Wine Travel: America's First Wine District
Jim Hofman
America's rich tradition of wine making began in earnest in the 1800's, when European immigrants brought their skills to various unsettled areas of the country. A few decades before California and other west coast wine producing states were settled, many eastern and midwestern states had thriving wine industries. In the 1830's, a group of German immigrants made their way to the Missouri river valley, west of St. Louis near the present town of Hermann, Missouri.
Upon arriving in the river valley, settlers noticed the topographical similarity between their new home and their former areas in Germany and Switzerland. Grapes grew abundant on hillsides near the settlement, and cultivating the grapes as a cash crop was encouraged by town leaders. Soon, the abundance of grapes combined with European wine making skills, and America's first wine district was born.
Ever since then, wine making in one form or another has continued in this picturesque Missouri river valley location. Complete with historic villages and temperate climate, the Hermann Wine Trail has become an up and coming destination for wine travel. Stretching from New Haven, MO on the east to the historic village of Hermann on the west, the area is now home to seven wineries encompassing a mere 20 miles.
Missouri has long been known for deep, rich red wines typically produced from traditional grape varieties such as Norton and Chambourcin. Wineries in this area use these native grapes to develop award winning varietes of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Burgundy styles. But these wineries aren't all about reds, as winemakers on this wine trail also produce clean and delightfully crisp styles like rieslings and chardonels.
A visit to the central Missouri wine trail usually begins with a visit to St. Louis. From St. Louis, travel west on Interstate 44 to Missouri Highway 100, continuing on Highway 100 twenty miles to the town of New Haven. This charming village is the eastern edge of the wine trail and is home to historic Robller Vineyard and Winery, which offers a spectacular view of the Missouri river valley.
Moving west from New Haven, you'll find Bommarito Almond Tree Winery and Bias Vineyards and Winery. Bommarito is a family owned estate winery that produces a marvelous award winning port, along with other offerings. Just west of Bommarito is Bias Winery, situated on a 64 acre farm and also home to a microbrewery. Make sure you try both their beer and wine, especially their easy drinking River Blush Rouge.
As you reach the Hermann area, you'll discover four thriving wineries offering the chance to try Missouri wine. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries all offer wine tasting, winery tours, and scenic views. Take time to savor the offerings at each. Among those we particularly enjoyed were Oakglenn's spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill's Vidal Blanc. Stone Hill and Hermannhof are other must stops, not only for their fine wines but also for their historic settings.
The picturesque town of Hermann, Mo marks the western end of this roughly 20 mile wine trail. A perfect place for an overnight stay, the German and Swiss roots of Hermann are evident in the historic architecture, specialty shops, and restaurants. Hermann is also known for its proximity to the Katy Bike Trail and annual events like the Hermann Wurst Fest and many wine related events.
Jim Hofman is an author specializing in http://www.winetrailsusa.com/ wine travel and U.S. wine trails. For the complete travelogue on this and other U.S. wine trails, you're invited to join our free twice monthly online newsletter, where we introduce you to small wineries and wine trails across America.
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