How America’s First AVA Is Shaking Things Up
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Wine seems like a lot. The California connoisseurs swirl glasses, dip their noses deep in the drink, and slurp long and loud — egregious to behold if you’re just wine-curious and might want to try a glass.
Wine just isn’t the first thing we’re reaching for on a weekend, whether you blame the high price of alcohol, Gen Z’s overall low alcohol consumption or our generation’s overall skepticism of anything.
Wine Enthusiast recently wrote about Gen Z drinkers just not connecting with wine, and it isn’t about wellness, or loving weed, or being sober-curious. It’s about money — as in, we’re broke. A trip to Napa isn’t in the budget, nor is a nice bottle of Burgundy that we don’t know how to drink while making all the proper slurping sounds, pinkies up.
Photo: Amanda Favazza
But what if we told you there is an Instagram-gorgeous place to taste wine without judgment, without spending a paycheck on a bottle — and that was just a short road trip away?
That’s just what you’ll find in this region of Missouri, where anyone can have a good time learning about viticulture with a view. In fact, Augusta-Defiance was the first official wine region of distinction in the United States, named well before California’s Napa Valley.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Augusta-Defiance wine country brings the eats, scenery, and tasty booze, without emptying your wallet or feeling any pressure to drink with prestige. And since it’s in Missouri, let’s just add “a pleasant surprise” to that list of reasons to check it out, too.
Get to the Root of Missouri Wine History
Before you take a trip down Highway 94 into Augusta and Defiance, it might help to learn a bit of history first.
Photo: Courtesy of Google Maps
Being designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) is kind of like the Oscars of wine regions. And Augusta-Defiance was the first to earn the title in 1980. This just means the whole area has a geography and climate suited for grape growing. Around here, that means they grow grapes that can withstand harsh winters without becoming diseased or dying.
“Because [Augusta is] on the Missouri River, they have some unique kind of rocky soil, lots of hills, and kind of a unique microclimate,” says Sara Pirtle of the Iowa State Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute.
That unique climate exists because the weather inside the pockets of all these hills traps moisture, which reduces frost damage and fungal issues. It also allows the vines to be in more direct sunlight due to their incline. All that geography is what makes this a good road trip, too, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
What’s important here is that, because of the unusual weather, these hardy grapes have a flavor you can only find here. That’s how wine works. Like your grandma’s tomatoes, the growing conditions affect the fruit, which makes it all special with a hyperlocal flavor. “[Midwest] reds typically are more fruit-forward, like cherry, strawberry,” Pirtle says. “And then the white wines that we grow are very, very fruity, and they tend to be very tropical … or floral.”
Steep inclines and rocky soil led the original German settlers of Augusta and Defiance to grow grapes and make wine similar to what they produced in their homeland. In their homemade winemaking success, they wrote home, bragging about their product encouraging those still across the pond to “establish a new homeland in Missouri,” says Annette Alden, marketing director for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, a state organization that represents all of Missouri’s wineries.
These hybrid grapes’ hardy Midwestern quality saved the European wine industry in the olden days. Here’s a rapid-fire history lesson: In the 1870s, an insect was decimating nearly all of Europe’s grape vines. It was discovered that Missouri’s grapes were resilient enough to resist the bug. Because these Missourians had nailed down the Midwest nice, they took cuttings of their own vines and shipped them off to the French and Italians. The Europeans Frankenstein-ed their vines with Missouri’s to grow a now insect-resistant plant. While the Europeans may boast about their vino, just know that without Missouri, your favorite Champagne or Bordeaux may not exist today.
Let’s Drive.
Number of wineries: 14
Can’t-miss stops: 4 (read on for more).
Know before you go: Not all wineries are open year-round. Arrive early and snag a reservation if possible.
Dress code: Whatever you like (it’s Missouri)
Stop #1: Defiance Ridge Vineyards
If you’re imagining a quiet patio where wine drinkers savor every sip, that’s not Defiance or Augusta. In these towns, it’s all about who can shake up the experience.
