Plan Your Next Trip to Missouri Wine Country
Missouri wine isn’t constricted to one region — it’s all over the Show Me state. Urban Plains has compiled a list of Missouri’s best wine regions for your next trip to the 314, 636, and 816.
St. James, Missouri
The St. James region was originally settled by Italians. When prohibition hit the state, a grape company by the name of Welch’s reached out to ask vineyards to grow concord grapes for their production, rather than wine grapes. Now, the region grows both concord grapes and wine grapes. Try and find some concord grapes for sale along I-44 throughout September and October.
Herman, Missouri
“Herman is another fabulous wine community just down 94 past Augusta,” says Annette Alden, marketing director for Missouri Wines. “They actually have probably one of the strongest wine trails in the state.”
Herman is a popular site for weddings, events, and festivals of all kinds during every season. They have a trolley that will transport you to all seven winery locations.
If wine isn’t your thing, Herman has a growing population of distilleries and breweries.
St. Genevieve, Missouri
This French centric community has seven wineries with historic architecture. Alden says, “You’ll see buildings built in a vertical log style,” as well as beautiful brick buildings and churches.
Kansas City, Missouri
In Kansas City, there are a growing number of what Alden calls “urban wineries” including Fountain City Winery and Anigoni Urban Winery.
Outside the city is a region called Excelsior Springs, known for it’s rich minerals and water.
“There was believed to be some healing properties to those mineral springs,” Alden says.
Visit Willow Spring Mercantil for “fabulous wine dinners…[and] the largest retail selection of Missouri wines at one location,” Alden says.
Rocheport, Missouri
Alden highlights this area because of its sustainable approach. These “green wineries” have repurposed existing buildings and “curated them into something new and fresh” like repurposing an old church into a tasting room.
Lake Ozark
While the Lake of the Ozarks is known for dive bars and summer boat outings, they have a collection of wineries that can spice up your summer vacation.
“There’s a collection of wineries down here with some fabulous riverfront views,” Alden says.
Planning Your Trip
No matter what region is calling you and your taste buds, Missouri Wine’s website has a page dedicated to planning your next Missouri wine trail. Check it out here and start planning!