Michigan Wine Guy

We revisited 45 North Vineyard & Winery on July 1, it was about the same as the first time we visited.  However, this time we had my wife's sister along with us.  Introducing Michigan wine to someone new is always a fun thing and also my mission in life.

This winery is situated on the 45th North Parallel, which is 45º North of the Equator, halfway to the North Pole.  Also that 45 degree line is where some of the most prestigious wine making regions of the world are located.  So there is no doubt that you will be drinking quality wine here.  Navigation has gone the wayside of mere coordinate positioning using North, South, East and West, to now where we have addresses that we can plug into Google Maps and get precise directions to our destinations.

45 North Vineyard & Winery is located at 8980 E. Horn Rd, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 a wonderful place with rolling vineyards and tons of space for weddings and other events like "Yoga in the vineyard."  The Leelanau Peninsula in general is a prime growing region, but some grapes have held up tremendously, for example:  Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc to name a few.

There is a big outdoor patio area for sipping wine and enjoying the scenery.  Inside you have a large tasting bar, you can sample 5 wines.  Their wine list is quite enormous but they have a big selection of dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet wine to sample.  So everyone's individual palate can be pleasured to contentment.  Why don't we get into the wine, the best part of course!

2016 Reserve Chardonnay:  Vanilla and coconut with layers of butter and sweet oak on the nose.  The coconut persists on the palate with caramel apple, soft buttery tannins and a bright acidity on the finish.  Pair this wine with buttery seafood dishes, grilled salmon and semi soft cheeses.

2016 Dry Riesling:  Lime peels and green apple with hints of honeycomb on the nose.  The citrus continues on the palate with a light mid-palate that also has a density to it.  The finish is long and the acid balance is mouth-watering.  Get International with this wine/food pairing.  Riesling is very versatile and can show well with a host of food options.  Spicy fare is a go-to but don’t stop there.  Oysters, grilled fish, fowl or vegetables will pair nicely as well.  Experiment with a cheese party to see the reaction of sheep, cow and goat varieties.

2016 Unwooded Chardonnay:  Dried tropical fruits, ripe pineapple and a slight lemon on the nose.  The tropical profile continues on the palate with a juicy middle, finishing with a fruit-filled linger.  Pair with chicken, semi-soft cheese, roasted vegetables.

2016 Sauvignon Blanc:  At first the jalapeno and herbs are dominant on the nose but give way to gooseberry and a host of citrus and...melon?  The oak is present and will continue to evolve on the mid palate for the next several months.  Go Green with foods, herbs and spices with grilled lake fare.  Grab some eggs and asparagus and whip up a nice hollandaise for some brunch as well.

2015 Pinot Gris:  This wine was split three ways and fermented separately in stainless steel, neutral oak, and their concrete egg, then blended post-fermentation.  Aromatic lilies and figs wrapped in a layer of wet stone on the nose work well with the soft mouth feel and fruit flavors.  Pair with roasted fowl or pork seasoned with spices like saffron, clove, or allspice.

2016 Reserve Pinot Gris:  The barrel and concrete work together to create a softer and more rounded mouth feel, while the acid keeps it bright and crisp.  You'll pick up more minerality and stone qualities in this wine, along with more luscious fruit flavors like peach with a side of apple.  This one is more of an enjoyable sipper.

2016 Reserve Riesling:  50% Steel aged and 50% Neutral oak aged.  This Riesling is dry, however it gushes with intense flavors of peach, mango, and ripe tropical juiciness.  Being partially (and delicately) barrel aged, it has a softer mouth feel, and the oak doesn't hit you, it kisses you.  This quickly became a staff favorite and is highly recommended.

2016 Marsanne:  Very tropical.  Melons and pears are lightly outlined in banana aromas with almond undertones on the nose.  The mouthfeel is lush with ripe fruit balanced with round tannins and a lingering finish.  Pair with semi-soft cheese or lighter grilled meats like pork, chicken or lobster.

2016 45 White:  Melon, pineapple, white flowers and preserved lemons on the nose.  The melon persists with more floral notes on the palate and a nice weight.  There is a balanced mouthfeel that makes this wine great for food pairing or just chatting with a friend.  The fruit forwardness of this wine makes it perfect for appetizers.

