Hermann, Missouri’s Wine Country
Story by Tara Clarkson and Kristina Light
Missouri’s most memorable destinations are not always the ones printed in bold on a map. There must be something in the water, as rivers run through most of these small towns. This guide can help you explore the small towns our readers chose for their rich history, scenic spots, award-winning wineries, enchanting mainstreets, and inviting communities.
Top Small Town in the State
Hermann’s 33.7 percent indicates how strongly respondents preferred Hermann overall, ahead of every other town.
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Hermann was by far the favored small town among respondents, with a score of 33.7 percent. Respondents showed great enthusiasm for this town’s historic character, dining and local food scene, and hospitality and visitor experience.
Founded in 1837 by German immigrants who felt at home in the Missouri River Valley, Hermann has a landscape reminiscent of the Rhineland region in Europe, with its rolling hills and river views. Today, the town of 2,185 is still producing some of the best wine in the Midwest.
• Hermann Oktoberfest, Hermann
• Photo by Visit Hermann
Attractions
Stone Hill Winery, the oldest winery in the state, founded in 1847, has free tours through the largest series of historic underground vaulted limestone cellars in the United States, which are naturally maintained at 45- to 55-degrees year-round. The tour ends at the tasting room, where there is a paid tasting of Stone Hill’s award-
winning wines.
Adam Puchta Winery, established in 1855 and America’s oldest family-owned winery, draws a devoted crowd to the Frene Creek Valley. Here visitors can enjoy live music along with a meal of brats, pork schnitzel, and potato pancakes. Paid wine tastings come with a souvenir wine glass.
Hermannhof Winery has 10 stone cellars and a brick super-structure that was completed in 1852. It is one of 100 buildings in Hermann on the National Register of Historic Places. The winery has an outdoor patio, an indoor fireplace, a free self-guided cellar tour, and paid wine tastings.
Food and Drink
The award-winning Hermann Wurst Haus is a popular restaurant, offering traditional German fare, such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, and German potato salad. In the original carriage house and barn at Stone Hill Winery is the Vintage 1847 Restaurant, which serves German and American favorites. The Tin Mill Restaurant, located in a historic mill, serves steaks, seafood, and German comfort food.
Lodging
The Inn at Hermannhof has a reputation for being one of the most romantic stays in town, with vineyard views, fireplaces, and a tasting room steps from the door. Hermann Crown Suites, a Victorian-era hotel built in 1899, blends historic elegance with modern comforts.
Outdoor Activities
No visit to Hermann is complete without a walk or bike ride on the Katy Trail. Running 240 miles across the state and winding along the Missouri River, Katy Trail State Park is the longest
recreational rail trail in the United States. Hermann is one of the most popular stops along the trail.
READER’S COMMENT
“The wineries are worth the trip. From family-owned to world-renowned. Firstclass wines that rival the best in California and have more of a European style, from the driest of dry to sweet. There’s nothing like sitting in the Hermann countryside, sipping on a glass of wine made from Missouri-grown grapes that speak of the region’s terroir!”
About the Survey
As with all surveys, it is important to review who is beingsurveyed, how, and what the results mean. Missouri Life uses TrueRank, an independent research firm, to distribute our surveys and gather responses. The survey on small towns was sent to more than 22,575 unique Missouri Life subscribers. The survey parameters reduced common voting biases, such as receiving multiple votes from a single subscriber. Rather than casting a single vote for their top choice, respondents chose the towns they most and least preferred, producing a weighted overall preference.
This article was originally printed in the September 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
Purchase the September 2026 issue today to read about the other four small town.
