Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery Honored for the Missouri Wine Competition Governor's Cup Award

Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon present Mark and Eric (far right) Blumenberg of Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery with the Governor's Cup.

The 2011 Missouri Governor's Cup, a prestigious award that recognizes the best wine in the state, went to Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery's 2010 Valvin Muscat. It was the first time Blumenhof has been awarded the coveted Cup. The award winning wine was selected at the 2011 Missouri Wine Competition by a panel of judges from across the U.S. The judges tasted 266 wines that were submitted from 35 wineries before handing the top spot to Blumenhof.

 

The Governor's Cup Awards Presentation and Proclamation was held May 10 at the Capitol building in Jefferson City. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon presented the proclamation and Governor's Cup trophy to Mark Blumenberg, owner of Blumenhof Winery, and his son Eric Blumenberg.

  

Blumenhof Vineyards is located in Dutzow, Mo., near Augusta, which was the first official American Viticulture Area in the U.S. Blumenhof, "court of flowers" in German, takes its name from the Blumenberg family's ancestral farm in Germany. Beginning with its first vintage in 1986, Blumenhof Winery has been dedicated to growing, producing and bottling Missouri-grown varietal wines from their vineyard, which was established in 1979.

  

Not only was the award the first for Blumenhof, but for the grape as well. Valvin Muscat is a hybrid grape that was released by Cornell University in 2006. Blumenhof is the only winery in the state making the semi-sweet to sweet white wine.

 

"I think the grape makes an awesome wine," said Mark Blumenberg, owner and winemaker of Blumenhof Vineyards, of the Valvin Muscat. "I honestly don't feel that anything I did made that wine better. It's all on the grapes. I'm just lucky enough to have guessed that it would be a good grape to plant a few years ago. The wine has lived up to my expectations every year."

 

Blumenhof is located on the Katy Trail on scenic Hwy 94, less than an hour from St. Louis and seven miles west of Augusta.

The vineyards at Ladoga Ridge in Smithville. Photo courtesy of ladogaridgewinery.com.

Our state is home to five great wine trails, but with more than 115 wineries in the state, there are other wine regions worth putting on your radar. With summer upon us, we're featuring a different winery itinerary every month. So grab your passport, grab some friends, and go! 

The Kansas City area is home to several new, great wineries. The wineries featured in this itinerary will soon make up the Great Northwest Missouri Wine Trail. Be among the first to travel the trail!

Start at the northern most point of the trail at the Windy Wine Company, just off Highway 36 in Osborn. Escape from the city, as the winery is located on the family Missouri Century Farm. Next, head to the town of Rushville and stop in Riverwood Winery for a great outdoor setting and patio to enjoy a wine tasting. For a unique farm experience, check out Jowler Creek Winery in Platte City. You may get to meet some of their "critters" including their baby doll sheep on the sustainable, family-run vineyard. We suggest ending the day at Pirtle Winery in the historic town of Weston. You'll taste a variety of wines, including mead, in an 1867 church building. Weston is home to unique shops, restaurants, a brewery and overnight accommodations.

Day two starts at Ladoga Ridge Winery in Smithville. Relax at the winery surrounded by a beautiful four-acre vineyard. Then head to Belvoir Winery located in the historic Odd Fellows Home in Liberty, where you can take a tour exploring the 110 year history of the property. The next winery stop is in the charming town of Excelsior Springs. Here you will find Fence Stile Winery where you can sample wines on the outdoor patio - and even bring your pup! Yes, dogs are welcome here. If all this running around has you hungry, head to Van Till Winery for a farm to table experience and some tasty wood fired oven pizza paired with Missouri wines. It's the perfect ending to a perfect day!

A special add on option to this winery itinerary is a journey through the Kansas City Metro Area. Amigoni Urban Winery is located in downtown Kansas City in the historic West Bottoms. Albonee Winery and Country Inn can be found in Independence and includes a B&B and winery overlooking the Little Blue Valley. Stonehaus Farms Winery is in Lee's Summit and offers a panoramic view of their vineyard, yet it just 20 minutes from the city.