2016 Chenin Blanc:  Candied mango, papaya, peaches and ripe melon on the nose.  Lush fruit on the palate with a full mouthfeel that lingers fruit on the finish.  The soft acid carries the fruit through the finish.  Pair this wine with summer fare such as grilled fish or pork, goat cheese, roasted corn and flavors of cilantro, ginger or dill.

2016 Select Harvest Riesling:  Fairly tropical nose and flavors of soft lychee fruit and peach.  Slightly floral but sweet with a clean finish.

2016 Rosé Cabernet Franc:  Raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant with vanilla cream are all supported aromatically by subtle violets.  The red fruit persists on the palate with a subtle tannin outline, and beautiful acidity on the finish.

2016 Red Barn Red:  Merlot & Lemberger.  Spicy oak, ripe berries, cocoa and a hint of leather on the nose.  Sweet, dark fruits on the palate round out the tannins and allow the wine to finish long, like a dry red would.  It is sweet enough for the "sweet red" drinker while being approachable to the "I only drink red wine" crowd.  Pair with roasted dishes of any type.  It will be great with meat, fowl, or roasted veggies.  Enjoy with friends!

Sparkling Peach:  A delicious, bubbly blend of 25% cold-pressed Leelanau peaches and 75% white wine blend.  The perfect beach, boat, or deck wine!

Sparkling Strawberry:  50% Frontenac Gris and 50% Fermented Strawberry juice.  Yum!  Who wouldn't love this wine?

2013 Ice Wine Riesling:  December 10, 2013 · Before sunrise could offer even a glimmer of warmth, they bundled up and headed out on this blustery 9º morning to harvest the frozen grapes.  Immediately they pressed them, expelling the liquid nectar that was gradually cool-fermented to retain the succulent flavors of peaches, apricots, and pears.  A quick stay in oak rounds it out with a kiss of vanilla on the finish.  Delicious!

Cherry Dessert:  Enjoy this fortified cherry wine as a dessert on its own, or with dark chocolate.  Barrel aged for 6 months to help round out the tartness, and add more mouth feel.

Yes they have wine but they also carry hard cider for those non-wine drinkers in your life!

Hard Cider:  Made with fresh-pressed organic antique apple varieties and fermented to dryness.  Some juice is added back to give this cider just the right amount of sweetness.

Fresh Coast:  Dry Cider: This cider is dry, full, and round on the palate with a refreshing, crisp finish.

Singletrack:  Citra-Hopped Cider:  This cider is dry-hopped for bright, IPA-like aromas and a delicious dry cider taste.

Oakayzie:  Barrel-Aged Cider:  This cider is aged in oak barrels for subtle notes of oak and the full flavors of aged apple.

45 RPM:  Semi-Sweet Cider:  This cider is lush with a sweet finish to balance a natural acidity, suitable for all cider drinkers.

(All descriptions are brought to you by 45 North's Website).  I also added some comments as well for those wines that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Reading down this list you ask me, where can I buy these wines?  You can order from the winery's website or I'm sure if you ask your local wine shop, the person in charge of ordering will probably love to carry their wine.  Price points are higher than other wineries in the area, but you know you are getting quality wine and that is enough to make the prices higher.  However, any selection from here is a great decision.  Stick to what you like or try something new, it's all up to you.

If you are looking for a cool, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole stop for amazing world-class wine then 45 North Vineyard & Winery is your spot!

Fresh back from the 13th annual Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival at the Warren Dunes State Park in Southwest Michigan.  It being my first wine fest, I didn't know exactly what to expect.  Arriving in the early afternoon we were in a line up of cars three rows wide with license plates mostly from Indiana surprisingly enough.  After about 20 minutes in line we checked in and drove up to the main parking lot in-between the dunes and beach.  It was around 88 degrees with a UV index of 9 out of 10 at the dunes.  We decided to walk down to the water before heading over to the will call tent.

Knowing we were hungry we stopped at one of the food trucks to grab a quesadilla and water to fill our bellies before sampling wine.  It is important to have food in your stomach, especially when sampling different styles of wine.

