On Sat., November 2nd, Hermann Farm will once again host an exciting Fundraiser in support of Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA).  

Attendees can anticipate a memorable night enjoying food and wine curated by a group of hospitality experts including Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, Patricia Wamhoff, Advanced Sommelier, Chef Bernie Lee of Akar Clayton and Chef Michael Fricker of New Society of St. Louis.  A collection of exclusive wines, spirits and experiences are featured in the live and silent auctions.   

This benefit has allowed Best USA Sommelier Associations, entirely volunteer based-group of Master Sommeliers, wine competition judges, writers and critics,  to educate and mentor younger sommeliers throughout the U.S., preparing them for national and international sommelier competitions.  Mark Guillaudeu, Master Sommelier, who competed on behalf of the U.S. in the last world competition in 2024, advancing into the semi finals.  He was able to defend his title of U.S. Champion early this year at the U.S. National Competition and will represent the U.S. at the 2026 World Championship.  In the process of preparing for sommelier competitions, Mark is a Master Sommelier at Eleven Madison Park in New York City. 

This partnership aligns with Hermann Farm's mission to celebrate and preserve the region's rich history of winemaking and spirits production.  Through supporting sommeliers, Hermann Farm continues its legacy of honoring the traditions of the past while fostering the future of wine culture.

 Don't forget select sponsorship tickets include the after-party at Tin Mill Brewery filled with wine, dancing and so much more.

Hermann Farm is pleased to once again present a spirited evening featuring renowned history interpreter Anne Williams, who will perform some of Edgar Allan Poe’s best known works.

The event will take place on October 18, 2024 at the Hermann Farm Distillery Tasting Room. The gates will open at 6 PM, with the performance beginning at 7 PM. Cocktails and snacks will be offered during the evening.

When the performance is over, guests may join one of our guides on a lantern tour of the Master Distiller’s Log House and hear the history of the family that settled there.

This is an adult-only event.

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Hermann Farm Heritage Festival to be held on September 14, 2024!

Join us for a day long celebration of the Farm’s german heritage including demonstrations of traditional crafts, live music, a children’s scavenger hunt and so much more. 

This year the festival will showcase a Deutsch Country Market, housed in our magnificent stone barn, where vendors will offer an array of distinctive wares. 

Tickets for the event are priced at $12 for adults and $6 for children. 

More information will be available as we get closer to the event, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

We hope you can join us on September 14 and be a part of the living history at Hermann Farm!

FESTIVAL MAP & SCHEDULE:

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we host TourCo at Hermann Farm for our 4th annual St. Louis Shakespeare Festival on Saturday August 24, 2024.

Experience love, mischief and magic unfold in Shakespeare’s enchanting story of revenge, “The Tempest.” This FREE performance will be located amidst the scenic beauty of Hermann Farm Distillery’s grassy glen.

Indulge yourself in a variety of refreshments available for purchase at the distillery. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. 

Purchase a VIP ticket and experience a night like no other!

The VIP Experience includes reserved seating, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres curated by PBS- featured chef and restaurateur Bernie Lee and a dessert reception with the cast and crew after the play.

Gates open at 5:00PM with the performance starting at 6:30PM.

Don’t miss out on this FREE event! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates!

We hope to see you!

Hermann Farm invites you to join us for Hermann's 72nd Maifest Parade on May 19, 2024 at 2PM.

Witness our shire draft horses parade through downtown in this cherished tradition & celebration of Hermann's rich heritage and cultural!

For more information regarding the Parade and it's route visit the Maifest website: www.maifesthermann.org

We hope to see you!

With breath taking views and the highest viewing point in town, you won’t want to miss out!

This event will take place on April 8, 2024 from 11:30AM-3:30PM.

Guests will be transported from the Hermann Farm First Settlement via tractor driven tram every 15 minutes.

Just bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the eclipse with select seating on the Farm’s grassy hillside.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Hermann Farm is pleased to once again present a spirited evening featuring renowned history interpreter Anne Williams, who will perform some of Edgar Allan Poe’s best known works.

The event will take place on October 28, 2023 at the Hermann Farm Stone Barn. The gates will open at 6 PM, with the performance beginning at 7 PM. Cocktails and snacks will be offered during the evening.

When the performance is over, guests may join one of our guides on a lantern tour of the Master Distiller’s Log House and hear the history of the family that settled there.

This is an adult-only event.

Don’t miss out on this thrilling experience!

200 acres of rolling hills, demonstrations of farm life, and beautifully restored historic sites  - there's lots to look forward to at Hermann Farm’s inaugural Heritage Festival!

