Michigan wineries, like bars and restaurants, are closed to indoor tastings at least through Dec. 20 per the current order by the state health department to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Some have been able to offer space for outdoor tastings, but beyond that, they are relying on online orders and curbside or indoor pickups to satisfy consumers’ holiday wine consumption and gifting needs. Many are also sweetening the pot with specials, discounts and breaks on shipping.
Here’s a sampling of what some of the state’s wineries are offering right now.
Leelanau Peninsula-based Black Star Farms is offering 20 percent off contactless carryout at its Traverse City-area tasting rooms all month. It’s also offering free shipping on six or more bottles of wine.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery on the Old Mission Peninsula has created holiday gift sets for this holiday season. Each includes a selection of wine wrapped in reusable jute wine bags and tied with ribbon. Some include other gift items like Secret Garden body products, glassware and mulling spices. All are currently available at discounted rates at the Brys website. Shipping is included in the price. Holiday gift certificates and electronic gift cards are also available. In addition, Brys’ Secret Garden gift shop (free shipping on orders of $50 or more) offers gift sets, stocking stuffers and bath and body products.
Cadillac Winery in LeRoy is offering an assortment of holiday gifts that range from single- and two-bottle gift boxes to wine-themed socks, Michigan-themed gloves and hats, glasses and more. Shop Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Wine is available for online order as well. Also, those who bring in five nonperishable food items to benefit the food banks of Tustin and Luther will receive 10 percent off wine orders.
Old Mission Peninsula’s Chateau Chantal is listing a variety of holiday specials: holiday three-packs that come in dry ($60), sweet ($40) or New Year’s Eve bubbly ($43); and volume discounts and 1-cent shipping on full cases. Proprietor Marie-Chantal Dalese will be conducting a Zoom tasting at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 to present the wines in the packs — anyone can join.
Chateau Grand Traverse on the Old Mission Peninsula is offering quantity discounts on all of its wines, both in-store and online. Purchase six or more bottles for 10 percent off; one to two cases for 15 percent off; three to four cases for 20 percent off; and five or more cases for 25 percent off. No codes or coupons required.
Domaine Berrien Cellars is offering reduced-rate FedEx ground shipping on wine orders. Cases will be shipped at $10 each, a savings of $20 per case. Call 269-473-9463 or email winery@domaineberrien.com to place an order.
Fieldstone Winery in Rochester is in the process of offering 12 Days of Sales through Dec. 23. Each sale is good for one day, and each day is different. They’ll send you a daily email with each day’s special if you click here.
Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar is offering holiday gift packs priced from $46-$56 and including UPS ground shipping, holiday gift packaging and a custom card. Each pack contains three bottles of Fenn Valley wine or four four-packs of hard cider. Fenn Valley also offers gift cards in any denomination over $10. It’s also now offering its Nouveau, which is the first wine of the current vintage, described as a dry red loaded with fruitiness. The cost is $9, and it’s only available while supplies last.
Lawton Ridge Winery in Kalamazoo is selling all cases of wine (12 bottles) at 20 percent off. Cases can be all one type of wine, or you can mix and match your favorites. Lawton Ridge also offers local food items as stocking stuffers and will create gift baskets to fit your budget. They’re also selling gift certificates.
St. Joseph-based Lazy Ballerina Winery is offering several holiday-related promotions. Shoppers receive 25 percent off on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Bridgman tasting room only. Wine club members receive 30 percent off in-store and curbside at both the Bridgman and St. Joseph locations until Dec. 23. Other specials include: a free logo tote bag, salted butter caramel truffle and stemless 2020 wine glass plus a card that will get you one free wine tasting at a later date with a purchase of six bottles; and in partnership with Love and Macarons, Lazy Ballerina is offering customers four handmade macarons with a purchase of one bottle of Pink Tutu for $25 (preorder for pickup in St. Joseph on Dec. 19). Love and Macarons will also be at the St. Joseph location Dec. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. for those who might like to stock up on wine and sweets for the holidays.
Michigan Wine Company in Fennville is offering end-of-year specials. In the tasting room, visitors receive 10 percent off their entire purchase with two or more bottles. That includes all wine, art, gifts and apparel. Online shoppers pay a $10 flat rate for UPS ground shipping and receive 10 percent off case purchases (12 bottles).
Modales Wines in Fennville is offering what it’s billing as a Holiday Bizarre Bazaar Dec. 18-23. Purchase any three bottles of Modales wine and the staff will provide free gift wrapping for up to eight gifts you bring with you. They’ll also have local crafts and other holiday promotions. Guests can also cozy up to the firepit and enjoy mulled wine or hot cocoa. RSVP if you plan to attend.
Rove Estate on the Leelanau Peninsula has create-your-own gift baskets for the holidays. Each comes ready to gift with a basket, wrapping and bow around two bottles of wine, two glasses and one Rove swag item at 15 percent off the entire purchase. This offer is only available in the tasting room, however. Rove also features a Holiday Survival Pack featuring three wines — white, rosé and red — at $60 ($77 value). For more details, click here.
Shady Lane Cellars’ 12 Days of Christmas Sale is rolling out new specials each day through Sunday, Dec. 20. The winery is also offering 25 percent off its 2016 Merlot and throwing in a recipe for a festive sparkling cocktail. The Leelanau County winery is also offering $10 flat-rate shipping all month long.
Verterra Winery on the Leelanau Peninsula has assembled discounted holiday three-packs that it will ship at no cost with code HappyHolidays “to create some easy gifts.” Options include:
-Crowd Pleaser (dry, medium sweet, red and white) – $55
-Best-Selling Whites (Unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio) – $55
-Pinot Pack (Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio) – $65
-Celebrate (Sparkling Rosé, Chaos Sparkler and Fox Island Sparkler) – $70
-Best-Selling Reds (Chaos Red, Pinot Noir and Reserve Red Cab/Merlot) – $85
-Limited Quantity Vintners Select Vertical (2011 and 2012 Vintners Select along with 2016 Vintners Select) – $250
Verterra’s website recommends ordering by Dec. 16 for delivery prior to Christmas.
Other Holiday Promotions:
Black Star Farms is offering Christmas dinner for contactless carry-out Dec. 23. Dinner for four to six people will include an entree (including a vegetarian option), Waldorf salad, potatoes, vegetable options and Christmas Opera Cakes. Gluten- and dairy-free sides are also available. Of course, the meal comes with wine pairing suggestions. Preorders can be made by clicking here. Deadline to order is Friday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. Pickup will be in the afternoon on Dec. 23 at Hearth & Vine Café on the Black Star Farms Winery Estate on Revold Road in Suttons Bay.
Black Star is also offering takeout New Year’s Eve dinner for two, available to guests at its inn as well as to the public. Check it out here.
Looking to get away? Black Star is featuring a “workcation” package with complimentary gifts and a new winter outdoor adventure package that includes fat tire biking along with lunch and snowshoes.
In lieu of in-person experiences that happen in normal times, Chateau Chantal is offering virtual tasting experiences for holiday parties, corporate events and celebrations/gatherings of family and friends. Customers select a theme, and the session will be tailored to their tastes. Packages of one to six bottles, paired with snacks, are shipped to guests, and then a certified sommelier or wine educator conducts the virtual tasting session. The winery is also offering one night free with one night’s stay in January, February or March for check-ins that are Sunday through Wednesday nights.
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