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Article By: JimHofman
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Wine Travel: America's First Wine Trail
America's fascinating wine making history is rooted in the efforts of European immigrants, who brought their skills to America throughout the 1800's. Long before California and other west coast wine producing states were settled, other areas of the country were busy producing wines from native grape vines growing in the wild. In the 1830's, a group of German immigrants settled in the Missouri river valley, about an hour west of St. Louis near the present historic town of Hermann, Missouri.
Hermann's founding fathers and town leaders noted the prolific growth of wild grapes in the nearby hillsides, and encouraged new immigrants to grow grapes by providing low cost land grants. Having brought their wine making skills from Germany, settlers gladly began tending grape vines and producing wine. Within a few years, the area around Hermann became known for wine production, and America's very first wine district was born.
For the most part, wine making has continued in this area since the 1830's. Now, the Hermann Wine Trail and the historic villages in the area comprise a beckoning destination for wine travel. From the town of New Haven, MO on the east to historic Hermann on the west, this 20 mile stretch of beautiful Missouri river valley scenery boasts seven wineries accounting for more than 30% of Missouri's wine production.
Missouri is particularly noted for its red wines, particularly those produced from Norton and Chambourcin grapes that are native to the area. Many award winning versions of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon proudly call Missouri home. Numerous white wines are also produced, many harkening back to the German and Swiss heritage. Clean and delightfully crisp rieslings are prominent offerings from area wineries, along with specialty blends like chardonel.
The closest major city to the Hermann wine trail is St. Louis, which is an easy drive. From the city, it's only 75 minutes at most to the wine district via Interstate 44 and Highway 100. The first stop on the eastern end of the wine trail is the town of New Haven, MO, home of historic Robller Vineyard and Winery. Robller offers an absolutely speactacular view of the valley, along with several varieties of wine you'll want to try and take home from their friendly tasting room.
Traveling west from New Haven, you'll encounter the Bommarito Almond Tree Winery, a family owned estate winery. Try their award winning port and other offerings. Further west, you'll find a unique winery and microbrewery combination, Bias Vineyards and Winery. Only the second such operation in the U.S., Bias produces a blush wine we especially enjoyed, River Blush Rouge.
In and around Hermann, four thriving wineries offer wine travelers more of the true taste of Missouri. Stone Hill, Oakglenn, Adam Puchta, and Hermannhof wineries are all situated in beautiful settings with scenic views. Relax for a while and enjoy such offerings as Oakglenn's fruity and spicy Chambourcin and Stone Hill's Vidal Blanc, a fine dry white. Check to see if you can participate in vineyard tours, as most of these wineries vineyards are only a few hundred yards away from their production facilities.
The western end of the wine trail is punctuated by the picturesque town of Hermann, MO. This is a town you'll really enjoy - historic architecture, local restaurants, and specialty shops galore. It's a perfect place to spend the night and participate in one of their many local events, several devoted to enjoyment of wine. Also, for the fitness buff within you, Hermann is also known for its easy access to the Katy Bike Trail which winds through the Missouri river valley. There are ample lodging options and delectable German/Swiss restaurants offering a perfect complement to local wines.
Article Source: ArticleZones.com
About the Author
Jim Hofman is an author specializing in wine travel and U.S. wine trails. For the complete travelogue on this and other U.S. wine trails, you're invited to join our free twice monthly online newsletter, where you'll discover small wineries and wine trails across America.
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