See demonstrations of traditional crafts unique to the lifestyle of homesteaders in the 1800s; enjoy live music being played at various locations on the Farm; take a turn at stirring the homemade apple butter; or enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride. Children are encouraged to participate in a scavenger hunt as well as games that were popular in the mid-1800s. These are just a few of the exciting activities being offered at the festival!

While at the festival, guests can immerse themselves in the rich history of the families that lived here on the farm including that of George Husmann, Missouri’s father of viticulture. Tours of our historic homes and the Hermann Farm Distillery will be given at various times throughout the day. 

This event will be held on September 9th, 2023 from 10AM-5PM. Tickets the day of the event are $12 per adult and $6 per child. If you book in advance online, tickets will be available at a discounted rate.

UPDATE 8/23/23

Due to an unforeseen injury in the St Louis Shakes cast, our Merry Wives of Windsor play this coming Saturday has transformed into an equally unforgettable experience. Join us at Hermann Farm starting at 6:30 PM for an enchanting evening with an open-air viewing of Marc Norman’s "Shakespeare in Love" starting at sundown beneath a canopy of twinkling stars. Snacks, beer, and wine will be available for purchase. Don’t forget to bring low back chairs, and cozy blankets for your comfort.

VIP Guests - Join us at 5:00 p.m. to mingle with the majestic Black Shire Horses of Hermann Farm. As a VIP guest, you’ll be serenaded by live music as you savor meticulously crafted libations from The Black Shire Distillery and indulge in delectable bites by the renowned Chef Bernie Lee of Akar in Clayton. Then, starting at sunset, settle in for an outdoor screening of "Shakespeare in Love" beneath a canopy of twinkling stars. To ensure your comfort, we have chairs available for you to soak in the ambiance of this historic treasure.  We firmly believe this transformed experience will forge cherished memories.

See you at the farm! 

On Sat., August 26, Hermann Farm will host and present a theatrical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedy, “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Known as TourCo, a performing offshoot of The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, this six-actor group will be performing their brand of Shakespearean humor, with a twist. 

Suki Peters, a celebrated Shakespeare director and current Artistic Director of Cherokee Street Theater in St. Louis, says the 90-minute performance of “Merry Wives” will be presented in a 90’s sitcom style, “where hilarious leading ladies out-wit the men.”

Speaking on behalf of Hermann Farm and the Dierberg Family Foundation, JiaMin Dierberg says, “There are lots of cultural activities in metropolitan areas; but outside of these cities, there are few opportunities.” “Philanthropic efforts help fill that gap and we are proud to play a part. The Hermann Farm project is a living history farm that is constantly evolving. We strive to position Hermann Farm as a cultural oasis that continues to attract world-class performances.”

Hermann Farm is a noted family attraction located on the east side of town on Hwy 100. It is a busy and ambitious rural development project that mixes exciting commercial endeavors, historic preservation and educational activities to complement Hermann’s historical 19th century German architecture, heritage and spirits and wine-making history.

Admission to “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is free to all who want to share the magic of the open-air stage with professional actors and will be presented on the Hermann Farm Distillery’s grassy glen. Gates open at 5:00 pm, with the performance beginning at 6:30 pm. General admission tickets are recommended.

Please bring your own blankets and lawn chairs, as plenty of outdoor seating is available.  Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase prior to and during the show.  Outside alcohol is not permitted on the Farm. 

Anyone attending the performance and wishing to spend the night at the Inn at Hermannhof will enjoy a special rate by mentioning St. Louis Shakespeare when making their reservation at 573.486.5199.

VIP EXPERIENCE: VIP tickets are available and include reserved seating for the performance and a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception curated by PBS-featured chef and restaurateur, Bernie Lee.  The reception will take place prior to the performance in the Hermann Farm Stone Barn, which was designed in the style of traditional German barns commonly found in this area. The barn is home to the Farm’s Shire draft horses, who may actually grace us with their appearance during the evening. After the performance, guests will enjoy a dessert reception and an after-play meet and greet with the cast and crew.

DETAILS:

What: An Evening with Shakespeare, featuring “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at Hermann Farm 

When: Sat., August 26, 2023; gates open at 5 p.m., performance at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Stone Barn at Hermann Farm, 27 Hermann Farm Road, Hermann, MO 65041

Ticket and Press Inquiries: Susan Nichols, 573.486.3276

Underwritten by the Dierberg Family Foundation

Our magnificent Hermann Farm Shire horses will be participating in the Washington Town & Country Fair Parade this year! We look forward to seeing you in the crowd!