Approaching the huge wine tent we had to pick up our wristbands and wine glasses from the will call tent and purchase tickets for samples.  I was surprised that most of the tastes were two tickets compared to one.  One ticket is $1 so that means most of the samples were $2.  Some of the wineries have the samples based on popularity and quality.  You can get a glass full of wine, beer or cider for 6 to 10 tickets.

There were a few other vendors in the roped off section that had different dips, chocolate, other products and wine slushies!  Unfortunately by the time we arrived they were all out of the wine slushies.

We wanted to taste wine from wineries and vineyards we have not had time to visit when traveling through Michigan.  These included Gravity, Fenn Valley, Cogdal, Contessa, and Vintner's.  It was almost too hot to try the red wine, but some of them were actually quite light and surprisingly went well with the hot conditions.  After almost getting overheated in the tent we ventured out to regroup.

After comparing the wines we sampled, we decided to sample some more wine from places we have been to use the rest of our tickets.  Hitting Round Barn, Fenn Valley again, Baroda Founders and 12 Corners, we were all out!  It was a fun experience, but very loud, me being a quiet guy made it hard for the pourers to hear me and all of the noise from other people and the live music made it hard for me to hear what they were saying.  Also, you couldn't really get a good look at the bottle you were tasting, the pace was much faster than when you would be tasting at the winery itself.  The pace was really fast so it was hard for me to actually remember what wine I had tried.

However, being my first Lake Michigan Shore Wine Fest, I had a great time!  The weather was hot and sunny, the best kind of weather and everyone seemed to be having a great time!  I mean who isn't in a great mood when there is great Michigan wine for them to try?  I really liked the Warren Dunes location and I hope it stays there.  The Warren Dunes brings back memories from when I was a kid running up and down the sand dunes all the way to the water and back!

Now we can enjoy great wine and fun each year at the dunes!  Be on the lookout for my favorite wine from the wine fest on "Mark's Top Wine Pick of the Week" this Friday.  Keep on enjoying that Michigan wine!  Yum and cheers!

This week's wine pick is from a Cider Mill.  "Pyment" from Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's, about 15 miles north of Lansing off of US-127 on the East side of the highway.  We took a trip up there during harvest time in 2017 with a group of friends from my wife's work.  It was great to introduce them to a cider and wine tasting.  They discovered different types of wine and cider that they wouldn't have normally tried or knew even existed.  Let's check out the wine called "Pyment."

"Pyment" this wine is a semi-dry blend of Traminette grapes and local wildflower honey.  Fruity, fresh and slightly spicy.  Very similar in style to a Riesling or Gewurztraminer.  This is a delicious wine that is easy to drink by itself, with appetizers, salads, chicken, fish, and even chocolate desserts.  This wine will leave you wishing for spring time.

I don't have exact pricing but they are very reasonable.  The cider is very reasonable and tasty too!  They have apples, pies, syrup, jams, bread, jerky and doughnuts.  It is definitely worth taking a trip to the middle of the state for some amazing cider and wine.  The tasting room allows you to try wine, cider and spirits.  The cider will blow your mind.  Keep your eyes pealed for a review later this year.  Go check Uncle John's Cider Mill out and respond to the post  with your favorite part about the cider mill.

If you have an idea for my next winery or wine pick post please let me know.  We'll see you next week.

Fieldstone Winery & Hard Cider is your Southeast Michigan spot to get wine and hard cider.  In the heart of downtown Rochester at 223 S Main St, Rochester, MI 48307.... Wait...what? you mean there's a winery in Southeast Michigan?  You thought it was only for the west side of the state.  Nope, it's common for towns to have a winery.

I heard about this winery while I was training at Leader Dog.  One of the instructors told me about it and I just had to try it.  Shannan came up to visit on my day off and we headed into town.  After an amazing lunch at Penn Station Subs we walked across the street into the winery and were in love with the selection!  We got to know the staff.  Professing our love of Pumpkin Cider I had to buy a growler!  Discovering fruit infused wine, many delicious traditional reds and whites along with some unique dessert delights.

Close to the campus of Oakland University it is a fantastic spot to grab a growler of cider and/or bottles of wine.  Wine is an amazing choice for Valentine's Day.  One week away peeps!  Maybe a Fieldstone Winery wine would be perfect for that special day.  They have so many different wines along with some cheese plates, chocolates and other goodies.  Want to try multiple wine?  Try a wine flight or two!

