Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery

February is Pruning Month

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With snow in the forecast, it’s hard to believe that pruning season is right around the corner. Yet February typically marks the start of pruning in our vineyard. Proper pruning is one of the most important factors in producing high-quality Missouri wine, and it’s a task we take very seriously. Over the past year, Mike […]

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Over the past year, Mike has been working closely with a viticulturalist from Texas and will continue that partnership to help ensure the best possible yield from our 4,000 grapevines. It’s amazing to think that this will be the fourth growing season for 3,600 of our vines and the third growing season for the remaining 400.

Why Is Winter Pruning So Important?

Winter pruning plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy, productive vineyard. Its purpose is to balance grape production with adequate vegetative growth for the upcoming season, ultimately leading to better-quality fruit. Timing is everything—if vines are pruned too early, a hard frost can damage buds and canes. That’s why pruning is as much an art as it is a science.

Typically, winter pruning takes place from late January through March. In Missouri, we usually plan for February, though as this year’s unpredictable weather reminds us, the “perfect” date can vary.

Types of Pruning

There are several methods used in vineyards, including cane pruning, spur pruning, and machine pruning:

Cane Pruning: The vine is cut back to one or more canes that will produce new shoots in the coming season. Canes that are removed will not be fruitful.
Spur Pruning: Two to four buds are retained on young canes, spaced evenly along the vine. Older canes, which will not produce fruit, are removed.
Machine Pruning: A method that has gained popularity in recent years, machine pruning uses specialized equipment to trim vines during dormancy by removing old growth and shaping the remaining canes.

Our Approach at Shamrock Hills

At Shamrock Hills, we use the spur pruning method. This approach allows us to closely evaluate each vine, replacing any unhealthy or dead plants while carefully pruning the healthy ones. Without pruning, vines would produce too many grape clusters, becoming unmanageable and unable to support proper ripening. The result would be tangled vines, hidden grape clusters, and fruit that never fully matures.

Pruning may happen in the quiet of winter, but it sets the stage for everything that follows in the growing season—and ultimately, in your glass.

Baking with Wine

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Have you ever wondered about the secret to baking with wine? The key is using wine as a flavor enhancer rather than the star of the show. Wine can be substituted for other liquids—such as oil, water, or milk—and is best added early in the baking process so the alcohol can cook off, leaving behind

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Tips for Cooking and Baking with Wine

Choose the Right Wine: Always use a wine you enjoy drinking. Avoid “cooking wines,” which often contain added salt and preservatives.
White Wines: Ideal for cakes, poultry dishes, and lighter baked goods.
Red Wines: Add depth and richness; they pair beautifully with chocolate, dark fruits, and hearty breads.
Sweet Wines: Bring intense sweetness—use sparingly.
Alcohol Evaporation: Most of the alcohol bakes off, but a small amount may remain, so keep your audience in mind.
Balance the Flavor: Wine should enhance your recipe, not overpower it.

How to Substitute Wine for Other Liquids

Oil in Cakes: Replace part of the oil with wine (for example, substitute ¼ cup wine for ¼ cup oil) to create a lighter, moister cake.
Water or Milk: Swap wine for part of the liquid in muffins, quick breads, or similar recipes. Add it early so the flavors can fully blend.
Marinades and Soaking: Use wine in marinades to add moisture and flavor before baking meats, or to soak fruit for desserts.

Tips for Best Results

Add Early: Incorporate wine early in the cooking or baking process to allow alcohol to evaporate and flavors to develop.
Reduce First (Optional): For a more concentrated flavor, reduce the wine in a separate pan before adding it to your batter or dough.
Match Flavors: Choose a wine that complements your dish—fruity, tart, or savory—to achieve the best results.

Baking with wine is a simple way to elevate everyday recipes and add a touch of creativity to your kitchen. Don’t forget the most important tip of all—don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of wine to enjoy while you cook! Cheers to delicious results!

