Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn, A Gem in Missouri’s Wine Country

I've just returned from a trip to Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn in Hermann, MO and couldn’t wait to share information with WanderingEducators.com readers.  Here’s a gem of an inn, located in the heart of Missouri wine country, offering fabulous views, wonderful wine tasting opportunities and great food.  Best of all, you’ll feel right at home as co-owners Terry and Peggy Hammer, are former educators and have a deep appreciation for the hard work teachers and educators put in day after day.  While they’re no longer middle school principals and teachers, respectively, they still like to wander and see the world when not at the inn, giving them something else in common with other wandering educators.

Hermann Hill Inn with three acres of vineyards in front

 You might call this a split-personality inn, as it is actually split between a beautiful inn overlooking a vineyard and bluff-top cottages overlooking the Missouri River.  In either location the theme that prevails is beautiful views and attention to all the details that matter. The inn features eight rooms and the cottages are one and two bedroom units located next to a wedding and function pavilion.  Choose to stay at either location, and you’ll be treated to privacy, lavish amenities and plenty of welcoming hospitality.

I stayed at the Inn in the Norton room (rooms are named after varieties of grapes that grow in the region).  It had a gorgeous view of the vineyard and the town and river beyond. Each night I went to sleep with the screen door to the balcony open and each morning I awoke to beautiful sunrises over the vineyard.  All rooms at the inn offer great views and very private balconies or patios. The beds – all kings – offered the best night sleep I’ve had in a long time, probably due to the luxurious high thread count sheets that feel like satin, and the big fluffy pillows.

 Fabulous food prevails here, with breakfast to order at whatever time you wish and where ever you want to enjoy it.  Many guests choose to eat in their rooms, but I enjoyed breakfast one morning from a lovely sunny deck and the next morning from the kitchen overlooking a view of the vineyard.  Breakfast choices include two entrees, or lighter fare including a wonderful fruit, granola and yogurt parfait. 

I got the chance to visit the cottages while I was there.  They humorously refer to them as an adult water park. There are many ways to enjoy getting wet in each cottage, including a fabulous hot tub on the decks overlooking a dramatic view of the river, along with an inside spa tub and a fabulous multi-jetted steam shower. 

Each cottage comes complete with a refrigerator stocked with breakfast items, ice cream, drinks, and more.  The decks also feature grills, so cooking and soaking are the prevailing themes here.
 

I can't finish this review without mentioning Hermann Hill's signature Port Raspberry Chocolate Sauce.  The Port used in the sauce is made from the grapes grown at Hermann Hill.  This chocolate sauce is served over ice cream with warm heart-shaped homemade cookies every night.  Look for a knock on the door between 9:30-10pm, from Terry or Peggy, the innkeepers/owners, and you will find the most delicious way to end the day you've ever tasted.  WOW!

Innkeeper, Terry, is a bit of a romantic, and he loves to help guests create inspiring proposals.  He’s been known to help nervous beau’s hide champagne or scatter rose petals over an inspiring location to insure that the answer is “yes!” and the memory of that moment will last forever.
 

Outside of the Midwest, not many know about Missouri’s wine country.  Yet prior to prohibition, Missouri was the second largest state for wine production in the country, next to New York.  There are six wonderful wineries along the Hermann Wine Trail, and they offer wonderful events, opportunities for wine tastings and tours.

Hermann Hill is such a Missouri treasure.  For those who enjoy wine tasting, romance and pampered getaways, and especially for wandering educators who will get a an interested ear, be sure to choose Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn. 

For more information, visit HermannHill.com.

Marti Mayne is the B&B Editor for Wandering Educators