In 1837, Hermann, Missouri was established by German Immigrants. After 10 years, in 1947, Stone Hill Winery opened along the hillsides of the Missouri River. This started the revolution of the production of the best wines in Missouri.
Because of the finest wines Stone Hill Winery produces, it grew to be the second largest winery in the United States. Their world class wine products gained them their fame that lead to the gold medals that they won in 8 world’s fairs, including Vienna in the year 1873 and Philadelphia in the ear 1876. This period was when the winery flourished and produced huge volumes of wines for import. It was already shipping 1,250,000 gallons of wine per year at the end of the great century it had.
Unfortunately, in 1919, the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution ratifying Prohibition occurred and destroyed the wine industry in Missouri, including Stone Hill Winery in 1920. Thus, it has to close and the once beautiful arched, underground cellars (which were the largest series of vaulted cellars in America during their time) were used for growing mushrooms instead. The beautiful winery became a mushroom farm. But after 40 years, in 1965, the children of the couple who started the industry brought back the winery and began the long process of restoring order and beauty of its picturesque and vaulted underground cellars. And today, Stone Hill Winery is Missouri’s oldest and most awarded winery.
Stone Hill Winery uses French-American hybrid grapes, such as Vidal, Chardonel, and Vignoles. The sophisticated wines they make compare favourably to popular varietals such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery takes pride on Norton, which has been dominating national and international wine competitions. This has proven Missouri capable of producing a big, full-bodied red of world-class stature and has helped bring back the city into one of America’s leading wine producers.
Since 1993 up to now, Stone Hill Winery has been gathering and achieving more than 3,700 awards for the wines it produces. In addition, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and opens its gates for visitors and has established a facility in Branson, Missouri, making Stone Hill Winery one of the Branson attractions that you should see during your trip.
Enjoy the guided tours Stone Hill Winery offers. See the modern and state-of-the-art sparkling wine and sherry production facility. You can check out the viewing room after. And enjoy some wine and sherry in the 6 beautiful wine-tasting rooms. Don’t forget to end your visit at the large gift shop for some bottles of wines and other souvenirs!
For more information on Stone Hill Winery, please visit http://www.stonehillwinery.com/.
