Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Have you and your sweetheart made plans yet? Missouri wine country is a romantic place to visit year-round and many wineries will be holding special events just for Valentine’s Day! 

If you’re looking to make Valentine’s Day dinner plans, several Missouri wineries offer food in addition to delicious wines. Nothing pairs better than food and wine, so plan ahead and reserve a table. Among those wineries to consider having dinner on February 14 include:

• Apple Creek Winery

• Les Bourgeois

• Jowler Creek

• Van Till Farms

• Blumenhof Winery

• Edg-Clif Winery

• Chandler Hill Winery

Some wineries are serving up Valentine’s Day dinners a little early since February 14 falls on a Tuesday. If work is going to get in the way of Valentine’s Day, you might consider taking your significant other to a winery the weekend prior. You can wine and dine your valentine ahead of time at these Missouri wineries:

• Adam Puchta Winery – Feb. 10

• Tipple Hill Winery – Feb. 10

• Montelle Winery – Feb. 10

• Shawnee Bluff Winery – Feb. 10-14

• Chaumette Winery - Feb. 10-12

Chocolate is always a popular gift during Valentine’s Day, but when you add wine into the mix, it becomes an experience your taste buds will adore. A wine and chocolate pairing may be a great romantic gesture, but it’s also a fun way to celebrate with friends. Here are a few of the chocolate and wine pairing events that are happening this month.

• Fence Stile Winery – Feb. 11-12

• Les Bourgeois – Feb. 1-28

• Jowler Creek – Feb. 10-12

• Herman Wine Trail – Feb. 18-19

If chocolate is not your thing, maybe red velvet cupcakes will make your heart sing. Weston Wine Company is offering a wine tasting with special Valentine’s Day cupcakes on February 11 and 12.

Get creative and paint together with a couple’s dinner and painting class. No art experience is necessary as Uncorked Artists will give you everything you need to create your own masterpiece. Weingarten Vineyard is hosting this fun-filled event on February 14.

Enjoy a glass of wine and relive the world’s first love story told through the words of one of Missouri’s greatest authors. Riverwood Winery is hosting a two-person play on Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve on February 11.

Whichever winery you decide to visit, it’s always a good idea to check winery hours and special events before you get there. View our interactive map to find contact information for Missouri wineries throughout the state.

Roses are red, violets are blue, if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day plans, Missouri wineries are the perfect option for you!

Wine Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

Time: Active - 30 minutes  |   Passive -  8-12 hours

Ingredients:

Pint (16oz)    Strawberries

2-3 cups         Missouri Chambourcin (dry red wine with jammy flavors)

Bag (12oz)     Dark chocolate chips

2-3 oz             White chocolate chips for decorating (optional)

Directions:

Rinse the strawberries. Place strawberries in a container with a lid, leaves up if possible. Fill the container with red wine until the strawberries are almost covered. We recommend a Missouri Chambourcin as it pairs incredibly well with strawberries. If you don’t soak the leaves, dipping will be easier later. Place the lid on the container and let the strawberries soak in the wine for at least 8 hours (overnight works well) and up to 12. If you leave the strawberries in for too long, they’ll become mushy.

After the infusion is complete, take the strawberries out of the wine and pat them dry with a paper towel. Allow them to continue drying on a paper towel while you melt the chocolate. Using a double boiler or a microwave (30 seconds at a time, stirring in between), melt the chocolate until smooth.

Dip the strawberries in the chocolate one at a time using the leaves to hold on to. Place them on wax or parchment paper to set. If the strawberries are wet or too cold it can cause the chocolate to seize, so be sure to pat them dry before dipping.

If you’d like to decorate your strawberries with white chocolate, melt using a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate into a baggie and snip a small hole at the corner. Using a side-to-side motion, drizzle the dipped strawberries with the white chocolate.

Allow the dipped and decorated strawberries to set for 1-3 hours. These are amazing right away, but will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

This treat is sure to please your Valentine. Enjoy! 

Yes, they are just as delicious as the name implies. Chocolate covered strawberries are a Valentine’s Day favorite (and for many of us, a year round treat).  Infusing the berries with Missouri wine is a delicious twist on this classic that adds depth of flavor and a certain wow factor. Whether you’re looking for a great gift idea or the perfect dessert for your Valentine’s dinner, this recipe is a must try!

