The endless rolling hills and fields of vines, stunning views of the bays and lakes make Michigan’s wine country a scenic vacation destination, and a great backdrop to taste some of the best “cool climate” wines in the country. Cruise through the countryside and take in the views of vines right from your RV. Tour a vineyard, talk to a winemaker, and experience different wines at tasting rooms across the state. Be sure to bring home a few bottles to remember your trip through Michigan wine country.
A look at Michigan wine country
Michigan’s 45 wineries attract more than 700,000 visitors annually. Northwest wineries include those on Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. The southwest wineries stretch from Coloma to Fennville, along Lake Michigan. Around the state, wineries can be found in Haslett, Parma, Pentwater, Macomb, Grass Lake, Manistique, Cheboygan, Tecumseh, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Alpena, New Era and St. Johns. Michigan wineries have gained a reputation of creating wines that can compete in international markets and often take top honors over better-known wines. Michigan varietals include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wines (www.michiganwines.com).
A few noteworthy vineyards
Chateau Chantal in Traverse City is one of the most stunning wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula, and offers beautiful views of the 60 acres of vineyards overlooking the Grand Traverse Bays (www.chateauchantal.com). St. Julian Winery, located in Paw Paw (Southwest Michigan) and family-owned since 1921, is Michigan’s oldest and largest winery (www.stjulian.com). Pentamere Winery in Tecumseh (Southeast Michigan) took a building built in the 1800s, whose previous occupants included a grocery store and a Mexican restaurant, and turned it into a winery (www.pentamerewinery.com).
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The endless rolling hills and fields of vines, stunning views of the bays and lakes make Michigan’s wine country a scenic vacation destination, and a great backdrop to taste some of the best “cool climate” wines in the country. Cruise through the countryside and take in the views of vines right from your RV. Tour a vineyard, talk to a winemaker, and experience different wines at tasting rooms across the state. Be sure to bring home a few bottles to remember your trip through Michigan wine country.