Missouri Wine Country - Augusta to Hermann

Fall color changes just outside Augusta

In 1980, Augusta was recognized as the first U.S. Wine District, or Viticulture Area #1, because of its unique soil, climate, historical significance, and quality of wine produced from grapes grown within the District's boundaries.  

In 1836, Leonard Harold, a Daniel Boone follower, founded the town of Augusta situated on hills and bluffs overlooking the Missouri River Valley about 37 miles west of St. Louis. German immigrants were attracted by the glowing descriptions of the area written by Gottfried Duden, a German researcher/explorer by1855.  Because of the vineyards, Augusta with its 300 residents thrived as other small towns declined.  It still retains it's a small town atmosphere.   There are 16 different Bed & Breakfast Lodgings,  14 shops/activities, 11 food and refreshment facilities, and 11 wineries/vineyards/breweries.  For more information about Augusta:  augusta-chamber.org

Keith and I began the day with a wonderful breakfast at The Lindenholf Bed and Breakfast in Augusta.  The menu included French Toast stuffed with cream cheese and white chocolate cream then topped with sauteed fresh plums.  Accompaniments were sausage patties and individual Havarti Cheese Souffles...and of course, coffee, teas, and juice.  This breakfast menu was featured in Southern Living Magazine - September 2003.

We had checked into this Bed and Breakfast Inn about 3:00 P.M. after I completed my St. Charles to Augusta bicycle trip on the Katy Trail.  Keith had dropped me and my bike off in St. Charles and he arrived in Augusta less than an hour later.  He scouted around town for things to do and then waited for me at The Augusta Brewery at the trailhead.  It took me about three hours to complete my ride.  It was the end of a total of 500 miles biked this season.  We were ready to celebrate!  Location of The Lindenhof Bed and Breakfast is downtown just a short walk to many wineries, shops, and the Katy Trail.  For more detail information and to see the interior, go to http//www.lindenhof-augusta.com/

The courtyard is an inviting place with access to the outdoor jacuzzi and is just outside the guest's dining and great room.  The fireplace can be used inside and outside.

One of several lovely garden accents in the courtyard.  This morning was the first heavy frost which would end many of the plants for the year.

We had the outdoor jacuzzi all to ourselves the evening before.  We stayed on a Thursday night which is not as popular and is less expensive.  We also got all the attention from the innkeepers we wanted.  We choose The Artist Bedroom which also had a custom made large claw-footed jetted hot tub and shower.  I cannot think of any amenity that was not provided for our comfort.  We had a small refrigerator available to us filled with cheese, wine, soda, and water.  Also set out were homemade bread with butter, and cookies.  TV, movies, chess, and board games were available in the great room for our use along with a variety of music and books.

Check-out time was 11:00 A.M. and the innkeeper told us about this wonderful view just outside of Augusta.  The fall colors were in early process and would peak during the next week.  A great time to be driving around!  Along Highway 94 are four exquisite family-owned "Boutique" Wineries.  They include:  Augusta Winery augustawinery.com, Sugar Creek Winery sugarcreekwines.com, Balducci Vineyards balduccivineyards.com, and Montelle Winery montelle.com

Montelle Winery

Montelle Winery

View from Montelle Winery

Soon we drove south on Highway 47 near Dudzow (another good winery!) and onto The Hermann Wine Trail on Highway 100.  There are seven wineries on this route but this trip we head to Stone Hill Winery in Hermann on Highway 19 at the Missouri River.  HermannWineTrail.com

We found the highest hilltop in Hermann for these bridge photos.  

The main street in Hermann is First Street or Highway 100

Missouri's most historic and awarded winery is Stone Hill Winery.  It was established in 1847 and grew to be the second largest winery in the United States.  The wines were world renowned, winning gold medals in eight world's fairs, including Vienna in 1873 and Philadelphia in 1876.  By the turn of the century, the winery was shipping over 1 million gallons of wine per year.  Missouri's wine industry was decimated in 1920 with the advent of American Prohibition, as grape vines, machinery and even wineries were destroyed throughout the state.  In 1965, local farmers began the long process of restoration.  Jim and Betty Held acquired the mushroom plant and began making wine in the old cellars again.  Tours of these cellars is a must-see!

The 13 acre complex is one of Missouri's top tourist attractions and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main building built in 1869 and 165-year old arched underground cellars, gift shop, restaurant, and state-of-the-art production facilities produce over 260,000 gallons of wine.  Last year, they won over 120 awards and over 3800 wine awards since 1993.

The Norton grape is America's oldest native grape and is still in commercial use.  It is Missouri's state grape and the cornerstone of Missouri's wine industry.  Keith and I always like to pick up a case or two this time of year after we have dinner at the Vintage restaurant where we always enjoy the best of German specialties.  This year we got the 2008 Cross J Norton at at 25% off the $25.83 price when buying a case...very nice indeed!

For more information about Hermann, see my article from last year's blog by going to 'Search This Blog" and typing in "Hermann."  Also see stonehillwinery.com.