Wine country day · Missouri

Hermann and Augusta Wine Country day trip

Hermann and Augusta Wine Country

A loop through Missouri's German wine country from St. Louis: a house tour at Deutschheim in Hermann, the stone cellars of Hermannhof and Stone Hill, lunch above town, then back east along the river on Highway 94 to Augusta's hilltop wineries and an evening walk on the Katy Trail near Defiance.

Time: 10–11 hour day
Driving: About 3½ hours of driving in total
Best time: All year; best April–June and September–October
Updated: October 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM Pacific

$4 USD

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Green vineyard rows and the rooftops of Hermann below wooded Missouri River hills, seen from above the town on a hazy summer morning — SkippyThePeanutButterMan · CC BY 2.0. July 2006 photograph; resized and displayed with crop.

Suggested times, not bookings

Your day at a glance

8:15 amLeave St. Louis for Hermann
10:00 amDeutschheim State Historic Site
11:15 amDowntown Hermann and Hermannhof
12:30 pmStone Hill Winery
3:15 pmAugusta's hilltop wineries
5:00 pmKaty Trail at Matson and Defiance
7:00 pmDrive back to St. Louis

Highlights

Worth the trip

Guided tours of two 1840s German homes in Hermann
Cool arched cellars at Stone Hill and Hermannhof
Augusta, home of the first American wine appellation, and the Katy Trail

What’s in the guide

Detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links and weather alternatives. Read it online any time, or keep it offline in the Greg’s Guides app for iPhone and iPad. See an example guide →

Plan for the conditions

Expected seasonal weather

In April to June, the Missouri River valley is green and mild to warm, but spring brings frequent thunderstorms, some severe, and heavy rain that can flood low ground. July and August are hot and humid, often in the 90s. September and October are usually the most settled months, with warm afternoons, cool mornings and fall color on the river bluffs peaking around mid to late October. Winters are cold, with occasional ice or snow that makes Highway 94's curves hazardous. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast.

Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.

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