October is here, and while it’s known for Halloween and pumpkin spice everything, it’s also the perfect time to “create your own celebration.” No need to wait for those traditional holidays when you can invent your own reason to celebrate. 

The beauty of creating your own celebration is that it can be anything you want it to be. Whether it’s a cozy night in with your bestie or festivities with the whole neighborhood, the scale is entirely up to you. The point is to bring people together and share some joy! 

Enjoy the 6 A’s of event planning to help with a smooth celebration no matter the size. 

1. Anticipation
   1. Generate excitement and interest for the event through invitations, giving your guests something to look forward to.
2. Arrival
   1. Focus on ensuring a smooth and welcoming entrance for guests by providing clear information and greet them with a glass of wine at the door.
3. Atmosphere
   1. Crafting the event’s physical environment and mood through venue and décor.
4. Appetite
   1. Cater to guests with the enjoyment of wine and food pairings that suit the occasion.
5. Activity
   1. Offer activities throughout the event to keep guests engaged and entertained. Have a wine craft or a blind tasting station!
6. Amenities
   1. Keep in mind the details that help make the event memorable.

The Ultimate Celebration Companion? 

No celebration is complete without the perfect beverage, and wine is always the best choice. A crisp Vidal Blanc can add a touch of elegance to a small gathering, while a bold Norton can be the star of a larger feast. Celebrating a special occasion try a sparkling wine to toast the event. Missouri wineries produce an excellent selection of wines. Check out the Best of Class wines from this year’s Missouri Wine competition to add them to your tasting list. 

When crafting up the special menu for the festivities or a cozy night in don’t be afraid to get creative with wine pairings, too! The goal is to find the best combination that excites your own personal taste buds and elevates your celebration. Having an array of wines and foods, always tends to lead to a new pairing discovery. Who knows, you might just uncover the next best pairing!

Be sure to tag us in all your celebrations this month no matter how big or small using #mowine!

Check out this feature on Pennington Wines!

https://www.ky3.com/2025/09/04/taste-ozarks-harvest-season-begins-wineries-ozarks/

Check out the Missouri Department of Agriculture's interview with Adam Puchta Winery!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1296054472231282

Check out Fox 2 St. Louis' interview with Wine Competition judge Alicia Blackwell-Calvert

Fox 2 St. Louis

Celebrate Pork month this October with us! This recipe stuffs a pork loin with a flavorful mix of goat cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and herbs, served with a Seyval Blanc and creamy parmesan sauce!

Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 lbs boneless center-cut pork loin
• 9 oz fresh spinach, wilted and drained
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms, sautéed
• 1 cup goat cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh chopped herbs of your choice
• 1/2 cup Seyval Blanc
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Kitchen twine or toothpicks

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butterfly and flatten the pork loin, then season the inside.
2. Combine spinach, mushrooms, goat cheese, garlic, and herbs for the stuffing and spread over the pork loin.
3. Roll the pork loin, secure with kitchen twine or toothpicks, then season the outside.
4. Sear the pork loin in an oven-safe skillet until golden brown.
5. Roast in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 145°F, then rest for 10 minutes.
6. Make the sauce in the same skillet by deglazing with Seyval Blanc, then adding chicken broth, cream, butter and grated parmesan, simmer until thickened.
7. Slice the pork loin and serve with the sauce. 

Pro-Tips

• Don't overcook the pork: Cook pork loin to an internal temperature of 145°F using a meat thermometer.
• Allow the meat to rest: Let pork rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking to keep it tender and moist. 

To learn more about Pork Month visit: https://mopork.com/

Happy Pork Month! Follow along with us all month long for recipes and pairings and celebrate Pork Month with Missouri Wines!

Take a trip with us to St. James, Missouri! St. James has a rich wine history, and plenty to do. Lucky for you, we already have your trip planned out with everything you need from dining, lodging, transportation and of course, wineries!

Wineries:

Eagles’ Landing Wine

Prairie Barn Winery and Christmas Tree Farm

Spencer Manor Winery

St. James Winery

Peaceful Bend Vineyard

Dining:

Country Bob’s

Jitter Beans Coffee Shop

Matt’s Steakhouse

Our Hometown Bakery

Prince Solomon’s Indian Restaurant

Johnnie’s on Route 66

Rich’s Famous Burgers

Sybill’s Restaurant

Shopping:

Audrina’s Boutique

Leatherwood Handmade Cigars

One-Sixteen Clothing, Gifts & Decor

Rolla Antique Mall

Sybill’s Gift Shop

Toot’s Treasure

The Little Brick House

Lodging:

Bed & Breakfasts

Hotels

Air B & B's

Experiences:

Maramec Spring Park

Tiger Shark Water Park

Pickle Ball Court

St. James Park

Public House Brewery

Forest City Mountain Bike Trail

Annual Events:

Sip N Savor

Celebrate St. James

Grape & Fall Festival

Transportation:

The Getaway Trolley

Head out to St. James Missouri to experience Missouri Wine Country and share your trip with us using #mowine!

