When thinking about fine wine, it’s easy to travel to faraway places, like northern California, Italy, or the south of France. But midwestern wine enthusiasts don’t actually need to book a flight in order to sample excellent wines. It turns out Berrien County, Michigan, located in the southwest corner of Wolverine State’s lower peninsula, is the home to a number of picturesque, premiere wineries.
As luck will have it, the terrain of this area is super grape-friendly, and Lake Michigan itself plays a role. Even the most discerning of wine connoisseurs can have their pick and be wow’d by the results. You can actually plan a vacation around the plethora of stellar wineries throughout this county alone. And plan you should, as these spots are hot and get reserved quickly.
Dablon Winery & Vineyards
Address: 111 W Shawnee Rd, Baroda, MI 49101
Wine snobs beware. Dablon’s reds are nothing to sniff at. According to one reviewer, “Dablon’s overall strength is in age-worthy Bordeaux style reds,” which is rare in this region. Located five miles from the supremely vast Lake Michigan, Dablon is situated on a rare glacier-created hill, which may account, in part, for its award-winning wines. However, the tremendous care that goes into the wine-making process itself cannot be ignored. According to their website, Dablon’s crew has hand-planted vines and hand-nurtured 17 varietals which have been crafted into more than 30 wines.
And if the sublime, lush, green surroundings of Dablon Winery & Vineyards aren’t enough, this beloved Michigan winery is widely known for having one of the top ten wine tasting rooms in the United States. They pride themselves on providing both comfort and elegance, along with a knowledgeable staff, which together elevate the entire tasting experience.
This estate not only offers a dreamy rural escape from an urban environment, it offers “world-class wine made from world-class grapes” grown on site. The pastoral beauty of Dablon Winery is unmatched, and live music accompanies weekend tastings. Join the wine club to gain first access to their artisan wines grown on site.
Tabor Hill Winery
Address: 185 Mt Tabor Rd, Buchanan, MI 49107
Right in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s wine country is the acclaimed Tabor Hill Winery. Known for its relaxed, yet sophisticated, atmosphere and its exceptional, complex wine with vibrant flavors, this winery is perfect for dressing up just enough to kick back outdoors with your favorite people and sample some of the best wine of the region, while taking in the natural beauty of the winery itself.
Enjoy small bites from Tabor Hill’s eclectic menu, guided tastings, and live music, all while sipping on Tabor Hill’s famed wine. Beer and cocktails featuring spirits from the nearby Round Barn Distillery are available as well. Large parties for events are welcome, as are all, at Tabor Hill Winery.
Round Barn Winery
Address: 10983 Hills Rd, Baroda, MI 49101
The name speaks for itself. When approaching Round Barn Winery & Estate in Baroda, you will be struck by the gorgeous turn-of-the-century white Amish round barn, which serves as a backdrop for any number of visitor delights. Not to mention, Round Barn Winery is proof that Michigan is not just for wine lovers. This family-owned and operated winery, distillery, and brewery is a truly special locale not to be missed. From summer wines and handcrafted spirits, to dessert creams, Round Barn has everything for every occasion.
All year round, this unique and welcoming estate welcomes visitors from all over. Not only do they offer personalized tastings with a curated selection of Round Barn wine, beer, and expertly crafted cocktails highlighting the estate’s rich flavors, but they also host live music and a variety of events. On weekends you can enjoy yummy bites from their food truck. And you can even bring your (leashed) dog! Make sure to try their Margarita Wine Cocktails in Classic and Peach Margarita.
Gravity Vineyards and Winery
Address: 10220 Lauer Rd, Baroda, MI 49101
For pure relaxation and exceptional wines amidst jaw-dropping beauty, head over to Gravity Vineyards and Winery in Baroda. This family-run business is known for making excellent wine for everyone, from traditional oak aged reds, to crisp whites, sweet sippers, bubbles, and sparkling ciders.
Visit Gravity’s modern tasting room, where you can peacefully sip your favorite beverage, while overlooking their private lake and lawns that stretch for days. Gravity’s tasting consultants will expertly guide you through a diverse selection of wines and ciders which are all made on site. “Our vineyards are located right here on the property, so you will get to see what you taste!” says their website.
If you are shopping, beaching, or dining in Baroda, you might take a break at Gravity’s second downtown location for some fantastic wines and ciders. Red Top Winery was established in 2017 to offer “daringly different” wines and ciders to their eager customers. All locally sourced, this wine is definitely something to write home about.
Red Top Winery
Address: 482 E Snow Rd, Baroda, MI 49101
Visit Red Top Winery with an open mind, and you will be pleasantly surprised. Their aim is to be daringly different, and they succeed in doing so. Connection with friends and family reigns supreme at Red Top. Everything is created and delivered to the customer to serve the purpose of enjoyment without any pretense and devoid of any self-consciousness.
Red Top wine is made of home grown grapes from their farm, and the cider comes from apples grown on their neighbor’s farm. From there, Red Top gets creative, aging some of their wines and ciders in barrels previously used for bourbon, rum, cognac, tequila, etc., so that they carry the various flavors into their own ultimate reveal. Sparkling wines and ciders on tap are the stars of the show, and don’t be surprised if you taste a hint of jalepeňo, peach, cinnamon, or pineapple in your wine or cider. You can look forward to reggae music and lots of outdoor seating on your next visit to Red Top.
