September 27^th is Tourism Day, but we think every day is a good day to explore Missouri wine country. However, with more than 130 wineries and 12 wine trails scattered all over the state, how are you supposed to figure out where to go and when? We know it can be daunting, so we have several tools to make planning your next vino adventure easier.

Interactive Winery Maps

On the wineries section of our website, we have an interactive map search that can be used in two different ways, by distance or keyword. If you want to plan your trip based on location, select Distance. From there enter the zip code and how far away from that zip code you’re interested in going and Submit. The map will show you all of the wineries in that area. You can see details about the winery by clicking on the map dots or select Show List View if you prefer to evaluate the results in a list format. The keyword search works very similarly except that the map shows the wineries that match the keywords you entered. You can take your search even further by using the Refine by Amenities option. If you’d like wineries that offer tours or food or are pet friendly, you can narrow the results using this tool. If you prefer to use a physical map, we have that too and can send you one when you use the Request a Winery Guide form.

Wine Trails Map and Info

There are now 12 wine trails across the state, each offering a unique experience. You can see where they lie on the map, a description of what they’re all about, and a list of member wineries on the wine trail section of our site. You’ll also find links to the wine trails’ websites for specific event and promotion details.

Pre-planned Wine-tineraries

On the Travel section of our site, we have several downloadable trip ideas ranging from wineries and attractions along Route 66, to a triangle tour of Missouri’s metro areas and nearby wineries. These can be adjusted or used as a ready-to-go getaway guide. You’ll also find travel and tourism related blog posts on this page to help inspire your next Missouri wine adventure.

Go, Do Calendar

One of the best things about having such a varied group of wineries in the state are all the unique and exciting events they host. Check out this calendar for event listings at area wineries or where Missouri wines will be featured. You’ll find everything from DIY craft nights, to yoga in the vineyards, to wine festivals.

We hope these tools help you plan your next trip to explore Missouri wine country, and don’t forget you can earn rewards just for visiting participating wineries as an MVP. Click here for more info about the rewards program. 

Sangria is thought to have gotten its name originally from the Spanish word sangre meaning blood because of its color.  The most traditional recipes call for red wine, fruit, juice and brandy, but Sangria has become one of the most versatile and varied beverages out there. The customization is pretty much limitless and it’s hard to come up with a combo that doesn’t work for someone’s tastes. Despite all of the potential variations, we have some tips and tricks to make delicious sangria every time.

Red Wine Based Sangria

Whether you’re making sangria with Norton, Chambourcin, Concord or an award-winning Missouri red wine blend, here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Sweetness: You’re looking for balance here. If the wine you’re using is sweet on its own, you won’t want to add a lot of additional sweetness. Consider adding more tart or neutral flavors. If your base wine is dry, you may want to add some sweetness.Add sweetness: fruit juice, lemon-lime soda, sweet liqueurs, etc.
  • Maintain or lessen sweetness: club soda, tart juice (cherry, pomegranate), dry sodas
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• Fruit: Fruit is a great addition to any sangria, and you can even read the wine label for a little help selecting your fruits. Many wines have tasting notes and if there are fruit flavors listed such as berry, cherry or the like, those are great ideas for your sangria. Apples and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are a great go-to as well.
• Fortification: Many sangrias are fortified with a liqueur of some kind. When red wine is your base, brandy is a great choice for this. It’s traditional for a reason.

White Wine Based Sangria

Sangrias made with a base of white wine tend to have a more delicate flavor profile. Because of this they are able to allow for really fun and unique combinations. Some examples: Sweet Tea Sangria, Apple Cider Sangria, Tropical Sangria

• Sweetness: This is similar to red wine in that you decide how much sweetness to add in consideration to how sweet the base wine is to start with.
  • Add sweetness: Juice or nectars, apple cider, ginger beer, clear or fruity sodas
  • Maintain or lessen sweetness: seltzer, tonic water, dry sodas, fruit flavored waters
• Fruit: Whatever works best with the flavors of the wine or the most prominently flavored addition (cider, etc.) is the fruit you should use. Could be anything from tropical fruit, to peaches, to apples and in between.
• Fortification: This is quite flexible. Fruity brandies still work well, but flavored vodkas and rums work as well.

Rosé Wine Based Sangria

Rosé wine is often light and refreshing and that’s what works best with the sangrias made from them.

• Sweetness: Many rosés are sweet, but there is a growing number of dry rosé wines around Missouri wine country. Again, you’re looking for balance.
  • Add sweetness: light soda, lemonade, light juices
  • Maintain or lessen sweetness: sparkling water, dry soda, tonic water
• Fruit: Think light and refreshing- Strawberries, raspberries, lemons, etc.
• Fortification: Rosé based sangria’s may not need any added fortification if you’re wanting to keep them nice and light.

Additional tips:

• Fruit wines are a delicious addition to most sangria recipes.
• Bubbles are your best friend. Carbonation in either the form of sparkling wine, soda, seltzer, etc. can be a great addition to most sangria recipes.
• Patience is a virtue. Excluding the bubbly ingredients, most sangrias will benefit from mixing the ingredients ahead of time and allowing them time to meld for at least a couple of hours.

