Want some information about Michigan Wines?  (Even if you're not shipping wines to Michigan, you may want to know a bit about our wine history!)

With 15,000 acres of vineyards to its name, Michigan is the fourth largest grape-growing state in the nation, an industry that contributes over 790 million dollars of value to the local economy and nearly 5,000 jobs to workers throughout the state. The majority of the grapes grown in Michigan are Concord and Niagara varieties and are primarily used in the production of jams, jellies, and juices. Only 2,650 acres are currently devoted to wine grapes, a number which has doubled in the last ten years. While grapes used for wine only account for a small percentage of the total state grape harvest,

Michigan still ranks fifth in national wine grape production. There are currently over one hundred commercial wineries in the state, producing 1.4 million gallons of wine each year. Vinifera varietals such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Franc account for the majority of the state’s wine grapes, though hybrid varietals are also fairly prominent. Concord and Niagara grapes, both native to Michigan, account for only a small percentage of the wine grape industry and are typically used to make sweet wines.

The grapes are grown throughout Michigan’s four federally approved viticultural areas: Fennville, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, and Old Mission Peninsula. It is important to note that all four wine-growing regions are within 25 miles of Lake Michigan, as the lake effect creates a micro-climate suitable for grape cultivation. While these regions are far removed from major metropolitan centers like Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan’s wine country is easily accessible from Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Traverse City.

If you're not coming to our fine state of Michigan to enjoy the local wines, then you may want to consider shipping a wine club to a Michigan resident, by using one of our recommendations here!