The Art Coast’s Wineries
Did you know the entire West side of Michigan is known as the Fruit Belt? Not only do we get the most gorgeous apples, blueberries, plums, and pears, we get a bountiful harvest of GRAPES! If you didn’t know, grapes are where we get that delectable adult beverage, wine! Thanks to our beautiful Lake Michigan and hilly, sandy soil, we are in the prime location for viticulture. Southwest Michigan has one of the largest concentration of wineries in the entire state and we make it easy to experience them all! With our winery/brewery tasting tours you don’t have to worry about getting from one to another. Sit back, relax, and indulge in the finest vintages Michigan has to offer!
Fenn Valley Vineyards
This family owned vineyard is a staple in the community and has been around since 1973. Sitting on 240 acres just outside of Saugatuck, this vineyard grows an incredible variety of grapes that produce interesting, complex wines. Their white wines in particular are a real stand out for us. The Vino Blanco is dry and crisp, perfect for a hot summer day. Their Premier Cuvee is the perfect thing to pop open for a celebration; dry with delicate notes of fruit done in the Methode Champenoise where each bottle is aged for a minimum of 12 months.
Schedule a tour of the vineyard where you and a group of your pals can test taste the various wines while getting a crash course on wine making in Michigan. Luckily the subject matter keeps things interesting!
Modales
Modales Winery opened in 2016 but its fertile soil has a history well before that! The first settlers broke soil to plant crops back in the 1830’s and you will see remnants of the 1830’s outbuildings within the winery giving a nod to the history of the land and its settlers. Modales Wines sits on 76 acres of lush Michigan landscape 4 miles from Lake Michigan. Practicing low-intervention wine making paired with sustainability and exceptional hospitality, this modern winery allows the vineyard to define the style rather than forcing the wine to become something it is not.
Modales makes serious wines that make is abundantly clear that Michigan can make world class wines. While still staying true to what Michigan soil brings to our wines, their selection of dry white and red wines are what seemingly sets them apart from many other wineries in the state.
Crane’s
This 5th generation of Michigan family farmers brings over 100 years of knowledge with a new generation of inspiration and wine making that launched in 2014. Crane’s has been a staple in this community for a century with their well known, delicious pies and cider and most recently their fabulous Michigan wines. Crane’s products are locallygrown, locally produced, with local talent giving you the most authentic Michigan made wines around! Their slew of awards highlight the work their local winemakers are doing here and believe me when I say they are well deserving of it. Take a tour of the facility while tasting all the varietals they grow on property or simply relax at the restaurant and enjoy their charcuterie, sandwiches, and sweet treats!
Crane’s Orchards is a centennial fruit farm that grows apples, peaches, cherries, and of course grapes! Although this is a winery, this is a great place for the whole family. Take a ride through the orchards, do a u-pick and take some delicious produce home with you, pick pumpkins, the list goes on!
“Wine and friends are a great blend”
-Ernest Hemingway