Summer is here in full force, with gorgeous sunsets, lush vineyards and welcoming restaurants.

Hermann Hill would like to treat you to dinner on the town. Make a last-minute reservation at the Vineyard Inn for Monday, July 13 , or Wednesday, July 29, and you'll receive a $40 gift certificate to enjoy at a local restaurant. In addition, any guest with a mid-week (Monday-Thursday) Inn reservation during the month of July will receive a special bonus voucher at check-in. Make your reservation soon, to learn about your special gift.

The best job in Hermann

"It's not really work," admits Lisa Handke, our summer intern. Lisa, who is pursuing a double-major in tourism and journalism at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, writes our new Hermann Hill blog.

"I eat and drink at restaurants, visit wineries and go to festivals," she says. "Then I go home and write about it. It's the best job ever."

Read Lisa's reviews and share your own thoughts at http://blog.hermannhill.com.

And the winning waterfall name is . . .

With more than 100 entries, naming the new waterfall at Hermann Hill Village was not an easy task. After much deliberation, our panel of experts selected four finalists:

• Destiny Falls
• Eternity Falls
• Genesis Falls
• Unity Falls

Judging by the number of entries received, Unity Falls was clearly the most popular name. So that's the one we chose.

To pick the winning entry, we placed the names of everyone who submitted the name Unity Falls in a box and asked a guest to do the honors. Congratulations to Pat and Jane Selvaggio of Springfield, Illinois, winners of a $200 Hermann Hill gift certificate.

Local Hero Awards

As part of the Hermann Hill Cares program, we ask each guest to nominate the unsung heroes from their community. One or more of these special people are chosen each month, and a $100 Hermann Hill gift certificate is given to the nominating guest to deliver to that special person as a thank you from both Hermann Hill and the guest.

This month, Hermann Hill gift certificates go to:

• Harry and Peggy Ulferts, nominated by Bill and Karen Freres. Peggy works with the government to provide services for underprivileged children. Harry is a teacher who recently spent a year in Afghanistan training military police. Their son serves in the military in Afghanistan, as well.

• Kent and Annie Vice, nominated by Traci Addington. Annie is a social worker who provides mental health services to the homeless. Kent and Annie work for a nonprofit to raise awareness for AIDS, are active foster parents and have adopted one of their former foster children.

Sales Room Employee Award

You came, you tasted and you nominated special folks for their exceptional service.  

Ray Berlener of Stone Hill Winery must be doing something right. Hermann Hill guests have once again named him winery/brewery sales room employee of the month. Jason and Laura Taylor won the guest card drawing.

Come see us soon! Call 573-486-4455 or visit our secure website to plan your Wine Country getaway.

Your innkeepers,

PS/ Many guests tell us that now, more than ever, they need time to regroup as a couple. They say Hermann Hill gives them great value for their getaway dollars. From our entire staff, thank you for choosing Hermann Hill. We will never take your business for granted.