MICHIGAN WINE COUNTRY NEWS AND FEATURES
Certified Superfan
Jeremy Jurewicz from Grand Rapids is a big fan of wine — so much so, in fact, that he took his interest to the next level last year by becoming a certified specialist of...
All About Viognier
Originally grown in the Rhône Valley of France, the Viognier grape has found a home away from home here in Michigan.
Viognier, which can have aromas of peach, tangerine, and melon, reacts well to Michigan’s...
How to Pair Wine and Chocolate
A hot cup of coffee, a square of dark chocolate, and a glass of wine. According to Shady Lane Cellars’ executive winemaker and general manager, Kasey Wierzba, these are a few of the “vices”...
Juice Up Your Wine List
Once you know what kinds of wine you like, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut. After all, nothing can beat your familiar favorites, right?However, if you’re willing to be a...
Q&A with Jenny Pike
If you ask metro Detroit resident Jenny Pike which Michigan wineries she likes, she has a tough time narrowing them down.“I can’t even think of any that we don’t like to go to,”...
Ramato 101
Something old (world) is new again in the Michigan wine industry.
A couple of wineries in the state produce ramato, a northeastern Italian–style wine made by macerating Pinot Grigio/Gris grape skins with the juice. It...
‘The Sum Is Greater Than the Parts’
Solving a math problem. Painting a picture. Cooking a fabulous meal.Michigan winemakers have many colorful metaphors for the theory behind blending grapes, but one thing’s for certain: They’re enthusiastic about blends and what they...
Michigan Wineries’ ‘Best-Kept Secret’
Winter is an underrated time to visit a Michigan winery. In fact, “the winter is our best-kept secret,” says Brian Lillie, director of hospitality operations and distribution at Chateau Chantal on the Old Mission...
On a Quest to See Them All
To call Emily Lenard an admirer of Michigan wine would be an understatement.The Grand Rapids–area resident, who so far has traveled to 63 Michigan wineries on her quest to visit them all, is something...
Holiday Gifts for Michigan Wine Lovers
As Michiganders decorate their trees and stock up on wrapping paper in anticipation of the holiday season, wineries across the state are gearing up with their own preparations, including special gifting options. Unwrap delicious...
Hospitality Meets Sustainability at Gilchrist Farm Winery
At the newly opened Gilchrist Farm Winery, a hospitality-focused team is working together to serve locally sourced food grown using sustainable practices.
Located in downtown Suttons Bay, the tasting room acts as a restaurant, pairing...
Basketball and Wine: The Perfect Blend
Now that basketball season is underway, local fans of both the sport and Michigan wine can enjoy quite the crossover episode: a partnership between Lake Leelanau–based Soul Squeeze Cellars and the Detroit Pistons.The collaboration...
Uncommon Sense
While many adages you’ve heard about wine may seem like common sense, some of them are more myth than fact.Michigan Wine Country asked Ping Ho, owner and wine director at The Royce wine bar...
‘A Great Grape’ for Michigan
Michigan is made for Cabernet Franc, and vice versa.The grape grows well both in the state’s southwestern and northwestern vineyards. Southwest Michigan has a bit of an edge because the fruit has more time...
Fruitful Beginnings
The year 2023 has shaped up to be an interesting one for winemakers across the state. Despite inclement weather, this year’s harvest has been plentiful for several vineyards in Michigan, and harvesters are optimistic...
Fall Has Arrived at These Michigan Wineries
The leaves have just begun to change color, and there’s a light chill in the morning air. That can only mean one thing: Fall is right around the corner! It’s time for apple picking,...
Out-There Enology
Most of us are familiar with Michigan’s most commonly grown wine grapes — Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc among them. While these varieties take up the bulk of Michigan’s vineyard...
Elevate the Everyday
A sign that once hung on the wall in Mawby’s Leelanau Peninsula tasting room declared: “Sparkling Wine: Not Just a Breakfast Drink.”Years later, the sign is gone, but the tongue-in-cheek sentiment still rings true....
Michigan Wine Collaborative Announces Scholarship Winners
After months of planning, raising money, and reviewing applications, the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s Inclusion and Expansion Committee has chosen its inaugural scholarship recipients.Three students — Antoniues Gregory, Carmen Davis, and Misha Byrd — have received scholarships...
Winery Road Trip Guide: Southeast and Thumb
While Northwest and Southwest Michigan tend to get the most recognition of the state’s wine regions, Southeast Michigan abounds with outstanding wineries that are well worth a road trip. If you’re visiting the region...