The clink of wine glasses and happy chatter fill the main wine tasting room at Hermannhof Winery. Couples and friends sip the famous Vignole and Norton wines that are most popular from this area while others peruse the merchandise that promote the tagline, “peace, love, wine.”
Hermannhof is one of the many wineries in Hermann, Mo. located in the heart of the Missouri River Valley. This classically German-styled winery produces award-winning wines on a consistent basis, according to Paul LeRoy, the general manger at Hermannhof Winery.
“This is three times now that a Vignole from Hermann has kicked butt over the snooty California Wines,” LeRoy said proudly.
German settlers moved to the Missouri River Valley in the 1800s because the landscape was reminiscent of their homeland. This lush river terrain also happened to be perfect for growing grapes and sparked the booming wine industry in Hermann, Mo.
“We like to think that it all started here,” said Donna McEarchern, who works in the tourist department at the Hermann Chamber of Commerce. “Before prohibition, Missouri was the second most popular place to grow wine in the country.”
Missouri wines are unique because they are hybrids of French wine with American rootstocks and French grapes. A Missouri native came up with the combination when the French wine industry was suffering from droughts and damaged roots.
“In essence, Missouri saved the French wine industry,” LeRoy said. “Without the American/French hybrid, French wines would be quite scarce.”
Hermannhof Winery, however, takes no credit in being one of the first wineries to come up with the hybrid. In fact, Hermannhof began as a brewery in 1852 producing very little wine.
“The current owners, The Deerbergs, bought this place in the 70s,” said LeRoy. “They knew it had been a brewery so they were surprised when they kept finding old wine cellars underneath all of the buildings.”
Hermannhof has some of the oldest wine cellars in America. Made entirely from local resources, the infrastructures were built in the 1850s. These damp, cave-like structures provide a cool home for the famous wines produced at Hermannhof.
“We are very proud of our wines here at Hermannhof,” said LeRoy. “The Norton grape probably produces the best. It has been cultivated here for dry, robust, spicy, red wine.”
However, Hermannhof is known for more than just good wine. It is one of the largest wineries in Missouri and has the most modern equipment. The long narrow grounds of the winery are well kept and back up directly to the river, mirroring German landscaping.
“It follows German style precisely,” said McEarchern. “The Hoff Garten is beautiful and it has the best German music in Hermann.”
Hermannhof is open all year round for tours and wine tasting; however, the extensive events such as Oktoberfest in October and the Christmas events in December bring in the most visitors.
“Everything Hermannhof does is beyond classy,” said McEarchern. “Hermannhof should not be passed up on a trip to Hermann.”
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