Shamrock Hills Attends the 2025 Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony

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Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery had the honor of attending the Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony this week at the Governor’s Mansion, celebrating alongside the finest winemakers in Missouri. It was a memorable evening surrounded by the state’s most accomplished wineries, all gathered to recognize excellence in Missouri wine. This year, we were especially proud to

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Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery had the honor of attending the Governor’s Cup Awards Ceremony this week at the Governor’s Mansion, celebrating alongside the finest winemakers in Missouri. It was a memorable evening surrounded by the state’s most accomplished wineries, all gathered to recognize excellence in Missouri wine.

This year, we were especially proud to be there as our own Sweet Hadley Jo earned Best of Class—a moment that will forever stand out in our winery’s history. Seeing our wine represented among the top winners in Missouri was both humbling and energizing, and we are grateful for the support of everyone who has believed in our vineyard.

Celebrating Missouri’s Top Wines

The ceremony highlighted the very best of the Missouri wine industry, including this year’s major award recipients:

Governor’s Cup Winner: Adam Puchta Winery for their 2024 Dry Vignoles
Husmann-Jaeger Award (Best Varietal White Wine): Jowler Creek Winery for their 2024 Estate Vignoles
C.V. Riley Award: Spencer Manor Winery for their 2023 Norton

Each of these wines represents the craftsmanship, innovation, and agricultural heritage that make Missouri wine so special.

A Toast to Excellence

Guests were treated to an elegant tasting experience with the Best of Show winners displayed throughout the venue and offered at the bar. It was inspiring to sample the state’s top wines in one place, each showcasing the diversity and potential of Missouri-grown grapes.

From crisp Vignoles to beautifully aged Nortons, the selections reinforced why Missouri continues to gain recognition as a vibrant and growing wine region.

A Night to Remember

Attending the Governor’s Cup ceremony was more than a celebration—it was a reminder of how far Missouri wineries have come and the exciting future ahead. We are honored that Sweet Hadley Jo stood proudly among the best, and we look forward to continuing our journey of crafting wines that reflect the heart and character of our vineyard.

To everyone who has supported Shamrock Hills along the way, thank you. We raise a glass to you—and to another unforgettable year for Missouri wine.

Warm Up Your Holidays with Shamrock Hills’ Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine

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There’s nothing quite like a warm mug of spiced wine to bring comfort, joy, and a touch of magic to the holiday season. At Shamrock Hills, one of our most-loved traditions is serving Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine, a fragrant, soul-warming blend that fills the winery with cozy aromas of spice, citrus, and red wine.

Warm Up Your Holidays with Shamrock Hills’ Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine Read More »

There’s nothing quite like a warm mug of spiced wine to bring comfort, joy, and a touch of magic to the holiday season. At Shamrock Hills, one of our most-loved traditions is serving Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine, a fragrant, soul-warming blend that fills the winery with cozy aromas of spice, citrus, and red wine.

Whether you’re visiting us this season or looking to bring the vineyard home, this festive recipe is easy to make and perfect for gatherings, quiet evenings, or sharing with those you love.

Shamrock Hills Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine

A warm, cheerful classic straight from our crock pot to yours.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Shamrock Hills Dry Red Wine
(Chloe’s Cuvée, Shamrock Rosé, or Chambourcin are great options)

• 1 bottle 2023 Shamrock Hills Shack Creek Red

• 2 cups apple cider or apple juice

• 1 cup orange juice

• 1 cup cranberry juice

• ½ cup spiced rum

• 1 capful Fireball or cinnamon whiskey

• A couple shakes allspice

• A couple shakes cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot.

2. Set to warm and let the mixture slowly heat until ready to serve.

3. Ladle into mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange slice, or a few fresh cranberries.

This aromatic blend creates a beautifully balanced mulled wine: rich, slightly sweet, gently spiced, and wonderfully festive. It’s everything you want in a holiday drink — comforting, fragrant, and guaranteed to warm the soul.

Enjoy It at the Winery

We’re serving Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine throughout the holiday season at Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery. Stop by for a cup of holiday cheer, sip by the fire, and enjoy the cozy magic of the vineyard in winter.

Whether you make it at home or enjoy it with us, we hope this warm tradition becomes a part of your season.

Cheers to a beautiful holiday filled with warmth, flavor, and joy.

