Key Points
Just an hour west of St. Louis, the small town of Augusta, Missouri, holds the title of America’s first official wine region—predating Napa Valley.
With historic vineyards, award-winning wineries, charming inns, and farm-fresh dining, it’s a perfect escape for wine lovers and small-town explorers alike.
While here, visitors can sip local vintages, bike the Katy Trail, shop for antiques, and attend fun annual events.
When most people think of famed wine-growing regions in the U.S, places such as California’s Napa Valley, the Willamette Valley in Oregon, or even the Texas Hill Country are usually top of mind. However, the oldest official wine-growing region in the nation is actually located in an oft-overlooked corner of the Midwest.
Just an hour west of St. Louis, set along some of Missouri’s most gorgeous scenery, is the tiny town of Augusta. The population hovers around 300 people, and it’s still a hidden gem for most people not from the Show-Me State. However, this slow-paced small town is also home to one of the richest wine-making traditions in the U.S.—so much so that it actually earned the title of the first American Viticulture Area (an official wine-growing region) back in 1980. Napa had to wait until the following year for the distinction.
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“We’re very proud to have beat them out on that one,” says JoAnn Milster, head of the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce.
Founded in 1836 by Harold Leonard, a follower of pioneer Daniel Boone, the town was originally known as Mount Pleasant. Some 20 years later, it was incorporated as “Augusta,” and its rolling hills were fast-becoming a thriving grape-growing hub. Many of the wineries in the area were founded by German immigrants, including Mount Pleasant Estates. Established in 1859, it’s the oldest winery in the AVA.
However, the era of Prohibition (which lasted from 1920 to 1933) took its toll on the area, and many vineyards were destroyed. A wine-making revival began in the 1960s, when Mount Pleasant reopened and resumed production. Accolades for its vintages eventually followed, including a gold award from the World Wine Championship for its Missouri Norton. Mount Pleasant Estates, along with three other wineries in town (Montelle Winery, Balducci Vineyards and Augusta Winery) are owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies.
A fifth, Noboleis Vineyards, is family-run and has a creative, independent streak. The winery is known for its bottles made with hybrid grapes such as norton (the official grape of Missouri), chambourcin, and vignoles. It also added sangria and spritzers to its lineup, approachable summer sippers designed to introduce new patrons to the world of wine.
“There is such a history of grape growing and wine making in this area,” says Angie Geis, CEO and co-owner of Noboleis. “We have to preserve that, and we have to stay rooted in that. But we also have an innovative side to our portfolio. We try different things.”
While enjoying a glass of red, white, or even rosé in Augusta’s gorgeous green vineyards is a must, much more awaits visitors. The town sits along Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park, a flat, 240-mile former railroad track turned hike-and-bike trail that attracts adventurers from all over the country. Augusta’s antique and specialty shops, including Stone Ledge Antiques and the Augusta Emporium are the perfect place to indulge in retail therapy and perhaps find a century-old country treasure. Centennial Farms, operating since 1821, allows visitors to pick their own in-season fruit and sells other farm goodies in its store. The arts scene also runs deep here, with galleries including the brilliant Augusta Glass Studio, where you can find gorgeous vases and other colorful vessels.
Augusta has several charming inns for overnight or weekend visitors. The H.S. Clay House Bed & Breakfast is comfortable and cozy for a historic stay, while the Enchanted Owl Inn has modern amenities in a wooded setting just out of town.
When guests are ready for elevated eats, Root Food + Wine is their top stop. Philip Day, who grew up not too far from Augusta, opened his restaurant there in 2021. When the opportunity came up to purchase the 1905 building, he took a chance on the little town he always thought was “beautiful.” Day, whose prix fixe menus earned him a James Beard Award semifinalist nod in 2024, says neighbors welcomed his fine—but not fussy—culinary vision with open arms.
“We’re in, we’re invested, and we’re staying in this town,” Day says. “We love it.”
While Augusta is lovely to visit any time of year, centering a visit around any of its many special events makes a trip here particularly worthwhile. In April, more than 100 artists participate annually in the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival, and the wineries hold “paint-ins” for amateurs or beginners. The Augusta Harvest Dinner celebrates the end of the grape-growing season, and Augusta Candlelight Christmas Walks have delighted locals and visitors for more than 40 years.
From its award-winning wineries and outdoor activities to shopping, special events, and simply soaking up the Midwest nice vibe, the nation’s first AVA and the town it surrounds truly have something to offer anyone seeking a slower-paced, peaceful break.
“It’s a beautiful place,” says Milster. “The people are wonderful, everyone supports everyone else, and all are welcome here.”
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