Wine country–flyover style

by chuckofish

Last weekend I ventured forth with my best Grace girlfriends to celebrate one of their birthdays. We went to Gasconade County, which is located on the south side of the Missouri River, in the area called the “Missouri Rhineland.” The county seat is Hermann, a lovely river town settled by Germans in the mid-19th century. It is full of nice old brick buildings, quaint shops and wineries.

We went to the Stone Hill Winery which at the turn of the 20th century was the second-largest winery in the United States and the third-largest in the world; it produced 1,250,000 gallons in 1900. Its wine had won numerous awards in international fairs, including Vienna in 1873, Philadelphia in 1876, and St. Louis in 1904. Due to Prohibition, the winery was closed in 1920, along with virtually all others in the nation. In 1965 Stone Hill Winery was the first in Missouri to be re-established. Its main building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

While we were there they were hosting a Kristkindl Markt–lots of craft and local vendors in a big barn. I purchased some handmade ornaments and stocking stuffers.

Also in Hermann is the Lewis and Clark Encampment. (Germans love their gilded stags, don’t they? I mean what do they have to do with Lewis and Clark?)

On this particular Saturday, there were lots of friendly re-enactors hanging out.

When the skies began to threaten and we were beginning to tire out, we headed to our Bed and Breakfast in Marthasville, Monette’s Cabin. To our delight we found a two-story log cabin, fully modernized with all the requisite luxuries, including a hot tub. The view of the rolling Missouri hills was lovely. And we had the place all to ourselves.

It was even decorated for Christmas!

There were cows mooing in the distance, goats in the backyard, keeping the grass under control, and coyotes howling in the evening. In the morning our hosts returned and cooked us a traditional breakfast of “Dutch Babies”–a baked pancake with fresh strawberries and yogurt.

All in all, a flyover getaway of the best kind. We’ve reserved a return visit for next year!