Introducing our new blog series: Myth of the Month. Wine is an ever-evolving subject which means there is always something new to learn about it. This blog series will unravel these myths and help you deepen your knowledge about your favorite beverage!

For our first Myth of the Month, we uncork the truth behind the belief that screw caps are inferior to their cork counterparts. Find out the difference in these closure methods, and why so many wineries are putting their trust in the twist off tops.

The cherished ritual and iconic sound of popping a cork, may contribute to this belief. The joyous sound signals a celebratory moment and represents a rich tradition. Cork closures have been used for centuries, dating back to 3000 BC where they were found ancient Egyptian tombs. However, as the wine industry evolves, screw cap closures are becoming increasingly more common. South of the equator, both New Zealand and Australia advocated for the switch to twist off lids.

Corks can be beneficial for aging due to their slow oxygen transfer to the bottle, which can soften young tannins and further develop a wine’s aromas and flavor. However, corks are a natural product which means there is a possibility for quality issues. They can be inconsistent, which can in turn negatively impact the wine. 

On the other hand, screw caps prevent any oxygen exposure to the wine. Safeguarding the integrity of the wine, preserving flavors and aromas. Additionally, the ability to store upright and easily open are added benefits for screw cap wine.

Adam Puchta Winery in Hermann has recently transitioned to screw caps for many of their wines, primarily due to quality control concerns. Inconsistent cork quality not only jeopardized the wines' integrity but also added undue costs. Parker Puchta, the 7th Generation President, shared, “Screw caps on the other hand, offer, offer remarkable consistency and cost-efficiency, making them ideal for wines designed to be enjoyed within a few years. Additionally, they enhance our brand recognition—featuring a modern look that stands out on the shelf and eliminates the need for a corkscrew, making many of our wines more accessible to consumers and easy for staff during festivals. However, we still love the romantic appeal of a cork when it pops."

Overall, both corks and screw caps have their place in the wine industry. Even though screw caps are a relatively new arrival, the new technology has solved a century-old problem. 

Let us know what wine myth you want us to check out next!

Celebrate Missouri Wine Month by celebrating our varietals that turn into the wine we love. Keep reading to learn more about these delicious grapes!

Catawba (kuh-taw-ba): Catawba is a North American hybrid red grape that was likely discovered near the Catawba River in North Carolina, though its exact origin is disputed. Catawba is used in the production of pink and rose wines. Catawba provides sweet aromas with hints of garden-fresh strawberries. Sweet notes will be soft on the tongue with a floral and woodsy twist. Catawba produces a medium-bodied, sweet, fragrant, strawberry-like wine. This hardy grape thrives in humid summers and cold winters which makes it perfect for Missouri!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/catawba

Chambourcin (sham-bor-san): Chambourcin is a red French American hybrid grape that competes for one of the world’s most popular hybrid grape varieties. It is known for its rich color that adds depth to many red blends. It is known as a teinturier grape (from the French word for “dye”) which is known for producing dark juice, rather than clear. Chambourcin is celebrated during the month of November. The nose will often pick up notes of cherry and it will taste earthy on the palate with strong notes of dark cherry. It is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with soft and subtle tannins. Something you may not know about this varietal is that Chambourcin is one of only a handful of grapes out of 1000+ varietals that produces a colored juice!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/Chambourcin

Chardonel (shar-doe-nel): This wine can be fermented in oak or stainless-steel barrels. Chardonel is celebrated during the month of April. You can pick up pear, apple, apricot, and oak if aged in barrels. Chardonel is often full-bodied, rich, complex and crisp. The Chardonel grape was actually developed at Cornell University in 1953. It is a cross of the Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc grapes!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/chardonel

Concord (kaan - kord): Concord is an American grape that was selected from the wild in the mid 1800s. Its name is appropriately chosen from its area of origin, Concord, Massachusetts. It is considered a ‘slip skin’ grape because its skins are easily separated from the pulp during the winemaking process. Concord is celebrated during the month of July. The tastes and aromas that can be enjoyed in a glass of traditional grape juice, and you can depict what will be found in a glass of Concord. Concord is a robust medium-bodied wine that is soft and balanced. Believe it or not, Concord grape demand continued to grow with the invention of a lunchtime favorite and World War II ration – the peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/concord

Norton (nore-tuhn): Norton holds the honor of the official Missouri state grape as an American grape found in 1835 near Richmond, Virginia. As the premium red wine grape in Missouri, Norton is a rich red wine that combines flavors of spice, vanilla, chocolate notes and layered with fruit flavors of berries, ripe cherries and currants. It is a bold, full-bodied and complex dry red wine. The Norton grape is named after Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton. Dr. Norton was experimenting with crossing breeds of grapes and developed the Norton grape!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/norton