Time to vote! This year we had an exceptional group of photos that captured the beauty and essence of Missouri wine country. After an initial look by a panel of judges, it is time you help decide the winner of this years Through the Glass Photo Contest!

The winner of the contest will be announced October 13^th and will receive a Missouri prize pack along with 2 tickets to the Missouri Governor’s Cup presentation at the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. The winning image will be displayed during the event on December 2, 2025.

Click here to place your vote on the winning photo! 

Cast your vote from October 5^th to October 12^th.

Limit of one vote per day, per email.

Take a look below to see our top 10 2025 finalists:

1. Golden Hour Pour

2. Waiting to Become Wine

3. Patiently Waiting

4. An Ideal Evening

5. Cayuga White Soaking the Sun

6. From the Vine

7. Vane Varietal

8. Sip of the Setting Sun

9. Harvest in hand

10. Serene Spencer Sunset

Dinner idea: Brown rice noodle stir-fry with a savory Traminette garlic sauce. Lucky for you, we already tried this recipe, and it is a must make for your next weeknight dinner. Keep reading for the full recipe!

Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients

• 8 oz. soba noodles
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ white onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or less)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3–4 cups of vegetables (your choice!)
• 1/4 cup Traminette
• juice from 1 large lemon
• 2 tbsp parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, drain remaining water, and then toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the rest of the olive oil. Once it’s warm, add the onions and cook until they’re fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the vegetables, red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the vegetables are hot and lightly sautéed, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the Traminette and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce. Stir in the lemon juice.
3. Add the cooked noodles back to the skillet and toss them in the sauce and vegetables. If the pasta is too dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes to reheat the pasta and thicken the sauce. Serve warm topped with Parmesan and a glass of Traminette.
4. Store leftover noodle stir-fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Share your own wine recipes with us using #mowine!

Wild Sun Winery & Brewery is located in Hillsboro, Missouri and opened in 2015. This year on October 4, they are celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary!

The winery officially opened as Wild Sun Winery in the Fall of 2015 on a 10-acre estate with a main house dating back to 1870. The parklike setting and multiple levels of patios surrounded by the tranquility of Mother Nature, enhances the experience at the winery.
Wild Sun was started by Mark Baehmann (40+ years in the wine industry) and Ed Wagner (Anheuser-Busch alum, 30+ years in the alcohol industry). Mark & Ed were trying to accomplish the same things independently but recognized the value in joining forces and thus began the journey of Wild Sun. They produce wines for every wine lover and specialize in dry wines. All wines are produced at Wild Sun using such Missouri varietals as Norton, Chambourcin and Vidal but also bring in grapes from Washington state such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay to name a few. The focus is to simply make great wines! We emphasize locally produced, small production, high quality products.
Wild Sun Brewing Company then started the production of beer in 2019. Currently they have 20+ wines and 6 beers.

The Wild Sun Winery & Brewery label represents more than just an eye-catching design; it is made up of the beliefs of its founders. Wild Sun Winery & Brewery represents a foundation of unwavering faith, which is integral to the identity of its owners. Their commitment to this belief is evident in the name of their parent company, Vision 29:11. Which is inspired by Jeremiah 29:11. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. ' This sense of purpose motivates their interactions with the world around them.

The name itself, paired with the imagery of the sun, captures attention. This sun is meant to represent God, a power greater than themselves. The owners believe that no matter where the future leads, they will always be humbled by Our Father in Heaven. 

Wild Sun Winery & Brewery is located just south of St. Louis. This winery is the perfect destination for family and friends. Here you can experience a beautiful country estate. Enjoy a rustic elegance and surrounding natural beauty, while sampling their wide variety of world class wines. 

On October 4 they are hosting a Customer Appreciation Day to celebrate 10 years of Wild Sun Winery & Brewery. Join them for live music, free pulled pork sandwiches and sides, while supplies last, prizes, photo station and more!

Wild Sun will celebrate throughout the month with events such as our Tempestuous Wine Club members only evening event on October 18th.
They will also be introducing their 10th Anniversary wine!
 

Visit Wild Sun Winery & Brewery today, and experience peace, and of course great wines, and help them celebrate 10 years!