Wineries are a little harder to find than breweries — they’re not really popping up in urban hotspots. But that doesn’t mean we have any shortage of the stuff in West and Northern Michigan. Sprawled across the mitten’s surprisingly diverse landscape, dozens of wineries are pumping out more than enough vino for all (supposedly thanks to a France-esque climate). Southwest Michigan and Traverse City are particularly dense with vineyards if you know where to look. Well, guess what? We know where to look. Read on.
Southwest Michigan
12 Corners Vineyards
1201 N. Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor, 12Corners.com, (269) 927-1512
Located 4 miles from Michigan’s Gold Coast, this 115-acre estate is planted with both vinifera and hybrid grapes. 12 Corners offers Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Gewurztraminer, among plenty of other varieties. Aside from the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard, there’s also a tasting room, gift shop, kids’ corner and meeting rooms for large groups. The winery also has tasting rooms in South Haven and Grand Haven.
Baroda Founders Wine Cellar
8963 Hills Rd., Baroda, founderswinecellar.com, (269) 426-5222
Established in 2009 by Leonard Olson, the selection at Baroda Founders ranges from classic varietals and fruit-flavor enhanced wines to dessert offerings like ice wine and chocolate-infused reds.
Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery
45727 27th St., Mattawan, codykrestawinery.com, (269) 668-3800
This small 20-acre, family-run farm winery is set on an 1882 estate. Enjoy the wine from a secluded tasting room — or relax and take in scenic views from the gorgeous back patio.
Cogdal Vineyards
7143 107th Ave., South Haven, cogdalvineyards.com, (269) 637-2229
At the family-owned Cogdal Vineyards, the philosophy is “to create outstanding, small-batch wines using Michigan-grown grapes.” That includes the Cogdal brand as well as Little Man Wines, a series of “fun and eclectic wines.”
Contessa Wine Cellars
3235 Friday Rd., Coloma, contessawinecellars.com, (269) 468-5534
Offering a host of reds, whites and fruit wines, as well as a blush, Contessa features a tasting room reminiscent of an old Italian villa. Enjoy views of the vineyards and Coloma Valley from the terrace.
Domaine Berrien Cellars
398 E. Lemon Creek Rd., Berrien Springs, domaineberrien.com, (269) 473-9463
An all-estate winery, Domaine Berrien Cellars grows, ferments and bottles all of its wines onsite to maximize control and quality. Being situated on one of the highest points in Berrien County with south-facing hillsides gives the vineyards a unique advantage in the Lake Michigan Shore region.
Fenn Valley Vineyards
6130 122nd Ave., Fennville, fennvalley.com, (800) 432-6265
Based in Fennville, Fenn Valley Vineyards offers a range of products including white and sparkling wines, red wines, specialty wines like port and ice wine and fruit-based products. The Fennville Estate is a beautiful place to enjoy a glass of wine and a small plate or a picnic.
Free Run Cellars
10062 Burgoyne Rd., Berrien Springs, freeruncellars.com, (269) 471-1737
For more than 25 years, Free Run Cellars has specialized in Alsace-style white wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer along with dry reds such as Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The company has recently added spirits including cognac-style brandy, calvados-style brandy and grappa.
Glass Creek Winery
450 N. Whitmore Rd., Hastings, glasscreekwinery.com, (269) 948-2752
A small family-run winery operated by Eric and Donna Miller just a few miles from Hastings, Glass Creek offers a variety of wines ranging from dry, oak barrel-aged reds to sweet, fruit-based offerings. The winery also offers a hefty selection of craft beers, from oktoberfests to stouts. The tasting room is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Gravity Wine
10220 Lauer Rd., Baroda, gravitywine.com, (269) 471-9463
Gravity offers views of rolling hills, vineyards and a private lake at its 2,000-square-foot tasting room, which features a large deck and patios. Altogether, the winery can seat more than 140 guests. The friendly staff will help you prepare a custom wine flight to fit your palate.
Hickory Creek Winery
750 Browntown Rd., Buchanan, hickorycreekwinery.com, (269) 422-1100
Specializing in old world European wines from locally grown grapes, Hickory Creek pours a range of 19 styles from its “charming” tasting room inside a red barn. The company also features apple wine made from heirloom apples.