A Letter From the Riley’s

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Happy Fall, Friends! Autumn has arrived in full swing, and things are bustling here at the winery! Mike is fully immersed in crafting the next vintage of Shamrock Hills wines—sometimes quite literally knee-deep in grapes! Fermentation is underway, and we’re still looking forward to one final harvest day with our Zinthiana grapes. Mike also has

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Happy Fall, Friends!

Autumn has arrived in full swing, and things are bustling here at the winery! Mike is fully immersed in crafting the next vintage of Shamrock Hills wines—sometimes quite literally knee-deep in grapes! Fermentation is underway, and we’re still looking forward to one final harvest day with our Zinthiana grapes. Mike also has a few more trips lined up to collect the remainder of our purchased fruit. The 2025 vintage is officially in the works!

We’re especially thankful for our first harvest from our own vineyard this year. It’s rare to see much fruit by the third year (typically not until the fourth), so we feel truly blessed by the abundance.

Mark Your Calendars: Our 2nd Annual Irish Festival is Almost Here!
Join us October 4th & 5th for two days of music, games, food, and family fun at the amphitheater! Each day features different musical artists—so you’ll want to come for both.

2-Day Pass: $30 (pre-purchase only)
Single Day Ticket: $20
Kids under 12: Free!

Important Info

Event Space Parking & Winery Parking both offer access to the festival area.
Buying tickets at the gate? Use the Winery side entrance.
Event Space side will only accept cash or pre-purchased tickets.

Bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket, soak in the fall weather, and enjoy incredible Irish performances. Check our [Event Page] for the full musical lineup!

Exciting News: We’re Expanding!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Landing in Liberty is now carrying Shamrock Hills wine! Even more exciting? We’ll be the only Missouri wine they offer. We’re grateful for this new partnership and looking forward to continued growth beyond the winery.

So grab a glass of your favorite Shamrock Hills wine, settle in, and enjoy this month’s edition of Wining in the Hills.

Cheers,
Mike & Denise Riley

Behind the Label: Sweet Hadley Jo

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Sweet Hadley Jo is an off-dry red wine crafted from Chambourcin grapes and back-sweetened with Cabernet Sauvignon fruit concentrate—and it’s been a customer favorite since its release! Bursting with notes of stone fruit and a subtle hint of chocolate, this wine greets your palate with rich, sweet dark cherry and a touch of spice—much like

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Born in 2023, Hadley Jo inspired us to create a wine as special and spirited as she is. While she’s certainly sweeter than the wine that bears her name, at two years old, she’s already showing a bit of spunk that keeps us on our toes! Naming a wine after her may have set a precedent—we hope to one day create a unique wine for each of our future grandchildren—but Hadley Jo will always be the first.

With a residual sugar level that classifies it as off-dry rather than semi-sweet, this wine is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for sipping on a crisp fall day, pairing with a charcuterie board, or enjoying alongside a hearty steak dinner.

Sweet Hadley Jo has already made a mark—winning Best of Show at the 2025 Governor’s Cup and taking home a Gold Medal among all semi-dry reds in the state.

Next time you visit, we’d love to pour you a sample—and show you a picture of our one-of-a-kind Sweet Hadley Jo!

Letter From the Riley’s – August 2025

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“May the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Greetings Friends! As we approach our first harvest of our vines at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and

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“May the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Greetings Friends!

As we approach our first harvest of our vines at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery, I feel it’s important to offer an Irish blessing for a good first harvest. Grape farming is tricky and may be one of the reasons Mike handles it so well is that he can be more patient than me. I like to follow a schedule and Mother Nature doesn’t always give us a schedule to follow.

Over the next month, we hope to harvest 3 of our 6 varietals—St. Vincent, Crimson Cabernet and Zynthiana. St. Vincent will most likely be the first grape we harvest as it’s the furthest along in the ripening stage. Following will be Crimson Cabernet, and finally Zynthiana. The challenge is to keep the varmints out of the grapes until we are able to get them to harvest.

