[5] Stone Hill Winery in Hermann became the second largest in the nation (and the third-largest in the world), shipping a million barrels of wine by the turn of the 20th century.

Missouri's state entomologist, Charles Riley, found that American rootstocks were resistant to the pest.

[5] The new amendment forced the shutdown or abandonment of all wineries except that at St. Stanislaus Seminary, in Florissant, which was permitted to make sacramental wines.

The region received the first certification issued by the U.S. government as a distinct American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1972.

This certification recognizes their qualities of soil, climate and other unique characteristics that help create identifiable wines.

One distinct area was developed on the north side of the Missouri River in southwestern St. Charles County.

The Hermann AVA, on the south side of the river chiefly in Gasconade County, was designated by the federal government in 1983.

Missouri's climate, with its long, hot summers, good sun exposure, and thin rocky Ozarks soil, is excellent for growing grapes.

Other varieties grown include native American grapes, Concord and Catawba, as well as French-American hybrids such as Vignoles, Seyval, and Chambourcin.

[11] The state government hopes to encourage the local wine industry by promoting Missouri regionalism: integrating grape agriculture with winemaking, the restaurant business, and tourism.

Missouri State University's Mountain Grove Cellars, part of the Missouri State University - Mountain Grove Campus Fruit Experimentation Station - is a wholly university-owned and operated wine grape producing vineyard.