Traveling from vineyard to vineyard tasting fruit of the vine along one of Michigan’s wine trails has become one of the most popular things to do in our beautiful state. Each winery offers its own unique style, but it can be very time-consuming going from place to place, not to mention often involves travel.

Well what if you could experience several different wines from several different winemakers all under one roof? That is the concept behind the Michigan By The Bottle tasting rooms, and the company is about to open its third location in Southeastern Michigan. This one is in Auburn Hills

“We’re really excited because this will be our first location in a downtown setting,” said co-owner Cortney Casey, “and our first one with outdoor seating. We have 12 partner wineries, 11 of which are new to our lineup, so there will be reasons for our guests to visit all of our locations. Each has its own personality and vibe.”

The new Auburn Hills destination, located on Auburn, just west of N. Squirrel, will feature wines from: Bluewater Winery, Burgdorf’s Winery, Chateau Aeronautique, Chateau Chantal, Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery, Free Run Cellars, Hawthorne Vineyards, Laurentide Winery, Left Foot Charley, Mackinaw Trail Winery, Shady Lane Cellars, and Wyncroft/Marland.

The collaborative tasting rooms are the brainchild of Cortney Casey and her husband, Shannon, of Macomb Township. The two share a passion for Michigan wine that led to the creation of www.MichiganByTheBottle.com in 2009. The site promotes the local wine industry through video features, podcasts, articles, tasting notes, winemaker interviews, and event listings.

After traveling the state, meeting winemakers, and building a following with their online wine community, the pair opened their initial tasting room in Shelby Township in December of 2012. It was the first venture of its kind in the state that involves multiple, previously unaffiliated wineries sharing an off-site tasting room. Two years later, building on the success of the original tasting room, they opened their second site in Royal Oak.

In addition to the opportunity to relax with friends and try out a wide variety of Michigan wines, one of the best assets of each of these tasting rooms is the ability for guests to purchase several bottles on site. It makes wines that are often not available through grocery and liquor stores in Metro Detroit, readily accessible.

Each room also hosts a variety of fun and unique events like supper clubs, yoga and wine, book clubs, sign-making, live music, wine education, and many more. Private tastings can also be set up at any location.

While regular business hours will begin July 9, an official Grand Opening Celebration for the Auburn Hills location, at 3384 Auburn Road, is scheduled for Saturday, July 30, 12-10 p.m.

Author: Lisa Diggs

Lisa Diggs is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, business consultant, avid traveler, and founder of The Catalyst Company, LLC, Michigan Positivity Project, and Buy Michigan Now.