Explore Michigan’s diverse wine scene
from fine wine grapes — or even grapes. Various fruits are used (like cherries), along with some native and hybrid grapes, but close to 3 out of 4 bottles of Michigan wine come from European wine grapes. Among the most popular are pinot blanc, pinot gris (also called pinot grigio by some Michigan winemakers), sauvignon blanc, riesling, gewurztraminer and chardonnay on the white side; or pinot noir, cabernet franc and merlot on the red side.
Michigan’s first commercial winery was established in 1868, but the state’s wine region has experienced highs and lows through Prohibition, World War II and a number of developments through the ’70s. Today, more than 140 wineries call the state home, and its vineyards reach across more than 3,000 acres. Some Michigan wines are available in retail stores outside the state, and most can be ordered directly from the wineries.
The following are notes from a recent tasting of wines from Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. The wines are listed by wine style — sparkling followed by white and red — in ascending order, according to price. They’re not cheap, but included in the price is your ability to surprise your guests with the phrase, “This next wine is from Michigan.” This traditional method sparkler offers notes of bread crust, pear, anise, tangy citrus and a clean finish with 11.5 percent alcohol. $35
Apricot plus other stone and tropical fruits give way to a soft mouthfeel, minerality and a nutty finish with a tiny pinch of lime. $13
Notes of candied fruit, lemon-lime and apple lead to a crisp, clean finish in this wine, which clocks in at 13.4 percent alcohol. $18
Floral and herbal notes mingle with apricot, honey and exotic spices in this Leelanau Peninsula wine with 12.5 percent alcohol. $20
This refreshing wine offers up the aroma of boxwood accompanied by pear, anise seed, lemon and green apple notes. For chardonnay lovers who don’t want butter. $22
From Old Mission Peninsula, this wine delivers peach and pear with a balancing nuttiness, luxuriously soft mouthfeel and a clean finish. $22
With classic notes of petrol and lime, plus orange zest, lemon, ripe red apple and lively acidity, this wine was racy and refreshing. $28 100 percent varietal offers notes of violets, blackberry, plum, dark cherry, pencil shavings, raspberry and incense. $28
Black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, smoke, pine needle, white pepper and spice lead to a long finish in this wine, which spent 12 months in French oak. $30
Plum, smoke, black cherry, vanilla, roasted meat, herbs and cedar notes are all present in this 100 percent varietal from Leelanau Peninsula. $36
Plum, smoke, leather, tobacco leaf, cola and black pepper give way to a zippy spice on the finish of this Old Mission Peninsula wine. $40
The winery’s take on a Super Tuscan, this blend of mostly merlot and sangiovese offers cherry, cranberry, baking spices, vanilla, cola and lively acidity. $45