Did you know?

-       Missouri wine country has German roots dating back to the early 19^th century, earning the area the nickname “Rhineland”, which also refers to the wine country in Germany.

-       Missouri’s hot summers and rocky Ozark soil make it excellent for growing grapes.

-       By the mid-1800’s, Missouri was producing a higher volume of wine than any other state in the US.

-       Missouri was the second largest wine producing state before prohibition.

-       Missouri has the first area that was federally designated an AVA (American Viticultural Area)

-       The only winery allowed to continue producing wine during prohibition was St. Stanislaus Novitiate (St. Louis), so that they could continue making sacramental wine

-       Missouri helped save France’s vineyards in the 1870s after a pest destroyed huge amounts of vine.

-       Popular varietals of grapes are the Cynthiana/Norton, Concord, Catawba, Vignoles, Seyval, and Chambourcin

-       As of 2012, Missouri has over 115 wineries.

-       In 2003, the Missouri legislature voted to make the Cynthiana/Norton grape the official state grape.