Missouri Grape Growers Association News

MGGA housekeeping

James Fashing — Tue, 05 May 2026 21:03:24 GMT

ADMIN note - The website may have sent out some alerts when I was zero-ing out old unpaid memberships from prior years. Sorry for the extra emails. This year, we'll start fresh with the new event and membership for 2026.

You should be able to register for the 2026 Field Day without paying prior year memberships.

If you need any invoices dealt with, please contact James at missourigrapegrowers@gmail.com.

Hope to see you at EdgClif on June 2nd for our Field Day.

-JF

SAVE THE DATE - MGGA Field DAY on June 2, 2026

James Fashing — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:10:55 GMT

The Missouri Grape Growers Association will hold its Field Day & Annual Meeting on Tuesday - June 2, 2026 at the Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery near Potosi, MO.

We'll post more details here and on our Facebook page as soon as plans are finalized.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VENDOR, CONTACT MGGA AT missourigrapegrowers@gmail.com.

Online payment & popups

James Fashing — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:34:05 GMT

If you have attempted to pay online with no avail, it is probably because, once you click on the pay button, a popup screen opens up for the affinity payment portal.

These days, you have to allow the popup, because security on web browsers is top notch. If you don't quickly click to allow, it can be difficult to complete depending on the browser.

If you'd rather just send a membership dues check, then mail the $50, 2026 membership dues to me at:
MGGA
C/O James Fashing
206 E. Sims St.
Centralia, MO 65240

I will email a receipt and mark the membership paid.
jmsfashing@yahoo.com

-Treasurer James

Want to learn about grape growing? Begin HERE

James Fashing — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:02:51 GMT

Put the 2026 Beginner Grape School on your Calendars!

Friday, March 13, 2026 — MU Beginner Grape School from 9 am to 5pm at the Eckles Hall Event Center on the MU campus.

More details and a sign up link will be posted on the MU Grape and Wine Institute soon.

CLICK HERE-> https://gwi.missouri.edu/events/

Dean Volenberg, Viticulture Extension Leader with the MU Grape and Wine Institute will be teaching the class.

Past topics have included:

Markets and Costs of Establishment
Winemaking for Grape Growers
Site Selection and Successful Vineyard Establishment
Grape Insect Pests and Management
Grape Diseases and Management
Managing non-bearing grapevines
Managing bearing grapevines

Midwest Wine and Grape Summit is back

James Fashing — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:22:58 GMT

Check it out!! The multi-state Midwest Wine and Grape Summit is back and in Missouri this year. Feb. 22-24th in Augusta.

Early Bird pricing until the Jan. 31st, 2026, but hotels will be scarce before that date.

https://midwestwineandgrapesummit.com/

2025 MGGA Field Day RECAP

James Fashing — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:42:32 GMT

If you didn't make the event, you should make next year's event(s). It is a great opportunity to learn about the Missouri wine and grape industry and meet other growers.

We had a great event this year in the St. James vineyard and wine area. Special thanks to St. James Winery, Spencer Manor Winery and Prairie Barn Winery for their support, great food and tours for our members.

Don't miss next year's MGGA mixer and MGGA Field Day/Annual meeting.

Here is a link to the gallery of photos & videos of the events including the MGGA mixer, field day meeting speakers, annual business meeting, tour of St. James winery & St. James vineyard tour: https://photos.app.goo.gl/C32RfPKpz64Dn3kU6

We will see you in 2026 !

2025 Field Day DATE ANNOUNCED

James Fashing — Thu, 29 May 2025 21:13:42 GMT

SAVE-THE-DATE - Tuesday, June 24th

Hey Grape growers, the Missouri Grape Grower Association Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th in the St James, Missouri Area. We also plan a member-mixer the night before, so nab a hotel if you want to chill with real grape growers.

We have speakers lined up and a venue & we'll share details plus a sign-up link here and online very soon.

PLEASE SHARE THIS SAVE-THE-DATE & STAY TUNED

MissouriGrapeGrowers.org, https://mgga.wildapricot.org/

Check out this album from last year's Field Day: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXMAuFKsmGz8QtNF8

NEW LINK - REGISTER FOR EVENTS BELOW

MGGA 2024 Annual Field Day recap

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 20:13:25 GMT

If you didn't make the event, you should make next year's event(s). It is a great opportunity to learn about the Missouri wine and grape industry and meet other growers.

