![]() ![]() Michigan wineries come in all sizes and kinds. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is after my heart by providing an interactive map to help plan our wine adventures in Michigan’s great outdoors. ![]() So then, many of you know that I love combining hiking and wine-just take a look at my pilgrimage stories. It shows that a winery could be just a Petoskey stone’s throw away from where you are when you visit Michigan. The MI DNR is where I procured the Michigan wineries map above. Remember that I said you could find a Michigan winery in just about any place you travel in Michigan? That is so true that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources put together a Michigan wine map that shows wineries and vineyards in proximity to hiking trails and campgrounds. North? Take a look at the Lake Michigan Shore AVA in relation to other Michigan AVAs below: Julian Winery and Distillery are committed to using Lake Michigan Shore AVA fruit, but they may have to go north looking for Michigan grapes during Polar Vortex years. Apollo is part of the fourth generation of family operators at the winery, established in 1921. “Lake Michigan is a smaller version of what California has with the Pacific Ocean-the lake and the ocean are both temperature moderators,” reveals Apollo Braganini, Vice President of Sales at St. The Great Lakes are temperature moderators In the spring, winds off the lake help delay bud burst until after frosts have passed. The warmth from the large bodies of water helps keep the vine roots warm during cold weather events. The “lake effect” moderates temperatures and can lengthen the growing season. The lakes create a moderating effect that helps Michigan wineries survive the Polar Vortex. The map above also illustrates the large bodies of water that surround Michigan. The chart that you can see below shows that Michigan fits squarely between the 30-degrees and 50-degrees latitude borders of the wine belt in the northern hemisphere. Those figures could be surprising until you look at a world map to view the wine belts or latitudes where wine grapes grow best. That ranks Michigan #6 in wine production nationwide, polar vortex and all! (See the table below.) Further, Michigan’s wine industry contributes $4.9 Billion to the state’s economy, making it one of the top ten states in the nation where wine has a significant fiscal impact. However, there are actually 148 commercial Michigan wineries, which produce over 2.85 million gallons per year. You might be surprised to learn that frigid Upper Midwest climates can yield wine grapes and that winemakers are creating delicious wines even during polar vortex years. 148 commercial Michigan wineries produce over 2.85M gallons/year St Julian Winery, the largest in the state, grows its own grapes and buys from other growers in the state, which it had to do after one polar vortex. The dessert wine was so popular that it is now hard to get. “We named one of our wines, Polar Vortex, after that horrific weather event,” adds Kyler Totzke, one of the St Julian Winery winemakers. “Since then, we designed a v-plow to go in and insulate the vines with snow.” The hardy inventiveness illustrates the resilience of Michigan farmers who protect wine grape vines from sporadic sub-zero climatic phenomenons. Whether you’re just visiting for the weekend, or you’re local, we’ve got something for everyone.“After the Polar Vortex of 2015, we lost our first harvest, which was heartbreaking,” laments McKenzie Gallagher, who owns Rove Estate winery with her husband Creighton, a fifth-generation farmer. ![]() We also host a wide array of great local events including live music, wine pairing dinners, and private events. It is our goal to produce wines that exhibit a profile of elegance and structure complimented by intensity of aroma and flavor. We balance our commitment to sustainable agriculture with a passion for delivering a high standard of quality that drives our craft. Shady Lane Cellars is a boutique estate winery and vineyard driven by a passion for what we do. We work hard everyday to make sure your experience brings a smile to your face and happiness to your soul. Enjoying our luscious wine surrounded by our beautiful historic estate is sure to be memorable. Located just minutes from Traverse City at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula, Shady Lane Cellars offers more than wine. ![]()
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