Seyval Blanc (say-vahl-blahnc): Seyval Blanc is a French American hybrid grape that makes a dry to semi-dry, clean, crisp medium-bodied wine with an herbal, fresh flavor. When it is barrel fermented, it can take on an oak complexity indicative of Chardonel. You can pick up herbal spices, pear and oak (if fermented in barrels). Seyval Blanc is a medium-bodied, clean and crisp. Seyval Blanc grapes are versatile enough to be used in making many different wine styles!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/seyval-blanc

Traminette (tra-men-et): Traminette ranges from dry to semi-dry or even semi-sweet. This medium-bodied white wine is similar to its parent Gewürztraminer. Its floral aromas are met with citrus fruit, a tangy acidity and a touch of spice on the end. This fun, complex wine is great for a lunch outing or appetizers. Experience floral aromas with tangy citrus and light spice, in this light-bodied, complex and acidic wine. This grape is a high-producing varietal!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/traminette

Vidal Blanc (vee-dahl-blahnc): Vidal Blanc was developed by a French grape breeder in the 1930s and has since found a home in Missouri wine country. This grape is often produced as a single varietal wine that varies from dry to semi-dry and is sometimes used in blends and produced as a sweet, dessert-style sparkling wine. Vidal Blanc is harvested during the early fall. Vidal Blanc is processed as a white wine and not fermented on the skins. Vidal Blanc is celebrated during the month of June. Taste pear, apple, citrus and other fruits in this medium-bodied, crisp and clean wine. Vidal Blanc is a popular varietal for producing ice wines!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vidal-blanc

Vignoles (veen-yole): Vignoles is one of Missouri’s most versatile white grapes and a popular cultivar grown in the Midwest. It produces wines that have range from dry, to sweet, to late harvest dessert wines. Vignoles' crowd-pleasing capabilities and versatility make it an incredibly popular choice among the wine-buying public. Vignoles is celebrated during the month of August. Taste tropical fruits like pineapple, peach and apricot, sometimes citrus and floral notes in this popular medium-bodied, crisp and flavorful. While Vignoles sounds French, this grape varietal is mostly grown in North America!

Visit our website for more information on varietals, pairings and recipes!

https://missouriwine.org/education/learn-the-basics/varietals/vignoles

No matter which Missouri varietal is your favorite, be sure to celebrate Missouri Wine Month!

If you are looking for a specific grape varietal to enjoy, check out our 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition results here!

Missouri wineries serve up not only delicious wine but also a calendar packed with fall events! Dive into these happenings and discover the charm of Missouri wine country!

7C’s Winery and Meadery  - Walnut Grove 

• Sep 6 – Sept 20: Sunflower Experience 
• Oct 12: Sip n Shop @10 – 1

Adam Puchta Winery - Hermann 

• Oct 4: Grill your own steak night
• Nov 16: Holiday Fare Wine Trail 
• Nov 17: Holiday Fare Wine Trail 

Arcadian Moon Winery & Brewery  - Higginsville

• Sep 29 – Oct 1: I-70 Real American Music Festival 
• Nov 2-3: Holiday Mart 

Augusta Winery  - Augusta 

• Sept 20: Harvest Fest 
• Sept 20: Swingin' in the Vines 
• Sept 20: Augusta Chamber Event
• Sept 27: Friday Night Live with Fanfare @5-8
• Oct 12: Witches on Wine @5-7
• Oct 20: Designer Bag Bingo - details & tickets soon!
• Nov 9: Doe's Day Out 
• Nov 9: Boy Band DJ Bingo w/DJ Jess - details & tickets soon!
• Nov 23: Friendsgiving - A four-winery event, details & tickets soon!

Baltimore Bend Vineyard  - Waverly 

• Oct 5: CoCoMo Food Truck 

Bear Creek Wine Company  - Walnut Shade

• Oct 13: Pup-Kin Day @10am 

Belvoir Winery and Inn - Liberty

• Sep 7: Local Sip & Shop @11-7
• Sep 12: Big Mouth Baking Cookie Decorating Class @6:45-8:15
• Sep 19: Board Game Night & Jackbox Games @6-9
• Sep 20: Paranormal Investigation @8pm-12am 
• Sep 27: Paranormal Investigation @8pm-12am 
• Oct 11: Oddities of the Odd Fellows 1900 Halloween Event @6-9pm 
• Oct 11: Paranormal Investigation @8pm-12am
• Oct 15: Divine Wine + Dine Event FFBR @5-8pm 
• Oct 17: Board Game Night & Jackbox Games @6-9pm
• Oct 20: Belvoir Winery’s “Paws & Pinot Halloween Pet Costume Contest” @4-6pm 
• Oct 25: Paranormal Investigation @8pm-12am
• Nov 21: Board Game Night & Jackbox Games @6-9pm
• Nov 23: Holiday Sip & Shop @10am-6pm 

