Ripe for the Picking

It's harvest time in Missouri  

Night harvest at Les Bourgeois Vineyard  

Harvest season is a great time to get out and visit Missouri wine country. Vineyards are alive with the hustle and bustle of grape picking, and the energy level is contagious. Sunny skies and a cool breeze accentuate this special time of year when new wines are born and fresh batches of old favorites begin. So celebrate the season. Grab your passport and get to your nearest local winery. You may even want to call ahead to see if you can get in on the harvest fun.

In Missouri, harvest typically falls during the months of August, September and October, though the dates do vary depending on the varietal and the intended use of the grape. For example, ice wine is usually produced from grapes that are picked in the colder, winter months.

According to a 2003 report by the State Fruit Experiment Station of Missouri State University-Mountain Grove, wineries and winemakers have specific requirements for fruit quality before harvesting, with the most crucial parameters being "sugar content, pH and titratable acidity." However, the report suggests that the most important parameter is the pH level because the other two (sugar content and acidity) are "easier to adjust." Testing the ripeness of the grapes can be done by taking a tasting sample of grapes from all over the vineyard, or by using a refractometer, which is a small instrument that measures sugar levels of the grapes.

There are two types of grape harvesting: manual and mechanical. The latter method can pick several more tons of grapes in a shorter period of time compared to hand-picking, but the decision is up to the winery. There is also the option of harvesting at night when the temperatures are often cooler.

During this time of year, many wineries host harvest events. Please check the Missouri Wine events page for information on a harvest festival near you!

You can also click here to view Missouri Wine's documentation of last year's harvest process.  

Wines That Fit to a Tee

For this and more wine and golf gift ideas visit this website.

Golf is a sport that prides itself on beautiful scenery and a relaxing atmosphere. Sounds a lot like Missouri wine country, doesn't it? In Missouri, golf-lovers have their pick of public golf courses or more private, resort courses, similar to the option of visiting larger wineries and more intimate wineries throughout the state. As the pairing is becoming more popular in wine regions across the U.S., why not create your own golf and wine trip right here in the Midwest? With so many options from which to choose in Missouri, a glass of local wine along the rolling green fairway just seems par for the course.

Click here to head to the back nine and learn more about wine and golf.  

Passport Update - Level 5

Check out these photos of passport participants who have recently redeemed their level 5 reward for visiting 40 wineries. For collecting 40 stamps, these folks were awarded with a private food and wine pairing for 10 at a winery of their choice. So remember, every stamp counts! Next time you head out to explore Missouri wine country, be sure to have your passport handy. Maybe you and your friends will be featured next!    

Victor Meek, back right, and friends enjoy a private tasting at Cooper's Oak Winery in Higbee on Aug. 18, 2011. Meek choose Cooper's Oak to host his tasting for 10 as his reward for visiting 40 Missouri wineries. Meek said the experience was great, and he has enjoyed visiting the wineries while working his way up the passport reward levels. "This was a small town winery and it's what I chose. Matt and Charlie along with the staff showed us a good time!"


Maryann Napier and friends enjoy their private tasting for 10 at Van Till Family Farm and Winery in Rayville, Mo.