Wine Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

Time: Active - 30 minutes  |   Passive -  8-12 hours

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm7kHQfd9Tw&feature=youtu

Ingredients:

Pint (16oz)    Strawberries

2-3 cups         Missouri Chambourcin (dry red wine with jammy flavors)

Bag (12oz)     Dark chocolate chips

2-3 oz             White chocolate chips for decorating (optional)

Directions:

Rinse the strawberries. Place strawberries in a container with a lid, leaves up if possible. Fill the container with red wine until the strawberries are almost covered. We recommend a Missouri Chambourcin as it pairs incredibly well with strawberries. If you don’t soak the leaves, dipping will be easier later. Place the lid on the container and let the strawberries soak in the wine for at least 8 hours (overnight works well) and up to 12. If you leave the strawberries in for too long, they’ll become mushy.

After the infusion is complete, take the strawberries out of the wine and pat them dry with a paper towel. Allow them to continue drying on a paper towel while you melt the chocolate. Using a double boiler or a microwave (30 seconds at a time, stirring in between), melt the chocolate until smooth.

Dip the strawberries in the chocolate one at a time using the leaves to hold on to. Place them on wax or parchment paper to set. If the strawberries are wet or too cold it can cause the chocolate to seize, so be sure to pat them dry before dipping.

If you’d like to decorate your strawberries with white chocolate, melt using a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate into a baggie and snip a small hole at the corner. Using a side-to-side motion, drizzle the dipped strawberries with the white chocolate.

Allow the dipped and decorated strawberries to set for 1-3 hours. These are amazing right away, but will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

This treat is sure to please your Valentine. Enjoy! 

Homemade gifts are always a hit because they come from the heart, right? That makes Valentine’s Day the perfect time to celebrate with a DIY gift or decoration. Check out these fun and simple ideas; they’re a great way to show your affection and use those Missouri wine corks you’ve been saving for a rainy day craft.

An ombre cork heart is a great gift (if you can stand to part with it). You can paint your ombre or use the different shades of pink, red and purple left behind by different types of wine.

Tell them how you really feel with this “I <3 U” letter and cork heart set. Easy, quick and totally customizable to their (or your) style and color preferences, this would be a great craft to do with friends while you enjoy some Missouri wine!

Whether you’re looking for a centerpiece or a mantelpiece, this purposefully imperfect “LOVE” wine bottle decoration will add adorable charm to the room.

Make traditional Valentine’s Day Cards this year, and add the extra homemade touch with these DIY wine cork stamps. They’re simple and quick to make, and work with most inkpads or you can use paint.

If you’re planning to wine and dine your Valentine with a delicious homemade meal (paired perfectly with Missouri wine, of course), this table setting with wine glasses will surely set a festive scene.

Roses are red; violets are blue. You love MO wines, and they love you too! Happy crafting this Valentine’s Day. 

Regarded as the biggest football game of the year, the Super Bowl is also a flavor filled day full of delicious food. Whether your team wins or loses, you’ll be the champion of the Super Bowl soirée when you pair your spread with Missouri wines. Hosting a Super Bowl gathering is no easy task, so we’ve compiled some menu options that pair well with Missouri wines. Keep in mind, good food deserves great wine.   

A bowl of chili is a popular dish to serve during the big game. There are multiple ways to make it and you can pair each kind with a Missouri wine. From beef to chicken chili, make sure to check out our chili and local wine pairing recipes.

Finger foods are a must have for any football festivity. Just about everyone likes cheese, and it’s quick and easy. We’ve all heard cheese and wine pair well together, but do you know which Missouri wines pair best with each kind of cheese? Take a look at our wine and cheese guide and you’ll be ready to kick off the game!     

Dippable appetizers are always a fan favorite at Super Bowl get-togethers. Your guests will be excited to try a delicious dip when you pair it perfectly with Missouri wine. We’ve compiled a list of classic dip recipes and paired each one with Missouri wines.   

Pizza is a top choice for many football fans when it comes time to watch the game. The flavors of each slice can be enhanced when you pair it with Missouri wines. From pepperoni to margherita, we have the perfect pizza and Missouri wine pairings for you to discover.

Before the game ends, your guests will want to dive into dessert. How about a dessert made with Missouri wine? Brownies can taste even better when you add award-winning Missouri fruit wine into the mix. Score big with this easy to make Missouri fruit wine brownie recipe.

Enjoy the big game and make sure to pair Missouri wines with these traditional game day snacks!

As the cold winter weather travels across Missouri, grape growers throughout the state begin the process of pruning their vineyards. To produce the highest quality grapes, vines need to be pruned and trained as the grapevine re-invents itself each year. It’s a critical process to ensure proper vine growth and tasty, well-formed grape clusters at harvest. Using hand tools and much care, pruning takes skill and experience. Each grapevine is different and is pruned as an individual when the plant is fully dormant.

