West Michigan Wine Trails

From: WMTA.org

Michigan Wines for Every Taste

By: Karel Bush, Promotion Specialist: Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council

If you love fine food and wine, your first question when planning your travel might be: What is unique about this region? When you travel through Michigan, you’ll discover the Great Lakes State offers a diverse assortment of cool-climate wines that pair beautifully with foods from their regions.

Many of Michigan’s 90-plus wineries are located in the most scenic spots in the state. Most are along the Lake Michigan shore, where vineyards take advantage of the “lake effect,” which brings insulating snow cover in the winter and warm breezes in the fall.

Because of Michigan’s diverse growing regions – vineyards are scattered from the Upper Peninsula to the southern state line – there are many varieties and styles of wine to enjoy.

Aromatic white wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer are widely produced in Michigan. Riesling, in particular, is found from very dry to very sweet – even Ice Wine, which is a style unique to cool-climate areas. Try a sip and you will fall in love with this heavenly nectar.

Cabernet Franc ripens earlier than many other red grapes, which is an advantage in a cool climate like Michigan. This wine is produced as a varietal (labeled with the grape name), but is also blended with Merlot and other reds. Many Michigan wineries also produce delicious Pinot Noir, the most widely planted red grape.

Whether you’re looking for red or white, dry or sweet, you’ll find something to love at any of the winery tasting rooms around Michigan. To learn more about the wines and wineries of Michigan, visit www.michiganwines.com.

Wine Trails

With 93 wineries and counting, Michigan is making its way onto the map as destination for fantastic wine and breathtaking wineries. Often referred to as the “Napa of the Midwest”, West Michigan has the perfect climate for growing the grapes to make award winning wines.

A perfect getaway with a loved one, or for a weekend away with the girls, would be to hop in the car (with a designated driver of course) and check out one of these wine trails. Do it in a day or take the weekend to travel to each of these extravagant wineries.
 

Central West Michigan

Clay Avenue Cellars, Muskegon
Lake Effect Winery , Muskegon
Lemon Creek Winery , Grand Haven
Robinette’s Apple Haus , Grand Rapids
Cascade Winery & Jaden James Brewery , Grand Rapids
Fenn Valley , Fennville
McIntosh Cellars and Winery , South Haven
Burgdorf’s Winery , Haslett
Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery , Mattawan
St. Julian Winery , Paw Paw
Lawton Ridge Winery , Kalamazoo
 

Grand Traverse Bay Area

Leelanau Peninsula
Shady Lane Cellars , Suttons Bay
Chateau de Leelanau , Suttons Bay
Black Star Farms , Suttons Bay
Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery , Lake Leelanau
Verterra Winery , Leland
Northern Natural Winery , Benzonia

Old Mission Peninsula
Left Foot Charley , Traverse City
Black Star Farms , Traverse City
Peninsula Cellars , Traverse City
Chateau Grand Traverse , Traverse City
Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery , Traverse City
Chateau Chantal , Traverse City

 

For more information on all the West Michigan wineries as well as wine trail itineraries, visit our itineraries section.