 Stone Hill Winery was established in 1847. The winery grew to be the second largest in the United States and featured world-renowned, award-winning wines. It won gold medals in eight World's Fairs, including Vienna in 1873 and Philadelphia in 1876. By the turn of the 20th century, Stone Hill was shipping 1,250,000 gallons of wine per year. Then Prohibition was enacted in 1920 and brought an end to the local wine industry. The huge underground cellars (the largest series of vaulted cellars in America) were used to grow mushrooms.
Jim and Betty Held purchased the winery in 1965 and were instrumental in the renaissance of wine making in Missouri. They moved into the main winery building with their four small children and began the long process of restoring the buildings and cellars. Today, Stone Hill is Missouri's oldest and most-awarded winery. In 2003, Stone Hill produced 200,000 gallons of wine using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology.
Three of the four Held children are involved with the winery operations, each holding degrees in enology and viticulture. Along with winemaker David Johnson, who has been with the winery for more than 25 years, they continue to produce award-winning wines. More than 2,450 medals have been awarded to Stone Hill since 1993, and the winery continuously ranks among the nation's top award winners.
 The winery produces 19 wines and juices. "My favorite wines are Norton, Vignoles, and Vidal," say Patty Held-Utlaut, who is the Director of Public Relations and Special Events at Stone Hill. "But, our customers prefer Steinberg White," a delicate, semi-dry German-style white wine vinted from European-hybrid grape varieties. It is comparable to Piesporter, Liebfraumilch, and Riesling. The brut-style Missouri Champagne is naturally fermented in this bottle and riddled by hand in the traditional French method, Methode Champenoise.
The winery is listed on the National Historic Register. Visitors at the Hermann location, 1100 Stone Hill Highway on the south side town, are offered guided tours through the arched cellars, modern production facility and one of several tasting rooms, ending at the spacious gift shop. There is a nominal charge to take the guided tour. The New Florence facility at the junction of I-70 and Hwy. 19 houses the bottle-fermented champagne operation, and the Branson facility produces the sparkling wines and cream sherry. Both locations offer tours, wine tastings, and large gift shops.
A large pavilion on the property is open during many community festivals, as well as for events sponsored by the winery. It may be rented for wedding receptions, meetings, and private parties. Reservations can be made by contacting the group sales coordinator. The former carriage house is home to the Vintage Restaurant, which is open daily at 11 a.m for lunch and dinner. A listing of restaurant hours, which changes by season, is available on the website. Reservations are accepted by calling 573-486-3479.
Stone Hill Winery is open at 8:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Closing times vary by time of year. Please check the website www.stonehillwinery.com for updated hours and a complete schedule of events. Or, call the winery toll free at 800-909-WINE. |