Now it's time to get hot and heavy with this diverse wine list!

(Lists taken from Fieldstone Winery & Cider website.  NOTE: Certain wines may not be available all year round).

Yum, don't try to taste them all in one sitting you'll have a killer stomachache.  Enough wine and cider to keep you coming back to try the varietals you missed.

The best specialty wine for summer that tastes more like a cocktail than a wine is "Coconut Yuzu."  If you dig the cider and love everything pumpkin in the fall they have a Pumpkin Hard Cider that is definitely worth a trip to downtown Rochester.

If you want to make a day of it there are many different coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, and other shops in downtown.  Take a look and enjoy the scenery.  It's well worth a trip to Rochester around the holiday season all of the storefronts are lit with lights.  I know it's early but not too early to plan ahead.  You may be reading this in June or September for all I know.  Ha!

If you visit the Fieldstone Winery please let me know and tell me what wine and/or hard cider is your favorite, or you are like me and love them all!  Until Friday!

If you've been reading since the beginning or you are a new reader please share with me your favorite Michigan wine.

St. Julian Winery located in Paw Paw is a wonderful place for checking out a variety of wine from the wonderful state of Michigan.  They have some unique wines and everyone can find a wine here that they would enjoy.  The sweet drinkers, dry drinkers and everyone in-between will enjoy the wine from here.

The winery is located right off of I-94 at 716 S Kalamazoo St, Paw Paw, MI 49079.  You can taste this wine in house, order off their website or find in select wine shops and grocery stores near you.  You can host your events there, they host various events, offer gift baskets, and other products that you can find on their online store or at the tasting room.

Let's check out St. Julian's wine:

Sparkling Wine:

BR Blanc De Blanc - Dry, lively, lemon acidity, citrus and Bartlett pear flavors.

BR Blanc De Noir - Dry white sparkler made from 100% Michigan red grapes.

Michigan Brut Champagne - Dry, with a semi-dry finish.

Sparkling Michcato - Sweet, a succulently sweet sparkling with flavors of tropical peach and citrus.

Sweet Nancie - Semi-sweet, a sparking Traminette with flavors of peach, pineapple, and lemon zest.

Sweet Nancie Cranberry - Sweet, tart cranberry and cherry aromas follow through on a medium-bodied palate with frothy carbonation.

Sweet Nancie Peach - Sweet, tropical passion fruit and peach juices are blended to create this bubbly, full of exotic aromas and packed with flavor.

White Wine:

Blue Heron - Semi-sweet, flavors of pear and mango overlay a crisp acid structure that focuses the wine and leads to a long, satisfying finish.  One of the more popular whites for the price.

BR Albarino - Dry, Inviting aromas of orange blossoms, mango and apricots lead to a tangy Meyer lemon, green apple and grassy finish. The tart acidity is well balanced with a lush finish.  Great for a summer picnic.

BR Late Harvest Vignoles - Sweet, accented by flavors of pineapple chutney and honeyed lychee, the silky-sweet, lush, full body dessert wine finishes with a caramelized pear accented.

BR LH Vidal Blanc - Sweet, tangy caramelized apple and apricot notes lead into a long mineral accent that fade nicely on the palate.

BR Mountain Road Riesling - Semi-dry, yet impeccably balanced, this wine bursts with flavors
of passion fruit, honeyed peach and tangy citrus fruits.

BR Pinot Gris - Dry, vibrant aromas of pineapple, fresh lime and citrus peel. Flavors come in layers of white peach, mango and nectarine fruit.

BR Riesling - Dry, this gently floral wine leads with vibrant aromas of Mangos, fresh lime and citrus peel. Flavors come in layers of white peach, pineapple, & nectarine fruit.

BR Sauvignon Blanc - Dry, aromas bursting of lemons and limes. The crisp acidity on the palate is accompanied by flavors jam-packed with mangos, white peaches and tropical fruits with a lingering hint of fresh cut grass.

BR Traminette - Semi-dry, exotic mango and lemon zest aromas with flavors of white peach and apricot.

Cluster Flick - Semi-sweet, pear, mango and lychee overlay with crisp acid and leads to a long, satisfying finish.

