| Springtime in the
Vineyards
Spring is a fabulous time of year to watch the vineyards in action.
The planting of new vines, pruning of the old, weeding, hustle and
bustle is everywhere. And if you quietly listen you can actually hear
the vines grow
Start in downtown Saugatuck at the Tasting Rooms of Fenn Valley and Tabor
Hill or head right out to the Fenn Valley Winery and then follow the circle
of the Wine Trail.
While you're out driving the country roads surrounded by fields of
grapevines, and at the wineries, be sure to visit the Tasting Rooms at Fenn
Valley Vineyards and Tabor Hill Winery in Saugatuck, Warner Vineyards and
the Black Star Winery on Kalamazoo Street in Paw Paw, and further south The
Round Barn and Lemon Creek Wineries in Baroda, and then swing by Coloma for
Karma Vista and Contessa.
Tasting Rooms and Wineries are filled with Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio,
Cabernet Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.
After dinner wine in the "Fruit Belt" also features dessert wines made of
Raspberry, Peach, Blueberry, Blackberry, Apples, and Cherries.
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Fenn Valley
Winery
For thirty years, Fenn Valley, our
local winery has been growing award (receiving over 300) winning
wines. They have a convenient Tasting Room in Saugatuck, but a
visit to the winery is also a must! Just 10 minutes away you
can see the “wine” growing as you approach to take cellar tours,
visit the tasting room, vineyard tours, or join the annual
harvest activities of cookouts and picnics in the vineyard, The
Harvest Winemaker’s Dinner, and The Nouveau Festival
celebrating the new wine.
The winemaker, Doug Welch crafts Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot
Noir, Cabernet Franc and a number of his own special blends –
and dessert wines.
Fenn Valley Winery and Vineyards
122nd Avenue, Fennville
800.432.6265
Warner Vineyards
Three generations of
winemakers (boasting the second oldest winery in Michigan) show
their expertise in the historical Wine Haus along Kalamazoo
River. These are some of the favorite Michigan wines and
include Chardonnay Reserve, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Blush,
Merlot, Pinot Noir, and dessert wines including Wild Wild
Raspberry, Peach and Honey, and Blueberry
Warner
Vineyards
706 S. Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw
800.756.5357
Open every day
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Tabor Hill Winery
The Tabor Hill Tasting Room has been in Saugatuck for 20 years
and reflects Tabor Hill’s forty years of growing wine grapes
with the French tradition of harvesting grapes and aging in
oak. Award winning Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot,
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blanc de Blanc. A visit
to the winery and restaurant is just 30 minutes south of
Saugatuck.
Tabor Hill
Winery and Restaurant
Mt. Tabor Road
Buchanan, Michigan
800.283.3363
Black Star Farms
Northern Michigan Black Star Farms Winery hosts a Tasting Room
in Fennville. Don't miss it - their wines and dessert wines and
eau de vies are very special.
Black Star Farms
Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw
269.655.8565 |
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Picking
Crushing
Pressing
Bottling
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A News Note! This spring,
Saugatuck will welcome the new Dancing Horse Winery and Vineyard,
scheduled to open in April 2006.
FYI Wine grapes have been grown since
the 1860s along Lake Michigan's coastlines. It's an ideal multiclimate
much like the conditions of Northern California, Washington, Oregon,
and Long Island. The same warm breezes off the Lake which extend warm
temperatures into an elongated Indian Summer extend the growing season
up to four months.
There's deep sandy soil, great for irrigation and the lake effect sun
in winter protects the vines and restored buds break in spring to
avoid frost damage. These conditions all contribute to an ever growing
wine community, with over 13,000 acres of vineyards. |
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Henry
David Thoreau
