Love a good glass of wine? Then head to the southwest region of Michigan, one of the state’s most popular tourist areas.
It’s hard to beat the small towns situated amidst dazzling antique shops, scenic beaches, and rolling vineyards. The ideal backdrop for a movie, to be sure, and one of the highlights is visiting the region’s wineries. This driving tour is really four individual driving tours, one for each season of the year based on the wineries that have the best events or views of that season. But don’t hold yourself back from any of these wineries just because they’re categorized in the “wrong season.” The winemakers would love to have you whenever you can make the trip.
Driving Tour #1: Springtime Among the Vines
Distance: 10 miles
Driving Time: 15 minutes
April showers bring May flowers – and also let the winemakers focus on finishing up their latest vintages and prepare for their release. Many wineries host release parties or events in the spring to introduce their newest and freshest wines.
- Contessa Wine Cellars: This Italian-inspired winery has been around for more than 15 years. The terrace is a popular spot to sit and take pictures. Visit in the spring and you’ll be able to see fresh leaves on the vines. But the interior of the building is just as stunning, with an incredible bar. Go on a tour to get the full experience.
- Vineyard 2121: Bought in 2010 and revitalized as a working winery, Vineyard 2121 off of Red Arrow Highway has a casual yet upscale atmosphere. From dry to sweet, from red to white, to even cider, Vineyard 2121 has something for every palate. They also have food that changes seasonally. Come on a Friday evening to enjoy a fresh, woodfired pizza along with your glass of vino.
- 12 Corners Vineyard: Just down the road and 90 seconds off the highway is 12 Corners Vineyard. Since it’s not on the Michigan shoreline, you can avoid those blustery spring winds while you sit on the outdoor patio and try more than 23 offerings. One of their most popular wines, Marquette, “a dry red wine with savory notes of blackberries and cherries followed with a soft kiss of black pepper,” usually sells out. They also have tasting rooms in Grand Haven and South Haven, and they plan to work on producing the first Michigan Moscato.
Driving Tour #2: Summer Lovin’ Wines
Distance: 92 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
There’s nothing sweeter in summer than a cool glass of white wine while basking in the hot sunshine. Summer is high season for Michigan wineries, so you may need to pre-order tasting room tickets online (when available) or visit during a weekday to avoid the crowds. Two of these wineries are near each other, with Lemon Creek being further north. You just can’t pass it up, though, and you’ll be able to have a relaxing drive if you get off the highway and travel through the small lakeside towns. There’s no rush!
- Lemon Creek Winery: Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to RV season, just as it is at Lemon Creek. This year, they will be hosting their 14th Annual Art and Wine Festival, one of the most anticipated events of the season, May 26 and 27 from noon to 6 p.m. Although they recommend a lighter wine, such a bubbly or pinot grigio, during this spring festival, Lemon Creek Winery is best known for red wines and German varietals.
- Hickory Creek Winery: Located in Buchanan, you’ll easily be able to spot the large red barn that serves as the tasting room. If you have children, Hickory Creek Winery is the ideal winery to visit. There’s an outdoor picnic area – outdoor food welcome – and a tire swing. There is a $8 tasting fee to sample up to five wines, but it’s waived with a purchase of two or more bottles of wine.
- Round Barn Winery: There’s always something going on at Round Barn winery, especially live music on most weekends. Jammin’ in the Vineyard is an al fresco musical affair where you can enjoy wine, beer, and cocktails – and even a little something from the food truck. The Baroda tasting room is an iconic white round barn, where the winery gets its name, and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or tents to casually spend the day relaxing and sipping on one of their label wines, which run the gamut.
Driving Tour #3: Shades of Merlot and Rose
Distance: 13 miles
Driving Time: 18 minutes
When fall comes around and the colors turn, our focus turns to earthy, deep tones and flavors. Burgundy merlots and oakey whites bring the season directly to our taste buds. These wineries have a lot to offer, including spectacular autumn vistas.
- Fenn Valley Vineyards: If you want a complete experience, look no further than Fenn Valley Vineyards. This favorite spot has not only delicious, award-winning wines, but offers an in-depth, two-hour tour on how they are made and how a winery operates! You can taste based on any budget, from free to custom pricing. When you pull in, you’ll feel like you’ll never want to leave.
- McIntosh Wine Cellars: Part of McIntosh Orchards, the view around this winery in the fall is full of color and produce. It has a relaxed, refined atmosphere where anyone can feel at home. The main focus of this winery is the creation of Traditional Olde World Style Hard Cider, and iced apple aperitif, but they also have a selection of fruit wines available.
- Cogdal Vineyards: A low crop size and superior grapes make for stunning final products. The wood in the tasting room was harvested from the property during the building of the winery. This is also the home of Little Man Wines, fun and eclectic blends that the winemakers just dare you to try. Here’s another tip: Visit in the winter to enjoy a robust glass of red while sitting beside the fireplace.
Driving Tour #4: Sparkles and Sips
Distance: 29 miles
Driving Time: 44 minutes
A man’s gotta do something to keep warm! Remember this line from Miracle on 34th Street? For the parade Santa, it was probably whiskey, but he was on to something. When cold temperatures return to the Great Lakes, we all like to drink something to warm up from the inside out. Wine tops the list.
- White Pine Winery: This is one of the few wineries to offer ice wine. Ice wine is a very sweet dessert wine that is produced from grapes naturally frozen in the vineyard. They are the last grapes harvested. If you’ve never tried ice wine, make sure to add it to your bucket list. A tasting room is planned to open in 2019.
- Dablon: If the outdoors calls your name and you love Michigan in the winter, then head to Dablon Winery and Vineyard. You can snowshoe (or hike) through the vines on a guided tour, capped off by a glass of wine at the tasting room. Bring your own gear or rent for $5. There are usually a couple events – one in January and one in February – and they sell out, so sign up ahead of time. It’s $25 a person.
- Saint Julian: When it comes to variety, Saint Julian has it all. In winter, and especially during holiday gatherings, a little sparkling wine might be in order to commemorate the occasion. Choose from alcoholic or non-alcoholic. It’s the perfect hostess gift or treat for your sweetheart.
There are lots of other wineries in southwest Michigan that are not on this list. Visit the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council, West Michigan Tourist Association, and Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail for more information.