Located within a half hour north of South Bend, Indiana, one and a half hours of Chicago and two and a half hours from Detroit, the Lake Michigan Shore is definitely a doable trip for travelers. With more than twelve wineries located in the AVA, plan to spend three or four days enjoying the wineries and local cuisine available. Since the 1800s, this area of Michigan has been known as Michigan's Fruit Belt. When visiting the wineries in this area watch for signs encouraging consumers to "buy local."
Lake Michigan Wineries Offer Differences in Architecture and Wines
Wineries vary in age, wines, architecture and size. For instance St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, Michigan is the oldest and largest winery in Michigan with a history that dates back to 1921. Visitors will learn that to survive Prohibition in the United States, the winery was moved to Canada for several years. St. Julian Winery has four tasting rooms in the state. Domaine Berrien Cellars & Winery is one of the newest wineries in Michigan, opening its doors in 2008.
Winery Architecture
Anyone enjoying architecture will be fascinated with the story of The Round Barn Winery. The tasting room is actually located in a round barn that was built in Indiana in the 1800s. An Amish group dismantled the barn just prior to it being demolished. The pieces were delivered to the winery where it was once again rebuilt. The winery is also a distillery and brewery. Contessa Wine Cellars is a modern, A-shaped facility with a bright and cheerful tasting room. It has a European-style deck with two levels. At Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, the interior walls of the tasting room are created from 18th century barn siding retrieved from three barns on the property.
Lake Michigan Shore AVA
The Lake Michigan Shore AVA benefits from Lake Michigan that moderates the temperatures. Winter snows protect the grapevine roots. Red grapes growing in this AVA include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Lemberger, De Chaunac, Chelois, St. Vincent and Petite Verdot. White grapes include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Marsanne, Roussane, Viognier, Vignoles, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminette, Seyval and Riesling.
In the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, look for wineries that offer specialties. At St. Julian, visitors can find cherry wine, Port, sherry and fruit infusions. Tabor Hill Winery offers sparkling wines, Port and cherry wine. Visitors to Round Barn will discover sparkling wine, beer, vodka and dessert wines that include apricot, black currant and raspberry wines. Lawton Ridge produces a late harvest wine. Free Run Cellars has a dessert wine produced from cherries.
Visitors will discover that each winery is unique and will find a variety of wines to taste.
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