Karma Vista Vineyards
6991 Ryno Rd., Coloma, karmavista.com, (269) 468-9463
Featuring a host of standbys and limited-run wines, Karma Vista focuses on providing a “great tasting experience in a beautiful setting.” You’ll notice many of the wine names are loosely based on musical references. The reason: “We envision the wine label as our version of album art from the glory days of vinyl.”
Lawton Ridge Winery
8456 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, lawtonridgewinery.com, (269) 372-9463
Lawton Ridge Winery started as a vineyard in 1973 and then opened its tasting room in 2008. The 4,400-square-foot space includes a production area, tasting room, lab and space for classes and private tastings. All of its wines come from grapes grown either in its vineyard or in neighboring vineyards in the Lake Michigan Shore region. The selection ranges from elegant, dry reds to award-winning dessert wines.
Lemon Creek Winery
533 E. Lemon Creek Rd., Berrien Springs, lemoncreekwinery.com, (269) 471-1321
Lemon Creek’s historic vineyard and winery, located in the heart of Michigan’s wine country, has 160 years of history and features award-winning wines that are all estate-grown and bottled by the Lemon family. Pro tip: The winery also operates a tasting room in Grand Haven at 327 N. Beacon Blvd.
Round Barn Winery
10983 Hills Rd., Baroda, roundbarnwinery.com, (800) 716-9463
The Round Barn (formerly known as Heart of the Vineyard) is a trifecta of spirits: A winery, distillery and brewery. Family-owned and operated, Round Barn proudly uses local produce from area orchards, vineyards and farms to produce its 50 different varietals, brandies, vodkas and beers.
St. Julian Winery
716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw, stjulian.com, (800) 732-6002
With more than 95 years of experience, St. Julian Winery is a pioneer among Michigan winemakers. The company offers tasting rooms around the state, including at its home base and main winery in Paw Paw.
Tabor Hill Winery
185 Mount Tabor Road, Buchanan, taborhill.com, (800) 283-3363
Tucked away in Southwest Michigan, Tabor Hill offers walking tours of the vineyards and its state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The winery also pairs its beverages with locally-sourced foods at its fine-dining restaurant. If you can’t make the trek to Buchanan, check out the tasting room in Saugatuck.
Vineyard 2121
2121 Kerlikowske Rd., Benton Harbor, vineyard2121.com, (269) 849-0109
Vineyard 2121 started with a passion for quality wine shared by Jeffrey and Deborah Pallas, a husband and wife team. Tucked away in the hardwoods and pines lining the property’s perimeters, the charming raspberry farm boasts three duck ponds and tranquil scenery fit for an outdoor wedding or event. Choose from a list of wines and hard ciders, as well as some select food items.
Warner Vineyards
706 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw, warnerwines.com, (800) 756-5357
Founded in 1938, Warner Vineyards is an O.G. winemaker on the shore. The company features a range of whites, reds, sparkling, fruit and dessert wines — as well as the ability to personalize labels for a special gift. Warner also offers tasting rooms in South Haven, Holland, New Buffalo and Marshall.
White Pine Winery
317 State St., Saint Joseph, whitepinewinery.com, (269) 281-0098
While White Pine’s tasting room is based in one of the oldest buildings in St. Joseph, all of the grapes are grown in Lawton. The winery specializes in aromatic white varietals like Pinot Grigio and Riesling.
Wolfe Creek Winery
118 Cleveland Rd., Galien, wolfecreekwinery.com, (269) 369-3900
Wolfe Creek just recently joined the party, tucked down in Galien (nearly in Indiana). This winery has all kinds of red and white and dessert wines, from a capriccio to cranberry. The boutique, set in a historic brick building, is available for parties, meetings and any other private event.
Wyncroft Wines
1055 64th St., Pullman, wyncroftwine.com, (269) 409-1855
Wyncroft is known for its extremely high-end wines that have been aged for years. However, in recent years, the winery rolled out a new brand: Marland, which sources its grapes from several local vineyards and are younger, more affordable wines, which don’t require any cellar aging.
West Michigan
Cascade Winery
4665 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, cascadecellars.com, (616) 656-4665
Since 2003, Cascade Winery has been a family-owned, award-winning winery. Guests at the tasting bar can sample reds, whites, fruit wine, meads and more (including a selection of beers). The location also carries unique gift items, home-vintner supplies and customized labeling.
Heavenly Vineyards
15946 Jefferson Rd., Morley, heavenlyvineyards.weebly.com, (616) 710-2751
Heavenly Vineyards is a family-owned boutique winery that produces and bottles all of its wines onsite. The company offers the traditional styles, as well as off-the-wall varieties such as Jalapeno Wine and Rhubarb Wine.