Make plans to join us for the First Friday Art Walk! Local businesses are opening their doors and making space on sidewalks for artists to showcase their work. On the first Friday of each month, explore by trolley, car, bike, or foot to experience the historic downtown district. Local artists, Theresa Long and Kim Carr, will be showcasing their conservation-based artwork in the gallery at the Hofgarten near Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room at the corner of First and Gutenberg Streets.

Enjoy cocktails and local wine while listening to live folk music and ragtime from our very own Richard Egan and Gregory Krone performing on the Hofgarten patio.

Join us at the Hermann Farm Distillery for a relaxing evening enjoying cocktails while painting a colorful picture all on your own. We provide all the materials, instruction, hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail, and you go home with a vibrant painting you made and can be proud of!!

The Hermann Farm Distillery is set on an historic farm, where German immigrants settled and built their lives. In the 1840’s, the Rasche family established their farm and small still site where the distillery sits today. We carry on the tradition of crafting spirits from local ingredients, with a focus on locally-grown grain aged in Missouri-made white oak barrels.

The event will be led by local artist, Gabrielle Gleeson, owner of The Blank Canvas Gallery & Studio, a fine arts gallery with a fully functioning art studio.

Seating is limited to 24 participants and reservations are required. For more information and to reserve your space, click the “Book a Tour” button. Cost is $35 per person.

Additional cocktails will be available for purchase.

Join us at Hermann Farm’s historical Stone Barn for an unforgettable evening of signature cocktails and exclusive wines, paired with appetizers and a multi-course dinner collaborated by Doug Frost, one of the three people in the world that hold both Master of Sommelier and Master of Wine titles, Chef Bernie Lee of Akar and Chef Michael Fricker of Salve Osteria. The wine service team will consist of Sommeliers from the St. Louis Region, led by Advanced Sommelier, Patricia Wamhoff. Wine selections from Doug Frost’s private cellar will be available for auction to benefit BUSA and its goal to fund U.S. champion Mark Guillaudeu’s presence at the ASI World Competition in February 2023. This event is open to collectors, investors, creators, and admirers of fine wine who are interested in establishing a permanent seat for American sommeliers among the world’s finest.

Hermann has established itself as one of the most important 19th-century American wine regions and secured its place in wine history. Hermann Farm’s 200-acre setting was once home to George Husmann’s plant nursery. His work in the rolling hills of Hermann defined him as “the father of Missouri viticulture” and provided a foundation for the development of wine industries in both Missouri and California.

On those very grounds, Guillaudeu was chosen at the USA National Finals in June 2022, where he demonstrated his expertise by competing against six finalists in:

▪ Blind tastings of wine and spirits from around the world

▪ Theory exam of regions and wine grapes

▪ Spirits, cocktails, and beer

▪ A fast-paced service exam conducted in French, Spanish and English

The Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA) exists to support and promote the role of the sommelier in the United States. It conducts and maintains the competition to choose the best sommelier in the USA. In 2022, BUSA was granted member status as an observer nation of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). In addition, BUSA Educational Foundation is now recognized as a Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization.

Help us celebrate and support USA Champion Mark Guillaudeu as he represents BUSA and our country at the ASI Competition for the Best Sommelier of World Paris 2023. Purchase tickets at BUSABenefit2022.givesmart.com

We welcomed 120 guests to our new stone barn for the Inaugural BUSA Benefit on Saturday, November 13, and raised funds to support the work of Doug Frost’s new BUSA Educational Foundation, which exists to promote and support the work of sommeliers in the United States. Chef Bernie Lee created a four-course feast that was paired with wines chosen by Frost. Under the direction of Patricia Wamhoff, the event was staffed by a rockstar group of female somms who ensured the evening went off without a hitch.

We look forward to hosting the first biennial BUSA competition here at Hermann Farm on February 1 and 2, 2022.

Photo Gallery

Photographs by Tony Carosella and Bryon Raterman

Menu

First Course
Squash Bisque, sunflower seeds, cilantro oil
Paired with: Ponzi Pinot Gris 2019

Second Course
Beet, frisée, honeyed goat cheese mousse, crispy quinoa
Paired with: G. Husmann Wine Co. Captain Manwaring Blend 2019

Third Course
Grilled Bone-In Pork Chop, green apple chutney, root veg
Paired with: Echolands Syrah 2018 and Hermannhof Vineyards Norton 2004

Fourth Course
Bread Pudding, berry compote, Black Shire Blackberry Whiskey caramel
Paired with: Hermannhof Vignoles 2020 and Edelbrand Vinars Tschereschas Bing Cherry Brandy

Thank you!

