Category: Travel

If you’ve never taken the opportunity to check out Missouri Wine Country – do it!

This year marks the third year my husband and I have enjoyed the beautiful German community of Hermann and we plan to continue doing so every year we have left.

The first time we visited was by accident. We were on our way home from St. Louis with some friends in the fall of 2013. We had just visited the St. Louis downtown, the Budweiser Brewery and, of course, The Arch, which was closed due to the government shutdown.

Our friends were taking a cat nap in the backseat when Curtis decided to find his own way home. Thus, we got to know the area of Hermann, Missouri. It was Oktoberfest and we fell in love with the entire atmosphere.

We loved it so much, we convinced some of our family to go for an adults only vacation the following June. After branching out to a few more areas – Jeff City to visit the State Penn and New Haven to visit a distillery – we decided to make it an annual adults only trip.

This year, our exclusive group expanded by two – my sister and her husband. I believe the quote of the weekend was from my sister, who left her three boys at home with her in-laws, “I’m having too much fun, this makes me uncomfortable.” And fun we had.

Even though we didn’t get camp set up until the afternoon we still found our way into town. While there, we let our taste buds wander through Tin Mill Brewery. Some in our group enjoyed the sample platter, but if you haven’t tried their Midnight Whistle I would strongly suggest it. And then we ventured into Hermanhof Winery down the road. They are home to the most delicious cherry wine I’ve ever tasted – and trust me, I’ve tasted plenty.

The next day started a little sooner but this time we found ourselves meandering toward the Capitol of Jefferson City. Our first stop was Canterbury Hill Winery, which as the name implies is on the top of a hill. There is quite the view with a small pond and forest area to one side and then on the other side of the patio is the view of the highway traffic down below with the city rising up in the distance.

We had visited this same winery last year before our adventure at the Missouri State Penitentiary and it was fondly remembered by all in our party for not only the tasty wines, but the scrumptious appetizers and other drinks. So once again we enjoyed our lunch made up of some of their numerous appetizers. My favorites – the spinach artichoke dip and potato skins. The men enjoyed the winery’s brews while the women sipped on the wine. I enjoy most varieties of wine but am partial to a dry red so my “go-to” there is the Red Towers.

Next we made our way to Prison Brews just a few blocks away from the State Penn. This place was a first for us and we weren’t disappointed. Once again, we grabbed ourselves some appetizers (enjoying ourselves makes you hungry) and a sample tray of their beers. Once we all found our beer destiny, we ordered our own pints. I do enjoy many kinds of beers – ales, pilsners, IPAs – but I found myself drawn to the Prison Town Brown, an English-style ale. Incredible!

The rest of the brews were aptly named for the fortress they represented such as Reformatory Rye Stout and Maximum Sentence IPA. And the overall atmosphere was to die for…pun intended. The staff was kind and slightly entertaining, and of course, they played up the prison scene with cell bars throughout. A great spot to stop – and hopefully, we will again in year’s to come.

Our final day was bittersweet, with the idea in our heads that we’d be heading home the very next day, but that didn’t stop us from making the most of it.

We went back into Hermann and swung into Missouri’s oldest winery – Stonehill. There some of us checked out a small car show, while the rest went into the main building and started browsing. We went on a tour of their five wine cellars. This is a tour I would strongly recommend. It was incredible to hear about the history of the winery and see how the owners continue to keep the famous wines fermenting to perfection, plus, it didn’t hurt that it was 50-degrees down there during some 90-degree weather outside.

Then after hitting up a number of cute antique stores we ventured into a beloved spot for us – the Hermann Wurst Haus, known fondly for their “Best of the Wurst Deli”. There I got a Carmelized Pear & Gorgonzola bratwurst on a bun with chips and a pickle, but of course I went for the sauerkraut edition. I’m in a German town…what do you expect!? I topped it off with a Wurst Haus original, Butcher’s Block Lager. The combo was magnificent.

I would suggest going over to the sample station first before picking out your brat in the deli. Other highly recommended brats – Asiago & Chive and Andouille. Other highly recommended brews – the house’s Steamboat Smoked Ale and Crown Valley Brewing Strawberry Cider.

While half of our party made their way back to camp, the others made our way to Pinckney Bend Distillery in New Haven, MO. No suggestion here, just an order – Visit this place! We went last year; we went this year; we’ll go again next year. No contest.

For $5 you get to take a tour of the facility and also a “tour” of their spirits, plus a lovely little glass. Our tastebuds were wowed with their gin, vodka and various whiskeys, including my new favorite – a limited edition Port Whiskey.

Afterwards, we ventured on to find 2nd Shift Brewery in Cedar Creek, MO, and took a tour of some of their delicious brews in the western saloon on site. Brew Cocky was my personal favorite.

Our adult vacation was coming to a close the next day but we all vowed to make a point to continue the now annual adult-only vacation to Missouri Wine Country.

If you’re in the area, check them out! And of course, be safe while doing so!