Happy Earth Day! Missouri Wineries work overtime to create the unique and delicious sips you enjoy. But they put just as much effort into being responsible stewards of their land and communities. For Earth Day, let’s look at a key practice wineries are using to give back to the land!

Grape must is a combination of freshly crushed grapes, skins, seeds and stems, everything but the juice! For red wines, the must is soaked with the juice to extract color and tannins. After the juice is ready, wineries separate the must from the juice that will soon be the wine you love.

Many wineries use the must, to get everything they can from their grapes. The must is rich in nitrogen and can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve soil structure. Because of this, wineries will use it! The solid leftovers after pressing and maceration, are spread back out into the vineyard. It is typically applied to the inner row area, and helps to prevent weeds, provide nutrients and retain moisture in the soil.

This process not only uses every bit of the grape grown but helps keep the vineyards healthy and ready to produce the next vintage.

Happy Earth Day to all wine lovers. Today raise a glass to Missouri Wineries for the care they give to our home planet!

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