Seven miles off Interstate 64 is Defiance Ridge Vineyards, the first winery along Highway 94. The 42-acre property sits on a steep incline overlooking the Missouri River Valley, with multi-level terraces and verandas to enjoy the view (and a glass of Poppy’s Vidal Blanc).
Don’t expect a luxurious driveway, you’ll pull up to a gravel hill, drive around a pond, and park near a well-worn barn. The exterior’s appearance will try and fool you; there’s fun waiting beyond the threshold.
“[Because we’re first on the wine trail,] we need to be prepared and offer a lot, and we do,” says Chuck Gillentine, owner of Defiance Ridge Vineyards.
Defiance Ridge is one of the few vineyards in the area that is open year-round, which can prove difficult during a Missouri winter.
Gallentine says that during the cold months, 90% of the vineyard’s business is on the weekends.
But their stacked events calendar — from Friday Night Bingo, Saturday night live music, and sip-and-shop Sundays — keeps the winery alive year round.
Hundreds of people crowd the place on popular concert nights, but if you’re looking for a calmer way to enjoy a glass, buy a ticket to one of their specialty dinners. These dinners offer a tasting menu and wine flight, with guests of honor including Napa Valley winemakers like Grant Long Jr. (Reservations and tickets are required.)
In addition to a packed entertainment schedule, Gallentine goes an unconventional route when it comes to Defiance Ridge’s wine menu by selling West Coast wines. Defiance Ridge has relationships with growers in Paso Robles and Sonoma, Calif., as well as some in Oregon.
“Our [local] population is not as aware of the Missouri wines, and they kind of frown at them,” Gallentine says. Those who aren’t familiar with the range of high-quality wine believe the only good wine is from Napa Valley or Europe. Local labels can’t be good enough, the thinking goes.
While I love the Schitt’s and Giggles moscato (California) for a sweet, bubbly glass, Missouri wine is nothing to brush off.
It’s hard to frown at Defiance Ridge’s selection, which includes 17 Governor’s Cup winners.
“We had 17 wines entered [in] the Governor’s Cup, and we won 17 medals,” Gallentine says. “I think we were the only winery that won a medal on every wine.”
To equate it for you, you can get an award-winning bottle of local wine for the same price as your go-to grocery store jug. It’s exclusive yet relatively cheap, which is a win-win these days. Buy a bottle to take home to remind you of your day in Defiance when you pop it open at a later date.
If you’re planning a day trip, there’s no need to stop anywhere for lunch. Defiance Ridge offers a long list of shareables: cheeseboards, chambourcin wine-smoked chicken wings, and homemade pimento cheese fritters. Their lunch menu also features sandwiches, wraps, salads, and beignets for dessert. For dinner, order their famous pulled pork mac and cheese, homey Cajun shrimp and grits, and specialty burgers made with a brisket blend. Menus are subject to seasonal availability.
This is the place where you can have a glass of chardonnay while your friend drinks a Michelob Ultra. At around $7-$10 a glass, expect a drink that you’ll actually enjoy — no matter the grapes’ origin. I practically chugged my moscato while eating a hot dog on the patio, which is a dream scenario.
Defiance Ridge is pet- and family-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway, a family day out in the country, or a date with your new furry friend, Defiance Ridge is open and ready to serve.
Gallentine says, “The thing I think we do the best is just work with people.”
Stop #2: Chandler Hill Vineyards
A bit farther down Highway 94 and into the bends of Defiance Road is Chandler Hill Vineyards, a 42-acre winery set in a Tuscan-inspired farmhouse with ivy crawling up the windows as you pull into the main entrance. Inside, you’re greeted by exposed wood beams inside the tasting room, haloed by the yellow light of candles from above. There’s a reason why this vineyard is often described as upscale or elegant, but they still know how to have fun.
