If you’re a wine lover living in the Midwest, odds are you’ve heard about the incredible gems coming out of Southwest Michigan wineries. But what makes this region so special for producing quality, memorable wines? This guide will give a brief overview of why the region is so unique as well as a bit of information on its famous and highly acclaimed dessert wine. Get the inside scoop on where to visit and when, as well as some great examples of Michigan wine and food pairings. Finally, learn how and where to purchase your favorite Michigan wines.
What Makes Southwest Michigan Wineries Unique
There is a long and storied history of wine grape growing and winemaking in Southwest Michigan. The latter half of the 19th century saw a large influx of German immigrants settling near the shores of Lake Michigan. Not only was there ample farmland, but these settlers realized that the local climate tempered by the lake made much of the land well-suited for grape growing. Some of the first grape vines brought over from Europe were planted here in the late 1800s. The growing and winemaking methods were passed on through the generations. Today, several family-owned vineyards are pairing those century-old traditions with modern winemaking methods.
Southwest Michigan is located along the 42nd parallel, an important latitude for winemakers. The moderate to cool climates allow grapes to thrive, and a number of world-renowned wine regions are also located along this parallel.
- Rogue Valley, Oregon
- Cayuga Lake, New York
- Rías Baixas & Rioja Alto, Spain
- Orvieto, Italy
Top 5 Things To Know About Michigan Ice Wine
Some but not all Southwest Michigan wineries make ice wine, which is a delicious and challenging way to produce dessert wine. These wines have received many awards and favorable reviews. Here are a few points to help understand the basics:
- Michigan is ideally suited for producing ice wine. Few places in the world (and only a handful in the United States) have the right growing conditions for it.
- Made from grapes that are frozen on the vine when they are harvested. Grapes frozen after they are pulled off the vines don’t meet the criteria to be categorized as an ice wine officially.
- There is a short window for harvesting grapes for ice wine – when the temperature drops to about 18 degrees Fahrenheit, the water in the grapes freezes, but the sugar does not. It’s also key to harvest grapes before they start to thaw, which means most harvesting happens at night.
- It can be a risky venture – the longer the grapes stay on the vine, the higher the sugar content and the tastier the grapes look for birds and other critters.
- Fantastic food pairing wine: Complementary desserts like crème brûlée or pecan pie work well with the sweet and full-bodied wine. Contrasting savory flavors is another way to go when pairing. Try a local charcuterie board, including a strong blue cheese or creamy pâté sourced from local Michigan farms.
All About Visiting Southwest Michigan Wineries
No need to wander aimlessly along the shores of Lake Michigan or the neighboring countryside. Visiting wineries in Southwest Michigan has been made easy with some pre-mapped wine trails and passports to help direct visitors to the wineries best suited for them.
- Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is a collection of over 20 wineries all within an easy drive of each other. Starting along the lake in the town of Fennville, the trail travels south along the shore all the way down to Union Pier and east to Kalamazoo. Most offer more than just great wines. There are plenty of family-friendly options with live music, lawn games, scenic hiking trails, and breathtaking views from atop decks or private cabanas.
- Makers Trail Passport allows guests to earn rewards as they visit participating wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. It also offers suggestions for lodging and local tour companies to help plan your visit. The passport is typically active for months to encourage visitors to return and continue exploring.
What’s better than a day at the beach? One that involves great wines and a day at the beach! Some wineries are located near the shores of Lake Michigan, and some even make designated “beach wines” to be enjoyed with your toes in the sand.
- Shorevine Wines from Nitz Wines makes a couple of white wines that bring the essence of summer right to your glass.
- The historic town of St Joseph is located along a beach and offers lots of great dining options featuring superb local wines. Bring the whole family to check out the expansive Silver Beach at the mouth of the St Joseph River—vast, pristine beaches minutes from fantastic wineries.
Southwest Michigan wineries offer plenty of wintertime activities.
- Snuggle up with your favorite glass in front of the fireplace, or for the heartier visitors, grab a blanket and camp out at one of the many outdoor fire pits these wineries offer.
- Enjoy the majestic white wonderland just outside the winery doors with some snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails.
- For a unique wintertime experience, grab some friends (and a warm coat) and check out the heated igloos at Round Barn Estate.
Make the most of your visit to Southwest Michigan wine country with these tips.
- Try to keep it to 2 – 4 stops per day to enjoy each location, learn about their wines, and get to know the winemakers. Check out winery websites ahead of time to book vineyard tours or special wine and food pairing experiences.
- Plan ahead – spontaneity can make for an adventurous trip, but larger groups can be difficult for many wineries to accommodate on the fly. Be sure to make tasting reservations for groups of 10 or more.
- Safety first – designate a driver or hire one of many available tour companies. Many tour companies can customize an itinerary for you and your group based on your preferences.
- Bring home your favorites to share with others, and remember your trip. Wine makes a great gift, too!
Local Food and Wine Pairings
There’s something for everybody in Southwest Michigan. No matter your preferences or sophistication level, there’s a beverage option here for you. Ranging from traditional dry wines to festive sparkling wines, there are also sweet dessert wines (Ice Wine), fruit wines, and even wine slushies to try.
These wines pair well with many local foods. Here are a few suggestions to check out when you visit the area or try the pairings at home.
- Cherry Infused Cheddar Cheese and Pinot Grigio – Michigan is well known for its cherries and many clever artisans find ways to include them in any number of foods. The bright acidity of a dry white wine like Pinot Blanc or Pinot Grigio enhances the mild saltiness from the cheddar cheese combined with the tart cherry.
- Grilled Chicken and Riesling: To really amplify the flavors, try a fruit-based marinade or season the chicken with herbs and spices. The acidity often found in Riesling can cut through some of the richness, and the wine’s fruity notes tend to accentuate the marinade’s flavors.
- Roasted Duck and Pinot Noir—Pinot Noir is a classic pairing for roasted duck because of its acidity and moderate intensity, which complement its fattiness and rich flavor. Pinot Noir’s mild tannins don’t overpower the duck’s delicate meat.
- Red Blend and Pizza – try not to overthink it. Regardless of what sits atop your pizza, you can’t go wrong with a fruit-forward red blend. Many Southwest Michigan wineries create some exceptional red wines combining traditional European varietals like Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir with American hybrid grapes like Chambourcin. The resulting blends tend to produce easy-drinking, lighter red wines that match up well with most pizzas and pasta.
- Pecan or Pumpkin Pie and Ice Wine—Both the pie and dessert wine have rich, full-bodied flavors and a soft, silky mouthfeel. The high sugar in both tends to pair well together. The touch of savory from either autumn-inspired pie helps to tone down the sweetness of the wine so as not to overpower the palate.
Where to Purchase Southwest Michigan Wines
Directly from the winery – Only a handful of wineries here produce more than 100,000 cases yearly. The rest are small and average fewer than 20,000 cases annually.
- This limited production means most of these wines will only be available in person or online from the winery.
- Check your favorite winery’s website for deals, wine club offerings, and shipping restrictions.
Local shops and restaurants – for those Michiganders who aren’t able to make it out to those scenic vineyards along the shore, many winery websites feature a “Find Our Wines” section plotting local businesses that carry their wines on a map. Who knows, your favorite bottle could be in your local shop down the street!
Whether you can visit Southwest Michigan wineries in person or purchase a bottle to enjoy at home, you will undoubtedly be happy with the unique and expressive wines!
