Warm weather, longer days and sweet sunshine have arrived in the Show-Me State. We welcome outdoor gatherings, picnic sipping sessions, and experiencing wine country with a glass of award-winning Missouri wine in hand. This summertime shift is the perfect opportunity for wine fans to explore crisp and refreshing white wine varietals that are sure to satisfy on a warm day. This June, celebrate Vidal Blanc in Missouri wine country and sip into summer.

Vidal Blanc is a French-American hybrid grape that produces a dry to semi-dry white wine. Some Missouri winemakers even produce mouthwatering sparkling and dessert wines with this hardy grape! Nearly 140 acres of Vidal Blanc grapes are grown across Missouri, accounting for 5.9% of grape production in the Show-Me State. Learn more about Vidal Blanc here.

Vidal Blanc has all the elements of summer in a glass. This refreshing wine has aromas of a fresh garden, and flavors of ripe summer delights like apples and lemon. This varietal’s palate-pleasing citrus notes are the perfect complement to a summertime patio or poolside sipping session.

This clean and crisp varietal is a delightful pair to seafood and poultry, as well as fresh herbs. Vidal Blanc is also a pairing partner in many recipes, including satisfying cake, delightfully delicious squash gratin and crowd-satisfying pasta primavera. Besides being a food-friendly wine, Vidal Blanc makes an excellent addition to thirst-quenching summertime winetails like Pineapple Joy.

Whether you choose to enjoy a glass of clean and crisp Vidal Blanc at one of Missouri’s 125 wineries, or uncork and savor at home, we’ve got helpful resources to make it easy to find award-winning wine near you.

This June, sip into summer with Vidal Blanc.

Grilling season is here, and pairing your favorite charbroiled delights is easy with this Grill-out Guide. Cheers to warmer weather, longer days and delicious food paired with the perfect award-winning wine!

Spanning across 60,000 miles, the manmade Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri welcomes millions of visitors each year. This lake was formed by the construction of the Bagnell Dam in 1931 and offers a variety of water- and land-based activities and attractions for all to enjoy. Discover all that this scenic and exciting area of Missouri wine country has to offer, and learn why you’ll fall in love with the Lake of the Ozarks.

Click here to view and download our interactive trip planner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the last drop of award-winning Missouri wine is gone, give your empty wine bottles new life with this easy DIY. With just a few supplies and a little patience, revamped bottles are the perfect home for easy-to-care-for succulents!

Supplies:

Clean, empty Missouri wine bottle

Masking or freezer tape

Glass cutter (find at your local craft store or hardware supply store)

Container for pouring hot water – ladle, measuring glass, mug, etc.

Pot or sink full of boiling water

Pot or sink full of ice water

Sanding block (optional)

Potting soil

Succulents

 

Directions:

1. Start with a clean, empty wine bottle. To remove wine labels, soak bottle in soapy water for at least 30 minutes and then peel labels off. Pro tip – use a knife or craft razor to help remove stubborn labels.

2. Measure 2-4 inches down from the shoulders of the wine bottle and wrap a piece of tape around the circumference of the wine bottle. Pro tip – your measurement will be based on how deep you want your planter to be.

3. Using the tape as a guide, take the wheel end of the glass cutter and press into the bottle to make a semi-firm line around the circumference of the bottle. This will create a ‘score’ line around the bottle that should be visible when held close to a light source. Pro tip – avoid pressing too firmly into the glass with the cutter wheel, and avoid going over your score line multiple times.

4. Remove tape from wine bottle and set bottle aside. Be sure to remove the cork or cap and set aside (but don’t throw it away).

5. Prepare a large container of boiling water and a large container of ice water, and make sure a measuring glass is in within reach. Pro tip – place these two containers in a large sink or tub where they can be close together, or implement both sides of a double sink.

6. Hold the wine bottle over the container of boiling water at an angle and use a container with a handle (a measuring glass works well, but you can also use a mug or ladle) to pour boiling water over the score line, rotating the bottle so that the entire score line gets covered with boiling water; continue until the bottle is heated thoroughly. Pro tip – don’t let the neck or mouth of the bottle dip into the water, as this will lead to uneven breaks in the glass.

