We don’t typically need an “official” reason to celebrate over a bottle of wine but today we have one, it’s National Wine Day, celebrated annually on May 25. The growing number of wineries not just in Missouri, but across America has given us all good reason to celebrate!
Wine has been enjoyed by people for thousands of years and has had a significant impact on the changing economies and shaping societies. It is even touted for its nutritional value (in the form of antioxidants)! Above all other alcohols, the trade of wine has allowed exploration of different cultures and paved the way for philosophical and religious ideas to spread the world over. According to National Geographic, the oldest evidence of winemaking dates back 8000 years!
The exact origin of National Wine Day is unknown, but the earliest references date back to 2009. It is a day for wine enthusiasts to unite and celebrate our favorite fermented fruit.
While California still leads U.S. wine production, wineries exist across the U.S. with at least three in every state. Today, Missouri has more than 130 wineries, attracts some 875,000 wine-related tourists annually, and offers 11 wine trails. The Hermann Wine Trail is the oldest and most famous, according to Missouri Wine. Missouri has a long and storied history with wine, full of surprising tales and colorful characters. Did you know that 160 years ago Missouri winemakers helped save the French wine industry from collapse? Or that 100 years ago Missouri produced the most wine of any state, second only to New York? German immigrants in the early-to-mid-19th century founded the wine industry in Missouri, resulting in its wine corridor being called the Missouri “Rhineland” which includes Hermann. Later, Italian immigrants also entered wine production. In the mid-1880s, more wine was produced by volume in Missouri than in any other state. Today, Missouri wineries produce almost a million gallons of wine annually.
In 1920, 48 of Missouri’s 114 counties were home to wineries and the industry was flourishing. That all came to a screeching halt when Prohibition, a constitutional amendment that banned the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, began. By 1933, when Prohibition was repealed, the wine industry had virtually evaporated in Missouri. Since then, many winery owners have been reclaiming their heritage and giving us even more reason to celebrate National Wine Day.
The Puchta’s are just one of many families who have dedicated themselves to growing and cultivating the wine industry in Missouri. We initially began selling wine in 1855 but were forced to abandon that tradition because of Prohibition. In 2022, the Puchta family and many others are once again sharing the tradition of Missouri winemaking with others and have been for many years. Now we will drink to that! Cheers to National Wine Day.
Click here to shop our National Wine Day Sale! Use code WINEDAY22 at checkout for 20% off of your order of six or more bottles and an additional 20% off of your ground shipping costs.
