marsh before becoming a murder suspect in a small town. This wild, romantic and mysterious tale pairs well with Chambourcin’s notes of dark cherry and earthiness. This Missouri varietal is also known as the perfect gateway to dry red wines for those wanting to expand their tastes, just like this book’s intrigue makes it a bridge between coming of age, romance and murder.

IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover +  Chardonel

This novel weaves together a love story and a heart-wrenching, honest look at domestic violence. In the book, a battered wife raised in a violent home attempts to halt the cycle of abuse. A book with such hefty storylines deserves a complex sip. Chardonel’s rich, complex and crisp taste will serve readers well, and its light flavors of pear, apple and apricot will provide a welcome reprieve when the topics are heavy.

VERITY by Colleen Hoover + Vignoles

In this thriller, Lowen Ashleigh is hired to complete an injured writer’s popular series only to uncover a horrifying truth. There is nothing horrifying about Vignoles (pronounced veen-yole), one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes. It is thrilling to try the wine styles — from dry to sweet — crafted from this varietal. We are confident you can find the perfect Missouri Vignoles complete with its luscious aromas and flavors of tropical fruits with a crisp mouthfeel, no matter how your palate ranges.

UGLY LOVE by Colleen Hoover + Traminette

Called the “sexiest, most heart-wrenching Colleen Hoover book to date,” by Natasha is a Book Junkie, blog review. This Hoover novel follows Tate Collins and airline pilot Miles Archer who think they can handle a no-strings-attached fling. But they can't. We felt that Missouri Traminette’s citrus acidity with a hint of spice was the perfect match for Hoover’s steamiest novel on the bestseller list.

THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid + Norton

Noted for its glitz, glamour and old Hollywood vibe, this tale of a movie icon recounting her great loves and career will pair well with Norton. Missouri’s state grape’s bold, complex flavors have notes of spice, vanilla and chocolate notes layered with flavors of berry, ripe cherry and currant. These full-bodied, oak-aged Nortons are as classic as old Hollywood, and its deep red color is reminiscent of every premiere’s carpet.

NOVEMBER 9 by Colleen Hoover + Catawba

If we’ve learned anything about Hoover’s writing, it is that her work can be heart-wrenching and heart-warming. November 9 is no different. A love story about two people who meet each day every year is as sweet, light and refreshing as a Missouri Catawba. But when our main character finds out her romantic interest might be simply using her story as a muse for his novel, readers will want to cling to that strawberry-like sweetness they get with every sip of Catawba.

ALL YOUR PERFECTS by Colleen Hoover + Seyval Blanc

From the most prolific author in the fiction bestsellers list, this book’s back cover poses the question: Can a resounding love with a perfect beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people? This up-and-down emotional read deserves Seyval Blanc’s clean, crisp pear-like taste with a hint of light spice. Yet, much like the book, the medium-bodied Seyval Blanc can also offer more complex notes.

THE 6:20 MAN by David Baldacci + Vidal Blanc

With a cryptic murder, corruption and menace amid the pages of this novel, Vidal Blanc’s thick skin and hardiness remins us of the protagonist — an entry-level investment analyst whose ex-girlfriend turns up dead in his office building. Amid all the page-turning suspense, we thought Vidal Blanc’s flavors and aromas of pear, apple and citrus delivered in a medium-bodied, dry to semi-dry white wine complements this thriller.

BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry + Concord

Emily Henry’s Book Lovers spins the yarn of a literary agent who keeps running into an editor while on vacation in North Carolina. While readers are promised a readable rom-com, its characters aren’t the typical love birds. Still, this love story would pair well with a sweet Missouri Concord. Its flavors and aromas of classic grape juice along with its candy-like sweetness and jammy notes will make readers smile as they turn each page.

Enjoy these page-turning pairings and share your thoughts with us on social media by tagging #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

Noboleis Vineyards' Swirl was created for days full of fun, friends and family – yet was ironically a brain child of the pandemic. These unique wine-based beverages are the product of Noboleis' head winemaker Gabe Miller's play day. Two years of research and development were dedicated to perfect these sangrias and botanicals but also the brand that surrounds them.

"We wanted it to be something you could make memories with, uplift your spirits and just have some fun because you can always use more fun in your life," says Tricia Newbold, Noboleis Vineyards’ marketing director.

One glance at Swirl products’ packaging evokes the fun and playful feelings the Noboleis team wanted to capture. Their product line was created with utmost attention to detail. Everything about Swirl is intentional, from the bold colors to minimalist design. Better yet, every ounce of it was created by Missourians, according to the Augusta-based vineyard and winery.

