Independence Uncorked

Independence Uncorked is a grand tasting wine festival held annually in Independence, Missouri — drawing over 2,600 attendees to the grounds of the Historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate, a 19th-century mansion once owned by celebrated Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham. Scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, the festival is presented by the Rotary Club of Eastern Independence and features 25 Missouri wineries, a guest spirits distiller, and a full day of art, music, beer, and food vendors running from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. General Admission has historically been priced at $35 in advance and $45 at the door; VIP at $60. The 2026 pricing has not yet been announced.

Independence Uncorked is described by organizers as the largest wine festival in Missouri, with 25 participating wineries pouring samples across the event. The festival's Wine 101 Class Tent has hosted structured sessions including a Wine and Cheese Tasting, a Holladay Distiller Class, and a History of Missouri Wines presentation — giving the event an educational dimension alongside its tasting format. Two stages provide live music throughout the day, and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate's historic Veranda serves as the VIP gathering space during the early hours. Proceeds benefit national and local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Eastern Independence.

General Admission tickets include festival access, free wine samples from all attending wineries, a complimentary sample wine glass, live music, wine classes, and snack samples. VIP tickets add one hour of early entry beginning at noon, access to the VIP Veranda until 2:30 p.m., a one-trip food ticket from the VIP food line, and a tour certificate for the Bingham-Waggoner House. The event is 21+ with ID required for entry. Chairs and blankets are permitted on the grounds; backpacks, coolers, outside food and drink, strollers, and pets are not. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle bus connects remote lots to the venue. Tickets are transferable but non-refundable, and the event runs rain or shine.

Missouri Wine Country encompasses over 130 licensed wineries, with the state's wine heritage dating back to the 1800s. Norton — Missouri's official state grape — is among the most widely planted red varieties, and the region also produces Vignoles and Chardonel. Independence Uncorked's focus on exclusively Missouri wineries makes it a concentrated showcase of that regional tradition, all set against the backdrop of a property with deep ties to Missouri's cultural history.