In the meantime, we are gearing up for fall at the winery and ranch. We have a full season of weddings at the Ranch starting in September and our 2nd annual Irish Festival October 4th and 5th. Tickets will be going on sale soon! We have 2 days of music planned each with different Irish artists from around the KC area. Day 1 we will have our friend Eddie Delahunt here along with the Stolen Apples, the O’Riada-Manning School of Dance, and the Canterberries. Day 2 we will have St. Andrew Bag Pipers and dancers, And So it Goes, the Bisquit Boys, and Kian Byrne from the Elders with a few of his friends. We have fun games for families and kids’; food and alcohol tents will be set up at the amphitheater. A great way to spend a fall weekend! Tickets are $20 per day for anyone 12 and over, 12 and under get in free! If you pre-purchase the 2-day pass to get in both days, it’s only $30!

Finally, if you have been pondering the thought of joining our wine club, my question to you is “Why wouldn’t you?” First, it’s FREE to join—your discount applies to anything you purchase at our tasting room and kicks in at your first release pick up. You get to 2 releases a year and we celebrate YOU, our amazing customers, at each pickup party! The next release party we are hosting is on September 21st . This one is going to be extra special as we are shutting the winery down to the public that day. Only wine club members and their guests will be allowed into the winery. We will have food, wine tastings of each of the 6 wines we are releasing for the fall and live music so you can come enjoy fun, fellowship, and friendship (hopefully on our patios if the weather cooperates). For this event, you can stay the entirety of the party or you can come and taste, then buy and go. New Members must be signed up by the Thursday before in order to participate.

As fall approaches you can see we aren’t slowing down! So pull out your favorite Shamrock Hills Wine and sit on your deck or patio and enjoy the coming of the cooler weather as you read this addition of Wining in the Hills.

Mike and Denise Riley

Highlights of our Ireland Trip

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We covered a lot of ground in 13 days—some of us even arrived a day early for a total of 14 days! Huge thanks to Anna Sue Spohn, Itchin’ to Go Travel, and SIE Tours for organizing this incredible Ireland getaway. And of course Michael, our tour guide/bus driver who really made this trip special

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Starting in Dublin, we explored:
– The Guinness Storehouse with a guided tour,
– A bus tour of the city,
– The EPIC Heritage Museum,
– Dinner at Taylors Three Rock Irish Night and Cabaret, and
– Plenty of free time for personal exploration.

Next, we traveled to Cork, stopping for scenic photos along the way. In Cork, we:
– Climbed the bell tower,
– Enjoyed the Middleton Experience, viewing the Kindred Spirits monument honoring Choctaw Natives who supported Ireland during the Famine,
– Had lunch in a quaint harbor town, where some took a nap while others explored,
– Explored Blarney Castle and Estates, where some kissed the Blarney Stone for luck, while others strolled the grounds, concluding with souvenir shopping at the Woolen Mill.

Our journey continued to Killarney, where we:
– Took a scenic horse and carriage ride through Killarney National Park,
– Had a drink at the historic Foxy John’s pub, a unique combination of pub and hardware store,
– Enjoyed coastal views,
– Had dinner at Paidi O’Se’s, a pub run by the family of a legendary Irish football player, complete with stories from his son,
– Stopped at another pub for a nightcap before returning to our hotel.

The next day saw us heading to Galway, where we:
– Visited Listowel Castle in County Kerry,
– Enjoyed storytelling at John B. Keane Pub, with many of us purchasing his book,
– Took a ferry across the peninsula,
– Experienced the Cliffs of Moher, albeit interrupted by fire alarms at the Visitor Center,
– Went on a walking tour of Galway,
– Enjoyed a scenic boat cruise with Irish coffees,
– Visited Kylemore Abbey,
– Spent a delightful evening in Galway.

We then made our way north to Derry:
– Witnessed a Sheepdog herding demonstration with Border Collies—a trip highlight,
– Visited Mullaghmore Castle,
– Explored Bushmills Distillery,
– Walked along the Giant’s Causeway,
– Stopped at Grianan of Aileach Ringfort on our way to Cabra Castle in County Cavan.

