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Meet The Board

The Missouri Wine and Grape Board (MWGB) is funded by a twelve cents-per-gallon tax on wine sales. We coordinate our marketing and public relations activities with wholesalers, restaurant operators, retailers, and the public. Our goals are to strengthen interest in, and patronage of, our state’s grape, grape juice, and wine industry. We also underwrite the Grape and Wine Institute at the University of Missouri – Columbia in its work with winemakers and grape growers developing grape varieties suitable for Missouri.

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Dr. Peter Hofherr

Chairman

St. James, MO

A native of Missouri, Dr. Hofherr is currently the Chairman and CEO of St. James Winery. St. James Winery is a Midwest winery located in St. James, Missouri where it produces 250,000 cases of wine and distributes in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Dr. Hofherr’s education includes a BS in Microbiology from Auburn University; an MBA with a concentration of Finance from Georgia State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Missouri. His work experience include working for Coopers and Lybrand in their Financial Advisory Services consulting group; working for Governor Bob Holden as the Director of Agriculture and the Chief of Staff to the Governor for the State of Missouri and various positions at St. James Winery over the last 20 years.

Mrs. Barbara Gibbs Ostmann

Marketing Committee Chairwoman

Gerald, MO

Barbara Gibbs Ostmann has served on the Missouri Wine and Grape Board for more than 10 years. A travel, food and wine journalist, Ostmann has been writing about Missouri wine since 1975. She was the Food Editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for 18 years, syndicated food columnist for the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group for 12 years, and has co-authored 13 books. She takes bottles of Missouri wine – usually Norton – around the world on her travels. Ostmann is the founding president of the St. Louis Culinary Society, founding vice-president of the St. Louis Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a board member of the Missouri Rhine Valley Association, and a past board member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and The Culinary Trust. She lives with her husband and pets on a small farm near Gerald, MO.

Mrs. Chris Chinn

Director- Department of Agriculture

Jefferson City, MO

Chris Chinn, a fifth generation Missouri farmer from Clarence, was named Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture in January 2017 by Missouri Governor Eric R. Greitens. Director Chinn has held leadership positions in agriculture on the local, state and national level for more than 12 years, working to move the state’s agriculture industry forward.

Mr. Cory Bomgaars

President - Missouri Vintner's Association

Rocheport, MO

Cory Bomgaars, Vice president of Winery Operations and Partner at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, started his career in the Missouri wine industry in the early 1990’s. After studying Biology and Chemistry at the University of Missouri, he moved to California to study viticulture and enology at the University of California Davis. Cory is currently serving as President of the Missouri Vintners Association. Cory is passionate about the growth and development of the Missouri wine industry. For the past twenty years Cory has been instrumental in the success of his company while working towards the improvement of quality, reputation and the expansion of the Missouri wine industry.

Mrs. Sarah Schmidt

President- Missouri Wine Marketing & Research Council

Waverly, MO

Sarah is an owner of Baltimore Bend Vineyard. The winery was started in 2003, and celebrated its 12 year anniversary in November 2015. As a small business owner, Sarah has been instrumental in all aspects of the vineyard and winery’s growth over the years, and moved into the head winemaking role 5 years ago. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a certificate in enology from Washington State University.

Sarah serves as president of the Missouri Wine Marketing & Research Council, sits on the Missouri Wine & Grape Board, is a member of the Missouri Grape Growers Association and the Missouri Wine & Grape Alliance.

Mrs. Linda Koch

President- Missouri Grape Growers Association

New Bloomfield, MO

Linda is co-owner of Cedar Crest Vineyards in Callaway County where Seyval, Norton, and St. Vincent varietals are grown. The vineyard was first planted in 2001 and Linda has hands-on experience in every aspect of vineyard management. She has a special appreciation for growing wine grapes and is fascinated with the understanding of how everything from soils to cultivation practices impact grape flavor. Linda is a licensed CPA with an undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA. Her work experience includes administrative positions in IT and Finance with the University of Missouri and William Woods University. As President of the Missouri Grape Growers Association, Linda is dedicated to educating Missouri grape growers on the many resources available to them in our state while also assisting them in becoming advocates for the importance of the grower in the industry.

Mr. Jon Held

Hermann, MO

Jon Held, President of Stone Hill Wineries of Missouri, graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in Enology. In 1983, Jon returned to his family’s Stone Hill Winery as Vineyard Manager. Today, Jon directly oversees the production and operations aspects of the company. In 1994 Jon’s expertise at vineyard management was recognized at the Wineries Unlimited Symposium where he was named Winegrower of the Year. Jon is actively involved in several industry and civic boards and organizations. He has served multiple terms on the Missouri Grape and Wine Advisory Board. He served for nine years as the Midwestern representative on the Eastern Viticulture Consortium Regional Guidance Committee, which administers USDA funding for viticultural research.

Board Member Vacancies

If you are interested in submitting an application for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, click here for directions on the process to submit your name to the Governor’s Office. Applicants must meet the statutory requirements for the positions of interest in order to be considered for appointment. Missouri Wine and Grape Board PO Box 630 Jefferson City, MO 65102 1-800-392-9463