Ozark Highlands AVA
Ozark Highlands AVA: a short, easy-to-understand guide
Ozark Highlands is a designated wine region in southern Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains just east of Jefferson City. Established in 1987, it covers about 1.28 million acres (around 2,000 square miles) and is a sub-area of the larger Ozark Mountain AVA. It stretches across several counties around the towns of Rolla and Dillon and sits near the Mark Twain National Forest.
The landscape here is an elevated plateau with rolling ridges and river valleys. Soils are mostly sandy loam with clay, which helps retain moisture. The area has a long growing season and a relatively frost-free climate compared to surrounding regions. About 182 days each year are suitable for growing grapes, and the AVA today has roughly 500 acres under vine, with about 8 wineries.
Grapes grown in Ozark Highlands include a mix of Vitis vinifera (such as Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon), native American varieties (like Norton), and French hybrids (including Chambourcin, Traminette, St. Vincent, Vidal Blanc, and Vignoles). Wines produced range from sweet dessert styles and fortified varieties to dry whites and reds, and the region also makes fruit wines from berries. The Meramec River Wine Trail is a popular route for enotourism in the area.
Historically, the first vines were planted in the 1890s by Italian immigrants in Rosati. Prohibition paused commercial winemaking, but Rosati Winery helped revive the industry after repeal. Today, Ozark Highlands is known for its scenery, topography, and diverse wine styles, with the rolling hills and plateaus shaping the character of its wines.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:04 (CET).