7. Hold the wine bottle over the container of ice water at an angle and use the measuring glass to pour ice water over the score line, rotating the bottle so that the entire score line gets covered with ice water.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the glass breaks; if desired, use a sanding block to smooth any jagged edges. Pro tip – glass is persnickety and won’t always cut perfectly, so be patient and have a few backup bottles just in case!

9. Once both ends of bottle have cooled, replace cork/cap on mouth of bottle and invert so that the neck and shoulders rest atop the bottom half of the bottle (see photo).

10. Fill with potting soil and your succulent plant of choice. Give your plant a sip of water, place in a sunny spot and enjoy your upcycled creation!

 

Show Mom how much you love her this Mother’s Day by treating her to a Missouri wine country visit. Many Missouri wineries plan to celebrate those super heroes we call Mom with everything from brunch to live music. Here are just a few offerings from Missouri wineries.

*This list is not all-inclusive. Results were gathered via survey.

 

Can’t make it the winery but still want to give a wine-themed present? Check out these DIY gifts that will impress any #MOWine Mom!

Glitz, glamour and red-carpet treatment – this was the theme of the night for nearly 40 of Missouri wine country’s most loyal fans and their guests, along with a special group of industry representatives and Missouri winemakers.

On April 23rd, this select group of Missouri wine lovers indulged in the MVP Cellar Master Celebration, an evening filled with fabulous food, wine and fellowship. To make the guest list for this exclusive and highly-anticipated event, MVP members had to redeem a whopping 50,000 points, equal to 100 first-time winery visits in the MVP program. The celebration took place in the heart of Missouri wine country, Hermann, at the picturesque Hermann Hill venue.

After making their way down the red carpet, guests were greeted with a refreshing welcome cocktail and partook in a social hour filled with delicious appetizers that were impeccably paired with incredible Missouri wines. Amongst the conversation and reconnection with fellow wine lovers, photo booths captured the unforgettable memories being made.

The evening’s festivities officially began with the introduction and recognition of each MVP member who qualified for the Cellar Master Celebration. Securing a spot for this celebration was no easy feat, and attendees applauded their fellow wine fans as their experiences in wine country were recounted for the audience. Throughout the evening, a live painter captured the fabulous festivities on a canvas. Attendees were then treated to a feast of gourmet food paired with wine from across the Show-Me State. Emcee Cat Neville and generous meal sponsors led guests through the evening’s various courses.

The pinnacle of the celebration was the drawing of special gifts and live painting – each MVP member in attendance received a special gift, and lucky MVP member Larry Warren was able to claim the live painting as a unique reminder of the spectacular evening. In addition to the drawings, each MVP member went home with a swag-filled bag, handmade wooden serving tray and an autographed bottle of award-winning Missouri wine. A face mask contest also took place and MVP duo Cynthia and Timothy Bax were declared as the winners. Lastly, Tony and Cindy Kooyumjian were presented the Pioneer Award for their decades of involvement in Missouri’s wine industry. As the evening came to an end, attendees raised their flutes to a toast and nibbled on delicious desserts.

The Cellar Master Celebration was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our MVP VIPs, who had the opportunity to receive recognition and red-carpet treatment for their achievements. We can’t wait for what the future holds for MVP and events where members can redeem their points for exclusive experiences.

This spectacular evening of exquisite dining and wine was made possible by the generosity of our sponsors. We’d like to thank the following dinner sponsors for their contribution to the evening’s feast:

Midwest Dairy 

Baejte Farms

Missouri Pork Association

Missouri Beef Industry Council

We would also like to thank the following winery sponsors for their contributions of award-winning wine:

KC Wineworks                                                       Montelle Winery

Les Bourgeois Vineyards                                      Stone Hill Winery

Adam Puchta Winery                                            Wild Sun Winery

Belmont Vineyards                                                Augusta Winery

Vox Vineyards                                                        St. James Winery

Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard                                  Stonehaus Farms Winery

Noboleis Vineyards                                               Windy Wine Company

Dale Hollow Winery                                              Ladoga Ridge Winery

Finally, we would like to thank the following sponsors for their donations of special gifts and swag items:

Willow Spring Mercantile                                      Missouri River Wine Trail

