The Missouri Grape Growers met for the 2026 Field Day and Annual Meeting on June 2, 2026 at Edg-Clif Vineyards & Winery near Potosi, Missouri. Members also met the night before for a mixer at the winery for a tour, tasting and for winemakers to share their wines with other pros. ( Check out a gallery of photos and video clips here. )
The meeting included a short business meeting as well as featured several technical talks included vineyard soil management, vineyard maintenance and renewal, techniques of pruning and fungicide use, planning and dangers.
Some of the talks included:
Kyle Marret of Kinsey Family Vineyards is also a consultant at Kinsey Agricultural service who works with many vineyards across the US. He spoke about vineyard renewal and updating vines. Knowing when to replace vines or cut off cordons was covered in depth.
Neil Kinsey spoke about how the create, maintain and achieve the ideal vineyard soil fertility. Neil Kinsey is founder of Kinsey Agricultural Services of Charleston Missouri, and co-author of the book: Hands-On Agronomy.
Kinsey’s talk ranged from the basics of soil chemistry, to complex concepts. He also offered a few rules of thumb he has learned from consulting with vineyard owners across the globe. We plan to share the recorded video on the MGGA website once it is edited. It will be available to MGGA members behind the member long-in.
Dr. Dean Volenberg, Viticulture Program Leader for the University of Missouri’s Grape and Wine Institute spoke about wine grape fungicide best practices and what he has seen in research and grower vineyards across the state. Volenberg also spoke at length about Chemical Trespass via herbicide drift and requested all Missouri grape growers fill out a survey on chemical spray drift HERE: Survey Link Herbicide Drift
Tom Atkins of Blue Sky Vineyards in Illinois went in-depth on canopy management. He suggested that growers should consider managing their vineyards using cane pruning instead of the more-common spur pruning method. The process and the many advantages and disadvantages of both were covered in his talk.
Grape and wine industry information was presented by Annette Alden, Marketing Director for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.
Missouri Vintners Association President Parker Puncta spoke briefly with hand outs for winery owners to join that organization. He shared that the group is working on a website, shared their new bylows and some successes working on industry discounts for its members. Contact them by emailing them HERE: MissouriVintnersAssociation@gmail.com
MGGA Business Meeting Summary
Vice-President Steffie Littlefield led the meeting as outgoing President, Jed Methany was absent due to illness.
Last year’s meeting minutes and treasurer’s report were read.
(Current paid member list Coming Soon)
2027 MGGA Board Members left to right; Sam Cobb, Eric Taylor, Steffie Littlefield, Shannon Fischer Tharp, Kyle Marret, Mike Riley & James Fashing
This year, via the MGGA ByLaws, three of the officers were terming-out with their second of two terms including, President, Vice President and Treasurer. There was also a board seat vacancy. The group had a quick election-by-acclamation of volunteers who have all recently served or volunteered for MGGA in various capacities.
Elected was:
Kyle Marret of Kinsey Family Vineyards
President for 2027 & 2028,
Shannon Fischer Tharp of Prairie Barn Winery & Christmas tree farm,
Vice President for 2027 & 2028
Mike Riley of Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery
Treasurer for 2027 & 2028
James Fashing, CL Vineyards
Secretary for 2027 & 2028
The three director-at-large seats have staggered terms:
Sam Cobb of St. James Winery and Vineyard will fill the open position of director #1. He’ll serve from 2027 to 2029.
Eric Taylor of Eagles’ Landing Winery will complete the Director #2 opening which was left vacant by Mike Riley as he moved to Treasurer. Eric will fill out the remainder of the vacancy serves from 2026 to 2028
Steffie Littlefield will fill out the remainder of Director #3 spot which runs through 2025-2027. Steffie’s spot was left vacant by Kyle Marret, who is President-elect.
The new officers and director terms start Jan. 1, 2027.
The group is looking for volunteers for the membership, event and education committees. These yearly committees consist of members appointed by the MGGA president as instructed by the MGGA bylaws. It is a great way to meet growers and industry folks. If you are interested in serving on a committee, volunteering or serving on the board, email missourigrapegrowers@gmail.com.
The meeting was sponsored by Chemical Warehouse, MPR Supply and Kinsey Agricultural Services.