The merry month of May brings us daffodils and tulips, warm nights that hint of summer, and an excuse to sip and savor local wine. It’s Michigan wine month and we’ve got lots of ideas on how to celebrate.
Host a Michigan Wine Dinner
If you love to entertain then this is a wonderful theme. Design a menu and pair a different local wine with each course. If you’re not sure which wine would go best with each dish, talk with an expert at the vineyard or your neighborhood wine shop. Then invite some friends over, uncork, and enjoy.
Plan a Picnic
The weather is warming up, and it is finally time to enjoy the fact that when you’re in Michigan, you’re never more than six miles from a body of water. Pick a nice spot. Pack a basket that includes a bottle or two of Michigan wine. Grab a blanket or choose a picnic table. Unpack and unwind. Oh, and don’t forget the corkscrew!
One of many Michigan wineries with outdoor seating and sweeping vineyard views.
Visit a Winery or Several
There are more than 140 wineries around the great state of Michigan, so you’re never far from one. Each has its own unique style and ambiance. Head to a wine trail and explore. In the southern portion of the state there’s the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail and the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Further north you’ll find the Petoskey Wine Region, and Old Mission Wine Trail. Then there’s the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. The peninsula is so dotted with wineries that there are three different groups you may want to explore: Sleeping Bear, Grand Traverse Bay, and the North Loop. If you’re headed to the UP, the wineries are perhaps a tad more spread out than a trail, but equally fun to explore.
Head to a Tasting Room
If you can’t make it to one of the state’s wine regions, go to a Mich by the Bottle tasting room. There are locations in Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, and Shelby Township. They offer wines from nearly twenty different local wineries, and some fun events. Taste a variety, and buy bottles you like to take home.
Michigan stores are carrying wider varieties of locally-produced wines.
Stock Up
Because it’s wine month, not to mention the edge of summer, this is an excellent time to replenish your bar, wine fridge or cellar. Many shops and vineyards will be offering special pricing. Plus, there are lots of new white wines that have just been released.
Try a Fruit Wine
Sure, we know that all wines are made from fruit, but typically it’s different varieties of grapes. However, this state has an abundance of other luscious fruits, many of which make for tasty and even refreshing wines. Have you tried blueberry wine? How about cranberry? Across the state you can find blackberry, raspberry, peach, and more. St Julian even has a Blood Orange Sangria that would be a summer delight. Of course, the best of the best in alternative fruit wines, is cherry. The vast majority of local wineries make a cherry wine, and they are very different from one another. Some are light and very fruity, while others almost taste like a slice of cherry pie. Sampling a cherry wine is a must for any Michigan wine drinker.
Become a Vintage Michigan Member
Our friends at the Michigan Wine Collaborative have taken over the Vintage Michigan wine club from the State of Michigan, and they are eager for you to join. For just $25 a year you get discounts at over 60 wineries as well as select retailers and restaurants around the state. Plus, there are discounts on lodging and tickets for certain Michigan wine events. You may subscribe to an email newsletter that will keep you updated on local wine. Then there’s the Michigan Wine Country magazine, an annual publication with maps to Michigan’s wineries, interesting articles and information to help you explore the state’s wine country.
Visitors can take in the view, join the club, and take cooking classes at Chateau Chantal.
Join a Vineyard’s Wine Club
How about setting yourself up to have great local wine delivered straight to your door at affordable prices? The chances are high that your favorite winery has a club. In most cases, in addition to wine shipments, you gain access to additional discounts and premium treatment when you arrive at their door. Just a sample of wineries that have clubs include Cherry Creek Cellars, Round Barn, St. Julian, Black Star Farms, Leelanau Cellars, 2 Lads, and Chateau Chantal.
Buy Tickets for an Event
Wineries all over the state offer special events that are open to the public. Black Star Farms is hosting several cool events in honor of its 25th anniversary. Chateau Chantal hosts fantastic cooking classes that include wine pairings. You can schedule a tour at Fenn Valley. Tickets aren’t needed, but check the schedule for a night of good music and great wine at Dablon.
Gift a Bottle or Two
If you’re already a big fan of Michigan wines and winemakers, then this is the perfect month to spread the word. Give a bottle of your favorite wine to someone who may not have explored our wine culture yet. Pick up a bottle of Mawby sparkling to salute a new graduate or homeowner. Buy several different bottles and invite friends over for a tasting in your own home.
Cheers to the Michigan winemakers and their staffs, who add such a fun and flavorful element to our state. Happy Michigan Wine Month.
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