Telling Michigan’s Best Stories
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Join us as we explore Michigan to find the best our state has to offer. Follow along as we travel to find and tell stories about Michigan’s best adventures, foods, events, nature, innovations, businesses, and communities. Your source for feel-good, positive Michigan news. Find us on MLive.com/MichigansBest and our social channels.
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GRAND RAPIDS | KALAMAZOO | MUSKEGON | 10.15.23
When we chose the stories for this edition, all the events and dates were accurate. As always, find the most-up-to-date information on the business/event/activity website, Facebook page or other direct information source.
Wine MI Best
[LOOK INSIDE] Highlighting the wonderful world of Michigan wine
Guide
Here’s why Michigan wines are the best,
unique and tasty
s SPONSORED Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail
Have you ever wanted the opportunity to try various wines and experience authentic wine making? How about tasting the unique grapes that grow right on the Lake Michigan lakeshore? Well, Lake Michigan Wine Shore Trail is the place for you.
tretching from Buchanan to Fennville to Kalamazoo, the trail is made up of fifteen quality wineries that each offer a different experience upon arrival. The trail is split into four different regions – north, south, east and central. “The wineries are clustered in those different areas so it’s good to pick and choose which area you want to visit,” said director Michael Moyer. “So, it’s possible to stop in an area, try a few wineries and then go hit another spot.” Ready to make the trip? Here’s all the reasons why you should try the wines along the lakeshore. The large variety of wine styles and tastes Whether you like your wines on the sweeter side or the drier side, there’s a wine for you on the Wine Shore Trail. Each winery has its own specialty and brings a fresh, new vibe to wine and wine tasting. “Some wineries take a different approach to the kinds of styles of wine that they make,” said Moyer. “You get this huge diversity of wines that you can get. We use a tremendous amount of varieties but also a variety of different sweetness levels and different price points. There’s something for everyone.” The trail’s variety includes sparkling wines, Rieslings, blends of merlot, cabernet and so much more. You’ll have to visit to find out! GRAPES ALONG THE LAKESHORE With most of the vineyards a close distance to Lake Michigan (ten miles close!), the
elevation, slopes from the sand dunes, well drained soils and a moderated climate thanks to the lake make for perfect grape growing conditions. “We can grow grapes that you can’t grow in other parts of the country,” said Moyer. “Across the lake in Wisconsin, they can’t grow what we grow. Even down in Missouri, if you go further south, [they can’t grow] because they don’t have the moderating effect of the water.” Because of the unique climate that Michigan and the lakeshore provides to wineries and vineyards, growers are able to dodge harsh winter conditions that often times are catastrophic to grape vines. The Wine Shore Trail is also able to make wines that are not able to be made everywhere
INFO To plan your perfect wine trail experience and to learn more about each winery, visit miwinetrail.com
like Rieslings, Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Francs. Those wines have been the backbone of wine industry for centuries and they can be made right on the lakeshore. The trail is composed of producers that want people to try their styles and enjoy themselves along the way. The Michigan wine market has had an exceptional increase in the perception of state-made wines but has a way to go – with your help, you can get them there. “Of course, we love it when people walk out with wine in hand,” said Moyer. “But we really want to build loyalty. We want them to come back and visit and look out for us at their own marketplaces. We want people to talk about how awesome Michigan wines are.”
you don’t want to miss this
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Telling Michigan’s Best Stories Join us as we explore Michigan to find the best our state has to offer. Follow along as we travel to find and tell stories about Michigan’s best adventures, foods, events, nature, innovations, businesses, and communities. Your source for feel-good, positive Michigan news. Find us on MLive.com/MichigansBest and our social channels.
MLiveMIBest #ITriedMIBest MLive.com/MichigansBest 10527238-03