Rosati, Missouri facts for kids
Rosati is a small, unincorporated community located in the northeastern part of Phelps County, Missouri, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government.
What is Rosati?
Rosati is a quiet place that sits right next to the border between Phelps County and Crawford County. You can find it along Missouri Route KK, which is about four miles (6 kilometers) east of the town of St. James. This road was once part of the famous U.S. Highway 66, a historic road that crossed much of America. The St. Louis–San Francisco Railway also runs through this community.
How Did Rosati Get Its Name?
Before it was called Rosati, this area had other names like "Knobview" and "Spading." The name "Rosati" was chosen to honor Joseph Rosati. He was born in Italy and became the very first bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in some Christian churches.
Rosati's Grape Growing History
Rosati is famous for being part of Missouri's special area where grapes are grown for wine. When the first Italian immigrants came to this region, they tried to plant grape types from their home country, Italy. However, these grapes didn't grow well in Missouri's soil and climate.
Instead, the early settlers successfully grew Concord grapes. These grapes are mostly used for making juice, not wine. But in the 1970s, local farmers started to change things. They began replacing the Concord grapevines with different types of grapes that are perfect for making delicious wine. This helped Rosati become known for its wines today.
