Wineries of the Middle Mississippi River Valley

When people think of domestic wines they usually think of the vineyards of California. Illinois and Missouri are generally associated with fields of corn and soybeans, but there once was a time that both states were heavily involved in the winemaking business. Around 1830 in Illinois the first vineyards were planted around Galena and the western part of the state. By the early 1900s, Illinois had grown to be the fourth largest grape growing state and was responsible for approximately 25 percent of the domestic wine produced in the United States. By the turn of the century approximately 100 wineries in Missouri were producing two million gallons of wine each year. The wine business in both states were dealt a severe blow when the Prohibition era began with the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919 and many of the grape growers turned to other crops and the remaining vines were killed by pesticides. But the wine business is making a comeback in both states, led by the efforts of state funded agencies. In 1990, there were only five wineries in Illinois, while today the state hosts 29.

The types of wines produced are different from those that are produced in California. Wine varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are too delicate for the cold winters and hot summers of the region. French hybrids such as Chambourcin and Vignole are more suited to the region and some wineries incorporated local fruits such as apple, peaches, cherries, and blackberries. Many of the local wineries offer wine tasting events, tours, and some provide Bed & Breakfast accommodations.

Wineries in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area

Aerie's Riverview Winery		PO Box 609 Grafton, IL 618-786-8439

Piasa Winery		211 W. Main Street Grafton, IL 618-786-9463

Wineries in the French Colonial Region

Cave Winery		21084 Cave Road Ste. Genevieve County, MO 573-543-5284

Charleville Vineyards		16937 Boyd Road Ste. Genevieve County, MO 573-756-4537

Chaumette Vineyards and Winery		24345 State Route WW Ste. Genevieve County, MO 573-756-1000

Crown Valley Winery		23589 State Route WW Ste. Genevieve County, MO 573-756-9463

Lau-Nae Winery		1522 State Route 3 Red Bud, IL 618-282-9463

Ravissant Winery		5950 Town Hall Road Belleville, IL 618-233-9463

Ste. Genevieve Winery		245 Merchant Street Ste. Genevieve, MO 573-883-2800

Schorr Lake Vineyards		1032 S. Library Street Waterloo, IL 618-939-3174

Tower Rock Winery		10769 Hwy A Altenburg, MO 573-824-5479

Waterloo Winery		725 N. Market Street Waterloo, IL 573-939-5743


Route du Vin Ste. Genevieve County, MO		The Route du Vin is an easy hour long loop through the forested hills and farmland of Ste. Genevieve County that features 5 wineries.


Wineries in the St. Charles County area of Missouri

Augusta Winery		PO Box 8, High & Jackson Street Augusta, MO 636-228-4301

Blumenhof Vineyards & Winery		PO Box 30, Highway 94 Dutzow, MO 636-433-2245

Louis P. Balducci Vineyards		6601 Highway 94 South Augusta, MO 636-482-8466

Little Hills Winery		501 S. Main Street St. Charles, MO 636-946-9339

Montelle Winery		PO Box 147, Highway 94 Augusta, MO 636-228-4464

Mount Pleasant Winery		5634 High Street Augusta, MO 636-482-9463

Sugar Creek Winery & Vineyards		125 Boone Country Lane Defiance, MO 636-987-2400

Wineries in the Little Dixie Scenic Byway region of Missouri

Crown Valley Port House		25795 Highway N Clarksville, MO 573-242-3695

The Eagle’s Nest Winery		221 Georgia Street Louisiana, MO 573-754-9888

illinoiswine.com - Comprehensive site maintained by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association

missouriwine.org - Comprehensive site maintained by the Wine & Grape Board of the Missouri Department of Agriculture