Just outside of Hermann’s city limits, and only a few miles from Hermann Hill Vineyard Inn, lies Martin Brothers Winery, one of the newest and most unconventional wineries in the area. Not to be confused with Martin Brothers Wine and Spirits in New York, Martin Brothers Winery is a family owned and operated farm in the heart of Missouri wine country. Here, visitors learn more about mead, a specific type of wine that isn’t made from grapes, but honey! A visit to Martin Brothers to sample mead is an exceptional, and easy, addition to any Missouri wine tour. Here’s how to plan it:
Do Your Research
Before planning a visit to this Missouri meadery, a little bit of background research can go a long way. If you don’t know anything about mead, take the time to learn the basics. Mead, the result of fermented honey, doesn’t have to be an overly sweet dessert wine. Sometimes served hot, other times served cold; mead comes in a variety of forms. While, yes, some of it is sweet, mead can also be dry. Some are spiced, while others are made with fruit. Some are carbonated, while others are still.
Learn More About the Martin Brothers
In addition to learning more about mead, reading about the Martin brothers’ background story will make a visit that much sweeter. In 2005, the two oldest Martin brothers started making mead as a hobby. With one brother in culinary school and another with degrees in chemistry and biology, it wasn’t long before the pair were gaining recognition. In 2010, the pair entered an amateur wine competition and came home with a gold medal in the Traditional Mead category. By 2014, the youngest Martin brother brought his background in business and engineering to the project, and the Martin Brothers Winery officially opened its doors to the public.
Plan Your Visit to Martin Brothers Winery
Currently, the winery produces six varieties of award-winning mead: Wildflower Sweet Mead, Wildflower Dry Mead, Orange Blossom Mead, Lucerne Blossom Mead, Strawberry-Banana Mead (Melomel Mead) and a Vintage Vine Grape Mead (Pyment Mead). Learn about their differences and try them all at a tasting! The winery is a short 2.5-mile drive from the center of town. It is open for tastings every Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Book Your Stay at Hermann Hill
Complete your wine-tasting getaway with a stay at the Hermann Hill Vineyard Inn, a bed and breakfast in Hermann, MO, that offers guests an upscale and award-winning bed and breakfast and River Bluff Cottages. Between winery tours, enjoy our stately cottage suites, premier restaurants, and luxurious spa. Let us help you plan your next getaway to Missouri wine country!
Photo credit: Thinkstock/Aleksandr Kalugin
