Missouri has beautiful winters, and what better way to enjoy the season than with a glass of wine? The state boasts a thriving wine industry with wineries producing unique and flavorful wines. Winter is the perfect time to sample some of Missouri's seasonal wines that pair perfectly with cozy nights.

Holly Berry – Dale Hollow Winery

This sweet blackberry wine is not one to miss. Katy Dale says, “Our family loves the holiday season and wine is a staple at our Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities. We release a holiday-inspired wine label every year to hopefully help others have a little more joy this time of year.”

 

Cranberry Bubbly – St. James Winery

Cranberry Bubbly is an excellent choice for any occasion, whether it's a special celebration or a casual get-together with friends. Its beautiful pink hue and sophisticated taste make it an ideal wine to serve at dinner parties or to enjoy as an aperitif. St. James Winery's Cranberry Bubbly is a wonderful addition to any wine collection and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

 

Frohlichwein Winter Spice – Wenwood Farm Winery

Frohlichwein is a grape wine blended with fall fruits, like cranberry and apple, along with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and a splash of raspberry. This winter seasonal wine is designed to be heated and enjoyed warm, like a mulled wine or cider. This wine is inspired by the Gluhweins of Germany, adding a Missouri twist to this winter tradition.

 

Cranberry & Plum – Hemman Winery

Cranberry is a sweet but tart wine that is perfect for any holiday celebration. This wine is great to cook with. Try a glaze for meatballs or even a pork loin! Cranberry wine is a versatile ingredient that adds a tangy and fruity flavor to any dish it’s used in. The sweetness of cranberry wine makes it an excellent ingredient to add to savory dishes.

 

Plum is a sweet red wine with a hint of cinnamon. This special wine pairs well with a variety of foods, including spicy Asian dishes, grilled meats, and rich desserts. It is also a great addition to cocktails, adding a unique and delicious twist to traditional drinks.

 

Mull It Over – Adam Puchta Winery

This seasonal exclusive wine is rich with exotic spices, and an enticing orange zest on the nose with bold flavors of cinnamon and clove. Subtle cherry and brown sugar excite the palate while a hint of light orange gives it a pleasant citrus finish. This special wine would be perfectly served warm while cozied up by the fireplace.

 

Perry & Hollyberry Red Chambourcin – Edg-Clif Vineyard & Winery

Made from the beautiful pears in their own orchard. Edg-Clif Vineyard & Winery uses multiple varieties of heirloom pears go into make this traditional English-style Perry Wine - semi-dry, fruity, crisp, and slightly effervescent. This is a great wine to serve with a celebration turkey!

 

Hollyberry Red Chambourcin is a semi-sweet wine with loads of blackberry flavor which is pleasing chilled or yummy warm with the mulling spices, orange and brandy added for a cold winter evening. Steffie Littlefield, co-owner of Edg-Clif Vineyard & Winery, says, “[We] wanted to create a holiday wine that was giftable by itself or as a DIY package with recipe ingredients.”

 

Ginger Wonderland & Traditions – Brix Urban Winery

Ginger Wonderland is a unique and delightful winter mead made with smoked candied ginger, cinnamon sticks, and the marshmallow goodness of flower honey.

 

Traditions is a plum and cranberry wine that is a best seller for Brix Urban Winery and is the perfect blend of sweet and tart. It is also perfect for any mulled wine recipe.

 

Chase-N-Berry & Mary Kathryn’s Cranberry – Small Batch Winery

Discover the powerful and delicious acai fruit, blended perfectly with raspberry.
If you're looking for a new flavor experience, look no further than the Chase-N-Berry wine from Small Batch Winery! This small but mighty fruit packs a punch, especially when blended with raspberry. Its rich and unique taste will leave you wanting more. Enjoy it with friends and family at any gathering, big or small.

 

Savor the crisp taste of cranberries coupled with the fruity richness of this ruby-colored Mary Kathryn’s Cranberry wine. The robust yet elegant sweet berry flavors make for a truly delightful experience. This wine would be a perfect combination with holiday turkey or even ham.

 

Chai Spice – Van Till Family Farm Winery

Chai Spice is a sweet wine that smells and tastes like ‘Christmas in a bottle’. The Van Till team infused a blend of spices into a tank of red wine blend, and their Chai Spice was born! This unique wine pairs well with pumpkin pie and spicy foods.

