While California gets lots of attention when it comes to domestic wines, Missouri has a rich history of wine production that dates back nearly 200 years. The central region, in particular, stretching west from St. Louis to Jefferson City, has an ideal climate for growing grapes. The area is so renowned for its exceptional wine production, in fact, that it’s affectionately known as the “Missouri Rhineland.” Many other excellent wineries are located in the Ozark region, including some in and around Branson. To help you get started, today we’re focusing on Branson wine 101: the history of the region, local wineries, and great local places to drink wine.
Branson Wine 101: The History of Wine in the Ozarks
Wineries began popping up in Branson and the surrounding countryside in the 1830s and saw nearly 100 years of success before Prohibition shut the industry down. Happily, the Missouri wine industry experienced a revival beginning in 1965. That year, the area’s oldest winery, Stone Hill, re-opened in Hermann, about 200 miles from downtown Branson. Wine production in the area has steadily grown since then, and today’s wineries are resplendent, typically merging artisan wine production with fresh local cuisine that pairs well with Ozark wines.
One of the first lessons learned in Branson wine 101 is that several American grape varieties, including Norton, Sunbelt, and Concord, thrive in the fertile, rocky soil of the Ozarks. Other grapes grown in the region include the French-American hybrids Vidal and Cayuga White.
Take a Day Trip North of Branson
The Augusta Appellation was the US’s first government-appointed wine-growing district, and it’s just a short drive from Branson. Some of the most renowned wineries are located in the Augusta Appellation, such as the following historic estates, making it an excellent place to begin your education in Branson wine 101:
Mount Pleasant Winery
A regional landmark, Mount Pleasant Winery was founded in 1859 in the Augusta Appellation district. Today, Mount Pleasant remains the district’s largest supplier of regional wines.
Mount Pleasant vineyards are located on Ozark hillsides, where local grapes receive plenty of natural sunlight. Their premium grapes are used to produce more than a dozen wine varieties, many of which are award-winning. Some of Mount Pleasant’s top-rated wine varieties are their Cabernet Sauvignon Augusta and Merlot Augusta. Both were awarded gold at the World Wine Championships.
This family-friendly winery offers complimentary public tours on Saturdays and Sundays between April and October. Mount Pleasant’s on-site Appellation Cafe is open for lunch Thursday through Monday, with culinary choices that are designed to complement their signature wines.
Stone Hill Winery
One of biggest wineries in Missouri, Stone Hill Winery has been a state landmark since 1847. By 1900, Stone Hill produced more than 1 million gallons per year. Like many wineries in America and the Augusta Appellation, however, the winery closed in 1920 due to Prohibition. Stone Hill’s modern facility offers tours and tastings seven days a week, or you can opt to pair one or several of their signature wines with lunch or dinner in their vintage restaurant.
Stone Hill produces a variety of grape-based beverages, including whites, reds, and dessert wines as well as grape juice. Many of their wines are produced with Norton grapes, including their exclusive library wines and several reds. The winery’s Steinberg White is a top seller, praised for its superior balance and smooth texture.
The Best Spots in Branson to Drink Wine
In Branson itself and just outside the city limits, wine aficionados have a variety of great options. From upscale wine bars to sprawling vineyards, you can tour Branson’s wine country every day of the week and sample everything from thick, earthy port wines to light and refreshing rosé blends.
Backstage Cafe and Wine Bar
Nestled inside the historic Branson Hotel on Main Street, Backstage Café and Wine Bar is a great starting point if you’re interested in Branson wine 101. It boasts a refined, wood-paneled interior and a gorgeous outdoor space where you can enjoy live music. Backstage Cafe’s extensive wine list features dozens of reds and whites from across the globe.
Bear Creek Wine Company
There are eight Bear Creek label wines, all of which are made from Missouri grapes. The company also offers an extensive list of their favorite regional wines, made in Missouri and Arkansas. Considered one of the loveliest spots in Branson for wine tasting, the charming Bear Creek Wine Company doubles as a bed and breakfast. Its winery, known as the Hideaway Cellar, is open seven days a week year-round, with complimentary tastings offered daily. Visitors can sample regional wines and then take a leisurely stroll through Bear Creek’s picturesque landscape, complete with wooded trails.
Popular wines crafted at Bear Creek include Innkeepers, a sweet white made from a blend of Symphony and Reliance grapes, and Bear’s Breath, a dry red that’s aged for 14 months in oak barrels, giving it an earthy balance.
Lindwedel Winery
Embodying the region’s rich Germanic heritage, Lindwedel Winery is open between March and December. Along with wines carefully crafted from Norton, Vidal, and Traminette grape varietals, Lindwedel Winery also produces full-bodied blackberry dessert wine. One of the Branson area’s newest wineries, Lindwedel was established in 2007 and is located near the shores of Table Rock Lake, just outside of Branson.
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No matter your reason for visiting Branson, stopping by a local winery makes for a fun and educational day trip. With a lesson in Branson wine 101, you can learn more about local culture and history and experience some of the best American wines, grown and handcrafted in the beautiful Ozarks.
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