Celebrate Missouri wines with our special crossword puzzle in honor of American Crossword Puzzles Week! The Show-Me State boasts a long history of winemaking dating back to the early 19th century. With more than 125 wineries spread across the state, Missouri is a hidden. gem in the world of wine production. Get ready to test your knowledge of Missouri wines, grape varieties and winemaking techniques with our fun and challenging crossword puzzle. Cheers to a grape time!

Just over 6 years ago, Missouri experienced the first solar eclipse since 1918. On April 8, 2024, parts of Missouri will encounter totality once again. To celebrate, many Missouri wineries will be releasing limited-edition labels and hosting events – or even both! You don’t want to miss this eclipse as it is the last one until 2045. 

Adam Puchta Winery – 2017 Totality Event Estate Norton

The Adam Puchta Winery team harvested this bottle of wine during the Total Eclipse in 2017. This full-bodied dry red wine exhibits a mellow, fruit-forward nose with nice depth and tannins on the palate. There are limited quantities of this wine available, so make sure you grab a bottle or two. 

Cave Vineyard & Winery – Solar Eclipse Watch 

Located in the path of totality is Cave Vineyard & Winery. Watch the eclipse while enjoying award-winning wines and delicious pizza! Bring your own blanket and glasses.

Edg-Clif Vineyards & Winery – Total Eclipse of the Sun Celebration

Celebrate this historical event by attending the Total Eclipse of the Sun Celebration at Edg-Clif Vineyards & Winery. Sit out on their lawns looking over the Vineyards, enjoy a BBQ Lunch, moon pie desserts and a Solar Sangria Drink for the Solar Eclipse. They will provide viewing glasses. Reservation is required to attend as there are limited spots available.

COST: $35/person

Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery – Partial Eclipse Viewing

Join the Fence Stile team for a Partial Eclipse Viewing. While watching the eclipse, savor a delicious lunch and themed cocktails alongside amazing wines. Make sure you purchase tickets and bring your lawn chair and viewing glasses.

COST: $45/person

Hunter Valley Winery – Solar Eclipse Viewing

Hunter Valley Winery, in Cape Girardeau, is in the direct path of totality. Bring your chairs, your friends and family to enjoy a spectacular view. Music will be played as well as burgers on the grill. Viewing glasses will be available for purchase. 

Hemman Winery – Solar Eclipse Celebration and Totality Wine

In the quaint town of Brazeau, Missouri is the adorable Hemman Winery. For the ‘event of the year’, there will be a tasty nacho bar that requires a reservation, so make sure you purchase your tickets in advance. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to view this event.

COST: $10/person

Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery – Solar Eclipse Watch Celebration

During their first anniversary, Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery will be celebrating the solar eclipse. Viewing glasses will be available for all attendees. 

Stone Hill Winery – Solar Eclipse Viewing on the Hill 

View this historical event from Stone Hill Winery’s hillside with picnic boxed lunches available including eclipse glasses from the Vintage 1847 Restaurant, along with a photo-op area, wine and wine slushies.

Wild Sun Winery – Solar Eclipse Watch Celebration

Wild Sun will be celebrating the wondrous beauty of the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Gates open at 11 AM and with 10 acres of southern exposure, it is sure to be an awe-inspiring event! Reservations are required and attendance will be limited for their guests to relax and enjoy the day listening to live music. They will feature a sample tasting of their vintage port wine, affectionately named ECLIPSE after the stunning solar eclipse event of 2017.

COST: $10/person. 

Wherever you are in the Show-Me State, make sure you stop by a Missouri winery to celebrate this year’s solar eclipse.

Note: This list was compiled via survey sent out to all Missouri wineries. 

Wine has held religious implications for centuries. The ancient Greeks are thought of have domesticated grapevines as far back as 4000 BC and used wine in rituals to honor their gods. Ancient Egyptians relied on Renenutet, the goddess of harvest, to ensure a healthy grape crop. Relics found in tombs dating back to 3000 BC show wine was a key component to religious ceremonies. Some wine historians even suggest Christians may have played a role in the preservation and advancement of the art of winemaking, contributing to the expansion of wine production in new parts of the globe. So, it’s not surprising that a few Missouri wineries pay tribute to their own religious beliefs through their wine labels, names or vineyards. 

Cross J Norton – Stone Hill Winery

The ‘Cross J Norton’ is a special wine for the Held family. Former Stone Hill Winery owner, Jim Held, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer nearly 27 years ago. When Jim was told he had two years to live, he began searching for alternative cures along with the traditional treatment plans. He turned to faith to help him through his illness. As a result of this ‘awakening’, Jim named the vineyard surrounding his family home the ‘Cross J Vineyard’. His son Jon says, “The cross [is] for Christ and the J for himself”. Read more about this special wine here. 

Windy Wine Company 

Looking closely at a Windy Wine Company wine label, you may spot a biblical verse wrapped around the graphic. For example, on the Peanut Butter & Jelly label, you can find John 13:34-35 surrounding the peanut and grape clusters. On the deliciously unique Mango Chili Lime, discover Hebrews 13:2. See if you can find their other hidden verses.

Crying Stone Cuvée Blanc - Wild Sun Winery

The beautiful Wild Sun Winery in Hillsboro, Missouri has an outstanding wine that must be noted. To many, their property is extremely special and calming so they decided to incorporate it into this wine. Starting with barrel-fermented dry white wine, winemaker Mark Baehman says he draws inspiration from Luke 19:40. He further ages the wine upon limestone and sandstone harvested from the Wild Sun property. This laboring process gives the wine a velvety softness and minerality that is uniquely Wild Sun.