Stone Hill Winery                                                   Independence Uncorked

Jefferson City Visitors Bureau                              Hermann Hill

St. James Winery                                                    Visit KC

Missouri Grown                                                      Visit Cape

Conservation Federation of Missouri                  Tipple Hill Winery

Doug Frost                                                               Ladoga Ridge Winery

Missouri State Fair                                                 Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

Hermannhof Winery                                              Missouri Division of Tourism

Margaritaville Lake Resort                                    Missouri Soybean Association

Adam Puchta Winery                                             Midwest Dairy

Barley Bus Tours                                                     Baetje Farms

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association                        Meramec River Wine Trail

Wild Sun Winery                                                    Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau            White Mule Winery

Visit Hermann

 

Experiences like the Cellar Master Celebration are possible when you’re a Missouri wine MVP. Keep exploring wine country (sign up for free to get started) and be on the lookout for exciting updates and future opportunities to redeem your hard-earned points.

Get ready to step up your macaroni and cheese game, Missouri wine lovers. This classic comfort dish goes gourmet with a delicious trio of cheeses and crispy bacon, topped off with rich Chardonel wine. easy recipe will quickly become your go-to dinner dish!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPg1oPh7nuI

 

Yields: 6 servings | Total Time: 1 hour

 

Ingredients

1 lb. rotini pasta

¼ cup butter + 4 T. (divided)

3 tbsp. minced garlic

¼ cup flour

1 cup Chardonel wine

¾ cup heavy cream

¾ cup 2% milk

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. rosemary

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

4 oz. Gouda cheese, cubed

4 oz. Havarti cheese, cubed

4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed

6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 375^oF and grease a 9”x13” baking dish. Boil pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 2-3 minutes, as garlic browns. Whisk in flour, stirring continuously to avoid burning. When flour has browned and become bubbly, pour in Chardonel and continue to whisk as mixture thickens. Add heavy cream and milk, again whisking as mixture continues to become thick. Stir in rosemary, basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper as desired.

Remove skillet from heat and mix in Gouda, Havarti and sharp Cheddar cheese – stir until all cheese is completely melted. Stir in crumbled bacon until well combined. Add pasta and stir again until all ingredients are combined. Pour into prepared baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese.

In a small bowl, melt 4 tablespoons butter and mix in breadcrumbs. Spread breadcrumb mixture over the pasta. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until breadcrumb topping is golden. Remove from oven and serve warm with a glass of rich Chardonel wine.

Focusing on sustainability and caring for the Earth (and its inhabitants) ensures that it will be around for many years to come. Sustainability is an important part of many individuals’ and businesses’ missions, including wineries in the Show-Me State. Grape growers take care to be stewards of the land and produce outstanding wine in environmentally-friendly ways.

Many producers in the wine industry focus their sustainability efforts around water, energy and soil conservation. Some vineyards use soil moisture probes and drip irrigation systems to be more precise in their watering efforts and conserve water use. Additionally, some producers implement solar power and hand-harvesting of grapes to reduce the energy consumption required by traditional electricity sources and harvesting equipment. To learn more about how harvesting grapes by hand differs than mechanical harvesting, check out this informative overview.

When it comes to soil conservation, you might see a curious sight in some vineyards – animals amongst the vines! Sheep and chickens are employed by some wine producers to engage in weed and pest control as they wander the rows of grapevines. This is an environmentally-friendly method of integrated pest management that places less reliance on herbicides, pesticides and gas-powered mowing equipment. Have you ever noticed the grass growing between rows of grapevines? In many wine regions, grape growers plant cover crops and allow grass to grow in order to prevent soil erosion and add nutrients to the soil. Some wineries also implement pollinator habitats, including bee colonies and butterfly gardens.

Wine producers also practice sustainability by refitting and reusing buildings for cellars, production areas and tasting rooms. Throughout wine country, you’ll see award-winning wine being produced and sold in a variety of buildings – from former churches and barns, to family homesteads and even former Odd Fellows lodges. Want to practice sustainability in your wine adventures? It’s as easy as recycling your bottles and corks after enjoying the last drop of your favorite Missouri wine. Check out our blog for DIY inspiration!

