Michigan Wine Country

John Wojnarski was recently named the estate chef at Black Star Farms in Leelanau County.A 2012 graduate of Traverse City’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute, he had worked at the winery in the two years...

Many Michigan wineries have turned to the outdoors to appeal to new and returning visitors as they adhere to current social distancing and ventilation guidelines in an effort to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. Vintners such as Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery near Traverse City and Dablon Vineyards in Baroda are offering opportunities to take in the crisp, bucolic sights while enjoying a beverage or two.

For the first time in more than four decades, Chateau Grand Traverse is operating without its illustrious founder, Ed O’Keefe Jr., somewhere nearby. It won’t be quite the same. O’Keefe Jr. died on New Year’s Day at his home in the inn at the Old Mission Peninsula winery he built.

When Peter King was growing up in metro Detroit, his dad used to make wine every autumn. “We had a small grapevine in the backyard — one grapevine — and he would make a small batch every year,” recalls King, 37, who works as an accountant.

What Michigan wines are you interested in this holiday season? How do you pair them with foods?

The people who make up Michigan’s wine industry are a family-oriented bunch. We asked them to share a favorite holiday recipe and its back story. In the middle of this crazy, pandemic holiday season, many were kind enough to respond.

While their tasting rooms remain closed, Michigan wineries are celebrating the holidays in creative ways this year. At the Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, the staff reimagined a beloved annual tradition — brunch with Santa — as a drive-thru visit with the jolly old elf Dec. 12.