– We spent the afternoon and evening at Cabra Castle, which we named our County Cavan red. We toasted dinner with a bottle of wine we brought, in honor of the castle once owned by the Reilly family—potentially connected to our own lineage. While records indicate our name might have changed from Reilly to Riley upon arriving in the States, Mike’s genealogy research has its limits before they came to Virginia, so who knows!

– Our journey concluded in Trim with a visit to Trim Castle, followed by one last dinner together before heading back to the airport on June 2nd, returning to reality.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us on this adventure through Ireland. It was wonderful to dive into the culture together!

Slainte’

Letter From the Riley’s – June 2025

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Dia duit! We are still enjoying the pictures of our most recent Ireland trip—where 24 of us travelled across the pond where we met up with Michael our Tour Guide/Driver for a 12-day adventure through Ireland. We may not have picked up much Gaelic but we did get their slang down. The “h” is silent

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Dia duit!

We are still enjoying the pictures of our most recent Ireland trip—where 24 of us travelled across the pond where we met up with Michael our Tour Guide/Driver for a 12-day adventure through Ireland. We may not have picked up much Gaelic but we did get their slang down. The “h” is silent in Ireland so if you hear us say “Tirty-Tree” vs Thirty-three, or “Trow” instead of Throw. You will understand why. It was a fun time with lots of sites and Guiness (cough, cough) for some as well as a whiskey or 2. We have our photo album from our trip linked to our website so if you’d like to see some of the pictures that were taken—we’d love to share them with you!

We brought back an alcohol-exchange student from Ireland—a leprechaun named Shamus (Sea-mus) Finnigan from County Cavan, Ireland. Since wineries are non-existent in Ireland, we thought it’d be nice to introduce Shamus to wines. However, the little guy is a little too curious, so he’s finding his way around the winery and the property and making himself quite at home. In fact, he may try to adventure out into Excelsior Springs some, so we are going to play a little game called:

“What is Shamus up to NOW?” this summer.

Each week, Shamus will be at a different location in Excelsior Springs and a photo will be posted on Social Media.
You will be asked to guess where he’s at.
If you are correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a fun prize at Shamrock Hills—it could be a FREE glass of wine/beer, a FREE Flatbread, a Charcuterie Board, some merchandise . . . whatever Shamus decides we need to give away that month.
Once a month we will draw for a couple of prizes from everyone who guessed correctly on the weekly where abouts of Shamus.
You must pick up the prize at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery

So keep on the lookout for Shamus, who’s always getting into mischief. It must be in the Finnigan name. Hmmmmm.

Enjoy this month’s edition of Wining in the Hills!

Slaintè (pronounced slawn-cha)!
Denise and Mike

Emerald Experience

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The Emerald Wine Experience is an elevated wine tasting like no other at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery. We’re excited to offer this exclusive experience once a month to the public while we perfect it, with plans to expand in the future! This unique tasting event will be set in a variety of picturesque spots

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The Emerald Wine Experience is an elevated wine tasting like no other at Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery. We’re excited to offer this exclusive experience once a month to the public while we perfect it, with plans to expand in the future!

This unique tasting event will be set in a variety of picturesque spots around the winery—whether it’s a table in the vineyard, on the small stage by the pond, or on the covered patio. Each guest will enjoy a thoughtfully paired charcuterie board and receive personalized one-on-one time with the owners. They’ll guide you through a tasting of our wines, share the story behind each pour, and—weather permitting—take you on a walk through the vineyard to explain the grape-growing process and the challenges of winemaking.

Offered by reservation only, this experience will be available either on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons, with a cost of $35 per person. You’ll taste 4 standard wines and 2 reserve wines, all while enjoying the beauty of our winery. Each session is limited to just 8 guests to ensure an intimate and personalized experience.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable wine experience!

Why Is Winter Pruning So Important?

Types of Pruning

Our Approach at Shamrock Hills

Tips for Cooking and Baking with Wine

How to Substitute Wine for Other Liquids

Tips for Best Results

Celebrating Missouri’s Top Wines

A Toast to Excellence

A Night to Remember

Shamrock Hills Hot Spiced Crimson Carol Wine

Ingredients

Instructions

Enjoy It at the Winery

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