Gascony Vineyards in Gasconade County, Missouri, has brought to life the vision of owners, Tim Ley and Trish Hohn. According to Gascony's Facebook page, Ley and Hohn are working to "bring organic wine grapes to the State of Missouri. Using various techniques including new cultivars, organic pest and weed control, and research into pre-industrial, historic methods of viticulture, they are bringing back a way of life - naturally."

In 2008, Wenwood Farm Winery partnered with Gascony Vineyards. Laura Neese, owner of Wenwood, recently updated her blog: "There was a small harvest of Chambourcin grapes in '08, and we made the first wine from the vineyard, Simply Chambourcin. The certification finally came through in 2011, and this past Saturday, history was made in Missouri - the first Certified Organic Grapes were harvested."

This is an exciting time for Missouri wines!

 
The Rosati Winery building is one of the older facilities in Missouri and prides itself on the rich history of the Italian community that originally settled in the St. James area.

Check out the winery museum that is dedicated to the Italian immigrants as well as the Missouri wine industry. After you get a dose of history, stop by the gift shop that features complimentary wine tastings of selected Missouri wines, as well as a banquet room that is available year-round for weddings, receptions and parties and can seat up to 100 guests. Rosati Winery Museum is located on historic Route 66 between St. James and Cuba, Missouri.

For more information check out Rosati's website or Facebook page.

Winetinerary

  

 

Winemaker Kraig Keesaman with his wife, Becky, and daughter, Kennady.

 

Welcome to the latest installment of the Winemaker Connection. Kraig Keesaman took a few moments to answer our questions. Windy Wine Company is located in Osborn, Mo.  

 

How long have you been making wine?
Nine years, three professionally.

 

How and where did you learn to make wine?
I read through lots of literature, websites and resources, including assisting at other wineries, trial and error and hands-on experience.

 

What did you do before becoming a winemaker?
 I was a farmer, professional wrestler and did construction work.

 

Describe yourself in three words.
Stubborn, zealous, servant.

 

What is your favorite wine to make?
Meads of all types.

 

What is the toughest challenge about winemaking in Missouri?
Trying to educate the customer that there are other grapes out there besides Cabernet and Chardonnay. 

 

Is winemaking an art or a science? Or both?
I believe winemaking will always be a combination of art and science, but should lean more to the art side of things. It does not always matter what a computer or lab machine tells you about your wine, sometimes you just have to go by taste and feel.

 

What is your favorite food and wine pairing?
I love a good semi-sweet white with a beef or lamb curry.

 

If you didn't make wine, what would you do?
I can't imagine not making wine.

At the end of this year, the Missouri Wines passport program will come to an end. We thank all of you for making it such a success!

The Santa Fe Trail Food and Wine Festival: Saturday, September 22, 2012, 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Celebrate local food and wine at this festival, held at Fahrmeier Family Farms, near Lexington, Mo. Click here for more info.