Ask a foodie: Vino and paint color a vivid visit to Hunter Valley Winery

Editor's note: This story has been edited to remove an incorrect reference relating to Trail of Tears Park. The park is run by the Department of Natural Resources, a federal agency.

Though California is known as the reigning king in the United States, wine has a long and storied history in Missouri. In 1980, the federal government devised a program named American Vitacultural Areas (AVA). This program was installed to allow winegrowers to easily assign and advertise the region of the country their wine was produced in. For instance, "Napa Valley" is an AVA, and most of us would recognize the name as the home of wonderfully complex wine grown in California. However, a tiny region named the Alberta AVA had the honor of being the first federally recognized AVA on the rolls, right here in Missouri, laying the groundwork for Missouri's numerous wineries and proving that Missouri wine is a force to be reckoned with.

Our particular wine region is called the Ozark Mountain AVA, so don't be afraid to call our local vintage Ozark Mountain wines. The Ozark Mountain region is vast, including much of southern Missouri and into Arkansas and Oklahoma. One winery in this region is called Hunter Valley Winery, located just outside of Cape Girardeau on state Highway V, close to the Trail of Tears Park.

Hunter Valley Winery is young but vibrant, with a welcoming building decorated all in blonde wood. My sister and I visited there recently for a Yaymaker Paintnite event, in which we painted some cherry blossoms on, appropriately enough, a wine bottle. Add some sparkling lights to the interior, and we had a cute decoration when it was all said and done.

Since we were visiting anyway and I am always looking for somewhere new to eat, we arrived early to try the wine and order from the menu. An adorable hound dog greeted us, wagging its tail and following us into the building. The door was propped open and it seemed the pooch had free rein of the front lobby, along with a huge fluffy orange cat.

The meat and cheese basket from Hunter Valley Winery.Submitted by Rebecca LaClair

A lady offered us free wine samples at the counter, and we of course accepted. The award-winning Brianna was my favorite -- super smooth, blonde, and just a little sweet. We, however, ended up ordering a pitcher of the Strawberry Wine-arita and I did not regret it.

Served with ice and wineglasses printed with their name, this was the bright spot for me -- deliciously sweet, ice cold and light.

The menu is limited because this is a winery, not a full-fledged restaurant, but there is still plenty to fill your stomach while the wine delights your tongue. I ordered the meat and cheese basket while my sister ordered a white grilled cheese Hunter Valley claims is better than the grilled cheese at the Altenburg Fair. There were also paninis and pizzas we didn't get to try, but would love to soon.

We walked up a set of stairs to a good-sized room strewn with tables. From the window beside us, we could see out over the vineyard. On the other side of the building, there is an outside deck overlooking a lake. There is also artwork from local artists all over the walls and a sculpture garden outside. Unabashed appreciation for wine and art is everywhere.

When the meat and cheese basket arrived, it was actually in a basket. It was a huge, generous portion, full of crackers, locally produced sausage, smoky Gouda and cheddar cheeses, and black and green olives. The sausage was from Reis Meats in Pocahontas, the Ol' Fashioned Summer Sausage, my absolute favorite slicing sausage. The cheese was mild and smoky, soft and creamy, the perfect compliment to our wine.

Hunter Valley Winery's sign, lit up at night and wrought in stone.Submitted by Rebecca LaClair

As I sat there with a paintbrush in one hand, delicately picking at meat and cheese with a toothpick with the other, sipping strawberry wine-arita and staring out of the window at the sun setting over a lush green vineyard, I was content.

Hunter Valley Winery has even more to offer, with live music on Sundays (I believe), and they offer rental for venues, such as weddings and parties. At the right time of year (like right now), this would be a lovely place for either.

Missouri's wine scene has been surprising people around the globe, winning awards both nationally and internationally. The small, start-up wineries in our area have been supported and embraced by locals and tourists alike. There is no downside to this, as the land is made lovely, the wine is sweet, and the culture is deep and undeniable.