Cheers to your next sangria adventure with your favorite Missouri wines!  

Grape growing and winemaking is not easy, especially not in Missouri. And yet, despite its difficulty, there are 130+ wineries and 425 grape growers spread across the Show Me state. Ever wonder why? The answer is relatively simple. It’s because Missouri winemakers and grape-growers know that some things are worth the work.

Missouri has a long and storied history of winemaking, and in all those years, it’s never been an easy feat. Getting the local wine industry back on its feet after being decimated by Prohibition was no small task either, but through dedication, hard work and perseverance the Missouri wine industry began to thrive. Those early wineries that reopened after prohibition blazed a trail that has been followed by many others who are passionate about making quality wine and undeterred by a challenge.

Growing grapes is an arduous task in most climates, but Missouri’s hot, humid summers and frigid winters increase the difficulty. Local grape growers have discovered many ways to combat these challenges such as cultivating hybrid and native American varietals that are more cold-hardy and can withstand some of the pressures Missouri’s climate raises. Technology and working with researchers in the area also help area vintners produce high quality grapes year after year. There are 1,700 acres of grapes grown throughout Missouri wine country, because without quality grapes, you can’t make award-winning wines.

The hard work doesn’t stop after the grapes are harvested. Winemakers have a bevy of challenges to ensure they make the best wine possible. Missouri winemakers bring home awards from national and international competitions on a regular basis, and it’s not by accident. From state of the art machinery to hours of hard labor, winemakers put in the time to craft delicious wine. Each stage of the process is handled with care from crushing and fermenting to aging and filtering. Winemaking is a marriage of art and science that takes both passion and patience.

In the month of September, we celebrate all of the hard work and dedication of the Missouri wine industry. Raise a glass of locally crafted, nationally awarded wine for Missouri Wine Month, and you’ll know with the first sip why some things are worth the work! 

What you can win:

We will be giving away Missouri Wine MVP sunglasses while supplies last as part of our Missouri Wine Month celebration. Join in the fun by sharing your local wine photos!

How to enter:

1. Follow @MissouriWine on Instagram
2. Post a Missouri wine related photo on Instagram with the hashtag #MoWineMonth September 1- 30, 2017, while supplies last.

Things to note:

• One entry per Instagram account.
• If your account is set to private, we won’t be able to see that you posted an entry. So, you’ll need to make your account public for the duration of the contest to be entered.

We will comment on applicable posts and send a direct message to winners about details for receiving their new shades!

If you have any questions, please email missouri.wine@mda.mo.gov.

Vignoles is a French-American hybrid grape that is quite versatile. Our recent wine competition is a great example of the wide variety of styles Vignoles can shine through. The Best of Class dry white wine, sweet white wine and late harvest wine winners were all made from Vignoles grapes. Whatever level of sweetness, wines made from Vignoles often share very fruity flavors, often tropical, and wonderfully fruity and floral aromas. This delightful varietal pairs incredibly well with summer favorites such as spicy foods, tangy salads, fruit and sweet treats.

Spicy Food:

Sweet cuts heat. Semi-sweet or sweet Vignoles wines are a perfect match for your fiery favorites such as Mexican and Asian food or even buffalo wings.

Tangy Salads:

The dressing on a salad is often the most prominent flavor, and a dry Vignoles wine with its acid and fruity flavors is a fantastic match for tangy salads.

Fresh or Grilled Fruit:

You’ve probably read the word fruit or fruity ten times by now so it will come as no surprise that Vignoles is a great match for fresh fruit. It also goes well with grilled fruits such as peaches and pineapple.

Sweet Treats:

There is little more decadent and delicious than Late Harvest Vignoles wine. Bursting with flavor, it is great as dessert by itself or paired with cheesecake, crème brulee or flan.

Discover all the different styles and sweetness levels of Vignoles and how they pair with your favorite foods. Cheers! 

Wine country is closer than you think. Missouri is home to more than 130 wineries and 11 wine trails. There’s fascinating history, breathtaking views, and of course who can forget about the delicious, award-winning wine? Everyone can find something appealing about Missouri wine country. Here are some ideas to inspire your next vino adventure.

Like antiques? Northwest Missouri has 20+ wineries and a plethora of antique shops to explore. Towns such as Weston and Excelsior Springs have several wineries and some great boutiques and shops. In Excelsior Springs you’ll also find a little gem of a store called Willow Spring Mercantile, which boasts the largest selection of local wine from all over the state.

Love history? Hermann and Ste. Genevieve are must-see towns. Hermann is drenched in historic charm and German heritage. While there, you can tour the historic underground cellars at Stone Hill and Hermannhof Wineries as well as a number of museums and historical sites. There are several wineries in the area, each with their own unique and fascinating connection to the past and Missouri’s winemaking history. Ste. Genevieve is itself very historic as the oldest township in the state. There are wonderful relics of the French heritage the town was built upon as well as its evolution over the years. There are several wineries in the area, each with captivating stories to intrigue and entertain.

