History of Wine in Missouri

1837 - German settlers felt the area of Hermann had ideal conditions to grow grapes.

1848 - By 1848, Missouri was producing 10,000 gallons of wine per year.

1865 - By 1865, wine production had expanded to 100,000 gallons per year.

1880's - The state produced two million gallons per year becoming the largest wine-producing state in the country.

1890's - Phylloxera louse resistant Missouri rootstocks sent to France to combat the Phylloxera epidemic.

1919 - Prohibition decimates the Missouri wine industry. The only winery left was the sacramental wine maker, St. Stanislaus Seminary.

1965 - The Missouri wine industry began recovery with the reopening of Stone Hill Winery, followed by Mount Pleasant Winery.

1984 - Missouri Wine and Grape Program started to provide scientific and marketing support for Missouri wines.