Fenton Winery & Brewery has a pretty interesting history. Founded by Matt and Ginny Sherrow they started out in a strip mall in 2007 amidst a recession the owners were determined to make it through. After a few years of success, acquiring the storefronts on either side and gaining popularity, they knew the winery & brewery could be expanded if they had more space. In 2012 they found a nice 5 acre property, previously a wood shop, just North of town on Long Lake Rd. The property needed a lot of renovation, fast forward to 2014 they were totally transitioned. Now at 1370 N. Long Lake Rd., Fenton, MI 48430 they have a store that sells brewing supplies, glasses, growlers, bottles of beer and wine and other cool items. There is a separate wedding/event room and the brewhouse is onsite. The taproom where you can indulge in samples, glasses or bottles of their craft wines and beer, the delicious pizzas, appetizers, cheesy ale soup (my favorite!), meat and cheese tray and artisan grilled cheese sandwiches. On nice days you can take your food and drink outside into the beer and wine garden. You won't be bored, they also have games like corn hole, board games and much more to help you relax. If you find yourself on US-23 in-between Hartland and Flint this is your stop.
As I have written in the past about my secondary love of beer Fenton Winery & Brewery has something that everyone will love. Even if you aren't into wine and beer they can serve up your favorite cocktail instead. You'll be shocked at their selection of wine. Why don't we explore the amazing wine they have.
White Wine:
Orange Label White - Sauvignon Blanc
Classic, semi-dry wine that has an herbaceous nose & subtle hints of lavender. Excellent with seafood & well-seasoned poultry dishes.
Fresh, well-balanced with tropical citrus aromas and flavors. Undimmed by oak, the fruit quality of the grape comes through and the rich, round mouth feel lingers to a long, crisp finish.
Full-bodied & highly aromatic, this fruit-forward wine boasts great floral notes. Layers of flavor linger on the palate. Pairs well with spicy foods. (One of my favorite whites). See flight picture.
Light, semi-sweet wine that features a delicate, fruity aroma and a fresh, crisp finish. A versatile wine that pairs well with an array of dishes.
Light-bodied, sweet white wine that has a refreshing taste.
Semi-sweet Riesling blended with tart pomegranates.
This is by far their best seller! A velvety soft, medium-bodied Merlot mixed with rich, sweet blackberries. Wonderful with dark chocolate!
A great, refreshing wine that reminds you of biting into a crisp green apple. A delicious juicy finish follows the apple tartness.
A light, refreshing, fruity blend of wild berries and a robust Shiraz.
Blush wine offering succulent, mouth-watering flavors of sweet, ripe raspberries blended gracefully with the refreshing character of a White Zinfandel.
Medium-bodied red wine boasting a fruity flavor & velvety soft finish. A perfect sipping red.
Known for its fruit & berry notes, this medium-bodied red is rich & surprisingly smooth. Pairs well with sweeter, lightly seasoned dishes. (This was my top wine pick of the week for Feb 23, 2018. The second wine going left to right in my wine flight picture).
Smooth and rich with qualities of warm berries up front. This is a medium bodied wine that has light tannins in the finish.
Medium-bodied red wine with lasting notes of jammy, plum flavors and a dry, warm finish. (Very delicious wine with all those characteristics you love from a Malbec. Third wine going left to right on my flight picture).
An Italian favorite made from the Nebbiolo grape. This barrel aged version is aromatic & delicious with light tannin undertones. (I love this wine! This is the second time I've seen this at a Michigan winery. This is the wine on the right of my wine flight picture).
Medium-bodied, spicy on the palate & robust. Notes of warm berries & black pepper.
Sweet aromas & flavors of pear, honey and sugar drops combine for a real treat.
Sweet and rich with flavors reminiscent of a chocolate covered cherry, this wine is a perfect after dinner sipper.
Double medal winning port recipe that takes almost 2 years to create as it is aged and fortified with French Barrel Aged Brandy. It has incredible flavor balance with notes of banana and elderberries throughout.
Cocoa - Chocolate Merlot
Medium bodied Merlot blended with rich dark cocoa. This is not a sweet wine, it has decadent flavors throughout that create a subtle sweetness and sophisticated experience. (This wine is dessert in a glass no doubt).
(Descriptions brought to you by the Fenton Winery & Brewery's website). Personal accounts are made in parentheses after each description.
Left to right:
Celebrate, Summit Red, Mountain View, 1545 North.
Not on the list is the "Mango Wine," which is one I'll have to go back for. My wife and I really loved it. The mango taste wasn't over powering but made for a unique tasting experience. I hope it sticks around for awhile.
The winery & brewery is a great place to get together with family and friends. My wife and I went this past Thursday, Feb 22, 2018 to meet up with her sister and husband, who live in Fenton and discovered it. We sampled both wine and beer. You can mix up your flights to have wine and beer on them. The flight is the way to go and with 4 pours for $7 you can't go wrong! We ordered pizza and a cheesy ale soup made from their amber ale, absolutely delicious! On top of that, the staff is super friendly and attentive making sure our glasses didn't run dry. We can't wait to go back.
I've never heard of the Fenton Winery & Brewery before last week, so I was excited to try it out. I suggest that you check it out too!