Missouri Wine

Missouri Wineries

A century ago "American wine" usually meant Missouri wine,

and St. Louis was the nation's center for world-class quality.

German immigrants from the Rhine River valley brought their customs and culture to the Missouri River Valley in the 1830's. The area overlooking the Missouri River is officially recognized as America's First Wine District. Today, Missouri wineries along Hwy 94 are receiving considerable attention for wining national and international wine competitions. In addition to tasting fine wines, visitors can enjoy the tours, specialty shops, bakeries, bed and breakfasts, fine restaurants and live entertainment. Bikers and hikers can take in the scenery along the KATY trail, a former railroad right-of-way converted into a scenic path through the valley. Approximately 2.5 million people will visit Missouri's 40+ wineries each year. While these numbers don't approach those of larger wine producing states such as California or Washington, there's clearly no shortage of enthusiasm among Missouri wine lovers.

Here are a few pictures we took when on a mini-vacation/winery tour down Hwy 94 in fall of 2001

Click to enlarge individual pictures. Click arrows to view full selection.