Many enjoy Port as a dessert wine, why not use it IN your dessert? Here’s a great recipe that combines delicious Missouri Port-style wine and chocolate. The best part? It only takes 20 minutes. 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup honey
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 
2 1/2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies (approximately 55 cookies)
2 cups ground walnuts
1/3 cup Missouri Port-style 
About 1/2 cup coarse sugar crystals (optional)

Instructions:

Heat honey and chocolate chips in medium-sized saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted.

Remove from heat.

Stir in crushed cookies, walnuts and Port. 

Shape into 1-inch balls.

Roll in sugar crystals (optional).

Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Let stand several days to blend flavors.

Enjoy!

*Flavor improves with age up to 4 weeks.

Sometimes it takes a while for a dream to become reality. For Bob Nolan, owner of Noboleis Vineyards, it took more than 30 years.

The story begins in the 1970s when Bob and his family spent a year in California. The region and its wines left a lasting impression. Years later, a visit to his son in Oregon renewed Bob’s interest in grape growing and wine production. “We fell in love with the Willamette Valley south of Portland,” recalls Bob, who, along with his wife Lou Ann, soon began searching for suitable land to start a vineyard. While the majority of their visits took them to the western area of the United States, they eventually found themselves back in their home state. In 2005, they found the perfect location in Augusta, the first federally recognized American Viticultural Area.

Noboleis Vineyards, formed from a combination of three family names, encompasses more than 80 acres of land amid the rolling hills of Augusta. From its early days as a vineyard to a full-scale winery, the property has undergone a few notable transformations, including the expansion of the warehouse and cellar. The extra space provided an additional area for finished wine as well as an event venue in the Augusta community. Guests in search of a stunning backdrop for their special gathering can reserve the Vineyard or Winemaker Lofts, or select the intimate Barrel Cellar which features a view of the winery’s barrels and wine library. From bridal showers to corporate meetings, the winery is the perfect location for groups of all sizes. Throughout the years, the winery has become increasingly popular as a vineyard wedding location. The winery’s secondary building includes a special area designed for brides-to-be and their attendees.  

The winery has become the go-to place for live music performances, beautiful views and delicious wines. Winemakers, Brandon Dixon and Gabriel Miller, produce a variety of wines, including dry, sweet, sparkling and red and white port-style wines. Last year, Dixon and Miller released two wines in their new Small Batch Series. Dixon describes these dessert wines, a Bourbon Barrel and Rye Whiskey and Maple Syrup, as “port-style wine that’s been kicked up a notch.” The winery will also release a one-of-a-kind wine to coincide with its 10-year-anniversary in October 2020.

For the Nolans, it’s hard to fathom that ten years have passed since they first opened their doors and welcomed visitors to Noboleis Vineyards. Their family has and continues to be an important factor in keeping Bob’s original dream alive. With daughters, Chris Newbold and Angie Geis by their side, Bob and Lou Ann look forward to another decade of making lasting memories, lifelong friendships and exceptional wines.   

After you’ve enjoyed your favorite Missouri wine, think twice before throwing away the corks. Warm up the hot glue gun and transform your extensive collection into a lasting memory. While there are a plethora of craft ideas online, here’s one way to turn an ordinary serving tray into a centerpiece.

What you will need:
Hot glue gun
Wine corks (We used 84 intact corks, but you can cut your corks in half if you have less on hand.)
Knife (serrated works best)
A tray (We featured a 16.73 x 10.83 x 1.93 in. tray.)
Optional: thin wood pieces to fill in gaps

Step 1:

Before plugging in the glue gun lay out the corks on your tray. Consider placing the corks in a pattern, vertical and horizontal, to give your tray a more visually appealing look. (There are a variety of designs online.) Depending on the depth of your tray and the number of wine corks in your collection, slicing the corks in ½ may be an option. If you go this route, a serrated knife tends to work better than a smooth one, but please be careful! Corks are not easy to slice through and you could cut yourself.
 
Step 2:

Warm up the glue gun and glue down the corks. Corks may vary in size and width so no matter how you strategically place them on your tray, you may end up with gaps. Consider trimming a few of the corks or wedge thin pieces of wood into the open spaces to keep your tray more compact.

There was a twinkle in Jim Held’s eyes, a light that often accompanied a tale as he reminisced on the past. Jim had a hearty laugh and many stories to share, from his early days as a pig farmer to the vital role that he and his wife Betty had in the revitalization of the Missouri wine industry. The former owner of Stone Hill Winery passed away on November 8, 2019. While his light may have dimmed, Jim’s presence can still be felt at the winery and in the beloved vineyard surrounding his home. From this vineyard comes a project and wine that was near to Jim’s heart. Here’s the story behind his award-winning Cross J Norton as told by his son, Jon Held, the current owner of Stone Hill Winery.

