With more than 120 wineries listed on the official website of the Michigan wine industry, there’s no shortage of places for wine lovers to visit, but usually southeast Michigan is absent from wine-lover destination lists. That’s why we searched for all the great spots within driving distance of Detroit because hey, you don’t always want to have to take a long road trip to experience the MittenÂ’s booming wine scene. From an emerging wine trail in the Thumb to vineyards sprinkled across the Irish Hills, there are plenty of places to sip local wines right here in southeast Michigan.
We rounded up a bunch of our favorites, let us know what you think!
By Colleen Kowalewski
3 North Vines, Croswell
Located near the shores of Lake Huron, not far from the charming town of Lexington, 3 North Vines offers a range of wines from sweet whites to dry Spanish and South African style reds. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: 3 North Vines via Yelp)Burgdorfs Winery, Haslett
Dont let the unassuming exterior fool you – this mid-century home is really Burgdorfs year-round tasting room, where visitors can sample seasonal fruit wines in addition to more conventional varieties. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: James B. via Yelp)Chateau Aeronautique, Jackson
Home to hangers as well as a tasting room, this high-flying Jackson area vineyard blends the vintners passion for flying with the craft of winemaking. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Erin K. via Yelp)Cherry Creek Winery, Brooklyn
A historic one-room schoolhouse is home to this quaint winery and tasting room, where visitors can sample the wines made by a fourth-generation vintner paired with other gourmet treats including freshly made fudge and locally roasted coffee. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail.(Photo Credit: J. B. via Yelp)Dizzy Daisy Winery, Bad Axe
With more than 50 varieties of wine that include unusual flavors such as rhubarb and elderberry, this Thumb area winery is a true original. And with complimentary tastings, you can be as adventurous as you like and still know youre going home with the perfect bottle. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Dizzy Daisy Winery via Facebook)Fieldstone Winery, Rochester
This urban winery and tasting room in Downtown Rochester bills itself as a wine snob free zone, with helpful staff on hand to assist visitors in choosing just the right wine for their tastes. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail.(Photo Credit: Fieldstone Winery via Yelp)Filipo Marc Winery, Clinton Township
What could be better than more than 70 varieties of wine from a single urban winery? Making your own wine in the winerys small-scale production area before enjoying the tasting room. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail.(Photo Credit: Laura P. via Yelp)Flying Otter Vineyard, Adrian
With a focus on sustainability and grape varieties adapted to the local climate, this Adrian winery produces several uncommon varieties of wine that wont be found at every stop on the trail. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Reese F. via Yelp)Grand River Brewery, Jackson
The folks at Grand River Brewery know their spirits. In addition to a full line of wine, from dry reds to bubbly dessert wines, this Jackson stop is also a brewery and distillery and also has a full restaurant menu. (Photo Credit: Nathan L. via Yelp)Green Barn Winery, Smiths Creek
A hidden gem just minutes from I-94 near Port Huron, this winery offers a full line of wines and small town charm in a tasting room located in – you guessed it! – a big green barn. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Mike R. via Yelp)J. Trees Cellars, Tecumseh
Specializing in hard ciders and sparkling wine, this Tecumseh winery offers such unique choices as apple icewine as well as more traditional varieties. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: J. Trees Cellars via Facebook)Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, Grass Lake
Southeast Michigans oldest commercial vineyard, Lone Oak crafts European-style wines in the traditions of southern France and northern Spain – regions that share a similar latitude with the winerys Irish Hills location. (Photo Credit: Jakub B. via Yelp)Pentamere Winery, Tecumseh
This boutique winery is nestled in the heart of Tecumseh’s business district, where the winemaking process is on display in the tasting room. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Justfly via Tripadvisor)Sage Creek Winery, Memphis
This welcoming winery features classic varieties and original blends, served with small town hospitality in their cozy Memphis tasting room. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Sage Creek Winery via Facebook)Sandhill Crane Vineyards, Jackson
Boasting the greatest number of medals of any southeast Michigan winery, Sandhill Crane Vineyards produce a full line of small-batch wines, served in their cozy tasting room alongside a full cafe menu. Part of the Pioneer Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Anjelica A. via Yelp)Spicer Winery, Fenton
The folks at Spicer Orchards have gotten into the wine business, and we couldnt be happier about it. Featuring the best of Michigans diverse fruit production, fermented and served by the glass, the tasting room is a welcome addition to the family-friendly u-pick farm.(Photo Credit: Francesco C. via Yelp)Village Winery, Romeo
A small batch boutique winery that uses both local and imported ingredients to dream up inventive blends and flavors, the Village Winerys location in the heart of historic Romeo is almost as charming as the tasting room itself. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Village Winery on Facebook)Washington Street Wine House, New Baltimore
Located in downtown New Baltimore with spectacular views of Anchor Bay, this boutique winery offers varieties ranging from classic merlot to exotic wines with ingredients like pomegranate and dragonfruit. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Washington Street Wine House via Facebook)Westview Orchards Winery, Washington Township
The newest addition to this historic farm is a winery and tasting room, bringing adult appeal to a spot many of us remember from our childhood and offering both fruit and grape wines along with a selection of appetizers that includes the orchards addictive doughnuts. Part of the Thumbs Up Wine Trail. (Photo Credit: Daniel H. via Yelp)
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