By Rebekah Icenesse
Located one hour west of St. Louis and right in the heart of Missouri Wine Country is Hermann, a destination that offers not only delicious wine tastings and beautiful vineyards, but also flexible meeting spaces and unique team building activities that can fit any style of occasion.
A Taste of German History
Tucked away in Missouri River Valley, Hermann was founded by German immigrants and quickly became one of the largest wine-producing regions. Producing over 178,000 gallons of wine each year, Hermann showcases various tasting rooms and wineries where visitors can savor the local wines and get a taste of the rich history encapsulated in the brick buildings and rolling vineyards. Stone Hill Winery is Missouri’s oldest and most-awarded winery and offers an array of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Stone Hill also has private event space: The Sherry House which can accommodate up to 300 people, and the Vintage 1847 Restaurant that can seat up to 48 people for a private dining experience.
Whatever team-building activity you want to include in your event day, there are options for everyone. “Attendees will meet for part of the day, and then, the other part of the day, they’ll do team building. They might go to a winery or distillery and do a tasting,” says Tammy Bruckerhoff, Tourism Director of Visit Hermann. “They could go to Herman Wurst House and do a sausage- or bacon-making class, or they could go to Blank Canvas Gallery & Studio and do an art project. So there are all kinds of fun things. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what people can do.”
Versatile Accommodations
From inns to bed and breakfasts and cozy cottages, Hermann offers plenty of lodging to suit any need. The Inn at Hermannhof is one of the early Hermann buildings placed on the National Register of Historic Places and brings an atmosphere of German traditions. The Inn at Hermannhof property offers 14 events spaces planners can utilize for their meeting, such as the Hermannhof Winery and tasting room, Hofgarten, the Celebration Hall, Tin Mill Restaurant and Patio, and the Hillside Terrace.
“The Inn at Hermannhof went above and beyond by offering to coordinate transportation and experiences not only for our [leadership] team, but also for our significant others and our group as a whole,” expresses Beth Box, Executive Assistant at Craftsmen Industries. “Their level of accommodation and flexibility was exceptional, making it a true pleasure to work with them. The entire Inn at Hermannhof team truly helped create a memorable and seamless 2-day experience for us.”
Whether you host a one-day or multi-day event, Hermann’s flexible meeting spaces can accommodate small groups of 10 or less, or large groups of up to 400 attendees. And no matter the time of year, Hermann is busy with bookings. “From Valentine’s Day through New Year’s Eve, we are full speed ahead. There’s just so many more events taking place,” says Bruckerhoff. “Herman was voted Missouri’s most beautiful town and we have some of the most beautiful meeting venues as well to compliment the beauty of our town.”
Accessible Transportation
A highlight of Hermann is not only that activities and accommodations are close, but there are more transportation options. “We explored various venues in the area, and one standout feature was the willingness of locations like the Inn at Hermannhof to arrange transportation for guests to and from local activities. While many attractions are within walking distance, this could be particularly beneficial for those planning to enjoy the local beverage scene or engage in group outings. It’s a considerate touch that ensures guests can enjoy their time responsibly and return to their accommodations safely,” explains Box.
Hermann also has an Amtrak station downtown, with two trains a day from St. Louis and Kansas City. “MoDOT and Amtrak are looking at expanding in 2026, particularly because of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (which will be hosted in Kansas City)”, says Bruckerhoff. “So we’re very hopeful that in January of 2026, we will have six stops a day, three from each side of the state, which is awesome for the business meetings as well.”
Blending leisure and business effortlessly, Hermann is a refreshing change for meetings and events. It’s a safe and walkable community with a myriad of great lodging options and unique experiences to make your meeting memorable.
MEET
Rebekah Icenesse is a contributing writer from St. Louis.