 

Kris Kringle – Baltimore Bend Vineyard

This holiday wine is blended with Vignoles and Norton grape varieties with cinnamon. The bottles display a festive label created by a local artist, Mary Scanlin. This year's label helps commemorate their 20th anniversary in the wine industry. Sarah Schmidt, Co-Owner of Baltimore Bend Vineyard, says, “Kris Kringle is great enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, but is especially tasty warmed with mulling spices through the cold winter months”. This wine has made an appearance in the Baltimore Bend wine list for 12 years now and continues to be a popular one.

Winter White - Les Bourgeois Vineyards

This seasonal, sweet white blend presents aromas of vanilla blossom and candied pear on the nose transitioning into layers of fruit notes of jammy peach, kiwi, melon and grapefruit zest. The Les Bourgeois Vineyards team wanted to show wine lovers that winter is not just for red wines, so Winter White was born!

Cranberry - Stone Hill Winery

This is a sweet seasonal wine, bursting with the aroma and flavor of ripe cranberries. Perfect for any Holiday celebration, Stone Hill Cranberry flavored grape wine can be served with your favorite foods, poured over ice, or even used in the kitchen as part of a special Holiday treat!

 

Missouri wineries have much to offer during the winter season. From bold reds to crisp whites, there is a wine to suit every palate. So, this winter, why not explore the seasonal Missouri wines and discover your new favorite bottle? Cheers to a season filled with warmth, joy, and great wine!

Cranberries and wine? Don't mind if we do! This easy-to-make Red Wine Cranberry sauce is bursting with flavor and made with love (and a little Missouri magic). Whether you're a traditionalist or like to mix things up, this sauce is a must-try for the holidays.

INGREDIENTS

1 package fresh or frozen cranberries (12 oz.)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 cup dry red wine (we used Röbller Vineyard’s Chambourcin)

1/8 tsp allspice

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until most of the berries pop, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Transfer to a bowl; cool slightly. Refrigerate, covered, until cold (sauce will thicken upon cooling)
3. Serve and enjoy!

Whether you're looking to impress guests at your next dinner party or simply want to add a little pizzazz to your fall menu, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So why not give it a try today and taste for yourself just how delicious Missouri wine can be!?

Chambourcin truffles are a delectable treat that combines the luxurious flavor of dark chocolate with the rich, fruity notes of Chambourcin wine. These decadent treats are perfect for any occasion, whether you want to impress your guests at a dinner party or indulge in a sweet treat for yourself. Each bite is a heavenly experience, with a smooth, creamy texture and a burst of flavor that will leave you wanting more.

INGREDIENTS:

8 OZ bittersweet chocolate

1/3 C heavy cream

1 TSP espresso powder

1 TSP unsweetened cocoa powder

3 TBSP dry red wine (we used Mathany Family Vineyards’ 2019 Chambourcin)

1 TSP pure vanilla extract

(OPTIONAL) Toppings – Sprinkles, melted dark chocolate, dehydrated fruits

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Finely chop the chocolate and place into a medium heat-safe bowl.
2. Pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan and place pan over medium heat. Heat until it is barely below a boil.
3. Place heavy cream into the bowl with the chocolate. Add espresso powder and cocoa powder. Stir the mixture slowly.
4. Stir in the red wine and vanilla extract. Place bowl into the refrigerator to firm up for up to 40 minutes.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop into mounds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Shape the mounds into a ball with your hand and roll in toppings of your choice.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of Chambourcin truffles, infused with the finest Missouri wine. A heavenly treat for the taste buds and a true celebration of local flavors.

Imagine having everything you worked for over 33 years disappear in the flick of a flame. This is a feeling that Hank Johnson, owner of Chaumette Vineyards & Winery, knows all too well.

The morning of July 8, 2021 began like any other day. Hank Johnson and his wife, Jackie Johnson, started their morning and checked in at their winery, which sits on 310 acres of land in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

The day progressed as normal until around 7 p.m. when Hank happened to glance towards the wine production facility, seeing something that stopped him straight in his tracks. He saw a little red flame and thought to himself, “What in the world is that?”

