Missouri Wineries Draw Wine Aficianados

First posted on 07-30-2007

Native American wines are on their way to being hip again – and Missouri’s official state grape, the Norton, is at the top of the charts.

Cultivated since the 1830s, Norton is considered North America’s oldest grape variety – and one coveted by Missouri vintners for generations. Today this grape is enjoying long-overdue prestige on a national level.

At the 1873 Vienna World Exposition, a Norton wine from Hermann, Mo., claimed a gold medal and was poised to rival the great wines of Europe. But before American wines could gain momentum, Prohibition put the brakes on production and Europe gained a lead. (This, after Missouri helped save European vineyards during the 1870’s phylloxera endemic by shipping its healthy and hardy rootstock abroad.)

But no sour grapes here. Missouri’s 70-some wineries are thrilled to see Norton and other native American wines back in the spotlight – and are eager to welcome visitors for a taste.

Missouri’s Native Wines and Blends: Not Your Mother’s Merlot

The Norton grape (synonymous with the Cynthiana grape) has intense flavor characteristics, which produce robust, dry red wines of superb quality and distinction.

Of course Norton is not the only wine in Missouri’s cellars. You’ll find a taste of Norton’s native American cousins, Concord and Catawba, as well as a surprising selection of out-of-the-ordinary European-American varietals, throughout the state. Missouri wineries are the place to try varietals such as Seyval, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, and Vivant. There are also places to sample non-vine fruit wines, or, at Pirtle Winery, a sip of mead (honey wine).

Missouri Native American Wines Meet Old-World Tradition

In some of Missouri’s most established wine regions, visitors get a taste of Europe with their vino. These European-settled villages have maintained their Old World charm and provide visitors with a delectable feast for the senses.

One of the most popular of such places is Hermann. Settled by German immigrants in the 1800s, today the Hermann wineries – among them Adam Puchta and Stone Hill, and Hermannhof – are bursting with wineries and wine-themed events, from the traditional Oktoberfest to a novel wine and chocolate tasting. Augusta, another German-settled region, was designated as the first Viticulture Area in the nation, and the wine is still flowing at Augusta Winery, Mt. Pleasant Winery, and other fine wineries. Blumenhof Vineyards occupies Missouri’s oldest German community, Dutzow. All of these regions run along the Missouri River and Route 94, making up Missouri’s German wine road, the Weinstrasse.

Historic Ste. Genevieve, settled by the French in the late 1740s, is filled with wineries and festivities. The region’s Route du Vin treats visitors not only to tasty wines, but also to architectural and scenic delights. Crown Valley, Chaumette and Sainte Genevieve are among the wineries offering a French-inspired wine tour.

A flavor of Italy is what you’ll find in St. James, where wineries and hundreds of acres of vineyards occupy the Ozark Highland Viticultural Area. In this region, in the mid-1800s, Italian immigrants planted the area’s first vineyards. Today, Meramec Vineyards, St. James Winery, and several other wineries proudly carry on the tradition.

Missouri Wineries on the Road, River, Lake and Trail

Outside of these traditional wine regions are pioneering wineries spread out across the state. Some are located along a major route, such as Bynum, Bristle Ridge and Montserrat along Route 50. Others are snuggled next to rural roadways, such as Terre Beau and Baltimore Bend on historic Route 24.

A healthy number of some of the state’s most visited wineries are right alongside Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park, a scenic and immensely popular 225-mile hiking and biking trail. There are even a few Missouri wineries accessible by boat! Look for Les Bourgeois Winery along the Missouri River, Peaceful Bend Vineyard just off the Meramec River, and Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery on the shore of the Lake of the Ozarks.

For more information on all of Missouri’s wines and wineries, go to VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800 to order a free Official Missouri Vacation Planner.