Discover Missouri
Wine Country
The Missouri wine country is one worth sipping in. Our Missouri Wine Country Travel Guide shares a brief history of the state’s wine country, terroir, where to sip, where to stay and things to do beyond the vines.
The Missouri River Valley, aka the Missouri Rhine Valley, was the second largest wine producing state in the United States, prior to the 18th Amendment, which enacted National Prohibition in 1920 – the ban of alcoholic beverages. (Ohio was the first!) When the 21st Amendment took effect in 1933 doing away with that nonsense, the country could finally sip wine again (legally), but it forever changed the wine industry in the U.S. and those states that had initially lead the way.
Missouri is home to five federally recognized AVAs, more than 130 wineries and 11 wine trails.
Missouri named the Norton grape as the official state grape. It is one of the most disease-resistant grape varieties with some resistance even to black rot. The grape produces rich, full-bodied red wines with distinctive fragrant and fresh flavors. Sip in more Missouri wine 101.
WHERE IS MISSOURI WINE COUNTRY?
The main Missouri wine regions to visit are Hermann and Augusta, they are neighbors making it easy to visit both. Each is about a 1.5 hour drive from St. Louis.
Best Times to Visit WINE COUNTRY
Spring and fall are ideal times to visit the Missouri wine country. Summer months are perfect for ripening the grapes, but can be sweltering for visitors.
TOP GRAPE VARIETIES
White Wine Grape
- Cyuga White
- Chardonel
- Seyval Blanc
- Traminette
- Vidal Blanc
RED Wine Grape
- Catawba
- Chambourcin
- Concord
- Norton/Cynthiana
- St. Vincent
German settlers brought their love of wine and the Rhine to the Missouri River Valley. The first wine was produced in the town of Hermann in 1846 at Stone Hill Winery, still in existence today.
Stone Hill Winery
Montelle
Winery
Noboleis Vineyards
- Independence Uncorked
- Hermann Wine & Jazz Festival
- More
- Herman Hill Vineyard and Inn
- Hermann Crown Suites
- The Cottage
ITINERARIES
We have a few wine tasting itineraries broken out per region, so you can sit back and sip in all that Missouri wine country has to offer.
The town of Hermann has more B&B’s per capita than any town in the country. In other words, there are a lot of options.
Where to Stay in Hermann – Where to Stay in Augusta
BEYOND THE VINES
You will miss out on a lot of things to do in Missouri wine country if you don’t go beyond the vines.
Don’t miss getting to know the historic downtown of Hermann and Augusta. Their resemblance to the Rhine Valley is what attracted German settlers to the area and keeps people coming back.
Downtown Hermann is home to several art galleries and museums. Not to mention some great little boutiques for shopping.
Augusta has one of the trailheads on the 240-mile long Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-to-trail conversion in the country. Rent a bike or plan for a hike in-between wine tastings.
Sip in More Missouri Wine Country
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Elaine Schoch
Elaine Schoch (pronounced the German way – Shock) is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 and founder/editor at Carpe Travel. She is married to The Husband and has two kids, who’s interest and knowledge in wine is quite extensive. Not to mention the stamps in their passports.
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.