Whether it is a hidden verse on the bottle or an amazing story among the grapes, Missouri wine has many stories to tell. 

Disclaimer: The Missouri Department of Agriculture is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs. Our blog on religious wines is intended to provide information and insights into the unique aspects of this industry. It is important to note that the content shared on this platform is for educational and informational purposes only. We do not discriminate against individuals based on their religious beliefs, and we encourage respectful and constructive discussions among our readers.

Celebrate the small and large things in life with these Special Moment Tags! From getting engaged, buying a new home or retiring, there is a bottle of Missouri Wine waiting to be opened. Simply print on cardstock, cut, thread ribbon through the hole and tie it on the neck of the bottle! Cheers!

The world of wine is diverse and fascinating, with each bottle telling a unique story of craftsmanship and flavor. Among the many factors that contribute to the complexity of wine, the type of oak used during the aging process plays a significant role. In winemaking, the choice of oak can greatly influence the taste, aroma and complexity of the final product. 

Many Missouri winemakers use different oak varieties in the wine-making process. From American Oak, Missouri Oak and even French Oak, these different options play an important role in making quality Missouri wines. 

American oak barrels are a popular choice among winemakers in Missouri due to their ability to infuse wines with distinctive flavors such as dill, dark chocolate and dill. When these barrels are used in the winemaking process, they impart a unique richness and complexity to red wines like Chambourcin and Norton. The dark chocolate notes add a sweet and dessert-like element (Da Camara, 2020). Additionally, the hint of dill provides a subtle yet intriguing herbal undertone, elevating the overall flavor profile of the wine. As a result, the use of American oak barrels plays a crucial role in enhancing the sensory experience and quality of these beloved Missouri wines.

Winemakers in Missouri often use local oak barrels to age their wines, as the wood imparts unique characteristics to the wine, such as vanilla, spice, and caramel notes. The porous nature of Missouri oak allows for gradual oxygenation, which helps in the development of complex flavors and aromas in the wine. This method of aging in Missouri oak barrels has been embraced by many winemakers in the region, contributing to the distinctive taste profile of Missouri wines.

Missouri is home to many cooperages including the world’s largest cooperage – the Independent Stave Company. The company is headquartered in Lebanon, Missouri. Originally focusing on stave milling, TW Boswell, the founder of ISC, opened this cooperage in 1950. Over the years, the Independent Stave Company has expanded to six continents – North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa (Who We Are | Independent Stave Company, n.d.).

French oak is renowned for its sophisticated and subtle impact on wine, offering a delicate infusion of vanilla, cinnamon, and a velvety texture. This distinctive wood imparts a touch of elegance and complexity to the Chardonel wine produced in Missouri. The flavors and aromas derived from French oak contribute to the overall character and quality of the wine, enhancing its richness and depth. The use of French oak barrels in the winemaking process is a key factor in creating a refined and well-balanced Chardonel that is sought after by wine enthusiasts (Da Camara, 2020).

Winemakers in the Show-Me state and across the global wine industry carefully select oak barrels to complement the grape varietal and desired wine style, with considerations for toasting levels and barrel age. The art of oak aging is a delicate balance, where the interaction between wine and oak creates a harmonious blend of flavors that captivate the senses.

As we raise our glasses to Missouri wine, let us savor the intricate flavors that oak brings to each bottle. Whether unoaked or oaked, the role of oak in Missouri wine is a testament to the artistry and passion of winemakers who craft these liquid masterpieces. Each sip of Missouri wine tells a story of terroir, tradition, and the enduring influence of oak. Cheers to the magic of wine and the oak that shapes its soul.

Sources:

Da Camara, M. (2020, June 12). The difference between American and French oak — Grand Cata. Grand Cata. https://www.grandcata.com/blog/difference-between-american-and-french-oak

Who We Are | Independent Stave Company. (n.d.). https://www.independentstavecompany.com/who-we-are/

Whether you are planning a girl’s weekend or celebrating a bachelorette, Missouri wine country is the perfect place to go! Wine tasting, live music, and delicious food makes for the best time with your closest friends.

Missouri wine country offers more than 125 wineries and 9 wine trails to choose from. Many wine lovers spend their weekend on the Hermann Wine Trail or exploring Augusta. Many wine trails offer trolleys as a fun and unique way to travel to each winery. 

Winery’s offer events all year long, ranging from seasonal to annual festivals, tastings and more. Besides wine tasting, there is ample to do such as shopping, listening to live music and enjoying some delicious food. Check out our calendar or trip planners for how to spend your weekend.

Girls’ trips can be more than bachelorette parties too. We asked fellow wine lovers how they spent their weekends with friends and family; “We ate at Stone Hill and other restaurants in Hermann and Washington. We did some shopping at Montelle Winery and downtown Hermann.” Make a trip out of the weekend where you can go wine tasting, shopping and listen to live music.

Weekend trips can also help create memories with those closest to you. One woman said the best experience on the trip was “just being with my sister and daughter”, where another said her favorite experience was “being with my sister having fun sipping and buying wines.”

Spending the weekend in wine country opens so many opportunities to explore the countryside, sip on some wine and eat some delicious food. The best experiences are spent with those closest to you. One woman said the best experience was “the together time of staying in a house, traveling together, and just sitting at the wineries enjoying the ambiance and wine.” When asked if they recommend returning to wine country, one woman said, “yes we come back every year and bring new people who love it just as much.”

Girls’ trips are a great way to make lasting memories and drink some savory wine with your best gals. Bring your friends and family with you to Missouri wine country and explore all that is offered!