Let’s face it, sometimes it takes too much time, money, and planning to go to Napa Valley, California or Willamette Valley, Oregon. And if you’ve previously been to California or Oregon on a wine trip, maybe your urge to revisit those areas has run its course. For wine lovers who like to travel, there are two great Midwestern wine regions worth visiting, specifically Missouri and Michigan. In recent years, my wife and I have traveled to each of these wine regions, so here is a thumbnail guide to what you’ll find: Missouri It is not misery to taste the wines of Missouri! The wineries are located about an hour west of St. Louis, in and around the towns of Hermann and Augusta. This region is steeped in wine history. It can appeal as much to the weekend warrior as it can the savvy wine consumer. Wine pioneer George Husmann began planting grapes here in 1858. The little town of Augusta and its few surrounding wineries represent the very first AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation given in the United States. Missouri wines are mainly from hybrid grapes such as Traminette, Chardonel, and Chambourcin, but there is also the historic Norton grape, with a mystique all its own. Be sure to visit wineries like Oak Glenn and Adam Puchta, where some of the Norton/ Cynthiana vines are more than 100 years old. Midwest Wine Trips: Worth Your Time & Travel By Kurt Wieneke Indiana Golf Journal
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