If you live in the Mitten — or even a short ways outside of it — you’re never too far from a glass of Michigan wine.
That’s partly thanks to these tasting rooms that partner with local producers to serve and sell Michigan wine exclusively.
Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room | Metro Detroit
When Cortney and Shannon Casey opened their first Michigan by the Bottle Tasting Room in Shelby Township in 2012, they introduced consumers to a novel concept: Michigan wine from a variety of producers under a single roof.
The wife-and-husband team had launched a successful blog celebrating the state’s wineries but say they felt a “black hole” for finding Michigan wines in metro Detroit beyond the larger grocery stores they frequented. They sensed that many others felt the same, Cortney says.
“After we opened, we discovered that there were so many Michigan wine lovers out there that just hadn’t been united in a meaningful way before,” says Cortney, who along with Shannon is a certified sommelier and now owns two more tasting room locations, in Royal Oak and Auburn Hills.
Besides offering wine by the tasting flight, glass, and bottle, the tasting rooms sell locally sourced snacks. They also host live music, wine education classes, wine release parties, winemaker’s dinners, pop-up food events, a book club, live trivia, crafting classes, and more.
In the 12 years the Caseys have spent promoting their passion, one story never gets old.
“There are a lot of people who are under the misconception that Michigan can’t produce high-quality red wines due to our climate,” Cortney says. “We love changing their minds when they come in and taste!”
Learn more about Michigan by the Bottle locations at mbtbtasting.com.
Local Pour | Sawyer, Michigan
Southwest Michigan is home to a tasting room with a twist.
Owner Chalet Sturgeon opened Local Pour in Sawyer three years ago to educate visitors on Michigan wines and also offer locally sourced beer and cider.
“We want to include everybody,” says Sturgeon, who estimates that 80% of her visitors come from out of town.
Even though any thirsty adult can find a beverage that suits, Sturgeon says wine is a passion of hers and her good friend Jayme Neumann, the general manager.
“A lot of people [used to] say Michigan doesn’t know how to make good wine, … so we wanted to change the perception,” Neumann says.
In addition to their tastings, the pair host “Wine Education Wednesdays,” when winemakers and/or winery owners come and bring five vinos to present.
“We love telling the wineries’ stories to customers; it gets them really excited to come in,” says Neumann, who along with Sturgeon worked in other tasting rooms prior to opening Local Pour.
With their eye on Michigan’s winemaking future, both women agree that the state is on the cusp of something special.
“We’ve got some amazing young winemakers here that are just going to blow the roof off the industry,” Neumann says.
Visit Local Pour at 12857 Red Arrow Highway in Sawyer. Learn more at localpourmi.com.
Up North Wine Tasting Room | Geneva, Illinois
Tucked into the small town of Geneva, west of Chicago, is an unusual voice trumpeting Michigan wine country: Up North Wine Tasting Room, situated in a cozy, Petoskey stone–infused space that echoes the owners’ love of northern Michigan.
In 2022, Cathy Humphreys, her daughter Amy Goedken, and her daughter-in-law Mary Humphreys — who frequently vacation Up North and visit their favorite wineries — blended their talents to open the tasting room in their hometown.
“One day, we were like, ‘We have to figure out a way to bring that here to Illinois, because these wines are just phenomenal,’” Cathy says. “The response has been equally phenomenal.”
Along with other events, each month the women feature a winery and put that winery’s offerings on the menu. They also host the owner, the winemaker, or another winery representative to speak about the wines.
The education underpins the experience, which drives the passion, Cathy says.
“The wineries I liked the most were where I wasn’t just poured tastings of wine — I actually learned,” says Cathy, who frequently takes her staff to northern Michigan for training. “We tell our visitors to keep an open mind and use the experience of our tasting room to try things that maybe they’d never try.”
Visit Up North Wine Tasting Room at 9 N. Second St. in Geneva, Illinois. Learn more at upnorthwinegeneva.com.
T&T Sip-n-Read Book Bar | Detroit
Tamela C. Todd’s take on living well is a unique recipe that mixes books, luxe seating, and a glass of Michigan wine at her upcoming Detroit “wine-brary.”
Todd says the cozy and inviting space on Michigan Avenue — made possible in part by the small-business-launching Motor City Match program — was designed to provide a comfortable setting for exploring the state’s finest wines in the company of literature.
Creating a haven for people to gather, relax, read, and sip a wine from the book bar’s curated Michigan-only wine list has been a dream of Todd’s for a long time.
“The inspiration behind exclusively featuring Michigan wines stems from a deep appreciation for the local winemaking scene,” she says. “We believe in supporting and showcasing the incredible quality and diversity of wines produced right here in our home state.”
Just like her tailored selection of books and comfy nooks, Todd says her wines have an equally compelling story to tell.
“Showcasing Michigan wines is a point of pride for us,” she says. “Michigan wines attract customers with their unique local flavors, innovative winemaking, family-owned charm, and commitment to sustainability.”
Follow T&T Sip-n-Read Book Bar on Instagram (@sipnreadbookbar) and keep an eye out for the tasting room’s opening.
A version of this article originally appeared in the 2024 Michigan Wine Country magazine.
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