These Hidden Wine Regions Offer Small Town Charm with Scenic Views

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Long before Napa was a household name, Missouri’s wine country led the way. Perched in the bluffs above the Missouri River, you’ll find small towns like Hermann, whose views reminded German immigrants so much of the Rhine River valley that they quickly began planting vineyards when they settled in the mid-1800s.

Almost 200 years later, Missouri is still a charming wine destination with critical acclaim and is ready for its national comeback. With skilled winemakers and ideal growing conditions, the Show Me State has become a destination for oenophiles looking beyond California.

Prairie towns throughout the Midwest provide gateways to surprising wine regions that challenge notions about American winemaking.

Small Town Charm Attracts Big Investors

Missouri gained notoriety in 1980 as the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the United States. In the decades since, the state now boasts over 125 wineries and five official wine regions. 

Jerri and David Hoffmann grew up in nearby Washington, Missouri, just across the river from Augusta. While visiting the wine region in 2020, they saw the town was in need of investments to bring it back to its former charm and glory. 

Since then, Hoffmann has invested over $125 million into Augusta and the surrounding area. With the revitalization of the downtown area, restoration of historic buildings and wineries, a wine trolly system, and a luxury river yacht, Augusta, population 270, may soon be the must-visit destination in the midwest. 

Chris Armstrong, CMO of Hoffmann Family of Companies, says the town’s charm and history led the Hoffmans to make the investment. “Missouri produces many of the same wines as France and California and has received gold in national competitions, scoring 95 points and above by the Beverage Rating Institute.” 

The key to Missouri’s distinctive wines is the local terroir. Missouri’s harsher climate allows it to bring unique varietals and sought-after pairings. You’ll find crisp, German-style wines like Chambourcin, Seyval blanc, Vignoles, Chardonel, and Edelweiss, along with French-American hybrid’s such as Couderc noir, Seyval blanc, and Vidal blanc. 

Picturesque Autumn Charm

Now is the time to visit. From September to early November, the rolling hills of the Midwest wine regions transform into stunning displays of fall colors. Reds, oranges, and yellows paint the grapevines and surrounding forests into a spectacular display of autumn scenery. 

The Katy Trail – America’s longest recreational rail trail stretch–sits at downtown Augusta’s foot. Visitors can rent bikes and explore the path or stop at any of the 17 wineries alongside it. Montelle Winery in the heart of Augusta offers a massive outdoor patio, allowing guests to take in the views of the fall foliage while enjoying their wine. Many of the area’s wineries allow carry-in food, so enjoy a picnic lunch as you keep refilling your glass.  

The Missouri Wine and Grape Board estimates that Missouri’s wineries receive close to a million visitors annually, a number that’s set to only increase in the coming years as rising tasting fees continue to price out the average consumer in other prominent wine regions. 

The 2023 Direct to Consumer Wine Report, published last month, showed the average price of a bottle of wine from Napa Valley leaped by $17 last year, making the average price of a Napa wine $108. In Napa County, the cost of a standard tasting, the winery’s most basic offering, averaged $81. In neighboring Sonoma County, the average price of a bottle of wine was $57, with a tasting average of $38. 

Contrast that with Augusta, MO, as bottles at Montelle Winery average $21, with tasting fees ranging from $10-20, the latter of which includes a logo wine glass. Beyond tasting fees, the cost of dining and lodging accommodations in small-town wine country creates a more accessible experience for wine enthusiasts.

Midwest and Beyond

Like Missouri, much of the Midwest boasts wine trails passing through quaint towns and showcasing their state’s robust wine culture. Nestled close to big cities, these destination wine towns make for easy day trips or weekend getaways. 

Ohio’s Lake Erie trail takes advantage of the lake effect, making the area from Toledo to Buffalo a prime wine-growing spot. Rieslings and Chardonnays benefit from the cooler temperatures, and you can’t beat the lakeside views. 

Wisconsin’s Door County Wine Trail hosts eight wineries, enchanting visitors through the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” with an established wine scene that offers traditional varietals and sweet fruit wines. 

The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois is a must for both wine lovers and adventurers. Take a break from hiking the Garden of the Gods with the eleven wineries that dot the area. Stop at Alto Vineyards, one of Illinois’ oldest and most award-winning wineries, to try their estate-grown Chambourcin paired with wood-fired pizza baked on-site.

A rebrand has never tasted so good. Start viewing the Midwest not as flyover states but as wine lovers’ states.