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I love Missouri’s wineries in spring. You avoid summer’s crowds and winter’s chill. Winemakers have much more time to chat than during the fall harvest. And the countryside explodes with blossoms and bright, fresh foliage. The four wineries in or just outside Hermann all offer daily tastings. Expect to pay $8–$20 for
most bottles—more for ports, sparkling wines, and aged Nortons.
Stone Hill Winery, 800/909-9463 or stonehillwinery.com. The grand brick main building presides like a queen atop one of the town’s tallest hills, as it has since 1869. Take the $1.50 tour; you’ll like the cavernous cellars. Besides, Stone Hill, the state’s oldest and second-largest winery, also has great prices. I like the Norton (dry red), Vidal Blanc (dry white), Steinberg White (semidry white), and Blanc de Blancs (sparkling). Hermannhof Winery, 800/393-0100 or www.hermannhof.com. This charming complex features tastings, local sausages and cheese, informal tours, and a relaxing patio. Coming soon: rental cottages. I like the Chambourcin (dry red), Seyval Blanc (dry white), and Vignoles (semisweet white). Oakglenn Vineyards and Winery, 877/486-5057 or oakglenn.com. OakGlenn has the highest prices but also live music May to October and, thanks to its blufftop location just east of town, river views. I like the Vidal Blanc and Norton.
Adam Puchta Winery, 573/486-5596 or www.adampuchtawine.com. The Puchta tasting room, in the family homestead just southwest of town, emphasizes food pairings. I especially like the reds—Norton Vintner’s Reserve (great with dark chocolate) and semidry Hunter’s Red (tomato sauces)—and the unusual dry Rosé (chicken, seafood, Mexican food). | 