Envy - Sweet, hints of citrus with flavors of juicy peach and ripe apricots and mango. (The first St. Julian wine I tried).

Forbidden Fruit White Sangria - Sweet, passion fruit and peach flavors with a touch of citrus.

Founder's White - Dry, honey and peach aromas lead to apricot, green apple and citrus finish

Frankenmuth May Wine - Sweet, pineapple, tropical fruit and woodruff aromas with a subtle accent.

Ice Wine Vidal Blanc - Sweet jam-packed with tangy and juicy apricot, citrus marmalade and honey.  A delicious, richy flavorful wine that is simply dessert in a glass.

Michcato White - Semi-sweet, moscato-like characteristics with flavors of exotic fruit and crisp acidity.

Niagara - Sweet, fresh grape taste and a lightly sweet finish.

Peach Wine - Sweet, candied peach flavors followed by ripe fruit peach flavors.

Sauterne - Sweet, beautifully balanced carmelized pineapple and honeysuckle flavors. (Probably one of my most favorite whites by them).

Simply White - Semi-dry, a balance of ripe concentrated peach, citrus, honey and melon.

SJ Unoaked Chardonnay - Dry, refreshing and crisp flavors of yellow delicious apples.

St. Julian Reserve Late Harvest Riesling - Sweet, flavors of apricot, tangerine, and cream, along with a slight mineral edge.

St. Julian Reserve Pinot Grigio - Dry, delicate aromas of Honeydew melon and Anjou pear lead to a medium-bodied palate with Honeycrisp apple flavors.

St. Julian Reserve Riesling - Semi-dry, crisp and light, yet packs intense flavors of super ripe peach, mango, lemon zest and mineral.

White Heron - Semi-sweet, mango and apricot with a lingering after taste of tropical fruit.

Rosé Wine:

BR Serious Rosé - Dry, this Rosé style captures the bright berry flavors of summer. Bursting with aromas of fresh, ripe cherries and strawberries it is the perfect wine for sipping on the patio.

Catawba - Sweet, a mild berry, fresh fruit taste with just the right amount of the famous spicy Catawba grape sweetness.

Frankenmuth Rosé - Sweet, strawberry-cherry aromas and very fruity flavors.

Lust - Semi-sweet with flavors of berries and juicy fruit.  (One of my favorites and you can usually find it at Meijer).  Right now on sale for $6.99!

Simply Pink - Semi-dry, a fruity, light wine with flavors of ripe strawberries, cherries, raspberries, peaches and tropical fruit. (Another one of my favorites).  On sale for $5.99!

Red Wine:

BR Cabernet Franc - Dry, plum, raspberry and exotic spice aromas. Creamy vanilla-scented oak, currant and brambleberry flavors.

BR Chambourcin - Dry-yet-fruity full body of ripe blackberry, Bing cherry and boysenberry flavors.

BR Chancellor Noir - Dry, chocolate covered espresso beans, sweet cherries and vanilla aromas. Ripe currant, black raspberry and Bing cherry flavor. Aged 100% in Michigan Oak.

Sweet Revenge - Sweet, fresh grape with aromas of cherries and berries are complimented by the well-integrated acidity.

BR Meconi - Sweet, this iced Frontenac wine is a great new addition to our dessert wine portfolio! Bursting with aromas of strawberry jam and raisin it follows through with flavors of black raspberry, strawberry and boysenberry.

Concord Wine - Sweet, snappy, grapey accents echo fresh Concord grape juice.

Forbidden Fruit Sangria - Sweet, fresh berry and citrus flavors. Delicious and refreshing!

Founder's Red - Dry, this is a fresh and fruit-filled offering with pleasant cherry fruit, soft tannins and tart acidity.

Head Games - Sweet, spiced, deliciously sweet red, nicely balanced with luring flavors cinnamon, plums and clove. Perfect for fall and winter.  Try it heated up to bring out the spiced aromas.

High Maintenance - Sweet, full-bodied sweet red wine with an easy finish. Filled with aromas of blackberry, cherry and dried cranberries followed by flavors of mulberries, plums and raspberries.

Michcato Sunset Red - Semi-sweet, refreshing flavors of grapes and berries balanced with the perfect amount of sweetness.  Makes for a perfect chilled summer wine.