"We are local, and everything that goes into the product and the wines are made by people from Missouri, designed by people from Missouri and grown by people of Missouri," Newbold says.

When it came time to pick a design team to lead the charge of building the brand for the budding canned beverages, the talented Novel team came first to mind. This St. Louis marketing agency had previously helped Noboleis Vineyards redesign their website and found success. In this new endeavor, the visions and creative talents were unmatched.

The Noboleis team held meetings with Novel's Attilio D'Agostino and Elizabeth Tucker. They arranged focus groups and round tables to delve into the "why" behind the product and how to convey this to customers. While Noboleis Vineyards always wanted their canned wine-based beverages to be fun, they also wanted them to appeal to a variety of tastes. Outside of general appeal, the team also knew the products had to be catchy, so as they brainstormed potential names, they knew that the winner would be one word — quick to say and easy to pronounce.

“Swirl” quickly rose to the top. Its nod to tasting room protocol would intrigue wine aficionados, yet its breezy name would be approachable for those who haven't set foot into a winery. That balance was at the forefront of the team’s minds throughout the process.

They wanted to create a wine-based beverage line that shirked any pretentiousness without shrugging off everything that makes Missouri wine great — its local roots, flavors and ties to the community. Swirl has done just that, as the product celebrates Missouri wine in many ways. Its canned packaging allows customers to throw it in a cooler for a float trip down one of Missouri's many rivers, sip it out of a wine glass or enjoy it straight from the can and surround yourself by friends and family.

Family is forefront at Noboleis Vineyards. Bob and Lou Ann Nolan founded the vineyard and winery 12 years ago after the couple purchased 84 acres in Augusta a few years prior. The couple remained at the helm of the vineyard until Bob passed last July. Today, this family-owned, female-operated winery treasures its roots and continues to build upon the family legacy. This is quite apparent by the vineyards' name (created by combining their last names) and traditional wine label imagery. It’s not surprising that current owners and mother-daughter trio, LouAnn Nolan, Christine Newbold and Angie Geis, wanted input from the entire Noboleis family and team for the Swirl design.

When Novel would send potential mock-ups for the Swirl cans, the vineyard crew would excitedly print off the artwork and wrap it around a Diet Coke can before standing back to look at their choices. This visual gave the entire team a different perspective, according to Newbold. A new perspective is what Noboleis Vineyards hopes to provide everyone who enjoys a sip of Swirl.

The 2022 Missouri Wine Label Competition judges enjoyed this fresh take on Missouri wines. The intention behind every can of Swirl was evident, from the color palette to the minimalistic yet intriguing design. Designs that garnered Swirl the “Best Label Series” among many traditional bottle entries. Proof that everyone can use a little more fun, family and a unique perspective.

Explore the experience and flavors of Swirl! Share with us on social media by tagging #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

It may sound like old news that there’s a new way to earn exclusive experiences, items and perks in Missouri wine country with Rewards Uncorked, but the program continues to grow with excitement from users each day. New rewards and experiences in wine country will debut on the website over the next few months. Since the new loyalty program launched in May, many users have been busy racking up points at participating wineries.

As an exciting incentive to kick off the new program, all users who sign up by September 1, 2022 at 11:59 pm CST will be automatically entered to win (1) of (5) $50 gift card bundles. Each gift card bundle includes five $10 gift cards to an assortment of five Missouri wineries. The five winners will be notified via email on Friday, September 2, 2022. Winners will need to claim bundles by Friday, September 16th or an alternate winner will be selected.

See how the program works, browse participating wineries, view available rewards and experiences and sign up for Rewards Uncorked here.

Members of the MVP program (the retiring Missouri Wines loyalty program) should note the following:

• The deadline to enter MVP tickets has passed (June 30, 2022), and therefore no remaining tickets can be entered for points.
• If you wish to have your remaining MVP points rolled over to your new Rewards Uncorked account, ensure that you have signed up with the same name and email address as your MVP account. This transition will take place in September, 2022 and all users with transferred point balances will be notified via email once the transition is complete.
• You are welcome to redeem rewards with MVP until September 1, 2022 by 11:59 pm CST. Many remaining items are available at major discounted values. Check out the inventory here under the “Specials” tab.

Sign up for Rewards Uncorked and start earning today! It is a bonus incentive to get out and about in Missouri wine country and get rewarded while you do. Tag us in your #RewardsUncorked adventures on social media with hashtags #RewardsUncorked and #MissouriWine.

Fine Missouri wines can be enjoyed in any glassware! However, if you are entertaining, here’s a few tips to polish your wine glasses and elevate your guest experience.