Hudsonville Winery
3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville, hudsonvillewinery.com, (616) 662-4589
Hudsonville Winery — owned by Steve Guikema and Ron Snider, who also co-own Pike 51 Brewing Co. — carries more than 30 different wines. The list includes Pinot Grigio, Bruno and White Zinfandel. On top of that is a large selection of fruit wines, such as Peach, Acai, Raspberry, Hudsonberry, Pomegranate and Black Cherry. All the wines are made onsite.
Jomagrha Vineyards and Winery
7365 South Pere Marquette Hwy., Pentwater, jomagrha.com, (231) 869-4236
Located just miles from Lake Michigan between Pentwater and Ludington, Jomagrha Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1999 by Harry Sanford and specializes in old-world French grapes, alongside new American and French hybrids. The handcrafted wines include Marechal Foch, de Chaunac and a new light port, among others.
Kayla Rae Cellars
31 Courtland St., Rockford, kaylaraecellars.com, (616) 951-7001
Tucked away in the quaint downtown area of Rockford, Kayla Rae offers a handful of wines and ciders along with nibbles. Bonus: The cellar also offers growler fills for cider and sangria.
Oceana Winery & Vineyard
4980 S. 52nd Ave., New Era, oceanawinery.com, (231) 343-0038
Featuring dry and sweet wines and everything in-between, Oceana Winery has something for everyone’s palate. The company also offers tasting rooms in Pentwater and now in downtown Muskegon.
Northwest Michigan
Black Star Farms
10844 E. Revold Rd., Suttons Bay, blackstarfarms.com, (231) 944-1270
Black Star Farms has not one, but two tasting rooms: one in Suttons Bay and one on Old Mission Peninsula. The winery has just released its spring varietals, from a 2016 Pinot Noir Rose (which is full of fresh fruit and vibrancy) to a 2015 Pinot Gris (which is more complex, but still refreshing). Black Star also has a small distillation program, occasionally releasing extremely limited brandies.
Bowers Harbor Vineyards
2896 Bowers Harbor Rd., Traverse City, bowersharbor.com, (231) 223-7615
A boutique winery located in Northern Michigan on picturesque Old Mission Peninsula, Bowers Harbor offers a range of award-winning wines — as well as unique greetings from one of the company’s three winery dogs. Focused on cool-climate viticulture, Bowers Harbor produces wines like Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, plus a signature meritage blend known as 2896, Langley Vineyard.
Chateau Chantal
15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, chateauchantal.com, (231) 223-4110
Chateau Chantal offers a French style three-room B&B, winery and vineyard located on a vast 65-acre estate on Old Mission Peninsula, one of the most scenic areas of the Great Lakes. Enjoy views of Grand Traverse Bay, Power Island and rolling vineyards that abound from each window.
Chateau Grand Traverse
12239 Center Rd., Traverse City, cgtwines.com, (800) 283-0247
For more than 40 years, the family-owned Chateau Grand Traverse has focused on 12 European grape varietals, specializing in Riesling wines. The company operates 122 acres of estate-owned vineyards in Northern Michigan, plus another 80 acres contracted with area growers.
Leelanau Cellars
5019 N. West Bay Shore Dr., Omena, leelanaucellars.com, (231) 386-5201
After decades of producing award-winning wines in Michigan’s Wine Coast, Leelanau Cellars’ philosophy has remained the same: “Produce quality, consumer-friendly wines, affordable to everyone.” Relax during the day at the winery’s tasting room, which is open year-round.
Left Foot Charley Winery
806 Red Dr. #100, Traverse City, leftfootcharley.com, (231) 995-0500
Left Foot Charley, launched in 2004 by Bryan Ulbrich, teamed up with 18 Northern Michigan growers to produce an assortment of white wine varietals, hard cider and sparkling wine. The winery says it produces “wines that display the range of aroma and flavor found among the glacially tilled hills of our appellations.”
Willow Vineyards
10702 E. Hilltop Rd., Suttons Bay, willowvineyardwine.com, (231) 271-4810
Willow Vineyards, established in 1992, is located on a striking, wind-swept hillside in Suttons Bay. Panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay add to the majesty of the location. You can sample from award-winning vintages in the tasting room or purchase by the bottle, half-bottle or magnum.