Nouveau - Dry, the freshest wine of the season; the essence of farm to table, a young wine bursting with flavor and body.

Red Heron - Semi-sweet, captures the essence of classic American grapes.

Scandal - Semi-sweet, easy on the eyes sweet on the lips, Scandal is the perfect way to indulge all of your cravings.  Deliciously refreshing, this fruity medium body red is the perfect Scandal.

Sholom - Sweet, a Kosher; traditional Concord wine.

Simply Red - Semi-dry, layers of dark cherries, wild berries, raspberries and with a bit of plum.

(Thanks to St. Julian Winery's website for some descriptions of the above wine).

In addition to the wine listed above they have fruit wine in blackberry, blueberry, cherry and dessert wines.  St. Julian Winery also has cider, spirits like gin, sherry, creme liquors, plus their widely known "Grey Heron" vodka and even non-alcoholic sparkling fruit juices.

I invite you to check out their winery in Paw Paw or pick up a bottle in your local grocery store or wine cellar.  Not all of these wines are available in your local store so make sure to ask if you want it ordered.

Black Star Farms is more than a winery, they also have an inn, a farm to table restaurant, culinary classes, equestrian facilities and you can even have your wedding hosted there.  Located at 10844 E Revold Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and tucked back in the valley you arrive at the main building, which is a beautiful southern style farmhouse.  You truly feel like you are in an entirely different state.  Producing award winning wine in a cooler climate than other vineyards on the 45th parallel.  The Black Star Farms location is on the same line as many of the worlds premiere wine regions.

In addition Black Star Farms has a separate tasting room on the Old Mission Peninsula just north of Traverse City.  This is the location we stopped at the following day after we found out the Suttons Bay location was closed for the evening.  There is another location where you can try Black Star Farms wine that is located down state in Ann Arbor at the VinBar.  The VinBar is located at 111 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 they open at 3pm every day.  You can taste most of Black Star Farm's wines, ciders, fruit wines, dessert wines and even spirits.  I may post a sub-review after I visit their establishment.

Let's talk about their huge variety of wine, vintage, non-vintage, sparkling, red, white, fruit, cider, dessert.  The name Black Star Farms is known much farther than the Great Lakes.  You can order off of their online store or find their wine at your local grocery and wine store in about every city in Michigan even Albion, Fowlerville, Pinckney, other large and small towns alike.

From "Arcturos" to "A Capella," "Leorie Vineyard" to "Red House" and "Black Star Farms" labels they all represent a distinction in the winemaking process and hold a certain integrity.

White Wine:

Arcturos Pinot Gris

Arcturos Sauvignon Blanc

Arcturos Pinot Blanc

Arcturos Grüner Veltliner

Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay

Arcturos Barrel Aged Chardonnay

Arcturos Dry Riesling

Arcturos Late Harvest Riesling (One of the best fall wines).

Arcturos Semi-Dry Riesling

Red House White

Isidor's Choice Pinot Grigio

Arcturos Gewurztraminer

Arcturos Chardonnay

Red Wine:

Arcturos Pinot Noir (One of my favorites especially when it is cold outside).

Arcturos Merlot

Arcturos Cabernet Franc

Vintners Select (Blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir).

Leorie Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc

Red House Red (A very delicious red blend goes with almost anything)

Artisan Red

Black Star Farms Pinot Noir

Rosé Wine:

Black Star Farms Red House Rosé (A great delicious value and perfect on it's own or with any grilled food).

Arcturos Pinot Noir Rosé (One of my favorites).

Arcturos Cabernet Franc Rosé (Another great choice unfortunately sold out).

Sparkling Wine:

Brut Cuvée (Dry blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio formed in the traditional French Champagne style).

BeDazzled (Versatile bubbly that can be enjoyed at any celebration and can pair with most foods and appetizers).

Delighted (A perfect date, this bubbly made from Frontenac Gris can be enjoyed at any occasion or celebration.  Sweet berry flavor forward notes that make it perfect for grilled food and desserts.

Blushed (Off-dry bubbly rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir and perfect for any occasion.  Enjoy with salads, appetizers, desert and even by itself.

Bubbly Nouveau (Young sparkling wine usually made in small batches from the same year).

