PHOTO GALLERY: Recent drought affects Missouri winemakers

July 23, 2012 | 7:30 p.m. CDT

Although grapevines thrive in warm weather, the recent drought may be too stressful for the vines. The drought could produce a superior vintage, but Missouri winemakers will have to wait until harvest to find out how the weather has affected their wines.

Carolyn Warnebold, co-owner of OakGlenn Winery in Hermann, reaches for a grape. OakGlenn practices dry farming, which means the vineyard is not irrigated. Due to weather they have used hoses to water the grapes on occasion this season. | Amy Bruer

View of the vineyards at OakGlenn Winery in Hermann. Because the vines are located near the river, established vines have deep roots which often locate underground water sources. | Amy Bruer

Chardonel grapes display varying degrees of drought damage at OakGlenn Winery. Drought can be beneficial to the flavor of wines if it occurs at the optimal point in the fruit's maturation process. The recent lack of rain in Missouri has come a bit too early in the process. | Amy Bruer

Wine from the 2003 French harvest at Top Ten Wines on Saturday. During 2003, France experienced one of the worst droughts on record for the area. The result was smaller quantities of harvestable grapes, but the wine which resulted is considered one of the best vintages in recent history. | Amy Bruer