An 80-acre Berrien County farm in the heart of the scenic Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country will once again play host to one of the coolest summer parties of the season later this month, and the winemakers at the helm there want to make sure you get the big event on your personal calendar.
That sprawling farm was converted to vineyard development beginning in 1992 when a tart cherry orchard was removed and wine grapes took their place. Today, Domaine Berrien Cellars is a premier stop on the Lake Michigan Wine Trail and their estate grown varietals are award-winning and well-respected.
Domaine Berrien Cellars is the dream come true of Wally & Katie Maurer, They've been making quality wines at 398 E. Lemon Creek Road in Berrien Springs since 2001, and on July 23rd they will host their 12th Annual Art, Wine & Music Festival, a full day affair right in the heart of the vineyards.
From 11am until 7pm that glorious Saturday, the festival is slated to take place behind the Domaine Berrien Tasting Room, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of the boutique family winery. In the very first year of production, only 750 cases were bottled and they quickly sold out. Annual production now surpasses 4,500 cases of wine all made from grapes grown right on the property. That's what makes them an estate winery.
This year's Art, Wine & Music Festival will feature 25 local & regional artists who will be displaying and selling their handcrafted work under their individual tents in the art fair area on the lawn. A unique variety of artistic offerings will be available, from jewelry, wood carvings, oil & acrylic paintings and watercolors, to photography, fused glass, stoneware, ceramics, mosaics, metal work, stained glass, and pottery.
Domaine Berrien fans will be entertained by live music all day featuring three local groups that play a wide variety of audience favorites including blues, jazz, bluegrass, country rock, and rock. Here's the scheduled line-up:
- The Back Sliders from 11:00am – 1:00pm
- Mike Talbot & Green Valley Peace from 1:30pm – 4:30pm
- The Oblates of Blues from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
Mouth-watering tacos, stir fry noodles with or without chicken, hot dogs, sweet corn & snacks fresh from Jim’s Kitchen will be available, along with refreshing Italian ices from Zeno’s Italian Ice. Domaine Berrien Cellars’ wine tastings, and wine by the glass or bottle will be for sale, as well as non-alcoholic beverages.
All tips collected during the festival will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Wally’s Mom, Kathleen Maurer. Domaine Berrien Cellars wine is the only alcoholic beverage allowed on the premises by Michigan law, so coolers will be checked at the gate. Sorry – no dogs are allowed in the festival area. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, check their website, or call 269-473-9463. Here's the line to their website:
