Toast Missouri Wine Country

Heading West
Your quest for wine on State 94 takes you west out of Augusta through the village of Dutzow. Here, you'll find Blumenhof Vineyards & Winery. However, if you leave 94 and cross the Missouri into Washington, a lovely river town, you'll find interesting antiques shops and a handsome riverfront park. American Bounty and Richard's on the Riverfront are some commendable restaurants on West Front Street. Frontier Grill, which serves only local wines, is another worthwhile eatery located on State 100 and High Street.

State 100 from Washington completes the remaining 25 miles or so to Hermann. Bias Vineyards & Winery lies several miles off 100 near the town of Berger. Take a leisurely walk among the rows of grape-burdened vines to a picnic down by the pond. Or sit under the trellis on the patio, and watch the butterflies while sampling one of the snack plates along with a glass of dry white wine.

Hello, Hermann
Just before entering Hermann, you must stop at The OakGlenn Vineyards & Winery. A fabulous drive under a canopy of hardwoods leads to the most scenic of all the wineries.

Surveying the majestic Missouri River and the well-kept vineyard, the view from OakGlenn's picnic area makes it an ideal place to have lunch, sip some wine, and drink in the breathtaking panorama.

You'll experience central Missouri's German heritage in Hermann. Stop at Hermannhof Winery and Vineyards as you come into town, and it's as if you've passed into a small slice of the Rhineland. Hermannhof offers a self-guided tour of its cellars where you might bump into winemaker Paul LeRoy as he makes the rounds testing his handiwork. Sample the wines in the well-appointed tasting room, and also choose from the extensive selection of authentic, Missouri-made German sausages and cheeses.

A lot of Hermann's early architecture still stands and has been put to good use. A wide variety of stores and historic sites cater to the interests of visitors passing through. There are plenty of good restaurants for you to select from with German cuisine predominating. Among these are the Vintage Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery and The Wild Grapevine Restaurant on Market Street.

Hermann is a B&B town, with more than 40 different choices in a range of prices. But a trip devoted to the wines of the region would not be complete without a stay at Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn.

Clinging to the side of one of the town's steep ridges, the inn offers eight rooms, each boasting a memorable view of the sloping vineyard and the picturesque village and spires below. In keeping with the spirit of a wine country jaunt, Hermann Hill's spacious rooms have such names as Cynthiana, Chambourcin, and Seyval--local grape varieties.

After a restful sleep, enjoy a hearty breakfast on your balcony or terrace or in the dining room with fellow guests. Rates range from $125 during the week to $220 on Saturday.

Just down the ridge and within easy walking distance of the inn, you'll find Stone Hill Winery & Restaurant. Stone Hill, the largest winery in Missouri, has been making wine off and on since 1847.

Visitors can take a guided tour ($1.50 per person) of the winery's cellars and see first-hand how wines and sparkling wines are made and aged. The tour ends in the winery's elegant tasting room where your host sets out miniature wine glasses and offers samples for your pleasure.

Stone Hill operates a phenomenal gift shop where you can purchase wines, picnic supplies, and every kind of wine-related gift item you could possibly imagine. From soaps to glassware to party accessories, it's all here.

As your time visiting the central Missouri wine country comes to an end, you begin to realize that you have fallen under its spell. What could be more satisfying than knowing you visited a magical land graced by good wine and the hospitality of warm and inviting people?