Looking for a world-class view? It’s hard to beat Augusta. There are good reasons it was named the first ever designated winemaking region in the U.S. (American Viticulture Area). You’ll find quaint small town charm and many wineries nestled on Highway 94, just southwest of St. Louis and breathtaking views of the Missouri River Valley, rows upon rows of vineyards, and picturesque farmland. Nearby in Defiance and Dutzow, you’ll discover even more award-winning wineries.

There are so many wonderful wineries in the Show Me state, and each has a unique and fabulous experience to offer you. Use these ideas as a jumping off point to plan your foray into the interesting, beautiful and delicious Missouri wine country. 

The 2017 Missouri State Fair is happening August 10-20^th in Sedalia. There are approximately a gazillion fun things to do at the fair. There are of course the rides and the games, but there are also really amazing expos and displays, not to mention the concerts and other exciting spectacles. In addition to all of the classic fair fun, there are some great ways to learn about and enjoy Missouri wine at this year’s MO State Fair.

Cooking with Missouri Wine Contests:

Missouri Wines sponsors two different cooking contests at the fair. The Cooking with Missouri Wine Contest where contestants prepare an entrée with Missouri wine, and the Cooking with Missouri Wine – Just Desserts Contest where contestants make dessert dishes with local wines. The entries are tasted and judged. The top three entries receive cash prizes and have their recipes featured on missouriwine.org.

The Missouri Wine Tent:

Located near the grandstand, the Missouri Wine Tent is a great place to escape the heat and discover new, award-winning local wines. A 15-foot tall inflatable wine bottle will let you know you’ve arrived (and is the perfect selfie spot in our opinion). The Missouri Wine Tent features a wide range of wines crafted in the Show Me state. It’s a great place to relax with friends, and a must stop on your trip to the fair.

Missouri Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Classes:

During the MO State Fair on Thursdays and Fridays at 12 and 2pm, and Saturdays at 12pm, we offer fun, interactive wine tastings in the Missouri Wine Tent. This year we will walk participants through the best way to taste wine and how to pair local wine with local cheese and chocolate with samples of each. Classes fill up fast, so be sure to sign up at the Missouri Wine Tent. Cost is $5 per person.

Missouri Wines at the Leisure Travel Showcase:

On the second Thursday of the fair, August 17, we will participate in the Leisure Travel Showcase with a booth offering information about the local wine industry as well as goodies to giveaway, and in the afternoon a tasting. Be sure to get your wristband for the tasting while they last!

See you at the MO State Fair! 

Vignoles is the most widely grown white grape in the state, and for good reason. It makes truly delicious wines. Light, fruity and refreshing, Vignoles wines are the ideal complement to your favorite summer foods. Celebrate this versatile varietal with us during Vignoles Month (AKA August).

Vignoles, pronounced veen-yole, is a French-American hybrid grape created to be hardy, making it a good fit for the demanding weather conditions of the Midwest. There are 260 acres of Vignoles in the vineyards of Missouri wine country, 15.4 percent of all grapes grown in the state.

Winemakers use this popular white varietal for wines ranging in sweetness. At the recent Missouri Wine Competition, three very different styles of wine made from Vignoles grapes all won Best of Class honors. A Dry Vignoles from Adam Puchta Winery took the title in the dry white wine category. Augusta Winery’s 2016 Vignoles, a semi-sweet wine, took the honor in its category, and a Late Harvest Vignoles from Stone Hill Winery also won Best of Class. These three wines are drastically different, but all delicious and all made from Vignoles.

Aromas of tropical fruit, floral notes, and citrus accompany a plethora of fruity flavors, most notably pineapple in Missouri Vignoles wines. The fruity characteristics open an exciting range of food pairing possibilities. Dryer Vignoles wines go well with fresh fruit, swiss cheese and curries. Sweeter Vignoles wines match up remarkably well with spicy foods. The sweetness helps put out the fire. Try a glass with spicy Mexican or Asian dishes. Late Harvest Vignoles is the perfect pair for cheesecake or crème brûlée.

Head out to Missouri wine country or your local wine retailer this August and discover Missouri’s most popular white wine in all of its styles. Find your favorite!

National Chicken Wing Day is celebrated on July 29^th, but wings are a favorite for many year-round. Why not match up this delicious dish with a local wine for a winning flavor combo? There are countless styles and recipes for wings, but when selecting a wine to pair, keep in mind the sauce and spice level. Sweet cuts heat. So, if you like spicy wings, put out the fire with a slightly sweeter Missouri wine. Match up or complement the most dominant flavor of the sauce with the flavors and aromas of the wine. 

We’ve made some pairing suggestions for nine classic types of wings to get you started on your wings and wine adventure.

• Classic Buffalo + Vignoles
• Savory BBQ + Chambourcin
• Spicy BBQ + Catawba
• Garlic Parmesan + Chardonel
• Caribbean Jerk + Traminette
• Teriyaki + Vidal Blanc
• Lemon Pepper + Seyval Blanc
• Honey Mustard + Traminette
• Chipotle + Vignoles 

Mix and match to find your favorite wings and wine combo. Cheers!