Why you should visit Hermann wineries in Missouri
This blog post covers the best wineries in Hermann, Missouri.
Hermann is a tiny town with a rich history nestled in the heart of Missouri wine country.
In Hermann, history is evident everywhere you turn. As you stroll past buildings built in the 1800s or sip wine in an old stone cellar you’ll feel the stories that anchor this small town.
Hermann’s wineries are among the oldest in Missouri. In fact, this small Midwestern town played a big role during the early days of the Missouri wine industry. Maybe you’ve heard the name George Husmann? He’s known as the father of the Missouri wine industry.
If you visit Hermann you’ll definitely hear his name. One of the wineries on this list is even named after him!
Hermann is also known for its German settlers, who thought the local Missouri River Valley resembled their homeland’s Rhine Valley. You’ll find lots of German food in town at places like Hermann Wurst Haus and Tin Mill Restaurant. Be sure to enjoy a sausage (or three).
If you’re a wine lover and a history buff I bet you’ll love Hermann wineries. And if you’re not into history, well, there are still award-winning wines to drink so you’ll be fine.
How to access Hermann wineries in Missouri
How to reach Herman by car, plane, or train
Hermann, Missouri is easily accessible by car, plane, or train.
If you plan on driving, you’re in luck. The distance from St. Louis to downtown Hermann is 81 miles. This should be a roughly 1 hour and 21 minute drive depending on traffic. Kansas City, Missouri is slightly further. It’s 188 miles from Kansas City to Hermann, which should be just under three hours by car (2 hours 45 minutes).
If you live outside the Midwest then you will need to fly into one of those cities, rent a car, and drive from the airport to the Hermann area. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) serves their respective cities.
You could also reach Hermann by train. How fun! Amtrak has a line called the Missouri River Runner, which runs from Kansas City in the west to St. Louis in the east. The train stops in eight small towns along the way including Hermann.
How to access Herman without a car
Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner is a great choice if you’d prefer not to drive. It’s also a nice way to treat yourself to some beautiful Missouri scenery. Plus it’s convenient, since Hermann’s Amtrak station is a short ten minute walk from the center of town.
In general, the Amtrak train would give you easy access to Hermann. You wouldn’t need a car to get around downtown Hermann or to access many of the Hermann Wine Trail wineries. That’s not the case for most American wine destinations, where a car is a necessity.
If you’re not keen on driving to the Hermann wineries on this list, you’ve got other options. OakGlenn Winery made this helpful list of transportation options. They suggest the Hermann Trolly, which can pick you up and drop you off at your accommodations. The Hermann Trolly offers an all day pass for $25-30 or a two day pass for $40. This fee is very reasonable especially when you consider the cost of individual Ubers and taxis these days.
Guess what else is a short walk from the Amtrak station… lots of cute bed and breakfasts! Our list of the best Hermann bed and breakfasts covers everything from quaint B&Bs that feel like staying in a friend’s guest room to luxury suites that rival the region’s nicest hotels.
The best Hermann wineries for a wine tasting
Hermannhof Winery
Hermannhof Winery is one of the most recognizable names in the town of Hermann. First of all, their historic buildings are beautiful. Second, their wine is delicious. And third, they belong to a group of upscale businesses in town.
Hermannhof Winery has a long and vibrant history. Long story short, in 1852 the Hermannhof buildings were constructed in the French section of Hermann. This hybrid brewery and winery was immensely popular up until Prohibition.
Thankfully Prohibition didn’t spell the end of Hermannhof Winery. Over the course of the last century they blossomed into an award-winning winery.
Today Hermannhof Winery produces a variety of wines from Missouri grown grapes such as Vidal Blanc, Chambourcin, Norton, and Riesling.
A few of their wines utilize California grown grapes. The Founders Reserve White, for example, is half Missouri grown Cayuga grapes and half California grown Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris grapes.
Hermannhof Winery also produces sparkling wine from their estate-grown Vidal grapes and Port-style wine from Norton grapes.
Hermannhof Winery tasting room hours are 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday. They’re open 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
History buffs will appreciate the winery’s magnificent stone cellars and stately brick superstructure. The Hermannhof cellars are among the 100 early Hermann buildings placed on the National Register of Historic places.
P.S. Hermannhof Winery is connected to the Inn at Hermannhof. The inn’s luxury suites are easily the nicest place to stay in town. We talk about the Inn at Hermannhof (and many other places!) on our list of the best bed and breakfasts in Hermann, Missouri.
G. Husmann Wine Company
G Hussman Winery makes a small number of different wines from grapes grown in Missouri and California.
The winery is named after George Husmann, who is widely considered to be the father of the Missouri grape industry. Husmann also spent time in Napa, California where he helped to establish the California wine industry.
Today the G. Husmann Wine Company blends wine from their Missouri vineyards and sister vineyards in California.
The company sources Vidal Blanc, Cayuga White, Vignoles, Norton, and Chambourcin grapes from Missouri. They look to California for Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Nebbiolo grapes.
During the spring the G Hussman Winery tasting room is open from Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM. On Friday and Saturday they’re open until 6 PM.
Local cheese and sausage is available to purchase alongside wines by the glass or bottle. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the patio overlooking Frene Creek.
G Hussman Winery is associated with Hermannhof Winery and Reserve Cellars of Hermann. However the wines are only available at their Hermann tasting room.
Reserve Cellars of Hermann
Reserve Cellars is steeped in history. Specifically Missouri wine industry history.