Cave Hollow West Winery - Hannibal 

• Oct 19-20: Folk Life Festival 
• Oct 26: Trunk or Treat @12am

Cedar Lake Cellars  - Wright City 

• Sep 13: Riley Green 
• Oct 12: Fall Fest

Chandler Hill Vineyards - Defiance 

• Sep 13: Around the World Wine Dinner 
• Oct 13: Annual Wine and Wags Charity Pet Adoption Event 
• Nov 22: Friends Trivia with a Friendsgiving Buffet

Christine’s Vineyard  - Webb City 

• Sep 6: Envie Bee Creations @4:30pm
• Sep 14: Yoga with Whitney @10-11am 
• Oct 25: Witches night out @4-10pm 
• Oct 25: Evie Bee Creations – Charms Bar @4-9pm 
• Oct 27: Halloween Event @7-10pm

Dale Hollow Winery  - Stover

• Oct 25: “Holloween” Event @6-9pm 
• Nov1-2: Stover Holiday Open House Weekend 

Defiance Ridge Vineyards - Defiance 

• Sep 11: Farmhouse Dinner Ft. Tony’s Family Farms @6-9pm 
• Sep 15: Garden Event @1-4pm 
• Sep 28: Funky Tea Event @1-4pm 
• Oct 20: Garden Event @1-4pm 
• Nov 17: Garden Event @1-4pm

Deutschheim State Historic Site - Hermann

• Oct 4: Strehly House Winery Exhibit Opening

Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery - Potosi

• Sep 6: Shaw Fall Wildflower Market
• Sep 14: Wine Club Harvest Event @10am -4pm
• Sep 28: Yoga in the Vineyard @10:30am-4pm
• Oct 4-6: Best of Missouri Market @12pm-5pm
• Oct 11: Washington County Chamber Golf Tournament @10am-6pm 
• Oct 19: Winemakers Dinner Bonfire & Fall Feast @5:30-8:30pm
• Oct 26: Wine Club Spooktacular Halloween Event @1-5pm
• Nov 9: Winemakers Fall “Wild Game Feast” @5:30-8:30pm
• Nov 16: Annual Potosi Caledonia Chocolate Walk @10am-5pm
• Nov 30: Small Business Saturday 

Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery  - Excelsior Springs 

• Sep 1: Harvest Event with Lunch and Wine 
• Sep 2: Candlelit Tasting in the Library Cave @11:30am
• Sep2: Winery, Wine Cave Tour and Candlelit Tasting @1pm 
• Sep 2: Candlelit Tasting in the Library Cave @3pm 
• Sep 5: Winery, Wine Cave Tour and Candlelit Tasting @3pm
• Sep 7: Grape Stomp, Open Air Market, Live Music, Lawn Games and Food Trucks 

Hermannhof Winery  - Hermann

• Nov 16: Holiday Fare Wine Trail @10am-5pm 
• Nov 17: Holiday Fare Wine Trail @11am-4pm 

Jowler Creek Winery & Vineyard - Platte City 

• Sep 28: Dueling Pianos @6-9pm 
• Nov 2: Dueling Pianos @6-9pm 

Lake Creek Winery - Marthasville 

• Sep 8: Garden Event @1-4pm
• Oct 13: Garden Event @1-4pm 
• Nov 10: Garden Event @1-4pm 

Les Bourgeois Vineyards - Rocheport

• Sep 8: Brunch & Bouquets
• Sep 22: Crush Festival
• Nov-Mar Fridays: Tasting Room After Dark

McKelvey Vineyards - Leslie

• Sep 11: Realtor’s Networking Night
• Sep 19: First Responders’ Night
• Sep 25: Hospitality Night
• Oct 4: First Friday Karaoke
• Oct 17: First responders’ Night
• Oct 25: Line Dancing with Carol Leach
• Oct 26: Autumn Festival 
• Dec 5: Repeal Day Prohibition Party

Nobleis Vineyards - Augusta

• Sep 7: Wine with Friends
• Sep 13: Wine, Whiskey and Beer Walk
• Sep 20: Harvest Festival
• Sep 27: Cheese Course
• Sep 28: Clayton Jazz Festival
• Oct 11: Film in the Vines
• Oct 25: Nobleis VS The World

Old Farm Winery - Catawissa

• Sep 8: Craft and Vendor Fair
• Sep13: Paint and Pints

Peaceful Bend Winery - Steelville 

• Sep 14: Hands-on Herbal Tea Blending Class

Persimmon Ridge Vineyards - Barnhart

• Oct 19: Monster’s Ball 2024

Primitive Olde Crow & Winery - Clinton

• Sep14: Fall Junkfest

Spencer Manor - St.James 

• Oct 5-6: Oktoberfest at the Winery

St. James Winery - St.James

• Sep 26: Movie Night in the Gardens
• Sep 5: Trolley Wine Tour
• Oct 11: 2^nd Annual Pat Hofherr Memorial Spaghetti Dinner
• Nov 3: Nick’s Wish- 5k Wine Run
• Nov 9: Puts and Pints: Disc Golf

