Come visit the wineries of Michigan's Great Southwest!

Southwest Michigan has been known as Michigan's Fruit Belt since the 1800's, due to its fertile soil, rolling terrain, and proximity to Lake Michigan, which moderates the climate. During the summer, the Fruit Belt averages a uniform three inches of rain per month, and Lake Michigan keeps radical temperature swings to a minimum. Starting in the spring with strawberries, and continuing throughout the summer and fall with cherries, blueberries, peaches, plums, pears, apples, and grapes, there is always fruit ready for harvest in the area.

The most recent crop to excel in Southwest Michigan is wine grapes. From the state line north to Saugatuck, and from the lakeshore east to the vineyards beyond Paw Paw, the countryside contains over 10,000 acres of grapes. With light, beach-like soils and lake effect climate, the southwest corner of the state is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) - just like Napa Valley or Sonoma Valley - called 'Lake Michigan Shore'. This viticultural area contains 11 wineries plus eight more satellite tasting rooms, all offering the opportunity to sample and learn about wine and the winemaking process.

Starting in 2001, the wineries in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA joined together to form a Wine Trail to promote the great wines and wineries of the area. Blue and white grape road signs help to guide you along the trail from winery to winery, along with maps and brochures available at any member winery or local tourism center. Each winery is different and has its own unique character. Consult the Wine Trail's website for a map ("Helpful Maps" page) and links to each member winery's website ("The Wineries" page). The eleven Wine Trail winery members are: Contessa Wine Cellars, Domaine Berrien Cellars, Fenn Valley Vineyards, Free Run Cellars, Hickory Creek Winery, Karma Vista Vineyards, Lemon Creek Winery, Round Barn Winery, St. Julian Winery, Tabor Hill Winery, and Warner Vineyards.

Discover the world of wine in your own backyard and enjoy award-winning Michigan wines as spectacular as a Lake Michigan sunset!