Let’s raise a toast to sustainability, and to wine producers’ dedication to implementing practices that will allow us to enjoy Missouri wine country for generations to come.

Sunshine and blooming foliage are much-welcomed signs of spring in wine country. Springtime in the Show-Me State is a time of beauty and new growth, a sign of renewal and refreshment after winter’s chilly sting.

Spring is also a time of renewal and refreshment in Missouri vineyards. Grapevines are beginning to awaken from their winter dormancy and show signs of life. Bud break is an exciting time for wine country, as this indicates the start of the growing cycle for our outstanding varietals.

What is bud break? During winter, the buds found on grapevines are isolated from the rest of the vine’s nutrient and water transportation systems to protect them from the bitter cold. As temperatures rise with the onset of spring, new life is breathed into the buds as they are rehydrated and begin to swell. Eventually, the buds will “break” open and shoots will emerge, allowing new growth to burst through. This new growth will lead to the development of grape clusters, which will later be harvested and crafted into award-winning wine.

The excitement of bud break is a beautiful reminder of the many possibilities in the growing season ahead, as vintners work to care for vines and produce the highest-quality wines. While you’re visiting Missouri wineries this spring, see if you can catch a glimpse of bud break in the vineyards! Be quick, it won’t be long before flowering occurs!

Want to learn more about the journey Missouri grapevines undergo to bring you award-winning wine? Check out our overview of a grapevine’s lifecycle!

If you are a lover of pets, you will enjoy visiting these wineries. Who knows, you may even make a new furry friend.

Edg-Clif

At Edg-Clif you will find about 12 different cats working in different capacities at the winery, including hospitality and pest control.

Hairi, short for Harriet, watches all the winery operations and makes sure things are running smoothly. She can be seen in the winery, vineyard and tasting room. She often follows visitors on their walks around the property.

Lady Grey, sometimes known as Lady Bug, is a sweet, small, gray Russian cat. She surveys the guests in an effort to find the right lap for an afternoon nap. 

Nibs is a handsome, sleek, black male cat that loves to nap in the barrel room where guests are served in the winter months. Sometimes he can be found stretched out in the middle of a table enticing visitors to admire and pet him.

Three gray cats care for the machine shop next to the tasting pavilion. Mini Pearl and Midnight, both black blacks, are stationed outside the main house. In addition, there is Gus, a red tabby, Zoey, a small gray cat, and Buster, a huge Russian gray cat, who is infamous for sporting his bow tie.

 

 

Hummingbird Vineyard and Winery

Gerty is a two-year-old boxer who loves to play and beg for treats, of course. She's full of energy and loves to greet everyone as they come outside. She might lick you, so be warned!

 

 

Jowler Creek

At Jowler Creek you will likely meet Vidal, a Great Pyrenees and longtime resident of the winery – nine years to be exact. Just last year Vino, also a Great Pyrenees, joined the team. This duo can be found roaming the vineyards and greeting guests.

 

River Ridge Winery

At River Ridge Winery, you will meet winery dog Michelle, a black lab. She has been hosting and greeting visitors for 11 years. Her interests include cheese, sunny spots in the spring, fall and winter, shady spots in the summer and swimming in the lake up on the hill.

Ivy, the cat, is the winery’s mystery feline that only comes out in the evening as the crowd thins out. She is a master of camouflage. She could be a few feet away, up the hill from the terrace or 20 feet up in a tree but it will still take a keen eye to spot her.

 

Stone Hill Winery

Theodora is a three-and-a-half-year-old rescue that can sometimes be seen roaming the hillside, exploring the winery offices or running through Stone Hill’s vineyards. She is a mixed breed, mostly German Shepherd. Her favorite activity is racing down a row of grapes.

 

Wild Sun Winery

While they may not be at the winery every day, Norton and Eli certainly rule the roost when they are! Edward Wagner says these “4-legged blessings are truly man's best friend.” They provide camaraderie, comfort and endless entertainment. Wild Sun offers Dog Days of Summer where you can share the day at the winery with your special pal as well.

 

 

We hope you have the chance to meet some of these adorable winery pets. If you do, snag a picture and be sure to tag us! If you want to share a picture of your pet, post it in the comment section of our #NationalPetDay post on April 11.