Dormant grapevine pruning takes place prior to bud-break, usually after the coldest winter temperatures have passed. During this time, it’s easier to see the structure of the grapevine without all of the leaves in the way. Diseased wood can be easily identified and removed. Pruning allows for increased air-flow and sunlight penetration within the grapevine canopy during the growing season, which helps reduce grapevine infections from disease.

Dormant pruning is the first step in the season to regulate the amount of grapes a grapevine will produce. According to Viticulture Specialist, Dean Volenberg, of the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute, approximately 90 percent or more of the previous season’s growth is removed during dormant pruning. The vine growth that is removed is mainly one-year old wood. The only one-year old wood retained on the vines are short sections of canes that are called spurs. From the buds on these spurs, shoots will emerge that will produce flowers and eventually grapes. Each coming years harvest is dependent on the vineyard management that was done the previous season and how well these buds came through the cold winter months.

If a grapevine is left unpruned, a large amount of older wood will develop over time that does not produce fruit. If too much one-year old wood is left on the vine after pruning, the grapevine will not develop enough shoots and leaves to ripen the grapes. On the other hand, if too much one-year old wood is removed, the grapevine will produce a jungle of vine growth that can be difficult to manage with little fruit.

Pruning is a talent that takes years to develop, and for many, is an art form. The secret of grapevine pruning is to balance fruit-load with vine growth.  Let’s cheers to those who work in Missouri vineyards and continue to produce high quality wines!

Winter is soup season and it’s hard to find a more warming and comforting soup than tomato. This recipe for tomato soup has gotten a Missouri wine upgrade with the local wine hero, Norton. Wines made from Norton (aka Cynthiana) grapes pair particularly well with tomatoes. The addition of the dry red wine to this dish creates a truly delicious bowl of soup.

Norton Tomato Soup Recipe

Time: Prep- 10 min.   |   Cook- 50 min

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp   Olive oil
• 1 large   Yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves   Garlic, minced
• 2 cans (28oz)   Crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups  Vegetable stock
• 1 cup   Missouri Norton wine (bold, dry red wine)
• 1 tbsp  Brown sugar, packed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Sautée the onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable stock, wine, and brown sugar.

Bring the mixture to a light simmer over medium-low heat.

Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 40-45 minutes.

Serve with toasted bread or grilled cheese sandwiches (we recommend using a sharp cheddar).

If you’re a basil fan, add some freshly diced basil before serving.

This recipe is simple and will leave you plenty of Norton to enjoy along side a warm bowl on a chilly winter day. Enjoy!

During the winter months, grape vines are resting, wines are aging and there’s a slower pace in general at the wineries. It’s a perfect time for learning more about Missouri varietals, touring cellars or just relaxing. If you think of the winter as the “off” season in Show Me wine country, here are six reasons to change your mind.

1) Less crowds means more attention.

While there are a few wineries that close during the winter, many of the 130+ wineries in the state are open and ready to serve. When you’re not slogging through a crowd, there’s more time to chat to the winery staff, perhaps even the winemaker. Take a tour of the cellars or just sit back and relax with your new favorite wine.

2) Seasonal wines are waiting to be discovered.

Seasonal wines and wine cocktails abound this time of year, everything from mulled wine, to cranberry wine, and much more.

3) It’s a great time to stock up.

Not only do you skip the crowds at the tasting bar, but also at the cash register. It’s a great time to stock up on your favorite wines for the year. Or perhaps replenish what was depleted during the holidays.

4) January is Norton Month.

Norton is the Missouri state grape and it’s celebrated at wineries across the state during the month of January with special tastings, events and wine releases. If you’re a Norton fan, January is a great time to get out to wine country.

5) Seasonal fare and the wines that pair.

There are a number of wineries with restaurants and winter is a great time to try seasonal favorites paired perfectly with local wines. Chilies, stews, winter vegetables are just some of the foods you’ll find at wineries this time of year.

6) Red wine is perfect for chilly days.

There’s not much that could be better than sipping on a big, bold glass of red wine on a chilly day… so warming and comforting!

These are just some of the great reasons to venture out to Missouri wine country this winter. Bundle up and head out for your next vino adventure in the Show Me state! 

Let’s make 2017 a fantastic and delicious year full of award-winning local wine! Everyday can be a celebration, but here are the wine themed festivities coming up the next 12 months. The MO wine lovers’ calendar is your guide to a great year ahead. Cheers!