Fruit Wine/Hard Cider:

Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cider

Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cherry Cider

Black Star Farms Pear Wine

Black Star Farms Cherry Wine

Dessert Wine:

Arcturos Winter Harvest Riesling

Sirius Cherry Dessert Wine

Sirius Raspberry Dessert Wine

Sirius Red Dessert Wine

Sirius Maple Dessert Wine

A Capella Ice Wine (Riesling).

Sirius White Dessert Wine

In Addition to wine they have spirits, which you can check out on their website or at their tasting rooms.

There is much more to do at Black Star Farms.  Indulge in some of their package deals and see what catches your eye.  I have yet to stay there but it's on my radar.

I should be visiting the VinBar in Ann Arbor soon.  Be on the lookout for a review.

Be on the lookout for my next post that will feature a Black Star Farms wine.  If you have tried any of their wines please let me know which ones you enjoyed.

If you read my "About" section you'll learn that I was introduced to Michigan wine on a college glacial geology expedition along the Lake Michigan shoreline.  After this expedition I went on a pursuit of the best wine in Michigan.  I graduated college and moved home to Ann Arbor where I discovered many different wines at my local Plum Market.  Each week I would sample various wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Canada, South Africa, South America, California, Oregon, Washington and of course Michigan.  Wines from Michigan are comparable to other regions around the world.

Learning about all kinds of wine is one of my passions.  My older brother met a French woman in New York and they got married in a chateau outside of Paris where my appreciation for big bold red wine and rose took root.  Spending one week with a full indulgence in the French culture I learned that wine is extremely important and a must at any dinner party.  I quickly adopted this mentality as my own.  Giving various wines as gifts and aging wine for my guests to enjoy.

My true appreciation for Michigan wine came in the summer of 2016 when my now wife and I were looking at vineyards for our wedding venue.  We took a week and traveled to the southwest side of the state and worked our way up to the Leelanau Peninsula, Suttons Bay, Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City and back down through the heart of Michigan.  Our trip had us talking with estate owners, the wine and event staff, sharing our love of wine and the state of Michigan and also getting into personal stories about our dogs, bad storms, hot summers and cold snowy winters.  By the end of our trip we had hundreds of business cards and hard decisions to make.  We couldn't pick just one venue because each vineyard was so unique we wanted certain aspects of each all in one.  We compromised on having all Michigan wine and beer at our wedding and saved on cost by hosting it in Howell at the Howell Opera House.  Not a vineyard but right next-door to the Main Street Winery.

Michigan's climate supports grape growth for wine production.  Fertile soil, the warm to hot summers increase the quality of wines.  The hotter, dryer and sunnier summers produce quality red wine grapes and dryer white wine grapes.  An early frost, freeze or hailstorms can damage a crop.  There are different harvesting times for each grape.  If you want a sweeter wine you wait later to create a late harvest, which usually means sweeter wine.  If you want an iced wine you will wait until the grapes freeze on the vine and then pick to produce a delicious dessert wine, very sweet almost syrupy in consistency and flavor.

In Michigan your town may have a winery.  In Howell they have the Main Street Winery and if you drive along I-94, I-96, I-69, US-23, I-75, US-127 or US-131 you will see signs for various vineyards and wineries within a few miles.  The wine industry in Michigan is massive, in addition to tourism Michigan has a booming economy because there is a wine for everyone.  The variety in grapes grown in Michigan is huge.  Michigan has a relatively short grape growing season compared to other regions but many times that is what really makes our wines so unique.  You may not find an iced wine in Sonoma.  People travel from all around the world to sample Michigan wine.  Wine brings people together and there are great stories shared when sitting down to sample at a tasting room.  There's something relaxing about enjoying a nice glass of rose on a porch overlooking the vineyard, lake, or in a wine garden.

In this blog you'll learn about vineyards, wineries, cider mills and fruit farms that grow grapes for wine production.  Each week I'll feature a new vineyard along with my top wine pick of the week.  Occasionally I'll suggest food pairings for my wine pick.  My goal is to give you facts, exclusive interviews, personal encounters, wine list, descriptions and get you to visit in person and/or sample some of their wine.

Join the Michigan Wine Guy for a tour of Michigan wine.