 In 1859, Georg and Friedrich Muench founded one of the earliest wineries in the area, Mount Pleasant Winery.Flooding in the Missouri River valley caused the river to change course in 1872, drying up the area's riverboat landing and leaving a distinct soil type in the area between the town and the river.The area's early vineyards were planted in the 1880s and the area began receiving recognition for the distinctive flavors and profile of the wine being produced there.