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The United States currently has more than 270 officially recognized AVAs, or American Viticultural Areas, says the federal Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. More than half, or about 150, are located in California.
Makes sense. California is America’s undisputed wine capital, thanks to a generally favorable climate for fan-favorite wine grapes and more than a century of steady investment in the state’s sprawling vineyards.
Lately, though, California’s wine dominance has wavered. Washington and Oregon, two other West Coast states with good grape-growing climates and long histories of local production, are gaining recognition as top-shelf viticultural regions in their own right. So are states like Michigan, New York, and Virginia, whose histories of local wine production don’t stretch back quite as long, but which have made up for lost time through a combination of ingenuity, technology, and old-fashioned consumer demand.
The latest non-California state to emerge as a respected center of wine production is Missouri, whose coming-out is actually sort of a return to form. As it turns out, the Augusta AVA was America’s first officially recognized wine region, before Napa, Sonoma or anywhere on California’s Central Coast. The area around Augusta, Missouri, is also home to the country’s oldest winery and one of its oldest continuously operating wine industries.
Now it’s back, thanks in large part to the vision of Missouri native David Hoffmann, whose family company has invested millions in Augusta wineries and related businesses. Here’s what Hoffmann and his associates see in Augusta and surrounding communities — and why they think this beautiful part of the country should top your vacation planning list.
1. Augusta Boasts One of America’s Oldest Wineries (And Several Others)
Want to experience a true slice of American winemaking history? Visit Mount Pleasant Estates, the oldest in the Augusta AVA and one of the oldest in the United States.
It’s not just a novelty. Mount Pleasant Estates produces complex, engaging wines that never fail to surprise and delight visitors, no matter how much they know (or care) about the craft. This sort of place would be a rare find anywhere, all the more so for its unassuming home in the steep hills outside St. Louis.
Mount Pleasant Estates belongs to a cluster of wineries near Augusta, joining places like Balducci Vineyards, Montelle Winery, Noboleis Vineyards, and Augusta Winery (rated number three winery in America by Men’s Journal, no less).
These fine establishments are all located within a few minutes’ drive of one another. And if you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving, they’re all on the Augusta wine trolley route, which also serves charming downtown Augusta.
2. The Missouri River Valley Is Absolutely Stunning in the Fall
Augusta is situated in the lower Missouri River Valley, where the river sweeps across a broad bottomland as it prepares to meet the mighty Mississippi. The flat-to-gently-rolling river bottom abruptly ends in a continuous wall of steep, wooded bluffs that frame the scene, offering stunning views from open areas (including some winery tasting rooms and patios).
These bluffs come alive with color during the fall foliage season: yellow, orange, red, and ochre. Missouri isn’t really known as a leaf-peeping destination, but it’s right up there with North American “color hotspots” like Vermont, northern Michigan, and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. And its season comes a bit later than those chillier destinations, so it’s possible to hit most, if not all, of them in the same year if that’s your thing.
3. Augusta and Nearby Towns Redefine “Charming”
It can’t be said enough: Augusta is absolutely charming. With quaint, historic buildings and pedestrian-friendly streets and trails, the town itself holds its own against the stunning river-and-bluff backdrop. There’s plenty of quiet, natural space here too, along with engaging art and sculpture installations rarely found in towns so small.
Augusta’s neighbors have their charms, too. This whole part of Missouri developed relatively early in the state’s history, what with the river being the primary mode of transportation in those days, and much of its old brick and stone building stock has survived the test of time.
4. Augusta Is Less Than an Hour From St. Louis
Augusta can feel remote if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of the big city, but it’s really not. In fact, the town is less than an hour from St. Louis, with a good part of the drive on scenic two-lane roads winding near the Missouri River.
Augusta’s proximity to St. Louis makes it a popular day-trip destination for people from the city and surrounding suburbs. Though there are plenty of places to stay in town — and more on the way, with David Hoffmann’s plans for a destination hotel taking shape now — it’s easy enough to set up your temporary home base in St. Louis and head out this way for a day or two.
5. The Famed Katy Trail Passes Near Town
Stretching 240 miles, nearly across the length of Missouri, the Katy Trail is the longest converted rail-trail in the United States.
If you’re a seasoned cyclist, you probably knew that already. If not, the Katy Trail is a fantastic route to get your “bike legs” — or simply take a leisurely spin on a beautiful spring day.
One of the Katy Trail’s 26 trailheads, or official access points, is located right near downtown Augusta. Some Augusta visitors even go all-in on two wheels, biking into town, using their bikes as the primary mode of transportation while in the area, and biking out on down the Katy Trail.
6. The Region Is the Gateway to the Ozarks
Augusta’s stunning bluffs mark the northern edge of the vast Ozark Highlands region that covers much of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Head south out of town and away from the Missouri River and you’ll soon find yourself in the thick of this steep, stunning environment, which boasts amazing hiking, birdwatching, antiquing and so much more.
7. The Hoffmanns Are Investing in Small-Scale Hospitality
Augusta is not the sort of place you’d expect to find sprawling resort properties walled off from the rest of the community. True to form, it doesn’t have any of those, and it’s hard to imagine one appearing any time soon.
What Augusta already does have, and what investors like David Hoffmann are hoping to create a whole lot more of in the near future, is a charming and eclectic mix of small-scale hospitality providers, including bed-and-breakfast inns and private short-term rentals. These smaller-format lodgings respect the historic fabric of communities like Augusta while providing unique, comfortable places for visitors to stay.
8. Memorable Experiences Abound Here
Offbeat bronze sculptures? Sunset dinner cruises on the Missouri River? More than a dozen wedding venues within easy driving or trolley distance?
Augusta has all that and more. This is a place to make memories big and small, however you choose and whatever the occasion.
Of course, you don’t need a proper “occasion” to visit Augusta. For all the reasons above and below, it’s a wonderful “just because” destination, either on its own or as one stop on a longer road trip through Missouri.
9. It’s a Stunning (And Still Largely Undiscovered) Wedding Destination
Speaking of those wedding venues. Most are located on or near the grounds of Augusta’s wineries, which makes them ideal for both big and more intimate gatherings showcasing the region’s best-known agricultural product.
Unlike some wedding hotspots, Augusta is truly a year-round destination. During the cooler months, ample indoor space awaits even the biggest family affairs, while summertime offers a can’t miss-opportunity to spread out and drink in amazing views in every direction. Beyond the winery gates, Augusta and surrounding communities have more than their fair share of independently owned eateries and craft establishments eager to host pre- and post-wedding events in any season.
10. It’s an Artists’ Haven, Too
Don’t let its small size fool you. Augusta punches well above its weight as an artists’ haven thanks to local institutions like Gallery Augusta. This beloved shop sells a variety of locally and nationally produced art pieces, including paintings, watercolors, sketches, and mixed media, along with handcrafted furniture made by Midwestern Amish artisans. It’s joined by other independent galleries and craft shops showcasing the region’s rich creative tapestry.
Plan Your Augusta Getaway
Augusta isn’t going anywhere. But it’s hard to read through a list like this and not come to the conclusion that it’s poised to become one of Missouri’s most popular tourist destinations.
What does that mean for you and your vacation plans? It means Augusta could be about to get very, very crowded. A great thing for local businesses, present and future, and for visitors eager to bask in the charm of a bustling yet historic river community.
On the other hand, if you’re the sort of traveler who prefers undiscovered, off-the-beaten-path destinations, the window could be closing for you to experience Augusta as it is today. Better to plan your first Augusta getaway now, before the secret really gets out.
