Winter is a great time to sip local! Michigan-made wines and ciders offer unique flavors and experiences throughout the state.
Wine Events
Spice up your schedule with visits to these Michigan wineries and cideries!
Westview Orchards and Winery
Westview Orchards and Winery knows a thing or two about inviting their community to the farm – they’ve been in business as a family-owned farm for six generations! Head to their 1850s barn or sunflower fields for anything from goat yoga to wine dinners. Every weekend in December, enjoy a Santa Experience with the family! Book your 10 minute family time with the Jolly Ol’ Elf on their website. Nighttime events more your speed? Enjoy sips while being entertained with dueling pianos on December 16th!
Left Foot Charley
Located in the Grand Traverse Commons, Left Foot Charley uses atypical fruit sourcing and old-world winemaking techniques to create red, white, and sparkling wine, as well as hard cider. This month, make the most of your visit by joining their 12th Annual Presentation of Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night. It’s a free outdoor sound sculpture, unique to every listener’s perspective, made through collective portable musical devices. Gather on December 9th at 6pm to enjoy this immersive experience, and stay for sips after!
WaterFire Vineyards
Have you decorated for the holidays yet? WaterFire Vineyards in Kewadin, a winery leading the charge in environmental consciousness in viticulture, is hosting a wreath workshop on December 11th, 12-5 pm using sustainably grown grapevines as the frame and other natural materials. Your $45 ticket includes all materials for your personal piece of art, a glass of wine, and appetizers. This is a first-come, first-served event and will take place on the enclosed porch of their tasting room.
Presque Isle Farm Cider
Since their Grand Opening in October, Presque Isle Farm Cider’s Tasting Room in downtown Alpena has served their minimal intervention, naturally fermented cider using Northern Michigan apples. Although open for only a couple of months, they’ve filled the calendars with events from a Holiday Open House to music by local singer/songwriter Charles Madison. Follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on future events, including the Poetic Lab’s Open Mic Night on December 2nd and a Banned Book Club meeting on December 18th.
Special Bottles
Stocking the bar for the upcoming celebrations? Looking for a great wintertime wine? See our suggestions:
Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery
Perfect for wintertime meals, like red meats and rich tomato-based pasta sauces, Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery’s 2020 Petite Pearl is estate-grown, hand-harvested, and aged with Hungarian oak for a well-balanced wine and a smooth, silky finish. Find the ripe fruits on the nose on this Cabernet Sauvignon-comparable wine at their panoramic Petoskey tasting room, or head online for a shipped bottle to your door.
Bløm Meadworks
Feeling festive? Try a local Christmas Mead from Bløm of Ann Arbor! This limited-release special includes Michigan-grown cranberries, ginger, and wildflower honey. It’s one of many light and dry session meads and ciders available this season. Find your favorite way to stock up on their website!
Blake’s Hard Cider
Blake’s Hard Cider, born on a third-generation farmstead, prides itself on growing, picking, and pressing its own apples and recently received the 2021 US Cider Open Grand Champion Award. Try their ‘American Apple,’ an imperial hard cider (8% ABV) with balanced sweetness and no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners – just real fruit and pure taste! Visit them in Almont or Armada or online – or better yet, buy a ticket for the North South West party on January 21st for three themed tents (from hula hoops and tropical drinks in ‘the South’ to line dancing and a mechanical bull in ‘the West’ to explore!
Taproot Cider House
Taproot Cider House has been serving up a local, organic and earth-to-table menu and great cider for almost seven years in downtown Traverse City. This Winter, try their Madagascar Vanilla Bean Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider. They finish this dry hard cider using local organic apples in Iron Fish Distillery bourbon barrels for a drink that’s smooth from start to finish. Find a current menu, and gift card options for the holidays, on their website.
MAWBY Sparkling Wines
Find a selection of special bottles with the MAWBY Gift Guide! Discover bubbly ways to celebrate the season with selections for the casual sipper to the once-in-a-lifetime vintage vertical for the person who has it all. Start checking off the list here!
A New Favorite!
Explore a new Michigan winery experience this winter!
Black Star Farms
Ready to introduce a friend to local wine? Black Star Farms, a Suttons Bay 160-acre estate, suggests their wine for employee appreciation or for family gifting. Order your 2-bottle gift set which includes a selection for all palates, a personalized gift card, an elegant gift box, and free shipping on their site!
Shiny Apple Wines
Using fresh apples, pears, and raspberries from parent farm Grainger’s Orchards of Howell, Shiny Apple Wines offers a unique product lineup with a different blend of varieties year after year for a continually delightful experience. Using fruit to guide flavor, Shiny Apple Wines has been bottling terroir since 2016. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the farm and the wine!
Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery
On the North side of Grand Rapids, explore this sixth-generation family farm, proudly carrying on a legacy of delicious Michigan-grown fruit, including apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apples. Step into their winery for a taste of unique fruit wine from Passionate Peach Spumante to Cranberry, or try their original cider, Barzilla’s Brew, named after the founder of the farm, Barzilla Robinette! Start your visit online here.
Where are you sipping local this season?