BUSA Educational Foundation would like to thank all of the individuals and companies that donated items to this evening's auction. We appreciate the incredible generosity and commitment to support BUSA in its efforts.

• Dierberg Educational Foundation

• Akar

• Annie Gunn’s

• Bommarito Wine & Spirits

• Casa Don Alfonso

• Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyard

• Echolands

• Edelbrand

• Elmwood

• First State Community Bank

• G. Husmann Wine Co.

• Hermannhof Winery

• Indo

• Inn at Hermannhof

• Missouri Wines

• Natural Tableware

• Nippon Tei

• O+O Pizza

• Olive + Oak

• Pinnacle Imports

• Ruth’s Chris Steak House

• Scott Agency, Inc.

• Sheridan Vineyards

• The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis

• The Wine and Cheese Place

• The Wine Merchant

• Trattoria Marcella

• Veritas

• Vine Connections

• Vine Connections

• Vintegrity

Founded by Missouri-based Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost, the Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA) exists to support and promote the role of the sommelier in the United States, conducting a biennial competition — the first of which will be held at Hermann Farm in January — to choose the best sommelier in the USA, who will go on to compete to for the title of best sommelier in the world.

To celebrate and support the work of the Best USA Sommelier Association, an inaugural benefit will be held at Hermann Farm on Sat., Nov. 13, 2021.

The event will take place in the farm’s 12,000 square foot stone barn, a unique space that plays a pivotal role in fulfilling Hermann Farm’s mission to support excellence in regional food and agriculture through events, classes and workshops. The barn is a new addition to Hermann Farm, a historic 200-acre farm museum that was once the home, vineyard and plant nursery of George Husmann, who is considered to be the father of Missouri viticulture. Guests of the BUSA benefit that evening will be the first to experience dining in the newly christened space and have the opportunity to meet the barn’s resident Shire horses.

To kick off the evening, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails made with Black Shire spirits which are distilled on site, and wines personally selected by Frost. A four-course meal prepared by Bernie Lee, chef/owner of Akar, will follow, each course paired with wine chosen by Frost. During the event, exceptional and singular wine lots will be auctioned, and Frost will chat with Hermann Farm curator Cat Neville about BUSA's founding and his vision for the organization. The dinner will be interactive and full of surprises, and will, weather permitting, conclude with Black Shire Bourbon by a bonfire on the farm.

The BUSA benefit will be staffed by an all-star, all-female crew of sommeliers, including:

• Particia Wamhoff

• Angela Ortmann

• Denise Mueller

• Shannon Behnen

• Cherie Moery-Metzka

• Jen Epley

• Kelli McMullen

• Jorie Taylor

• Kara Flaherty

• Ali Fallows

• Wanda Cole-Nicholson

The Best USA Sommelier Association (BUSA) exists to support and promote the role of the sommelier in the United States. It conducts and maintains the competition to choose the best sommelier in the USA. In 2021, BUSA was granted member status as an observer nation of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

The BUSA Benefit is sponsored by the Dierberg Educational Foundation as part of its mission to preserve and protect the history of Hermann, Missouri, and advance food and farming in the Midwest.

Join Jim and Mary Dierberg as they celebrate the grand opening of Hermann Farm’s new stone barn on Sat., Nov. 13 at 10am. Mr. Dierberg will lead the event with remarks, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be served and guests will be offered tours of the barn and have a chance to meet the barn’s resident Shire horses.

The stone barn is a unique 12,000 square foot venue designed to house our endangered Shire draft horses and also serve as an event space. It was constructed from three 18th century barns from Pennsylvania, which ties back to Hermann’s founders, the Germans who settled Hermann in 1837 thanks to the work of the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia. 

The barn is designed in the German Barn style with no center post. Fifty-five-foot tall hemlock posts flank the barn’s center hall and go from the lower floor through the second floor to the roof. The barn’s stone walls are approximately two feet thick and consist of 23 tractor-trailer loads of limestone. The nine stalls on the lower level house our Shires, the largest draft horse breed in the world. 

The Kallmeyer family owned what is now Hermann Farm for about a century and during that time they bred and trained mules as well as draft horses, sending hundreds of them to help in the effort during both World Wars. Today, we honor that history through breeding and training Shires, an endangered breed with a population of less than 1,500 left in the world. Visitors to Hermann Farm are able to interact with the Shires and learn about their history. Now, they have a new home here at the stone barn, a fitting space for these majestic gentle giants.

In addition to housing the Shires, the barn will serve as an event and gallery space, one that serves to connect our community through a variety of experiences. The space is a vibrant addition to the Missouri River Valley region and we look forward to sharing it for years to come. 

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