Here is a link to the gallery of photos and videos of the event: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXMAuFKsmGz8QtNF8

MGGA field Day details announced

James Fashing — Tue, 21 May 2024 18:00:00 GMT

We are excited to offer this year's MGGA Field day and Mixer events details.

Our MGGA president Jed Mathany is hosting the field day at the pretty new and quite beautiful Mathany Family Winery in Lake Ozark. We’ll have a featured speaker, a couple speakers from MU and the MO State Grape and Wine program, have lunch, and have the annual MGGA business meeting.

Afterward, there is a quick tour of the winery. Jed Mathany has agreed to share a little about his sustainable vineyard practices.

The featured guest speaker this year is Kinsey Agriculture Services soil fertility specialist Kyle Long. Kyle is a vineyard consultant with clients ranging from Napa to the east coast. More on Kyle:

Kyle cut his teeth working and training directly under his grandfather, the well-know agronomist Neal Kinsey. Kyle helps teach and work alongside many clients and consultants with growing all types of food, feed, and fiber crops from all over the world.

He is an international speaker and teacher, speaking on various aspects soil science and nutrition. He has a passion for viticulture, with many of his personal clients involved in grape production for wine and juice, working with vineyards from all over the world.

He also owns and operates a small vineyard outside Chaffee, MO where he puts his knowledge to the test. He is currently working toward a winemaking certification through UC Davis. His passion for soil and wine has expanded into a desire to reach out to the local viticulture community and help Missouri wine progress forward and to help better understand what is happening beneath our feet.

*Vineyard and winery vendors will be welcome to set up tables free of charge this year at the event.

* * *

MGGA Field Day 2024

Date - June 11th, 2024. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m

Cost - $40 for members of MGGA.

Location - Mathany Family Vineyards "Maps" by Apple – “Google Maps”

Link to Register - Click HERE

Member Mixer the night before
Again this year we’re going to have a mixer the night before at the winery. Cost includes heavy appetizers and wine. Wineries and vineyard folks who make wine are encouraged to bring a few bottles to share.

This is the place to show off as well as ask for advice from seasoned winemakers and experts as well as relax.

Date - June 10th, 2024 - 4 to 8 p.m.
Cost - $25
Link to Register - Click HERE

Membership link - Click HERE

Join us for some fun.

Save the Date: June 11th for the MGGA Field Day and Annual meeting

James Fashing — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:53:44 GMT

We picked a date and location and are starting the planning process for the 2024 Missouri Grape Growers Association Field Day and Annual Meeting.

Date: June 11, 2024
Location: Mathany Family Vineyards winery in Lake Ozark.

Stay tuned for more info coming soon.

2024 Show Me Grape and Wine Conference & Symposium

James Fashing — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 21:19:27 GMT

March Event Alert - The 2024 Show Me Grape and Wine Conference at MU is scheduled for March 13 & 14, with a bonus Beginner Grape School on the 15th. MGGA is also a sponsor of this event. The event will have wine and vineyard vendors selling the latest products and services for the grape and wine industry.

The deadline for registration is March 5th at Midnight.

Download the PDF provided by MU HERE.

More info here: https://gwi.missouri.edu/events/2024conference.htm

Register here: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/show-me-grape-and-wine-conference-and-symposium-and-beginner-grape-school-0

Treasurer’s note

James Fashing — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 19:55:15 GMT

Just a head’s up…. Yes, that was MGGA’s emailing renewal reminders for MGGA membership - THE website automatically sent out 2024 membership notices two times so far. You may pay online if you wish, but if you are not comfortable using the online pay from the MGGA website, feel free to send me a check. I’ll happily deposit them - I have already received a couple.

Membership runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31st of each year. We're already planning a great annual meeting for June 2024.

On related note - We’re currently looking to fill one board seat. We filled the Secretary position in June, so we’ll be fully staffed once we get a new board member going. If you are interested, contact me or any officer/board member for more info. It is a great crew and organization to work with. Hope you can donate a little time to the cause.

MIssouri Grape Growers Association
c/o Treasurer, James Fashing
206 E. Sims St.
Centralia, MO 65240

2023 Annual Meeting notes

James Fashing — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:46:34 GMT

Click to check out the gallery from the June Annual Meeting. There are a few short video clips mixed in with the photos. Thanks to everyone who joined us for our annual event.

