A Perfect 3 Day Itinerary in Missouri Wine Country

What is I told you that Missouri wine region is the perfect weekend trip for relaxation, fun, and great wine! If that intrigues you, keep reading!

Missouri, a state located in the midwest of the United States, is home to caves, farmland, and delicious BBQ. While not typically thought of as a well-known “world destination” for travel, the state has so much to offer all with classic midwestern hospitality. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the state also has a blossoming wine region that is friendly, accessible, and with a variety of wineries! The

St. Louis, Kansas City, and Lake of the Ozarks are all the more typical tourist destinations that are visited in the state of Missouri that I do recommend checking out! If you are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway to beautiful wine country, though, look no further than Missouri Wine Country!

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How to Get to Missouri Wine Country

There are two major clusters of wineries in Missouri that are recommended to visit while in Missouri wine country, the Augusta wine trail and the Hermann wine trail.

The Augusta wine trail is located west of St. Louis, approximately 40 minutes by car. Most wineries are located between the towns of Defiance and Augusta along Highway 94.

Hermann wine trail is located approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from St. Louis located in the German town called Hermann. There are 20+ wineries in this region located in proximity to each other. It is most easily accessible by car.

Where to Stay

This itinerary takes you on a tour of wineries in Marthasville, Hermann and Augusta. Highway 94 connects all of these towns and likely will be the route you travel on to get to the wineries in each town. Find a restful place somewhere central to all of these towns, such as in Marthasville, to cut back on travel time between each location.

Day 1: Arrive & Explore Marthasville Wineries

While not its own wine region, Marthasville has unique wineries that are worth visiting on its own day, as they are further out of the way from both Hermann and Augusta.

Once getting settled in your place for the weekend, why not get started with some wine tasting at a winery that imports grapes from all over the world! Holy Grail Winery is a small, couple-owned winery that is extremely personable and hospitable.

The winery owners have a strong passion for making high quality wine varietals from grapes grown in California and Italy! While most of their wine is not from locally sourced grapes, the quality of wine is phenomenal and is highly recommended to visit while in the area. If you are a red wine lover, you will be very pleased with their varietals! They also make delicious port wine that pairs perfectly with chocolate. After your tasting, you may enjoy your favorite bottle on the property’s field near the vines.

If you’re up for another winery, I recommend next visiting Lake Creek Winery. This winery is ~15 minutes from Holy Grail Winery, and has a rustic, charming vibe to it. There is often live music on summer weekends to enjoy while sipping your wine. This winery does have both red and white wine, but their white wine is far superior and can be tasted with a flight!

For dinner, there are many casual dinner options in Marthasville depending on what you have an appetite for. I recommend Cori’s Twin Gables for classic American food, or Philly’s Pizza for pizza.

Day 2: Katy Trail & Explore Augusta Wine Region

Start your morning off by visiting the Katy Trail, a 240 mile trail built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas Railroad. Whether you want to bike or just take a nice morning stroll, it is worth seeing and will be a great start to your morning.

After your morning on the Katy Trail, visit Defiance Ridge Vineyards, one of the best wineries in Missouri! The winery is located on a relaxed but well-kept grounds with a spacious outdoor area. You can enjoy a wine tasting at the indoor bar to choose a wine to enjoy indoors or on the outdoor patio. There is a large selection of varietals, from sweet white wine to dry red wine. They also have “premier” wine that you can sample, grown and bottled in regions such as Willamette Valley. With a full lunch menu, you can spend hours here enjoying the scenery and wine.

For more wine tasting, you can next visit one of the many wineries along the wine trail. Chandler Hill Winery is very close by and has beautiful views, and typically has wine that is sourced from other states and some local varietals. There are lunch and dinner options to choose from if looking for another meal or snack!

Mount Pleasant Estates is another great option for another stop. It is typically less busy at Mount Pleasant because it is a little bit further away, approximately 15 minutes from Defiance Ridge Vineyards. Mount Pleasant Estates also makes their own port, which you can try individually or in a port tasting.

After wine tasting, there are several spots to enjoy the sunset in Augusta or Defiance. There are turn offs along Highway 94 where you can take a short walk to see views of the bluffs and rolling hills.

If you are looking for a casual, local bar to end the night, check out Don’s Place (previously called Terry and Kathy’s). There is a pool table, a juke box, and a bar for you to hang out at.

Day 3: Explore Hermann Wine Region and Town

For day 3, you will be exploring the quaint German town of Hermann! The town was initially established in the 1840s as a town where German Americans could preserve their culture in the United States. Today, the town still carries German charm with old-fashioned buildings and ample authentic German dishes to eat.

In fact, Hermann is one of the most underrated wine regions in the US!

First, stop by Missouri’s oldest and most award-winning winery: Stone Hill Winery. Stone Hill Winery was established around the time Hermann was established, and has since grown in its National recognition for producing high quality wine of many varietals. The property itself is also worth visiting in itself, with rows and rows of vines and beautiful deciduous trees.

After sampling the exquisite wine, grab a bite to eat from Hermann Wurst Haus for an authentic German food experience. There is a deli menu with a variety of options, that is sure to accommodate everyone’s taste buds.

Other recommended wineries include OakGlenn Vineyard’s and Winery for the beautiful views of the landscape, and Hermannhoff, for their cheery atmosphere and pretty, old-style buildings. Both of these wineries often have live music on a weekend day.

Conclusion

Missouri wine country is an underrated wine region in the United States, and is absolutely worth a visit! Augusta and Hermann each have their own charm, and are sure to allow for a relaxing wine tasting experience.