Stone Hill Winery - Hermann

• Dec 13: Beast Feast

Stonehaus Farms Vineyard and Winery - Lee's Summit 

• Sep 5: Wine and Gyros
• Sep 26: Goat Yoga
• Oct 12: Annual Oktoberfest

The Peculiar Winery - Peculiar 

• Sep 7: September Outdoor Vendor Fair
• Sep 8: Wicked Witch Wreath Class
• Oct 5: 6^th Annual Oktoberfest at The Peculiar Winery
• Oct 13: Goat Yoga
• Nov 1: Serial Killers: The Experience

Wenwood Farm Winery - Bland 

• Sep 20: Stargazing at Wenwood

Weston Wine Company - Weston

• Sep 6: 80s Movies Trivia
• Sep 7: 80s Prom Murder Mystery Party
• Sep 8: LC Skyline Sip and Paint
• Sep 20: Disney Movies Trivia
• Sep 28: Masquerade Murder Mystery Party
• Sep 29: Paint your pet
• Oct 23: Paint & Sip- Beetlejuice

Check out these unique events as well!

Wine Dinners - Excelsior Springs

Hermann Wine Trail - Hermann

*Check wineries pages for live music calendars.*

Be sure to use the #MoWine when traveling out to Missouri Wine Country!

September brings an array of delights – football season kicks off, the crisp fall air sets in, and we celebrate a few cherished holidays. But perhaps the most exciting highlight is that September is Missouri Wine month, a time to savor the rich flavors and the unique varietals of all the local vineyards. Each and every winery in Missouri puts in countless hours to handcraft great wines made uniquely for you.

5 ways that Missouri wine country was uniquely made for you.  

1. Our grapes are very versatile, winemakers can create unique wines that will taste different across the state. 
2. Missouri wine country is always hosting unique events – check our calendar to find one near you.
3. Many of our wineries offer unique lodging, bed-and-breakfast as well as event spaces for one-of-a-kind experiences. 
4. The views in Missouri wine country are unmatched from the rolling hills, fall leaves, waterfront views, relaxing patios and so much more!
5. 128 destinations across the state of Missouri to visit. 

To celebrate these wineries along with each and every one of you we are going to present you with a challenge. When you visit ten wineries and check in during the month of September you will be able to receive a Missouri Wines hat. This challenge is part of our loyalty program, Rewards Uncorked! You must redeem points for this

(Embroidery may vary, hats will be mailed out at the beginning of October.) 

While out visiting Missouri wine country don’t forget to capture the beauty of the experience. We are holding our annual “Through the Glass” photo contest. Submit your photo by October 4^th. We would love to see your unique view of Missouri wine country.

We invite you to celebrate Missouri Wine month by visiting Missouri wine country and experiencing its unique offerings, made just for you! Remember to share your photos with us using #MoWine!

Poppy’s Vidal Blanc from Defiance Ridge Vineyards was the 2024 People’s Choice Award winner, at our Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition.

When looking at this label you may notice the gentle stream, the quiet woods on the bank and the man with the fishing pole. This man may seem like just a part of the picture, but there is more to him than meets the eye.  We took a look behind this label and learned more about this fisherman and his signature hat on the Poppy’s Vidal Blanc Label. 

Poppy’s Vidal Blanc is named after owner Chuck Gillentine’s kids’ grandfather, John J. Shillington, who passed away on Christmas Eve 2018. Everyone affectively called him Poppy. One of his pleasures in life was trout fishing at Rockbridge, Missouri. Using rooster tails as choice in lures. Poppy was always up before anyone else at his favorite fishing spot, located around a bend and bluff with a strong current. John always wore the hat in the label. He also enjoyed a nice fruity dry white wine, much like Defiance Ridge’s Vidal Blanc. 

The overall designing of the label was a joint effort by Justin, Chuck’s son, and Allison Laupp, who paints their labels. After their collaboration it was sent to their graphic designer, Cindy Summers, made their vision come to life.

Chuck worked for Poppy for 23 years.  He was a third-generation owner of Shillington Box Company. He was loved by everyone where he walked his factory floor daily, talking to all his employees. He had a love for outdoors, fishing and animals, especially birds. He used to feed raccoons from his home office and whistle Whippoorwills to his feet. He was a great friend to everyone.

Be sure to visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards and try Poppy’s Vidal Blanc!

See our full list of results from our 2024 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition here.