Special thanks to Blumenhoff Winery and Noboleis Vineyards for hosting the events. Also special thanks to our sponsors.

We'll be sharing more about this event, and the 2024 event as plans are finalized. We're discussing a central location, like the Lake of the Ozarks.

SAVE THE DATE(s) for MGGA Field Day

James Fashing — Mon, 08 May 2023 15:36:32 GMT

The 2023 MGGA officers are working on the details, but the days are scheduled and the location is Augusta, Missouri Wine country for the 2023 MGGA Field Day and Annual Meeting.

Be sure to save JUNE 12th evening and all day June 13th on your calendars and reserve your hotels ASAP for this fun and educational event.

Here is the schedule:

June 12th - 4 pm to 7 pm - Member Social @ Blumenhof Winery - (Click HERE to register)

June 13th - 8 am to 3 pm - MGGA Field Day & Annual Meeting @ Noboleis Vineyards. - (Click to register)

You may now register for each event.

In addition to saving the date on your calendar, don't Forget to RESERVE a hotel ASAP! There are only a few hotels in or near Augusta, Missouri.

More details & registration will be right here. (updated 3/17/23) -JF

New Missouri Wine Documentary Available online

James Fashing — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 21:49:51 GMT

Great work Catherine Neville and the Tastemaker crew on covering the past, present and future of Missouri wines. It is a hit!

Winemaking in Missouri: A well-cultivated history is Emmy-winning producer and host Catherine Neville’s new hour-long documentary on the history of Missouri wine.

Stream tasteMAKERS on PBS.org or follow this link to view https://youtu.be/jA2tj9SElzg

SAVE THE DATE - June 21st - Viticultural Field Day & MGGA Annual Meeting

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 18:26:02 GMT

Save-The-Date - June 21st - MGGA Annual Meeting & Field day @MU Bradford Farm, Columbia, MO.

Viticulture Field Day (VFD) is scheduled to take place Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 (9am-3pm) in Columbia MO. The fee is $30 per attendee and includes lunch.

The event will be held at the University of Missouri Bradford House. There will be speakers from the University of MO Grape and Wine Institute (GWI) who will tell us about the program and all the resources available to both growers and winemakers. Plan to meet and mingle with GWI faculty and staff and visit the newly established experimental vineyards planted at the university. More information to follow.

MGGA and MVA will hold their annual business meetings (along with elections) on this day.

Nomination forms CLICK HERE

Event Sign up form and event info CLICK HERE

An online sign up link for the event will be available here soon.

More on MU Bradford Farm: https://moaes.missouri.edu/central-missouri-research-extension-and-education-center/bradford-farm/

Map:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bradford+Farm/@38.8953731,-92.2064126,1033m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87dcbe99c60efbd9:0x9b544571b3c882d8!8m2!3d38.8929376!4d-92.2009539

2022 Show Me Grape and Wine Conference and Beginner Grape School March 9-11, in Columbia

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:57:39 GMT

The March 9-11 conference is put on by the MU Grape and Wine Institute, also sponsored by MGGA and note that Friday's event is for new grape growers, The Beginner Grape School. Learn more here:https://gwi.missouri.edu/events/2022conference.htm

After the event is completed, MU often posts the presentations and papers from the Symposium and the Conference on the event page. It is a very good resource for growers.

Take the GrapeGrower Freeze Survey

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:14:55 GMT

Missouri Grape growers and winery operators, please take the time to complete the frost/freeze injury survey. The survey link is located HERE. The survey can be taken via computer or smart phone and only will take 2-minutes to complete. Conducted by University of Missouri Grape and Wine institute. Learn more at https://gwi.missouri.edu/.

Midwest Fruit Pest management guide - DOWNLOAD

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:49:06 GMT

The Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide was developed by the Midwest Fruit Workers Group.

This publication combines two longtime guides that have become familiar to countless growers: the annual Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide and the annual Midwest Tree Fruit Spray Guide.

Print copies of the publication are available from the Purdue Extension Education Store. Single copies cost $15 each, boxes of 10 cost $135 each.