The day I visited Chandler Hill, they were hosting Wine and Wags, a recurring dog adoption event in collaboration with local shelters. As I glugged through a Missouri Wine Flight (“Primrose” Off-Dry Vignoles 2023, Vignoles 2021, and Rosé 2021), four-legged friends in “Adopt Me” vests walked along the vineyard rows, smothering everyone in cuteness. Live music provided the perfect background noise for those dining and drinking on the upper deck.
The wine here was flavorful and varied widely from glass to glass. The menu explains the wines in taste profiles like “citrus” or “floral,” making it feel more sophisticated (maybe because I happened to choose mostly dry wines, and to me that reads fancy). It was also slightly pricier, but don’t worry non-wine connoisseurs, you can get a Surfside or beer, too.
If you’re with a group, order their hummus platter or Meritage board (a cheese plate) to share. For lunch, snack on grilled shrimp tacos, smoked corn beef Reuben, or their Chandler Hills Vineyard burger. If you’re on an evening outing, order their tenderloin medallions or chicken and mushroom Marsala. And if you’re still not full, ask for a mini dessert flight as a nightcap.
Chandler Hill also hosts upscale dinner events and a Barrel Room tasting experience with a menu perfectly paired by their sommelier with wines from around the world.
For even more fun, check their events calendar for upcoming trivia nights — they’re often seasonal and perfect for an atypical winery experience at night.
Stop #3: Mount Pleasant Estates
Keep driving down Highway 94, and you’ll officially enter Augusta, Missouri. This is the kind of town that puts a roadtripper on high alert, the happening Main Street is lined with bed and breakfasts, local eats, and busy shops.
Mount Pleasant Estates is the oldest winery in Augusta, dating back to 1859. But they’re not stuck in the past.
Their sprawling property, featuring a bright pink exterior, is perfect for enjoying their tiered patio, live music, and of course — their wine.
My personal favorite is the Pink Catawba (Missouri), a sweet, pink-hued, table wine — if your flavor profile runs sugary, this wine is for you, too. A bottle sells for $15, so you might as well get at least one. They offer multiple port wines if you prefer something darker.
The on-site restaurant, the Appellation Cafe, serves ole’ reliable items like Bavarian pretzel sticks, flatbreads, and salads to keep you satiated on your adventure.
Catch one of their upcoming events, like their Spirit of the Barrel, a pairing of international port wines with bourbon and spirits, or the Candlelight Christmas Walk.
Stop #4: Augusta Winery and Overnight Accommodations
As you wind down your wine-trail trip, or your day journey, stop into Augusta Winery, where they keep things simple. The outside looks like a stone-walled tavern, but step through and you’re welcomed to a Tuscan-inspired wine and beer garden. With fountains, vines growing over the veranda, and a stunning view of the hillsides — you might forget where you are for a moment. Keep in mind that this is the only winery on the list that is not pet-friendly.
Once your venture is over, reserve a room at the H.S. Clay House Bed and Breakfast for a cozy stay inside a renovated Queen Anne Victorian home. For a more well-worn feel, book a stay at the Augusta Red Brick Inn, aptly named for its exterior.
If this is the end of your day journey, drive home safely or order an Uber (it’s not that far out into the boonies).
Spilling the Wine
“I always thought about Augusta as being a kind of a sleepy little river town with a really good secret about the fabulous winemaking that the rest of the world just really hadn’t known,” Alden says. “I’m excited that people are finally catching on and being like, ‘Hey, there is great wine here.’”
This is a place where you can just be for hours with friends,family, or by yourself — there’s a lot of Midwest nice going on here. You’ll meet strangers who turn into patio friends and share memories with people you’ve known for years. Wine isn’t a status symbol. The owners and winemakers are down to earth, because without community, they don’t exist. It’s ordinary folks enjoying wine made by ordinary people. Here, wine brings everyone together.
Last Edited 11/12/2025 10:15 am
Audio Read-Aloud Editor: Melodie Yang