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Wineries
of the Middle Mississippi 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 |
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Aerie's
Riverview
Winery
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PO Box 609
Grafton, IL
618-786-8439 |
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| Piasa Winery |
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211 W. Main Street
Grafton, IL
618-786-9463 |
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| Wineries
in the French Colonial Region |
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| Cave Winery |
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21084 Cave Road
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-543-5284 |
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| Charleville
Vineyards |
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16937 Boyd Road
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-756-4537 |
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Chaumette
Vineyards
and Winery |
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24345 State
Route WW
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-756-1000 |
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| Crown Valley
Winery |
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23589 State
Route WW
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-756-9463 |
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| Lau-Nae
Winery
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1522
State Route 3
Red Bud, IL
618-282-9463 |
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| Ravissant Winery |
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5950 Town Hall Road
Belleville, IL
618-233-9463 |
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Ste.
Genevieve
Winery
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245
Merchant Street
Ste. Genevieve, MO
573-883-2800 |
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| Schorr Lake Vineyards |
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1032 S. Library Street
Waterloo, IL
618-939-3174 |
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| Tower Rock
Winery |
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10769 Hwy A
Altenburg, MO
573-824-5479 |
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| Waterloo Winery |
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725 N. Market Street
Waterloo, IL
573-939-5743 |
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Route du Vin
Ste. Genevieve County, MO |
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The Route du Vin is
an easy hour long loop through the forested hills and farmland of Ste.
Genevieve County that features 5 wineries. |
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| Wineries
in the St. Charles County area of Missouri |
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| Augusta Winery |
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PO Box 8, High & Jackson Street
Augusta, MO
636-228-4301 |
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Blumenhof Vineyards
& Winery |
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PO Box 30, Highway 94
Dutzow, MO
636-433-2245 |
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Louis P. Balducci
Vineyards |
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6601 Highway 94 South
Augusta, MO
636-482-8466 |
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| Little Hills Winery |
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501 S. Main Street
St. Charles, MO
636-946-9339 |
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| Montelle Winery |
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PO Box 147, Highway 94
Augusta, MO
636-228-4464 |
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| Mount Pleasant Winery |
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5634 High Street
Augusta, MO
636-482-9463 |
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Sugar Creek Winery
& Vineyards |
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125 Boone Country Lane
Defiance, MO
636-987-2400 |
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| Wineries
in the Little Dixie Scenic Byway region of Missouri |
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Crown Valley
Port House |
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25795 Highway N
Clarksville, MO
573-242-3695 |
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The Eagle’s Nest
Winery |
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221 Georgia Street
Louisiana, MO
573-754-9888 |
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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
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