His shoes pressed against the loud and dense gravel as his gaze led his eyes towards the production facility, only 100-yards from his and Jackie’s house. By the time Hank had reached the door handle and pulled it towards him, there was a black wall of smoke.

“I knew from the beginning, this was going to be a total loss” Hank said. The flames engulfed the building and burned for over 4 hours, demolishing 9,000 square feet and depleting 20,000 bottles of wine. The 2020 vintage of their latest bottling was gone before it even had the opportunity to be opened.

There was 22 minutes that separated when 911 was called and the firetrucks arriving. 175,000 gallons of water drenched the production facility, eliminating the 9,000-degree flames in its path and keeping the fire from reaching the woods. But even after those efforts, it was too late. Everything was melted and nothing remained of the building.

An eternal optimist at heart, Hank’s eyes saw not the defeat before him but only hope for the winery’s future. “I have to admit I am very positive about things and I knew we would be okay,” he said.

Hank is said to be someone who always has a vision. “Hank is not only the guy that said we would recover from the fire but when there was nothing here but cow pasture, he sat on this ridge and said ‘This is where the tasting room should go’” said Charles Brazeale, General Manager at Chaumette Vineyards & Winery.

It took 1 vision, 2 new winemakers, and 3 years for the winery to fully recover. It truly takes a village. Or in Hank’s case, an industry that lends itself.

The current winemakers are Jeff and Jodi Atkins, a couple new to the Ste. Genevieve area with a passion for wine. With wisdom from local winemakers, Jeff and Jodi grounded their feet and eventually begin to develop their own craft. They won two awards at the 2023 Missouri Governor’s Cup Wine Competition, including a gold medal for their 2022 Norton and a silver medal for their 2022 Unoaked Chardonel.

Chaumette Vineyards & Winery is known for much more than their wine though. They offer an experience, composed of food, wine, and hospitality.

As guests drive through the gate and up the gravel road, they are met with the pristine view of private villas, rolling vineyards, a spacious pool, local hiking trails and the opportunity to truly ‘stay and play’.

“People tell me when they come through the gate, they feel relaxed and then they figure they are far enough from home to feel like they are in a different spot,” Hank says. “We are different than other wineries. I want guests to be able to come and have beautiful places to stay.”

Grapevine Grill, rated the #1 Best Winery Restaurant in the nation by USA Today two years in a row, is also a staple of the grounds that offers exquisite cuisine and an elevated dining experience for everyone.

Perched on top of the hill sits a historic Saint Vincent’s chapel that Hank purchased and had moved onto the grounds 20 year’s ago. He wanted to keep the authentic charm of the church, keeping every wooden pew, decoration, and cross as the original piece. His mission was to create a space that encompasses all, no matter who they are. Hanks says that “…welcoming everyone is an important part of who we are.”

“Whoever you are, you are welcome here,” Charles added. 

Surviving a fire to their production facility is only a sliver of this winery's story. There is an innovative future ahead for Chaumette Vineyards & Winery, a legacy that Hank Johnson wishes he could continue.

With a pivot towards prioritizing family time and the blessing of new opportunities, Hank has decided to sell Chaumette Vineyards & Winery. It will forever hold a special place in his heart as Hank and his family are proud of what they have built.

Hank Johnson will always remain an important and influential part of Chaumette Vineyards & Winery and is the perfect person to admire for his contribution to the wine industry, as well as his dedication to making the world a more welcoming and better place.

 

 

 

 

Fall in love with this bubbly blend of Missouri wines and pumpkin spice. Sip, savor, and let the flavors cozy up to your taste buds. It's the perfect pick-me-up for cool autumn nights.

INGREDIENTS:

4 oz. Sweet White Wine (We used Stonehaus Farms Vignoles)

1 oz. Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Seltzer

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add ice to shaker
2. Pour 1 oz. of pumpkin spice syrup and 4 oz. of sweet white wine into shaker, and shake
3. Strain mixture into a glass
4. Top with seltzer
5. Enjoy!

 

Whether you're enjoying it at a cozy bonfire with friends or sipping it on your front porch, this spritzer is sure to bring a smile to your face. So, the next time you're in the mood for a festive and flavorful beverage, give this Pumpkin Spice Spritzer a try – your taste buds will thank you!