Augusta Winery

Augusta Winery, located in the scenic town of Augusta on the bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley, is surrounded by vineyards which, since the 1800s, have been recognized for superior wine grapes. The town was founded in 1836 by Leonard Harold, one of Daniel Boone's followers to St. Charles County, and became settled by predominantly German homesteaders.

The owners of Augusta Winery graciously invite guests to stop by the tasting room at the winery and sample the fine dry dinner wines or sweet dessert wines. They take great pride in their wines, which are vinted in small quantities so that special care may be given each lot.

August Winery's award-winning wines may be enjoyed with locally produced cheese and sausage on the beautiful, outdoor wine terrace. Located on the corner of High and Jackson Streets, the winery is open 7 days a week.

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The Missouri Wine Country

The glacier-dust soil following the Missouri River, together with a favorable climate, makes it possible to grow remarkable wine grapes. And from these grapes come remarkable wines. Indeed, the wines are so unique that, in 1979, this region was certified as America's very first Viticultural Area.

This area, about 60 minutes west of St. Louis has been known as "Duden Country." Many German settlers emigrated to this area where Gottfried Duden, the German researcher/explorer, lived from 1824 to 1827. The region was earlier referred to as the "Duden Settlement."

Not many of the German immigrants were vintners or had specialized experience with grape growing. Most of them turned to grape-growing as a sideline to farming. They had to experiment for many years to find domestic grape varieties that would grow well in Missouri's climate and make good wine. But they persvered and a Missouri Wine Industry was born.

Most of the grapes grown during the 1860 - 1900 were Catawba, Concord, Virginia Seedling, Elvira, Nortons' Virginia, and Herbemont.

In the 1920's the long-feared prohibition of production and sale of alcoholic beverages became fact, and the 19th Amendment ended wine-making in Duden Country for half a century.

Then in the 1960's the wine industry was re-established, and they got Augusta, Missouri recognised as the nation's first wine district. There are now more than 40 wineries in the Area.