“About 23 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. The doctors told him he had two years to live. Being a person who never gives up, he didn’t believe them and sought out alternative medicinal cures along with the traditional medical treatment protocol.”

Jim turned to his faith for strength. 

“Because of his faith “awakening” he decided to name the vineyard surrounding his and mom’s home the Cross J Vineyard,” continued Jon. “The cross being for Christ and the J for himself, Jim. If you look closely at the label, the J is behind the cross to signify his following Christ. With his faith, my dad managed to live 23 years with the cancer the doctor said would kill him in two years. He also managed to fend off leukemia for several years during that time.”

A week after his death, Jim’s Cross J Norton won a double gold at the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, one of the many medals bestowed on his wine over the years. It was a wonderful tribute to a man who had spent his life devoted to not only his winery but the continued success of the Missouri wine industry. 

*photos courtesy of Stone Hill Winery

January is Norton month in Missouri and what better way to celebrate the Show-Me State grape than by adding it to a delicious beef recipe?

Time: 22 minutes total   |    Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 lb sirloin beef tips- chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1/2 onion - diced
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup Missouri Norton
1/2 cup beef broth

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add beef tips and brown on all sides. Stir often, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from pan and keep warm.

Add one tablespoon of butter to pan over medium heat and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the brown sugar, salt and pepper and stir.

Cook 2 minutes and add the red wine and beef broth. Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and reduce by half.

Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the reduced pan sauce and stir over low heat. Add cooked beef tips and stir to coat.

Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta or pasta of choice and enjoy! 

Packed with a thriving creative arts scene, famous barbecue, shopping hotspots, die-hard sports and so much more, it’s no surprise that this vibrant community is a favorite destination spot to so many. There are a few essentials everyone should know, whether you’re a first time visitor or a seasoned resident. The basics include jazz, fountains and barbecue - some of KC’s best traditions.

Read more about this exciting city by checking out this helpful trip planner.

Pruning grapevines is an essential step in the winemaking process. Each snip of the shears impacts the upcoming harvest. Trim too much and the grapevine won’t develop enough shoots and foliage to ripen the grapes. Trim too little and the grapevine will be an overgrown tangle of vines that are difficult to manage and may result in a small yield. Watch this video to learn more about the pruning process.

During the month of January, discover the red wine that stands out from the rest. Norton is a favorite among those who prefer a dry, red wine. Bold in nature, this Show-Me standout has an award-winning legacy that dates back more than a century ago.

Although the grape varietal was discovered in Virginia, it found a home and notoriety in Missouri. As early as the 1840s, Norton took root in Hermann, and it wasn’t long before Missouri’s signature red wine began garnering worldwide recognition. In 1873, a Norton vintage from a Hermann winery won gold at the World’s Fair in Vienna.

Today, Missouri winemakers carry on the legacy established by German settlers in Hermann. Their award-winning Norton wines are honored at the national and international level. Since 2011, the best Norton in the state has been awarded the C.V. Riley award at the annual Missouri Wine Competition. The award is named in honor of Charles Valentine Riley, the state’s first appointed entomologist who is credited with helping save the French wine industry. Riley discovered that American rootstock were naturally resistant to the Phylloxera, a pest that nearly decimated the vineyards in France.

C.V. Riley winners for best Norton

2011: Stone Hill Winery - 2009 Estate Bottle Norton
2012: Montelle Winery – 2009 Norton
2013: Stone Hill Winery - 2011 Cross J Vineyard Norton
2014: Stone Hill Winery - 2012 Cross J Vineyard Norton
2015: Chandler Hill Vineyards - 2013 Savage Norton
2016: Noboleis Vineyards - 2014 Norton
2017: Stone Hill Winery - 2015 Norton
2018: Augusta Winery - 2016 Norton Estate Bottled
2019: Stone Hill Winery - 2017 Estate Bottled Norton

Norton is a full-bodied dry, red wine with dark fruit and spicy oak flavors, complemented by aromas of dark berries and cherries. The All-American wine pairs excellently with beef, as well as a variety of other foods, including smoked cheeses, salmon and dark chocolate.

Norton is the most popular grape grown in Missouri. Hardy and incredibly disease resistant, the varietal thrives on 300 acres in the state, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the overall total. It was designated Missouri's official state grape in 2003.

During the month of January, discover the bold, red wine that has delighted critics for more than a century. Experience Norton, the Show-Me Standout.

The new year is here and there are many things to look forward to in Missouri wine country. On our calendar, you’ll find several months dedicated to the promotion of our Show-Me State’s  grape varietals as well as important dates in the wine industry. As you enjoy the upcoming seasons, keep these Missouri wine-centric holidays in mind and celebrate accordingly – with a glass of Missouri wine, of course! 

If you love wine and ice cream, try mixing them together. We served this peach wine ice cream at an event and it was a crowd pleaser!