Reserve Cellars is located on the idyllic (and historic!) Hermann Farm.
The farm’s former cellars and press house were built around 1847. George Husmann, who is known as the “Father of the Missouri Grape Industry,” used both of these structures.
Today guests can enjoy a glass of wine on the beautiful outdoor patio beside these historic wine cellars. Tastings are available during winery hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Wine cocktails are available seasonally. Bottled water, tea, soft drinks, and beer from Tin Mill Brewery are available all the time.
If you can’t make it out to the farm you can find their wines for sale and sampling at Hermannhof Winery, which is open seven days a week. Reserve Cellars of Hermann is associated with two other Hermann wineries: Hermannhof Winery and G Hussman Winery.
P.S. If you’re a history buff then you should definitely visit their small museum onsite.
Stone Hill Winery
In 1847 German immigrants founded Stone Hill Winery.
Today, Stone Hill Winery offers an array of red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines. They’re most famous for their wines made with Norton grapes.
Stone Hill Winery offers guests three things: wine tastings, wine experiences, and winery tours.
A wine tasting will cost $15 and include six wine samples and a souvenir wine glass. The tasting room doesn’t take reservations, which means tastings are first come, first served.
A wine experience will cost $30 and include five sample wines, a plate of “wine friendly nibbles,” and a souvenir wine glass. It’s a sit-down tasting in a private room and should take about 45 minutes. This “wine experience” is available from Sunday through Friday; it’s unavailable Saturdays. You can inquire at the winery if you’d like to know more.
The winery tour is free and includes a 30 minute guided tour of their underground cellars. Tours are available on a first come, first served basis. Tours happen multiple times a day, seven days a week. Be sure to double check their winery tour schedule so you can plan accordingly.
Adam Puchta Winery
Adam Puchta Winery was founded in 1855. According to their website, they are the “oldest, continuously owned family farm winery” in the United States. That’s impressive!
It all began when Adam Puchta (for whom the winery is named) immigrated to the United States in 1839. His father John Henry Puchta was a Bavarian winemaker and butcher who purchased land in the Frene Creek Valley to grow grapes.
Today, the winery continues to thrive in the hands of the Puchta family. Tim Puchta (the sixth generation) and his son Parker Puchta (the seventh generation) strive to make high quality wines from Missouri-grown grapes.
They work with Vignoles, Vidal Blanc, Chardonel, Chambourcin, and the Norton grape. They also make a sherry and two Port style wine wines.
The winery’s bistro serves sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers Wednesday through Saturday. Live music happens every Saturday and Sunday. If you’re looking for the full experience, then you should visit Adam Puchta Winery on a Saturday.
Reservations are not required for regular tastings. “Elevated Tastings” must be booked in advance. Their tasting room hours vary by season so be sure to double check the website before you head over.
OakGlenn Vineyards & Winery
OakGlenn Vineyards & Winery is situated on the Missouri River bluffs overlooking the gorgeous countryside.
Like many of the historic wineries in town, OakGlenn was founded by George Husmann in the mid 1800’s.
Today OakGlenn Winery crafts a range of dry and sweet wines including four sparkling wines.
The George Husmann Wine Pavilion is open Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Sundays they’re open from noon until 5 PM. They’re closed Monday through Thursday.
During the summer OakGlenn Vineyards offers live music most Saturdays.
OakGlenn Winery is located outside the town center, which means you will need to figure out transportation. Luckily the winery lists a bunch of great transportation options on their website.
Endless Summer Winery
This addition to our list is a little unconventional. Why? Because this winery produces fruit wines. That’s right – they turn fresh whole fruits into wine.
Endless Summer Winery works with flavors such as blueberry, blackberry, elderberry, pineapple, and pear.
A few fun flavors such as raspberry chipotle, cranberry tangerine, and lemon lime join the mix.
Endless Summer Winery is not the place to visit if you’re a wine traditionalist. But if you like fruit wines or sweet wines then this is a good place to stop.
The Endless Summer Winery tasting room is located halfway between Hermann town and Highway 70.
They’re open Thursday through Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM during the winter. During the summer they’re open until 6 PM. The tasting room is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Similar wine regions to explore
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best Hermann wineries! If Missouri wineries interest you then you’re in luck. We’ve covered four Missouri towns that are well worth a visit if you love wine.
Sainte Genevieve is the oldest French settlement in Missouri. This small town on the Mississippi River boasts some of the best eighteenth-century architecture in the United States. Think lovely fenced gardens, cute narrow streets, and historic homes. And they’ve got wine. Perfect! These four wineries in Ste. Genevieve MO (and just outside the town’s limits) should absolutely be on your travel list if you love cute historic towns.
Speaking of cute historic towns, have you ever been to Weston? Weston is a popular day trip destination from Kansas City. It’s full of original buildings from the 1800’s, which gives it an old fashioned atmosphere. Weston has cute shops, restaurants, museums, and wineries. These four adorable Weston wineries are just waiting for you to explore them.
Defiance is nestled in the Missouri River Valley just 40 minutes west of St. Louis, Missouri. Rolling hills and breathtaking views characterize the area. And they have good wine, of course. These three wineries in Defiance, Missouri are a great first stop as you explore the Missouri Wine Country Corridor.
Springfield, Missouri is a medium-sized city with wine bars and wine stores galore. But step outside the city limits and you’ll find half a dozen wineries near Springfield that are perfect for a fun day trip.