LEARN MORE HERE:
https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Hort/pages/sfg_sprayguide.aspx

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE GUIDE HERE

MU's Show Me Grape and Wine Conference goes virtual for 2021

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:05:00 GMT

March 1-4, 2021

The Grape and Wine Institute presents the 2021 Show Me Grape and Wine Conference virtually with morning and afternoon presentations each day. Most presentations will be 45 minutes, followed by a 15-minute question and answer session. A link will be sent two hours prior to each session start time to registered participants. https://gwi.missouri.edu/events/2021conference.htm

Click to sign up.

Helpful Wine Industry Links for the Covid-19 Crisis

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 18:23:25 GMT

The Missouri Wine & Grape Board is working to collect resources for Missouri Wineries. We will continue to communicate relevant information as it becomes available.

Missouri

Missouri Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) - Circular for Liquor License Renewal

Missouri Department of Agriculture - Resource Page

President Trump Approves Governor Parson's request for Missouri's Major Disaster Aid

SBA Approves Disaster Declaration for Missouri - Apply here

Department of Health and Senior Services - How to Handle COVID-19 Anxiety

Missouri Department of Labor - COVID-19 Information

Missouri Department of Agriculture is Declared Critical Infrastructure

FEMA - Missouri Disaster Declaration

Suspension of any prohibition on the sale of unprepared food by restaurants to the public Executive Order 20-05

SBA Loan website

Missouri Times – Counties with Stay-at-home orders

National

Wine Institute - CARES Act Summary for Wineries

WineAmerica – COVID-19 Impact Study Results

Wine Institute - State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC - Situational Summary

US Treasury – Deferred Tax Payments

IRS Tax Deductions – COVID-19 Tax Relief

-Source Missouri Grape and Wine Board.

Officer and Board Nominations Welcome

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 00:44:57 GMT

As notified via a USPS mailing to all current and past Missouri Grape Growers members and interested growers, Nominations are currently open.

MGGA is seeking Nominations for the Board/officer Elections. Members who have paid their dues may nominate themselves or other current members for the following positions; President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer & Director. (See attached pdf file). This ballot will be electronic, but nominations will can be from filled-out form via mail or email from current paid members. You can just send an email nomination too.

Nomination forms must be postmarked or emailed to Missourigrapegrowers@gmail.com by Jan. 22. 2020. Our MGGA Member Website now takes membership payments at mgga.wildapricot.org/. Download the nomination PDF is here via dropbox at http://bit.ly/2NFu5ES or here:https://mgga.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/MGGA2020.pdf . Fill out & mail or fill out, scan and email to nominate and contribute to the cause of MO Grapes. CHEERS!

MGGA Field Day & Annual Meeting

Sat, 30 Mar 2019 00:44:44 GMT

Save the Date—June 27, 2019

Missouri Grape Growers Association and the Grape and Wine

Institute will be hosting author and world-renowned grape growing expert, Richard Smart for the MGGA Field Day. REGISTER HERE

Richard is most widely known for his book “Sunlight into Wine”. Richard will be providing in depth seminars on the topics of canopy management and grapevine trunk diseases. The MGGA and Missouri Vintners Association will also be conducting their annual business meeting during the day.

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, June 27, 2019. The event will be held at Les Bourgeois Winery and Vineyards, Rocheport Missouri. A complete agenda and registration will becoming soon.

Please extend a thank you to the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research Council for providing funding to bring Richard Smart to Missouri. Many thanks to Sarah Schmidt at Baltimore Bend, past president of Missouri Grape Growers Association for her help with bringing Richard Smart to Missouri.

Click to REGISTER

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4232639

Join us at the Show Me Grape and Wine Conference

Sat, 02 Mar 2019 03:24:07 GMT

Show Me Grape and Wine Conference and Symposium

March 6-8, 2019 at the Hampton Inn and Suites at the University of Missouri

MGGA is proud to sponsor the wine tasting on the evening of March 7th.

Learn more here: http://gwi.missouri.edu/conference/

Welcome to our New MGGA site

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:33:42 GMT

We are using the Wild Apricot website system for nonprofits. We hope you like and we hope it simplifies our communications to members.

This new system has a site, and email system, a forum as well as a built-in payment system. We hope it saves us time and allows us to spend time on bettering the Missouri Grape Growers, instead of struggling with multiple systems.

Stay tuned as we work to make this website worth your time.