History
since 1970
When they opened St. James Winery in 1970, Jim and Pat Hofherr reinvigorated the local Italian wine heritage by creating wines that were easy to drink and share with friends and family.
In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants settled in the St. James area of the Meramec Highlands, drawn by the promise of affordable land and new opportunities carried along the expanding railroad. With them came generations of agricultural expertise, which they soon applied to cultivating high-quality Concord grapes.
Initially, these grapes were used for juice and jelly, but the exceptional growing conditions in the region opened the door to a thriving wine market. By 1922, more than 1,000 acres of vineyards and over 200 wineries flourished around St. James, contributing to Missouri’s status as the second-largest wine-producing state in the nation.
This vibrant community of winemakers created a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship that defined the region.
However, Prohibition brought this golden era to an abrupt end. With no legal markets for their wines, family-owned wineries that had once thrived were forced to close their doors. Though the fertile ground remained, the families who had poured their hearts into winemaking faced a challenging new reality.
The story of Italian heritage in St. James is one of resilience and enduring passion, laying the foundation for the winemaking traditions that St. James Winery continues to honor and celebrate today.
A New Era for Missouri
Winemaking
In the 1960s, as Missouri’s wine industry began its resurgence, Jim and Pat Hofherr seized the opportunity to revive the storied winemaking traditions of St. James. Inspired by the region’s rich history, they planted the same grape varieties and crafted wines reminiscent of those that had brought the Meramec Highlands international acclaim decades earlier. Among their creations were the now-iconic Velvet Red and Velvet White, which continue to be cornerstones of the St. James Winery portfolio.

With determination and a family-first approach, the Hofherrs enlisted their children—some more enthusiastically than others—to help bring their vision to life. In 1970, their inaugural year, the family produced an impressive 8,000 gallons of wine, reigniting the winemaking legacy of St. James.
From these humble beginnings, Jim and Pat not only revived an industry but also laid the foundation for Missouri wines to flourish once again, ensuring that the rich heritage of St. James winemaking lives on.


Nearly 50 years ago, the Hofherr family embarked on a journey to revive winemaking in St. James, Missouri. Today, St. James Winery stands as a testament to their vision, playing a pivotal role in putting Missouri wines back on the national map. From our local roots to national recognition, our wines are now sought after across the state and in 16 other states nationwide.
What began with 8,000 gallons of wine in 1970 has grown into an operation producing over 500,000 gallons annually. In fact, some days we produce as much wine in a single day as the Hofherr family did in their entire first year.
Now led by Jim and Pat’s middle son, Peter Hofherr, as CEO, previously alongside word-class Winemaker Andrew Meggitt, and currently Winemaker Aaron Spohr and Assistant Winemaker, Kendra Woods, St. James Winery continues to honor its heritage. Together, they uphold the traditions of the Meramec Highlands’ original winemakers, crafting wines of exceptional quality while also innovating with new, award-winning flavors.
Through dedication to craft and an unyielding commitment to excellence, St. James Winery has grown from a family dream to a celebrated name in American winemaking.