With over 100 operating wineries and four viticultural areas, the state of Michigan boasts a wine industry that brings in over 100 million dollars every year.
The viticultural areas of Fennville, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, and the Old Mission Peninsula yield some of America's most appreciated grapes. However, you'll be interested to know that not more than 1/10 of them is used for winemaking.
The state produces a mixture of hybrid and European grape varietals. Among the latter, Michigan is most famous for its Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Michigan's wine industry, which is mainly focused on sweet wine, can be traced back to the end of Prohibition. Back then, there were four large wineries that dominated the scene: La Salle, Bronte, St. Julian, and Michigan wineries.
Judging by the number of wineries and wine clubs with online presence, the wine appreciation scene is quite alive in the state of Michigan, offering varied opportunities for you to taste regional wines, as well as international ones.
Wine Club Scene
If you are looking to find a Michigan wine club dedicated to regional wines, Michigan Wines may have the answer. Their Vintage Michigan Club offers discounts at wine events, wineries, and retailers across the state. They publish the Michigan Wine Country Magazine; the ideal companion if you want to explore Lake Michigan Shore or Leelanau, in your quest for the finest Michigan wines.
The Gibb's Wine Tasters Club is also a great option, if you wish to learn more about Michigan wines. Their activity mainly consists of wine events, tastings, and dinners. They have a Wines of the Month showcase at discount prices, and, as a member, you are allowed to bring a guest to the events at a low rate. At $40 a year, this membership seems like good value, if you consider the large number of events included in the package.
If your ideal Michigan wine club should be one with tradition and one that offers exotic wines as well, the
American Wine Society's
Detroit Chapter might be just right for you. They hold monthly wine tastings in Fall, Winter, and Spring; and they organize weekend trips to the surrounding wine regions in the Summer.
A typical tasting at this traditional Michigan wine club will include socializing, gourmet bites, the tasting of 6 wines, which are introduced by an expert, plus bread and cheeses. A pretty good deal for a mere $20.
The Ann Arbor Guild, a chapter of the national Tasters Guild offers 12 annual tastings (of over 50 wines each) and occasional wine dinners, plus they hold a special annual tasting of 200 medal-winning wines from the Tasters Guild International Wine Judging and Consumers Judging. With an annual fee of $45, the Guild also organizes wine cruises and tours for you.
As a member of the Guild, you'll also receive discounts at its namesake, the Ann Arbor Wine Club. This Michigan wine club has a modus operandi that every wine club member in the world would wish for. Namely, they hold a tasting of the wines on offer, for each of their bi-monthly selections, before you have to make a decision. Simple, brilliant? How didn't anybody else think about this?
If you are one of those conscientious consumers who really want value for their money, and do not appreciate receiving surprises in the mail, you are certainly Ann Arbor wine club material.
If none of the above did it for you, you can also check out Western Michigan's More Fine Wine Club, dedicated to both local and international boutique wineries. With three different wine plans and a knack for the exotic, this wine club is likely to satisfy the most adventurous palates.
The Michigan wine club of your dreams is somewhere to be found. Some will wine you and dine you, some will take you on an unforgettable tour around lake-side wineries, but all of them will fulfill their main goal; the celebration of Michigan wine. Enjoy!
