In 1975, we began planting our vineyard for the purpose of supplying home winemakers with a variety of locally grown, fresh grapes for winemaking. We now raise 21 varieties including Vinifera, French hybrids, New York and Minnesota hybrids and the traditional American varieties, Niagara and Concord. 

In 1980, we added a cooler and press so that we are now able to provide fresh, lightly pressed juice that has settled and been chilled to retard fermentation. Our grapes are all hand picked and mostly grown on our own farm. Those that we buy are grown locally. We cluster, thin and open the ripening grapes to full sun by combing out the individual shoots. 
 

Crop Outlook for 2008

Southwestern Michigan experienced a 27 degree frost in late April. The Concord and Niagara crop was reduced by about 40%. Most of the wine grape varieties recovered and have full crops with a few exceptions. The Foch crop was reduced by half and the Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc crops are down about 35%. Most other varieties have full crops.

Beginning harvest dates will commence about 7-10 days later than last year. The harvest of grapes like Foch, Seyval and Lacrosse will probably occur between September 10 and September 22nd. The mid season will start about September 20th. Reliance could be harvested earlier. In fact, we may harvest it shortly after Labor Day. If you want Reliance, let me know as soon as possible. We can hold it for you in our cooler. Late varieties like Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc will not be harvested until late September or early October. We have had excellent weather the past two weeks with consistent warmth and little rain. This bodes well for the quality of the harvest and compensates for the cooler early summer weather.

We have constructed another deer fence so that 2/3 of our vineyard is now protected. New plantings this year include more Marquette, Valvin Muscat, Lemberger and Frontenac Gris.