The secret is in the steam

Take your clean glassware and hold it over a steamer or boiling pot of water. Rotate the glass by holding the stem so that the inside of the bowl to the rim is fully fogged. Also, allow the foot of the glass to gather steam as well.

Simple ways to make it shine

You can use a variety of household items to polish your glassware. A polishing cloth is always handy to have. If the size of the cloth allows, grip the corner around the stem or the foot and begin to polish the outside of the glass. Next, hold the stem and polish the inside of the glass, making sure to get to the very bottom. Make sure to hold the glass up to a light source to avoid water spots or streaking. Note: Never polish the foot and the bowl in a twisting motion to avoid glass breakage and tension on the stem.

No polishing cloth, no problem

Did you know that coffee filters can be used to polish glassware as well? These are a great alternative to a fancy polishing cloth. Other options for polishing are high-end paper towels, as well as a glass-specific polishing cloth that might be used for other surfaces in the home. Avoid materials that may scratch or leave lint trails behind on the glassware.

Try these tips at home and see what you think! Share your polishing tips with us on social media by tagging #missouriwine and @missouriwine.

Upcycling your wine bottles can be as simple as a brushstroke! With these quick tips, you will see that no artistic ability is required. While you can use painted wine bottles for anything from hummingbird feeders to centerpieces, we opted for oil/vinaigrette bottles for this project. 

What you will need

Clean, empty bottles from your favorite Missouri wine

Dish soap and rubbing alcohol 

Acrylic paints

Paint brushes

Brush on sealant

Oil dispenser bottle toppers (optional)

Step 1: Prep your bottles

While acrylic paints are a forgiving medium, sometimes they don't stick to glass. Therefore, it is essential to have a clean surface before you start painting. Wash the bottles thoroughly with dish soap to remove any leftover label remnants, and then wipe clean of fingerprints and residue with rubbing alcohol before drying completely. 

Step 2: Start painting.

While some people are intimidated by picking up a paintbrush, we encourage you to dive in. If painting and design aren't your things, we have two sure-fire designs that are fun for all ages. 

Classy Confetti: We think this design is an excellent choice for painters who want a worry-free abstract look. Pick three to four colors of acrylic paint. Then, one at a time, dab the colors onto the bottle using the end of your paintbrush, a pencil eraser or even a Q-tip. Each placement will leave a perfect circle. For best results, dip the dabber in the paint often to refill for the perfect circle, and then let dry between colors to avoid smudges or mixed colors.

Fantastic Flowers: While these freeform flowers may look complex, this design only requires three colors of paint. First, you will need some white paint. Simply paint freeform by placing squiggly areas all around the bottle. Next, pick your secondary color (we used red.) Take the same brush with which you painted the white onto the bottle and dip it in the second color. Start painting the middle of your white areas with C-shaped brush strokes to create a layer of petals. Don't worry if your chosen color and the white mix together. That will create a unique blended effect. Continue swapping between your selected color and white and work toward the middle of each shape, creating rows of c-shaped petals. After you've painted all your flowers, fill any open spaces with green leaves. Let the bottle dry, and outline the leaves and petals using a thin brush or paint pen. 

Step 3: Seal your artwork

Since paint can be removed from glass, we recommend you seal your artwork with a brush-on sealant to protect the finished bottle.

Step 4: Enjoy

We love these beautiful bottles to use in our kitchen or they are also great to give as gifts. The possibilities are endless, and we hope you experiment with your own designs as you upcycle. 

Share your wine bottle designs or other repurposing ideas with us by tagging #missouriwine and @missourwine on social media. 

Sunny days and summertime call for a cool, refreshing glass of Vignoles. This white wine is made in many styles from dry to sweet, so there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Missouri Wines celebrates the popular Vignoles varietal each August. It is grown in many areas throughout the state, accounting for 15.4% of all grapes grown in Missouri and 262.2 grape bearing acres. This varietal is less susceptible to late frost damage due to a later bud opening period than most other grape varietals. It fairs Missouri’s cold winter temperatures well, but also helps you kick the heat outside and on your palate.

Vignoles is one of the most food-pairing friendly wines and is certainly the go-to wine for hot and spicy dishes. It brings a crisp balance to bold flavors like spicy pork, chicken and cheeses, peppers, Mexican, curries and dishes with hot sauce. Vignoles also complements strawberries, apricots and cheesecake with its luscious floral aroma and fruity flavors of pineapple and apricot. This French-American hybrid is one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes to bottle as well as to pair and enjoy!

Share how you plan to enjoy Vignoles during August with us by tagging @missouriwine and #missouriwine on social media.